NEW YORK (April 10, 2009) — The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) announced today that it has elected its 2009–10 National Committee. Voting took place on March 28 at the PRSSA 2009 National Assembly in New Orleans.

The Assembly is a four-day event at which students elect a new National Committee, vote on proposed changes to the Society’s bylaws and attend leadership training workshops. This year’s event was the largest in three years, attended by more than 200 PRSSA members across the United States and from Argentina.

Each PRSSA 2009–10 National Committee member was elected by majority vote of Assembly delegates, those students selected to represent their Chapters. The newly elected members are as follows:

President — Rebecca Timms, Rowan University
Vice President of Advocacy — Janelle Hueslman, Ohio University
Vice President of Chapter Development — Kion Sanders, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Vice President of Internships and Job Services — Michael J. Wilson, Brigham Young University
Vice President of Member Services — Mary Rose Macaranas, Georgia State University
Vice President of Professional Development — Nick Lucido, Michigan State University
Vice President of Public Relations — Jason Sears, University of Texas at Austin
Vice President of Regional Activities — Jenna Huskinson, Wayne State University

In addition, current PRSSA National President Brandi Boatner will serve on the 2009-2010 National Committee as immediate past president, and Patrick Hernandez of Brigham Young University was selected by the current National committee to serve as the editor in chief of the PRSSA national newspaper, FORUM.

“I am extremely pleased with the professionalism of the delegates,” Boatner said. “It was evident the delegates were well prepared to choose and elect a highly qualified and outstanding National Committee for the 2009–10 school year.”

The National Committee is responsible for managing the affairs of PRSSA and serving individual Chapters and members. In addition to the officers indicated above, the committee includes National Faculty Adviser Steven D. Iseman, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, and National Professional Adviser Travis Parman, APR. Julie Henderson, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, of University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, will become National Faculty Adviser June 1 at the end Dr. Iseman’s term.

“I sincerely appreciate the dedication of the outgoing National Committee, including the invaluable mentoring Dr. Iseman provided through out the year,” Timms said. “At the same time, I am proud to lead this talented new group of public relations pre-professionals and welcome Dr. Henderson to our team.”

In addition to the election, students participated in The Day-of Competition, which challenged them to prepare a presentation in one hour responding to a public relations case study provided by sponsor The CW Television Network. A panel of professionals and a CW Network representative judged the presentations. Leadership and etiquette training workshops were provided, as well as a special session on tourism public relations, courtesy of Shannon Corrigan and Anna Whitlow of Deveney Communications.

At the Sunday farewell meeting, 2009 PRSA Chair-Elect Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA, presented a practical, insightful keynote address that students enthusiastically responded to with numerous questions. Boatner honored the outgoing National Committee by sharing each member’s accomplishments and awarded The Elaine Averick Outstanding National Committee Member Award to Vice President of Public Relations Courtney Meyers. The award is given annually to one National Committee member who demonstrates excellence above and beyond their respective duties and responsibilities. It is named for the Society’s past director of education, Elaine Averick, who served PRSSA for 20 years in this role.

About the Public Relations Student Society of America

Headquartered in New York City, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the world’s pre-eminent, pre-professional public relations organization. Founded in 1968 by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the organization has grown to nearly 10,000 members at more than 300 Chapters across the United States and one Chapter in Argentina. PRSSA membership benefits include scholarships and awards as well as internships, jobs and professional development opportunities.

Contact: Jeneen Garcia

212-460-1466

jeneen.garcia@prsa.org