Maria P. Russell Receives Patrick Jackson Award for Distinguished Service to PRSA

NEW YORK — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) presented Maria P. Russell, APR, Fellow PRSA, with its Patrick Jackson Award for significant contributions in advancing the professional development of its members. The Patrick Jackson Award recognizes members whose work has helped advance the Society. The award was presented at the PRSA 2017 International Conference on Oct. 8 in Boston, during the General Session.

Russell is a longtime member of PRSA who has helped the Society expand and enhance its educational offerings including its movement into online programming and the MBA Initiative.

“Maria deservedly belongs in this esteemed group of honorees for her many talents and achievements, but mostly for her ability to inspire others to higher learning. She has been an example for many of us, myself included, to achieve at the highest level,” said PRSA 2017 National Chair Jane Dvorak, APR, Fellow PRSA. “PRSA is honored to recognize Maria with this well-deserved award as she models a deep-felt commitment to public relations, education and the importance of lifelong learning.”

Russell is a public relations professor and director of the Newhouse School’s Executive Education Programs at Syracuse University, and co-directs its W20 Group Center for Social Commerce. Previously, Russell was chair of the school’s PR department for four terms, leading the creation of the school’s first distance learning master’s degree in communications management (1995). She has been a faculty member for 30 years and conducts professional development programs across the U.S. and in Canada and Brazil. In 2017, colleagues and alumnae created a graduate scholarship in her name.

She was inducted into PRSA’s College of Fellows (1992), received PRSA’s Educator of the Year award (1997), and was on PRSA’s National Board of Directors for two terms (1998–2000), then serving as secretary (2001) and treasurer (2004). She also served as a trustee for the PRSA Foundation (2006 to 2012), received the Philip Dorf Mentorship Award from the New York City PRSA Chapter (2012) and was chair of PRSA’s College of Fellows (2013). She chaired PRSA’s Task Force on Professional Development (2000–2003).

About PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community. Founded in 1948, PRSA is the principal advocate for industry excellence and ethical conduct and provides members lifelong learning opportunities and leading-edge resources to enhance professional connections and support them at every stage of their career. With more than 30,000 members, PRSA is collectively represented in all 50 states by 110 Chapters and 14 Professional Interest Sections, and on nearly 375 college and university campuses through its student organization, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). For more information, please visit www.prsa.org. 

Media Contact:
Rod Granger
(212) 460-0307
rod.granger@prsa.org