Summary
Alison Gaulden, APR, Fellow PRSA, is a Public Relations professor, public affairs expert, impassioned speaker, student mentor and faculty adviser for Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Nevada. Gaulden teaches intro to and public relations/advertising campaigns courses, media ethics, crisis communication, public relations writing and PR data. She instituted the PRSSA Certificate in the Principals of Public Relations (CPPR) at the University, serving as mentor for students who achieve their certificate. She’s been name Senior Scholar Mentor three times, a rare and coveted distinction in which summa cum laude students nominate the faculty member who was the most influential to their careers. She is the 2023 recipient of Nevada Christian Semenza Teaching Award.
From 2013 to 2019, Gaulden coordinated the internship program at the Reynolds School of Journalism, teaching professional development and personal.
For nearly a quarter of a century, Gaulden worked as a reproductive freedom-fighter conducting public affairs strategy for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the largest affiliate in the country. Her role included public policy influence across 40 counties in two states, direct lobbying more than 200 elected officials, grassroots advocacy, volunteer development, media relations, reputation and crisis management, community relations, health center marketing and internal communications. She served as the spokesperson for the organization in the face of growing hostility in a challenging political environment. She handled several crisis situations, many never reaching publicity.
The Nevada transplant owns two consulting businesses: one coaching clients in public relations, effective communication, media relations, public affairs and negotiations; the other in gardening in northern Nevada. Additionally, she has taught public relations to small businesses, including media relations, social media, community relations and more at both Truckee Meadows Community College and through Nevada Extended Studies programs.
She is chair of the board for Northern Nevada International Center, having volunteered with the organization for more than 20 years.
Gaulden has been a Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Sierra Nevada member since 1997 and is now chapter emeritus. Throughout her more than 20 years as a member, she served two terms as chapter chair (2003 & 2015), as well as PRSA North Pacific District chair in 2016-2017, and every position except treasurer and special events. Her vocation for education includes mentoring members in the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) process. In 2018, the chapter bestowed the Hall of Fame award adding to her two previous awards: Marck Curtis, Jr Award in recognition of her dedication to the improvement of public relations and The Golden Spike using her skills for community engagement. In 2015 and 2017, PRSSA named her Outstanding Faculty Adviser of the Year. In addition, she’s won three faculty adviser awards and a faculty of the year award from the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN).
Education
- MBA in Marketing, University of Phoenix
- B.A. in Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno
Professional certifications
- Accreditation in Public Relations, Public Relations Society of America, 2014
- College of Fellows, Public Relations Society of America, 2021