The Semesterly
Fall 2024
Welcome!
Welcome to the Fall 2024 Semesterly! Our PRSSA-UD newsletter showcases the exciting things we have accomplished this fall semester. As this year's promotions director, I was given the opportunity to curate this semesters newsletter.
I am excited to share all of the events and experiences that have taken place over the semester. Fall 2024 has been full of professional development, learning and fun! We learned from a variety of amazing guest speakers and hosted relevant and engaging skill slams with Brooke, our Director of Internal Communication. In addition to that, our executive board had the opportunity to attend PRSSA's ICON National Conference in Anaheim, California. We were fortunate enough to hear from astounding speakers in all areas of Public Relations.
We also had our Fall Field Trip to Athena Global Advisors which was a great learning and networking opportunity for our members. Being able to hear from practicing professionals was an amazing experience. Lastly, we had our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Panel where we heard from industry professionals about their involvement in DEI and activism.
I am so grateful for each and every member of this chapter for continuing to help us develop as a chapter. We have grown so much, and we can't wait to see what the next semester brings us!
A Letter From The President
Dear PRSSA UD,
As we wrap up the year, I'm filled with nothing but gratitude and pride. Serving as your President for the past three semesters has been an incredible journey. From engaging events to impactful initiatives, our chapter has grown in so many ways. As I graduate this December and continue into UD’s 4+1 master’s program, I want to thank you all for your unwavering support and dedication. I also want to celebrate Kaylee Louima and the rest of the executive board for their continuous work and tenacity in our chapter.
Reflecting on my time at UD, I remember joining PRSSA in the spring of my freshman year after being recruited through the involvement fair. From my very first meeting, I knew I had found my place. During my sophomore year, I joined the executive board as Vice President of External Affairs and had the best time getting more involved with the chapter. My junior year, I was elected President, and I have continued this work up until now, as I am graduating with my B.A. in Communication/PR.
Throughout my time on the executive board, it has been incredibly rewarding to witness the growth in membership and engagement levels, as well as to see the positive impact on student participation in PRSSA. One of my favorite aspects of this position is seeing the professional growth of all members and how PRSSA has supported each student's professional development.
This semester was specifically monumental for our chapter, as our executive board of 10 dedicated PR students led and represented the chapter in a multitude of ways. Our communication channels were strengthened through the new use of LinkedIn and GroupMe, and our social posts and messaging were thoughtful and impactful. Between five guest speakers, two skill slams, coffee with a professor, a growing student-run firm, an impactful DEI panel, an engaging field trip, and a five-day national conference in California, there were endless opportunities for members to advance their skills and network, fostering a community of like-minded individuals looking to hone their abilities before entering the industry.
There is nothing like PRSSA. I am endlessly grateful to the organization and my involvement in our chapter for shaping me into who I am today. Throughout my three years of membership, I attended three national conferences in Dallas, Nashville, and Anaheim; one leadership assembly in Seattle; and four field trips in Philadelphia. I learned from countless guest speakers from different sectors of the industry, participated in the Bateman Case Study Competition, traveled abroad to London, secured an impactful internship at HUNTER in New York City, connected with fellow students and professors, and grew my network exponentially. This experience will never be insignificant, as it has launched me into the industry as a developed and practiced PR student. I am nothing but excited to begin my career as a strategic communication professional, as I was prepared by nothing but the best. Thank you to each member, guest speaker, faculty member, and PR professional who has guided me along the way. I am eternally grateful to PRSSA National and, more specifically, the incredible chapter at the University of Delaware.
Next semester, Kaylee Louima will take the reins as President of our chapter, and there is no one more fit for the role. The professionalism, dedication, energy, and power that Kaylee embodies are exactly what our chapter needs to continue its growth and impact. The rest of the executive board—Anna Gleason, Megan Emmerling, Aubrey Hill, Emma Schneider, Brooke Cooney, Grace Mullin, Grace Kearns, and Laura Santangelo—will continue to lead and progress the chapter as they have since the beginning of the year. Each of these outstanding individuals has a fire inside them that is a force to be reckoned with. They are kind, creative, intelligent, driven, and respectable students who will become incredible working professionals. If you have the chance, I highly recommend interviewing to join our executive board, as the experience and friends you make will boost your confidence in yourself and your future.
