NEW YORK, August 30, 2024 - PRSSA announced today the establishment of two new collegiate chapters at Grand Canyon University (GCU) and The University of New Mexico (UNM). The new chapters mark a significant milestone at these universities, providing expanded access to professional development opportunities, networking, and educational resources.

"With the increased demand of skilled communicators that can navigate a variety of complexities in the workforce, the launch of these new chapters come at a perfect time," said Joseph Abreu, APR, CPRC, 2024 PRSA Chair. "PRSSA has a long history of providing students with the tools necessary to excel in their future careers and we look forward to welcoming them into the organization."

At Grand Canyon University, students have the option to pursue undergraduate degrees in professional writing for new media, communications with emphasis in broadcasting and new media or interpersonal communication and human relationships. As a member of PRSA for over 20 years, GCU Professional Writing Instructor and Faculty Advisor, Cynthia Weaver, M.A. brings a wealth of knowledge from the public relations profession. With the help of her university colleagues and fellow PRSA Phoenix members, Weaver's goal is to expose students to the increased value of PRSA and PRSSA.

"We see PRSSA as an opportunity for our students to connect with others who are interested in the communications field and our partners at PRSA Phoenix," said Weaver. "This is an exciting time, especially for our inaugural members and officers because they'll have the experience of building a startup organization on campus."

Similarly, students at The University of New Mexico are looking forward to establishing the foundation for a successful chapter. At UNM, the communications curriculum involves a variety of courses such as, Persuasive Communications, Strategic Social Media, and Creative Concepts. Students are required to participate in an intentional comprehensive course of study.

"The University of New Mexico is excited about a PRSSA chapter in the Communication and Journalism Department and the benefits it will provide students in terms of real-world experience in the field of public relations," said UNM Director of Communication and Professional Advisor, Steve Carr, APR. "From events to networking to campaign development with real clients and the scholarship and internship opportunities, the benefits of a PRSSA chapter will go a long way in developing well-rounded young professionals who will help move the industry forward as it continues to evolve over the years."

About the Public Relations Student Society of America

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. Since 1967, PRSSA has served hundreds of thousands of student members, offering educational programs, resources, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities that prepare students for a successful career in communications. For nearly 50 years, the organization has hosted the Bateman Case Study Competition, which challenges student teams to implement a public relations campaign for an actual client. PRSSA is active on college and university campuses across the U.S., as well as Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.prssa.org.

About Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 312 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.

About The University of New Mexico

Founded in 1889 as New Mexico's flagship institution, The University of New Mexico now occupies nearly 800 acres near old Route 66 in the heart of Albuquerque, a metropolitan area of more than 900,000 people. From the magnificent mesas to the west, past the banks of the historic Rio Grande to the Sandia Mountains to the east, Albuquerque is a blend of culture and cuisine, styles and stories, people, pursuits and panoramas.

Offering a distinctive campus environment with a Pueblo Revival architectural theme, the campus buildings echo nearby Pueblo Indian villages. The nationally recognized campus arboretum and the popular duck pond offer an outstanding botanical experience in the midst of one of New Mexico's great public open spaces. For more information, visit unm.edu.

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