University of Kwazulu-Natal

Public Relations Society Of America 2025 Prsa College Of Fellows

Bonisiwe Shabane
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public relations society of america 2025 prsa college of fellows

The PRSA College of Fellows is the gold standard for public relations professionals. Induction into the College of Fellows is an emergence into new ways of serving our profession and our colleagues. Over 700 members have been inducted since its inception in 1989. Whether you have 20 plus years of professional experience or recently received your APR, continue the lifelong journey with the College of Fellows. While it is an honor to be a member of the College, it is not an honorary organization. Rather, it is an active group of experienced professionals who enrich our profession by continuing to leave a significant footprint on the public relations body of knowledge.

A rigorous application and peer review process culminates in inducting into membership these ‘best of the best.’ Selection to the College is considered the pinnacle of one’s career and the beginning of the professional’s next career phase, sharing expertise and knowledge as they continue to grow professionally and expand their careers. ChairRonele M. Dotson, APR, Fellow PRSAChair-electKelly Davis, APR, Fellow PRSAVice ChairJessica Graham, APR, Fellow PRSASecretary-TreasurerEllen Crane, APR, Fellow PRSADiversity, Equity & Inclusion OfficerOlga Mayoral Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSAImmediate Past ChairPhilip Poole, APR, Fellow PRSA Diversity, Equity & InclusionOlga Mayoral WilsonEducation InitiativesChristian PattersonMelissa Vela-WilliamsonBrandon WilsonFellows ChatsMike GrossJanet KacskosFellows EngagementAmy CowardJo Ann LeSage NelsonFundraisingJanet OppenheimerGoodFellowsAndrew CornerJamie FloerPamela ThompsonHonors and AwardsJulie FixFran StevensonPhilip TateInduction CelebrationEllen CraneJessica GrahamMentoringBrook DeWaltSusan PollardGail RymerNominatingPhilip PooleProfessional... Every fall, as PRSA members gather for ICON, another tradition unfolds — one that honors the profession’s past, present and future.

On the eve of ICON 2025 in Washington, D.C., nine practitioners will take their place among the College of Fellows, joining a community of leaders whose influence stretches across decades. These Accredited PRSA members — each with at least 20 years of professional experience — were chosen through a rigorous process that asked them to showcase their impact, provide peer endorsements, and demonstrate how... Their applications were carefully reviewed by a committee of Fellows, with Kelly Davis, APR, Fellow PRSA, chair-elect of the College, overseeing this year’s selections. The new inductees will be celebrated at a formal gathering on Oct. 27, from 6-9 p.m. at the Washington Hilton with the theme “Red, White, Blue & Fellows: Celebrating Monumental Achievement,” an evening that Vice Chair Jessica Graham, APR, Fellow PRSA, organized.

Since its inception in 1989, the PRSA College of Fellows has established itself as the gold standard for public relations professionals, growing to over 700 members. NEW YORK, July 9, 2025 – PRSA, the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, announced today the eight new members selected to the College of Fellows. Established in 1989, the College of Fellows includes more than 750 professionals and educators who have made a significant impact on the public relations and communications profession. “The College of Fellows represents the best of the best in our profession — those who have demonstrated and been certified as having the highest standards of excellence,” said Ray Day, 2025 PRSA chair,... “The latest class of inductees underscores the high-impact work these individuals have accomplished throughout their careers, leading with integrity and unwavering ethical standards. On behalf of PRSA, it’s an honor to recognize each of them on this prestigious distinction.”

Members of the College of Fellows exemplify excellence in the practice of public relations. They are recognized for advancing the profession, demonstrating leadership and service within their communities, and service as a role model both in their careers and beyond. To be considered, candidates must have at least 20 years of experience in public relations communications and hold an Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification. The College of Fellows Class of 2025 will be inducted at a gala celebration on Monday, Oct. 27, prior to PRSA’s annual ICON conference in Washington, D.C. About PRSA PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico.

Guided by its Code of Ethics, PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of premium professional development programs, exclusive networking events and leadership opportunities. Signature events include the Anvil Awards, and ICON, the premier annual gathering for communications professionals and students. For more information, visit www.prsa.org. Applying to the College of Fellows provides a unique and rewarding opportunity to assess your professional career and civic engagement: how you have contributed to our profession and your various communities for the past... Only the finest in our profession are chosen to become members of the College and use the “Fellow PRSA” designation, first by applying, then having the application screened through a rigorous peer review. As you prepare to start this application, you may want to read “What Makes A Fellow, A Fellow?” by Jim Lukaszewski, APR, Fellow PRSA.