As I embark on this next chapter in my life, I carry with me the lessons learned and the experiences shared with all of you. Thank you for making my time at UD and with PRSSA so memorable. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, and I am confident that under the leadership of Kaylee Louima and the rest of the executive board, our chapter and all of you will continue to thrive.
Sincerely,
Lindsay Fister
President, PRSSA University of Delaware
A Letter From The President
I am blown away by PRSSA-UD’s progression every semester, and Fall 2024 was no exception! Our chapter reached new heights thanks to the combined efforts of our dedicated executive board and enthusiastic members. Together, we discovered emerging PR trends, gained practical experience using cutting-edge technology, traveled farther than ever, and explored career possibilities beyond what we imagined existed. Above all, our community grew stronger—not just in numbers, but in spirit. It’s so special to be a part of this uplifting, encouraging, and ambitious group of individuals who will go above and beyond to support each other’s advancement.
This semester was all about evolution. We built upon our chapter’s strong foundation by implementing new practices that enabled us to provide our members with valuable, up-to-date educational experiences. Following a two-year hiatus, we reintroduced the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion role by welcoming Laura Santangelo to our executive board, who planned an insightful DEI panel this semester. Our student-run firm, Public PRactice, expanded with the acquisition of our third client, Oh So Cycle, under the leadership of our Director of Internal Professional Development, Brooke Cooney. From our impressive guest speaker lineup to our interactive skill slams, every meeting was meticulously planned with the betterment of our chapter in mind.
Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, our executive board traveled across the country to Anaheim, California, to attend the 2024 PRSSA ICON National Conference. We had the opportunity to learn about industry advancements directly from leading public relations experts and connect with fellow student leaders from around the world. Every keynote speech and breakout session, ranging from the evolution of artificial intelligence to the art of networking, provided us with tools for success. Most importantly, our time at ICON reminded us that the PRSSA community is cheering us on as we navigate our chapter leadership roles and burgeoning careers.
It was an absolute honor to complete my first semester of presidency this fall. I became a member of PRSSA-UD as a bright-eyed freshman, and have benefitted from its resources and opportunities since. It’s so fulfilling to give back even a fraction of the support this organization has provided me over the years through this position. I would like to take a moment to highlight my amazing co-president, Lindsay Fister. Leading alongside her this semester has been such a joy. Lindsay has acquired abundant wisdom throughout her years of wholeheartedly serving on our executive board; I’m deeply appreciative of her willingness to share it. Although Lindsay has now passed the torch to me following her early graduation in December, her impact on our chapter will always remain, and the PRSSA-UD family will be rooting for her in this exciting new phase of her life. Having observed Lindsay's strong work ethic and her passion for leadership firsthand, I truly believe she’s going to have a successful and fulfilling career ahead!
I also want to recognize the other eight incredibly talented women I have the pleasure of working with weekly: Anna Gleason, Aubrey Hill, Brooke Cooney, Emma Schneider, Grace Kearns, Grace Mullin, Laura Santangelo, and Megan Emmerling. This semester’s achievements wouldn’t have been possible without their hard work and dedication to serving on our executive board. I’m so excited to continue working with each and every one of them in the spring.
PRSSA-UD, have a wonderful winter break! Whether working, interning, traveling, or taking some time to rest, I can’t wait to hear all about it when we return to campus. Get ready for a spring semester filled with connection, growth, and fun!
