Montclair’s College of Communication and Media Bateman Team Earns Second Place in National Public Relations Competition

Montclair State University’s College of Communication and Media (CCOM) 2026 Bateman Competition team earned second place in one of the nation’s most prestigious public relations competitions for college students. Five graduating CCOM seniors represented the University as finalists, advancing from a field of 46 university teams nationwide. The team presented its campaign before a panel of judges on May 5.

The Bateman Competition, organized annually by the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), challenges student teams to research, plan, implement, and evaluate a public relations campaign on behalf of a real client. This year’s client was ACCESS Newswire, a global technology and communications company whose Professional Education Program provides college professors free access to its press release distribution and media outreach platform.

About the Campaign

Operating under the name ACCESS Academy, the Bateman team developed and executed a campaign with two primary objectives: to drive adoption of ACCESS Newswire’s platform among professors nationwide and to increase brand awareness as a trusted partner for universities. Campaign elements included faculty and student workshops, classroom platform integrations, and hands-on activities designed to demonstrate the value of professional PR tools in an academic setting.

The team was composed of the following Social Media and Public Relations students and campaign roles:

Emma Haskell, Communications Lead

Sarah Potter, Event Chair

Riley Silvester, Creative Director

Jennifer Barrales-Solis, Social Media Manager

Matthew McDonald, Director of Outreach

“I’m immensely proud of what our Bateman team accomplished and the collaborative spirit they demonstrated in delivering a successful campaign for PRSSA and their client,” said Professor Erin Weinberg, PRSSA and Bateman Faculty Advisor at Montclair State University. “This competition provides students with invaluable hands-on experience in developing and executing a public relations campaign, an essential opportunity as they prepare to launch their professional careers.”

“This success reflects what happens when talented students are given the tools, resources and support to perform at the highest level,” said Dr. Bond Benton, Chair of CCOM’s Department of Strategic Communication. “This recognition affirms what we already know: our Social Media and Public Relations program is among the strongest in the nation, and these students are its finest example.”

Before the Tassel Turns

For the students, the national recognition represented the culmination of meticulous planning and the defining experience of their academic careers.

“This win was the final chapter in my story at Montclair,” Haskell said. “CCOM helped me develop the skills, confidence, and mindset I needed to be a successful team player throughout this campaign. Walking away with a win just six days before graduation was more than I could have ever imagined. This achievement is something I will carry with me long after graduation.”

“The effort, the trust, and the energy everyone brought throughout this entire campaign is what made this win possible, Potter said. “Montclair State University and the College of Communication and Media gave me a foundation I’ll be building on for years to come, and this win feels like the first proof of that.”

“The Bateman Competition demands strong strategy, creativity and flawless execution, and this team delivered at every stage,” said Dr. Keith Strudler, Dean of the College of Communication and Media. “This award reflects their talent and professionalism, and reinforces how CCOM students are prepared to lead once they graduate. Congratulations to this incredible group and Professor Weinberg on this achievement.” 

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students and Parents: Plan your visit and take your first step in applying to become a Red Hawk. Learn more about our seven undergraduate programs including Social Media and Public Relations program at the College of Communication and Media.

About the BATEMAN CASE STUDY COMPETITION and Public Relations Student Society of America
The Bateman Case Study Competition originated in 1973 as a national case study allowing PRSSA members to exercise the analytical skills required for public relations problem-solving. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. Founded in 1968 by its parent organization, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), PRSSA includes nearly 9,000 student members and advisers, and is active on nearly 375 colleges and university campuses, including in Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico.

About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in  New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.