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PRSSA Celebrates 10th Anniversary by Inducting Inaugural Class of Distinguished Public Relations Alumni

Posted in: School of Communication and Media News

PRSSA Inductees 2018

2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the Montclair State University Public Relations Student Society of America, and the organization capped off its year on Monday, December 10 by inaugurating an impressive class of 15 distinguished public relations alumni.

The evening began with a greeting from the SCM director, Dr.  Keith Strudler, followed by a welcome from Jenna Villani, The Associate Director Alumni Relations, Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement.  Then, current PRSSA President Genesis Acevedo and Vice-president Stephanie Michael introduced the inductees – Angeline Boyer, class of 2008; Tina Boyer, class of 2008, Julianne Carell, 2011, Emily Golloub, 2013, Lee Groeger, 2005, Cynthia Huasipoma, 2016, Tom Pompei, 2005, Jack Shanagher, 2013, Kate Skubisz, 2014, Rachael Swider, 2015, Melissa Thompson, 2012, Shannon Thornton, 2009, Melissa Torres, 2018, Ana Vargas, 2016, and Michelle Vernuccio, 2005.

The PRSSA is the student affiliate of the Public Relations Society of America.  It is a professional organization and not a student club.  Membership in the organization signifies that student members have gotten an important jumpstart into a career in public relations after graduation.

Over the course of its 10 years, the PRSSA has performed a number of noteworthy events, the most important of those are its annual benefits for Autism New Jersey, which have raised a total of approximately $30,000.  The organization has also raised money for the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.  In addition, the PRSSA co-produced, along with the Metropolitan Opera Guild, the Curtain Call Awards, an annual classical singing competition for high school students around the state.

Membership in the organization also offers students other benefits, such as visits to some of the world’s leading PR firms, networking opportunities through a relationship with the New Jersey Advertising Club, and  monthly workshops that supplement the PR curriculum.

Its faculty adviser is Larry Weiner. Irene Maslowski of Maslowski and Associates and Danielle Dussault of Ketchum Public Relations are the organization’s outside advisers.

View the video about the induction of the 2018 class visit.