PRSSA Announces New Leadership and Organizational Updates at 2025 Leadership Assembly

2025-2026 International Committee named, Gemma Puglisi elected as 2025-2027 National Faculty Adviser, and two bylaw amendments approved

NEW YORK, March 7, 2025 - The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the foremost organization for students interested in the public relations and communications fields, announced today its 2025-2026 National Committee. Alicia Caracciolo, University of South Carolinawas elected as National President. Caracciolo along with eight other members were elected during PRSSA’s 2025 Leadership Assembly, hosted in Charlotte, NC.

“Welcoming this new group of student leaders to PRSSA's International Committee isn’t just about building connections — it’s about shaping the future of our industry and providing students with the knowledge, support and opportunities they need to make a lasting impact,” said Ray Day, APR, 2025 PRSA Chair, Stagwell vice chair and Allison Worldwide executive chair. “Congratulations to the newly elected PRSSA leaders advancing us into the future. It’s clear that our profession is in very good hands.”

New International Committee Members also include:

• Vice President of Belonging, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Aniketh Koneru, University of Oklahoma
• Vice President of Brand Engagement: Madeline Emerick, Ohio Northern University
• Vice President of Career Services: Uyen Ngo, Purdue University
• Vice President of Chapter Development: Teo Ignacio Landoni, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE)
• Vice President of Digital Communications: Ally Guerra, California State University, Fullerton
• Vice President, Events and Fundraising: Cheryl Lai, Boston University
• Vice President of Members Services: Morgan Milobar, California State University, Long Beach
• Vice President of Professional Standards: Talia Sinclair, Purdue University
• Immediate Past President: Milagros Orcoyen, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE)

In addition to International Committee elections, Gemma Puglisi has been elected to a two-year term (2025-2027) as the National Faculty Adviser. Outgoing National Faculty Adviser Ken Hagihara, APR, Fellow PRSA, will complete his term on May 31, with Puglisi beginning her two-year term on June 1.

In this role, Puglisi will provide guidance to student national officers, support the chartering of new PRSSA Chapters, and contribute to various initiatives, including serving on ad hoc subcommittees and participating in PRSSA conference calls.

PRSSA also announced the successful passage of two bylaw amendments today in Charlotte, NC. These amendments rename the National Committee to the International Committee and the Vice President of Professional Development to the Vice President of Professional Standards across all PRSSA governing documents, communications, and representations.

"The term 'National Committee' suggests a domestic focus, yet our reach extends far beyond the United States, with established Chapters in Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico," states the rationale behind the title change to International Committee.

The title change to Vice President of Professional Standards better reflects the position’s dual focus on Student-run Firms and ethics, aligns with the Board of Ethics and Professional Standards (BEPS), and helps distinguish it from similar roles, such as the Vice President of Career Services.

About PRSSA

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. Since 1967, PRSSA has served hundreds of thousands of student members, offering educational programs, resources, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities that prepare students for a successful career in communications. For nearly 50 years, the organization has hosted the Bateman Case Study Competition, which challenges student teams to implement a public relations campaign for an actual client. PRSSA is active on college and university campuses across the U.S., as well as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.prssa.org. 

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