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Diversity & Inclusion

Enriching the Future of Our Profession

As future public relations professionals, we must understand how to communicate effectively with a diverse population. By fostering Chapters with diverse membership and leadership, we can build stronger relationships with the professional community to enrich the public relations industry as a whole.

The definition of diversity is broad. PRSSA embraces all individuals regardless of background, culture, education, major, age, disability, gender and sexual orientation. PRSSA recognizes the importance of different experiences, perspectives and voices in making a viable Society that aids the profession.

Initiatives like the Dr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Diversity Award encourage Chapters to seek diversity among its leaders and members.

The Diversity Initiative

The PRSSA Diversity Initiative (PDF), which was updated in 2017, encourages Chapters to recruit and retain a diverse membership that is representative of the demographic composition of the Chapter’s college or university. The PRSSA Diversity Toolkit (PDF) provides Chapters with guidelines for supporting diversity on their campuses. The Diversity in Public Relations (PowerPoint) provides Chapters with information on the importance of diversity not just in universities but in the public relations profession.

Diversity and PRSA

PRSSA policies on diversity reflect the policies of PRSA. For case studies, articles and other news and information on diversity-related issues, see PRSA’s diversity webpage.

International Chapters

HBCU and HACU Chapters

PRSSA is proud to have 20 Chapters at institutions registered as historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) and 22 Chapters at institutions recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HBCU were established before 1964 to serve the Black and African American community. HACU include more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic students seeking higher education in the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal.

HBCU Chapters

HACU Chapters