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People of UAB January 30, 2025

Shaia's headshotAssociate Professor Jacquelyn Shaia, J.D., Ph.D., director of UAB’s Public Relations curriculum
Photography: Andrea Mabry
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Jacquelyn Shaia, J.D., Ph.D., has been named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America’s Alabama Chapter.

Shaia, an associate professor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Communication Studies, is director of the Public Relations curriculum. She is faculty advisor for the nationally recognized UAB chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama/Public Relations Student Society of America.

In UAB’s PRCA/PRSSA chapter, students put their classroom learning into real-world practice. The chapter has earned some of the highest honors awarded, including national Dr. F.H. Teahan Awards from the Public Relations Student Society of America.

The Outstanding Educator of the Year honor reflects Shaia’s unwavering commitment to shaping the next generation of public relations professionals and advancing the field through education.

Shaia was celebrated at Alabama PRSA’s annual awards, “A Night of Honors: Celebrating Public Relations Excellence,” on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the City Club. The gathering of PR leaders, from industries including construction, health care, education, law, tourism and more, highlights the outstanding contributions of public relations professionals across Alabama. 

PRSA Alabama’s 2024 Chapter President Briana Bryant, APR, an alumna of the UAB Department of Communications, says the PRSA Alabama Chapter is proud to honor her “impactful contributions” to students.

“Dr. Shaia embodies an unmatched dedication to excellence that inspires future PR leaders,” she said.

shaia students grads prsaShaia with alumni of the program at Alabama PRSA’s annual awards, “A Night of Honors: Celebrating Public Relations Excellence,” on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the City Club.
Photo: PRSA Alabama
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.

In December, the UAB PRCA/PRSSA chapter was announced as winner of two national PRSSA Teahan Awards, which recognize outstanding work and achievements by students in public relations from across the country. UAB student work won in the Community Service and Outstanding Chapter Website categories.  

For the sixth year in a row, UAB is the Public Relations Council of Alabama’s Chapter of the Year. Students in UAB’s chapter received 28 of the 41 awards at the last PRCA annual conference in spring 2024: 10 Medallion Awards, the highest honor; 10 Excellence Awards; six Merit Awards; Judge’s Choice; and second place for Student of the Year. Read more about UAB’s PRCA/PRSSA chapter.

Shaia, who joined UAB in 2002, teaches in the areas of media law, public relations, politics and the media, crisis management, leadership, ethics, mass communication, and professional writing.


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