PRSSA: A Rich History Through the Years
1967 1968 1969 1973
BY CARLY OWENS
CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
WITH
a network of more than
11,000 students, it’s hard to
imagine a world without PRSSA. The
Society had humble beginnings dating
back more than 15 years before the charter of the first nine alpha Chapters. It was
only through the determination and persistence of professionals who believed
students deserved an organization focused on the education of public relations
that PRSSA has evolved into the thriving
organization that it is today.
Since the beginning, the commitment
to the education of future professionals
has been a priority. In 1950, the recently
launched PRSA expressed an interest
in starting a student network, but interest waned — some professionals even
claiming that public relations could not
be taught. After positive experiences with
students at two PRSA Conferences, the
Long Range Planning Committee of PRSA
issued a statement at the 1967 PRSA
Spring Assembly noting their concern
over where the “next generation” of practitioners would come from.
Cue the official beginnings of PRSSA.
In 1968, after PRSSA had been established, nine Chapters were chartered, and
as the saying goes, the rest is history.
The organization continued to encourage
charter applications, unifying independent
public relations student groups and creating a national set of regulations.
Ten years later, in 1978, the PRSA
board, led by Betsy Plank (who would become National Adviser in 1981), approved
handing the management of PRSSA from
a PRSA committee to the students, enabling PRSSA to become a place where
students could practice their leadership
skills and ensure the future of public
relations. The move was a success, with
membership increasing by 20 percent the
following year.
PRSSA changed as the industry did,
introducing their website, prssa.org, in
1995. Today, the online presence includes
the website, Google groups and accounts
on social networking sites, helping to keep
the 11,000 plus members connected to
each other and the industry.
PRSA Board of Directors creates
PRSSA Chapters at nine
qualified schools.
First issue of FORUM is published.
National dues structure is adopted;
governance transfers from
PRSA to students.
PRSA delegates vote unanimously
to establish PRSSA.
1976
1981
1989
1996
2006
2007
2011
2017
First PRSSA National Conference
is held.
PRSSA Affiliate program is established;
PRSSA National blog is started.
Friends of PRSSA
(now Champions for PRSSA)
is formed.
First international Chapter chartered
in Argentina.
Certification in Education for Public
Relations program established.
PRSSA National leadership changes
from District directors to national
vice presidents.
Photo courtesy of The Plank Center.
As it approaches its 50th birthday,
PRSSA has a global reach and no plans
to slow down anytime soon.
National blog renamed Progressions.
PRSSA celebrates 50 years.