The National Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) named PRSSA Nevada a Star Chapter in recognition of its work over the past year.

PRSSA Nevada is a pre-professional club that is designed to enhance members’ education, broaden networks and help students launch meaningful careers in PR and communications fields.

Former vice president of the club, Mary DeMartini, a 4th-year journalism and business marketing major, found the experiences of being on the team to be impactful. “Through meeting the qualifications for this award, I learned so much about the principles of PR and I could not be more proud of my team,” DeMartini said.

As the vice president, DeMartini was responsible for ensuring the club was meeting the criteria outlined and putting together the materials to submit the application.

In order to earn the award, a chapter must fulfill at least eight of the 11 requirements. Criteria include creating a community service project, gaining positive media exposure, and engaging the student body and faculty in their work. The PRSSA Nevada chapter fulfilled 10 of the 11 requirements.

Only 40 chapters across the country earned this award, and PRSSA Nevada is the only chapter in the state to do so.

Alison Gaulden, APR, Fellow PRSA, was the faculty adviser for the chapter.  “Earning star chapter status reflects PRSSA Nevada’s strong, engaged chapter for all its members,” Gaulden said. “Members achieve hands-on experience in board development, client relations, fundraising and member relations, setting them up well for the industry.”

The club is gearing up for another successful year and preparing to attend PRSSA’s ICON conference in Orlando, Florida, next month.