PRSSA National History
In 1968, 20 years after its own establishment, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) founded the Public Relations Student Society of America. The declared purpose of PRSSA is to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.
The student society aims to foster the following:
- Understanding of current theories and procedures of the profession
- Appreciation of the highest ethical ideals and principles
- Awareness of an appropriate professional attitude
- Appreciation of Associate Membership in PRSA and eventually accredited membership
Today The Public Relations Student Society of America has more than 10,000 members in more than 300 universities across the country and one in Argentina.
PRSSA Vision: G.E.A.R.S.
| Growth: | Becoming the largest, most respected and widely recognized organization for pre-professional students with an interest in public relations. |
| Education: | Enhancing the future professional through classroom preparation, leadership, and experience. |
| Advancement: | Moving the public relations profession forward through public awareness, meaningful ethics, and diverse representation. |
| Relationships: | Aligning with PRSA and forming a free interchange of ideas through professional relationships, practical training, and mentoring |
| Students: | Providing members with national, regional, and local opportunities to network, share ideas, and grow professionally. |
RIT Chapter History
The 285th chapter of PRSSA was approved for RIT in August of 2007. Currently we have 18 members, a professional advisor and faculty advisor. Winter quarter meetings are on Mondays from 6pm - 7pm usually in the Campus Center. More details are as follows:
The RIT Chapter of PRSSA was established on August 23, 2007. The Chapter's first president, Ryland
Bacorn, graduated as an Advertising & Public Relations major. He was
recommended for the position by Wilma King, a former Associate Professor in
the Department of Communication and a public relations practitioner, who
was the first Faculty Advisor for the organization.
Currently, Professor Mike Johansson is the PRSSA Advisor.
The Professional Advisor for the chapter is
Professor Wang.
There are also people who are not official members of
the chapter that helped it set roots at RIT. These people are the
Department of Communication Staff Assistants - Helen Adamson and Melinda
Beyerlein, and the department's Chairperson Patrick Scanlon.