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About

About Us

The Educators Academy Professional Interest Section is comprised of 400 college and university public relations educators and practitioners. The members of this Section play a vital role in educating the next generation of public relations and communication practitioners, in addition to conducting important industry research. Through our virtual networks, in-person events, case studies and scholarly research, you’ll gain access to tools, insights and current industry practices that will shape your research projects and curricula

 

The Adjunct Resource Guide aims to help public relations practitioners transition into the college classroom and become effective educators. Developed by members of the PRSA College of Fellows and Educators Academy, the guide answers common questions about being a part-time faculty member and teaching the next generation of PR professionals.

Download the Adjunct Resource Guide


How Do I Join?

If you are already a PRSA member and looking to join this Section, please call the Member Services department at (212) 460-1400 or email: membership@prsa.org.

Not a PRSA member? Learn about the benefits and how to join PRSA here.


Join your colleagues at these organizations by taking advantage of our Section membership benefits now!

From the Chair

From the Chair

headshot of Joe Stabb

 

Welcome to PRSA Educators Academy! A moment to look forward with optimism.

I am looking forward to dedicating my time and efforts and to being a part of helping PRSA Educators Academy and the public relations profession continue to move forward in 2025. 

I will encourage and challenge all members of PRSA Educators Academy to take part in the chapter’s future. I humbly ask you to be involved however you can in 2025. Members can be involved on a committee to help the section, attend a professional development program or social, encourage a fellow public relations / communications academics/professional to become a member, or be active in a way that is meaningful to you and PRSA Educators Academy. Your active involvement makes our section more valuable for you and for PRSA.

I believe that we can work collectively for our mutually beneficial future. The PRSA Educators Academy does not exist without members and without the input and active involvement of the membership. Your active involvement helps the section to remain relevant and beneficial.

As Bernays once wrote, “…modern business must have its finger continuously on the public pulse. It must understand the changes in the public mind and be prepared to interpret itself fairly and eloquently to changing opinion.”

Best wishes!

Joe Stabb, Ph.D., APR
Chair, PRSA Educators Academy
Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Executive Committee

Educators Academy Executive Committee

Chair

Joseph Stabb, Ph.D., APR
Assistant Professor of Practice
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
jstabb@utk.edu

Chair Elect

TBD

Immediate Past Chair

Leslie Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Xavier University
RasmussenL@xavier.edu

Secretary

Mary Ann Pearson, Ph.D.
Professor, Communication
California Baptist University
mpearson@calbaptist.edu

Sponsorship/Fundraising

Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR
Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications
Louisiana Board of Regents
chris.yandle@laregents.edu

Research Chair

Christa Clark Bell
Instructor, Assistant Department Head
McNeese State University
cbell@mcneese.edu

At-Large (EA Summit) Chair

Lisa Du Bois Low, MBA, APR
Associate Professor of Practice
Texas Tech University
Lisa.Low@ttu.edu

At-Large (Programming) Chair

Jensen Moore, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Oklahoma
mooremedia75@gmail.com

At-Large (Ethics) Chair

Tricia Farwell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
tricia.farwell@mtsu.edu

Newsletter Editor

Terri Hernandez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Mississippi State University
thernandez@comm.msstate.edu

Outreach/Membership Chair

Alisa Agozzino, Ph.D., APR
Associate Professor
Ohio Northern University
a-agozzino@onu.edu

Communication Chair

Michelle Galey
Assistant Professor of Practice
Washington State University
mgaley@wsu.edu

Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Chair

Maria De Moya, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Charles Tombras Sr. Endowed Professorship
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
mdemoyat@utk.edu

UAB Liaison

Kelly Bruhn, Ph.D., APR
Associate Dean, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
kelly.bruhn@drake.edu

PR Journal Liaison

Hilary Fussell Sisco, Ph.D., APR
Associate Professor and Chair, Dept. of Strategic Communication
Quinnipiac University
hilary.fussellsisco@quinnipiac.edu

Educational Liaison

Bonita Neff, Ph.D., APR
Professor Emerita
Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Fellow
Valparaiso University
Bonita.Neff@Valpo.Edu

PRSSA Liaison

Kenneth Hagihara, APR
Lecturer
California State University, Fullerton
khagihara@fullerton.edu

CPRE Liaison

Melody Fisher, APR
Associate Professor
Mississippi State University
mtf134@msstate.edu

Graduate Student Liaison

Kyra Newcombe
Doctoral Student
University of Oklahoma
Kyra.V.Newcombe-1@ou.edu