It captures the true meaning of being a member of the College of Fellows. While selection to the College of Fellows reflects the highest pinnacle of leadership in the public relations profession, it is not a "career achievement" award. It is the next step on a career and leadership path, bringing even greater responsibility to lead with integrity and purpose. We wish you the best as you begin this exciting process. The PRSA Foundation will provide the PRSA College of Fellows Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Grant to qualifying students and young professionals to cover the cost of the Certificate in Principles of Public... This grant is funded by the PRSA College of Fellows.

The College of Fellows believes in the importance of students and recent graduates entering the life-long ladder of professional development through PRSA membership and participation. That progression begins with PRSSA membership, followed by the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, earning Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through the Universal Accreditation Board, and potentially culminating with induction into the College... The grant program will be under the oversight of PRSA Foundation, with the College of Fellows managing fundraising and the selection committee process. The PRSA College of Fellows Certificate in Principles of Public Relations Grant will provide a limited number of grants annually to qualifying undergraduate or graduate students or new professionals who meet the eligibility requirements... Grants are provided to defray the cost of the study course and examination. Awards will be given twice annually.

Applications for the spring/summer are due November 1. Applications for the fall/winter are due April 30. Applicants for the PRSA College of Fellows Grant should submit the following: Now in its fourth year, the fellowship program welcomes new partner agencies and will award a record value of scholarships and stipends to aspiring industry professionals NEW YORK, May 6, 2025 – Today, the PRSA Foundation announced the 2025 class of its annual fellowship program. The collaborative program creates pathways for underrepresented students pursuing careers in PR and communications by offering opportunities to gain valuable work experience while offsetting some of the financial burdens of tuition and other education...

Launched in 2022, the fellowship program is expanding its impact with the support of eight leading PR and communications agencies, including four new partners this year. In addition to a paid internship at each participating agency, a total of $92,500 in scholarships and stipends will be awarded to fellows through the PRSA Foundation, establishing a new record and exceeding last... To date, $254,500 has been awarded to 19 students. The fellowship recipients will complete a five-to-eight-week paid internship this summer, using a curriculum developed by Mission North following the launch of its The Future Is… Fellowship in 2022. The fellowship program is conceived by and funded through Mission North’s cross-industry diversity initiative that aims to empower the next generation of PR and communications professionals. “On behalf of the PRSA Foundation, I want to congratulate the recipients who received fellowships this year,” said Thomas Bennett, president of the PRSA Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

“Their fellowships with these agencies will give them practical and hands-on experience as they pursue a full-time role post college in the PR and communications profession. The PRSA Foundation also wants to thank all our agency partners for having these programs and providing opportunities for students as we work towards making our PR and communications profession more diverse and inclusive.” Congratulations to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) College of Fellows Class of 2025! Inductees were celebrated last night at a gala in Washington, D.C. The PRSA College of Fellows is the gold standard for public relations professionals. Induction into the College of Fellows is an emergence into new ways of serving the public relations profession and professional.

More than 700 people have been inducted since its inception in 1989. New inductees include: Dr. Kelly Bruhn, APR, Fellow PRSA Rick Chambers, APR, Fellow PRSA Karen Crabtree, APR, Fellow PRSA Natalie Ghidotti, APR, Fellow PRSA Jim Janicki, APR, Fellow PRSA Grace Leong, APR, Fellow PRSA Iris Rivera Ortiz, APR,... Communications agency owner, avid promoter, speaker and entrepreneur Congratulations to the class of 2025! You are what it means to aspire higher.

Leadership keynote speaker on communication, culture, and well‑being. I lead conversations on building healthy, confident, and connected teams. Founder, Chasing the Sun. Congrats to the new inductees! Thank you for your service to PRSA and the public relations profession. PRSA CEO MATT MARCIAL EMBARKS ON APR JOURNEY

Participate in Professional Interest Sections People Over Pitches: It’s Media Relations for a Reason PRSA Releases ‘AI Prompting 101: A ‘Start Here’ Guide for Professional Communicators’ Every advancement I made throughout my career had a connection with PRSA.

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