Grand Valley PRSSA wins Star Chapter Award

In a city full of history and culture and in the presence of the Golden Gate Bridge, public relations students from across the country had the opportunity to ‘Bridge the Gap’ between their pre-professional self and experts in the industry.

From October 12-16, eight members of Grand Valley State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) traveled to San Francisco to attend the 2012 National Conference.

While at the conference GVSU PRSSA earned the Star Chapter Award. The distinction is earned by meeting at least eight out of 10 specific chapter and professional development goals. These goals include initiating and implementing at least one community service project, giving attention to ethics in at least one chapter meeting and strengthening the relationship with their parent chapter, among others.

“The Star Chapter Award is a reminder and symbol of how hard our chapter has worked over the years and how hard we continue to work to accomplish national initiatives," said Breann Andersen, GVSU PRSSA president.

Tim Penning, faculty advisor and associate director of the School of Communications,  said winning the Star Chapter Award is important for the group because it is recognition at a national level of their continuing progress as a chapter. “As they have grown they have added new ways for students to interact and grow locally,” he said. “I think in 10 years the GVSU PRSSA chapter has gone from just another chapter to one that other schools admire.”

During their time in San Francisco, students also had the opportunity to network with students and professionals from across the country, and for the second year, GVSU PRSSA was asked to present a Chapter Development Session. The presentation focused on the close relationship they have developed with their parent chapter, West Michigan Public Relations Society of America, and on the aspects of mentorship, sponsorship and volunteering.

“We couldn’t accomplish all that we do without the support of our members, our E-board, our advisors and the professionals in the community who all work to make our chapter a success," said Andersen.