Public relations
Photography: Jennifer Alsabrook-Turner students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have won two national awards from the Public Relations Student Society of America for their work.
PRSSA’s national Dr. F.H. Teahan Awards recognize outstanding work and achievements by students in public relations from across the country. The UAB chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama/Public Relations Student Society of America won Teahan awards for Community Service and Outstanding Chapter Website.
The first award demonstrates their commitment to the UAB value of community service, while the second recognizes their “professional and exceptional” work, says the chapter’s faculty advisor Jacquelyn S. Shaia, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Communication Studies and director of the Public Relations curriculum.
“The award for Outstanding Chapter Website recognizes their efforts to make every aspect of their work professional and exceptional in a very robust and competitive field,” Shaia said. “UAB competed with schools across the United States for these honors, and this national recognition is well-deserved and provides each of them with a strong portfolio of demonstrated success upon graduation. These students have worked unbelievably hard over the past year, and I am very, very proud of their accomplishments. They are true leaders, in every sense of the word.”
PRSSA each year offers several awards for outstanding chapters. The Dr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Awards Program recognizes the outstanding achievements of PRSSA chapters in 12 categories, honoring achievements from ethical leadership to student-run firms. The awards bring diverse recognition, prestige and even funds, and are sponsored by Champions for PRSSA.
Last year, the UAB student chapter won the national Teahan Award for Outstanding Chapter Firm, and in 2022 won two national Teahan awards.
The PRCA/PRSSA at UAB chapter is a registered student organization and an extension of the academic public relations program in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Communication Studies. Students are provided with professional development and networking opportunities, including membership to both PRCA and PRSSA.
This year, PRSSA at UAB was named a Star Chapter by the Public Relations Society of America for the fifth consecutive year — a testament to the public relations program’s growing excellence. The award recognizes the outstanding programs, networking and professional development opportunities, and community service of the members.