See you soon,
Kaylee Louima
President, PRSSA University of Delaware
Our Executive Board
ICON 2024 in Anaheim, California
This year, our executive board had the opportunity to attend the 2024 ICON National Conference held in Anahein, California. This was a once in a lifetime experience that provided our executive board with newfound skills and advice that will help us enhance our chapter and our future professional endeavors. We heard from keynote speakers and panelists including Gio Benitez, Crystal Washington, and so many more. We were able to connect with fellow PRSSA students and PRSA members to expand and strengthen our network. Three takeaways that stood out were to find the solution before focusing on the problem, opportunities come disguised as challenges, and you don't need superpowers to do incredible things. We are so grateful to have attended and we cannot wait for next year!
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ICON Take Aways
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"After attending my fourth PRSSA National Conference, I feel more connected to the PRSSA and PRSA communities than ever. As a senior set to graduate in December, I am confident that I now have the resources and network to seamlessly enter the industry."
- Lindsay
Field Trip to Athena Global Advisors
In November, PRSSA-UD had the opportunity to visit Athena Global Advisors for our fall field trip. We were able to hear opening remarks directly from the CEO followed by presentations from professionals on the events & experiences, creative, integrated marketing, data & optimization, and project management teams. We were able to end the day with Q&A, diving deeper into possible careers in this field of work. One thing that was reiterated again and again was to never sell yourself short, which is important to remember as we embark on our future careers. Thank you so much to our Director of External Affairs, Grace Kearns for making this event possible and to Athena Global Advisors for having us!
General Meeting Recaps
We were fortunate to have Michelle Reardon as our first guest speaker! Michelle, Head of Communications at National Veterinary Associates, shared her career history experience in business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and business-to-government organizations. Additionally, she shared inspiring advice on how to mix fun and learning within your career.
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We were delighted to host Kate Snyder, the Founder and CEO of Piper & Gold PR. Kate shared her career journey from internships to eventually owning her own agency. Kate gave insights from working in government, nonprofit, and consulting. She has extensive experience working with public health, government, and nonprofit organizations.
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For our fourth general meeting, we were happy to have Alexis Wrease, Deputy Communications Director for the Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus and co-founder of The Move, a nonpartisan organization focused on youth voter education. Alexis, a UD alumni, shared her experience working in government communication and public relations, focusing on how her work impacts communities. Alexis had us work to solve a real crisis that she had faced in her career, giving us a real world insight into her profession.
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Lastly, we were grateful to have Meaghan Koppel, Executive Vice President of Earned Media Strategy at Weber Shandwick, join us as our final guest speaker. Meaghan discussed the importance of earned media with us. She talked about creating a strategy for your earned media, and the ever-evolving media landscape that we see today. Additionally, she gave us her top five tips for developing an earned media strategy.
Skill Slams Recap
Over the Fall Semester our Director of Internal Professional Development, Brooke, hosted two engaging and insightful skill slams for our dues paying members. The first skill slam was a workshop diving deeper into the world of digital public relations. Brooke taught us about social media marketing, commonly used applications and her tips and tricks for social media management. Next, she taught our chapter about the importance of building a personal brand. Within this workshop, we learned how to level up our LinkedIn accounts and how to make our own portfolios on Wix!
Public PRactice
Public PRactice is a micro-internship opportunity for our dues-paying members to gain experience managing the social media accounts of local businesses. This semester, our Director of Internal Professional Development, Brooke, established and maintained partnerships with three local businesses: Newark Deli Bagels, GrassRoots, and OhSoCycle. Huge shoutout to the amazing work that our three teams accomplished throughout the semester!
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Panel
To wrap up our semester, PRSSA-UD hosted our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Panel. This was planned and moderated by our Director of DEI, Laura. Thank you so much to the professionals who graciously shared their experiences and insights with us, as well as the engaged students who joined the panel. We learned so much from our guest speakers Ciara Lilly, Cathy Renna, and Steven Garibell about their involvement in DEI and how we can better incorporate DEI into our practices.
“I am so grateful to have been able to moderate this panel and gain invaluable insights from our panelists in the ongoing conversation surrounding DEI efforts in the corporate space. Our panelists discussed a series of topics such as building inclusive workplace culture, their personal journeys and roles in the DEI space, and actionable advice for students looking to support DEI in their future careers” -Laura Santangelo
