PRSA Foundation and the Glen M. Broom Center for Professional Development in Public Relations at San Diego State University Announce the Annual Glen Broom Mentorship Award

The PRSA Foundation and the Glen M. Broom Center for Professional Development in Public Relations (Broom Center) at San Diego State University announced today the launch of the Glen Broom Mentorship Award, an annual grant for a university professor who has inspired students through mentorship and job placement support.

Broom, known for his passion and drive to help his students, was most recognized nationally for being the author and or co-author of six editions of one of the leading educational books on public relations, “Cutlip and Center’s Effective Public Relations” which has been translated into 10 languages. Broom passed away from a heart attack in 2019 at the age of 78 and was recently recognized in the PRSA book, “75 Years of Impact and Influence: People, Places and Moments In Public Relations History.”

The Glen Broom Mentorship Award will honor a current public relations educator who has demonstrated excellence in education and mentorship and has had an impact on students’ careers and lives. The award will be paid directly to the award winner’s educational institution and designated for her or his research or education expenses for the following school year. The grant will be presented annually at the PRSSA ICON student conference, in which the professor will be recognized in front of their peers.

“The Glen Broom Award for Mentorship is the PRSA Foundation’s first award for educators,” said Antonio Crane, president, PRSA Foundation. “This award acknowledges the incredible impact Dr. Broom had on our profession through education and mentorship and the award will recognizes the next generation of professors who are committed to mentoring diverse students from all walks of life, so they can excel in their education and career.”

Former PRSSA member, Broom student and current PRSA member, Scott Pansky, Co-Founder of Allison Worldwide, worked with the PRSA Foundation to develop the award program in honor of his former mentor. “Dr. Broom was not only my mentor, but a good friend and coach,” said Pansky. “Glen challenged me to set the curve in my courses and supported me in developing public relations programs on campus. And, when looking for a job, he introduced me to Scott Allison, another former alumnus, who I have worked with for more than 30 years.”

Pansky, Allison and several other alumni were original donors to the Broom Center. Through the Broom Initiative, the Center invests in the people in PR who are improving the practice. PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the public relations and communications community. During his career, Dr. Broom was recognized by PRSA with the Outstanding Educator Award in 1991 and the Otto Bos Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Diego chapter of the organization.

“Dr. Broom was a friend and mentor to me,” said Dr. Kaye Sweetser, Director of the Broom Center. “We recognize the impact Dr. Broom had on so many former students like Scott and we are so pleased that Glen’s legacy will continue through this annual grant program.”

About Allison

Allison is a global integrated marketing and communications consultancy, dedicated to driving growth, innovation, and positive change for clients, colleagues, and communities. With a diverse range of expertise and a forward-looking mindset, Allison delivers game-changing results that make a lasting impact. Allison is owned by Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), one of the fastest growing and most influential marketing and communications networks in the world. Agency partners leverage Stagwell’s technology, data analytics, insights and strategic consulting solutions to drive measurable results and optimize return on marketing investment for more than 1,700 clients worldwide. Learn more at www.allisonworldwide.com.  

About the Broom Center

The Glen M. Broom Center for Professional Development in Public Relations improves the public relations industry through investing in the people who practice it. With programs aimed at PR professors, PR students and practitioners, the Broom Center focuses on the people who will shape the industry in the coming generation. Founded in 2012, the Broom Center is housed in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. The Center takes its name from the iconic professor Dr. Glen M. Broom, who wrote Cutlip & Center’s Effective Public Relations, which is the most-used PR textbook and defined the industry. Learn more at www.jms.sdsu.edu/broom-center.

About the PRSA Foundation

The PRSA Foundation is an independent, 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that is committed to promoting diversity among public relations professionals and companies so that they can best serve the public good and address the needs of a diverse world. www.prsafoundation.org