On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Cal State Fullerton’s Public Relations Student Association of America (PRSSA) held its first event of the semester: fall kickoff. This speaker-filled event worked to introduce students to PRSSA, roll out this year’s executive board and convey the benefits of joining the club.
PRSSA’s fall kickoff event, which took place in Titan Student Union’s Alvarado from 7-8 p.m., was an informational occasion to help students understand what PRSSA entails. For students interested in entering the public relations (PR) field, this club provides a network of people with similar career goals.
To start the evening, Bey-Ling Sha, dean of the Communications Department, quickly stopped by to express her support for PRSSA. Sha, who is a part of the Public Relations Association of America (PRSSA’s senior association), gave a testament to how this organization can help one achieve a career in public relations.
After Sha spoke, PRSSA’s co-presidents, Adrianna Harper and Emily Vasquez, discussed their roles and past involvement with the club. Harper has been a member of PRSSA since fall 2021 and Vasquez joined in 2022.
To follow, the rest of the 2023-2024 executive board discussed their roles in PRSSA and how attendees could get involved in the club. Some positions on the executive board have ‘committees’ which allow students to shadow and collaborate with the executive roles. Positions currently accepting committees are the finance and digital communications departments, among others.
Next up to speak were PRSSA’s advisors. Ken Hagihara, PRSSA’s faculty advisor, is a full-time lecturer for the Department of Communications at CSUF. His courses include the public relations capstone courses, advanced public relations writing and the principles of public relations.
Hagihara took time to communicate to attendees the importance of PRSSA, stating, “This is not a club, it’s an investment in your future.”
PRSSA’s second advisor for the 2023-2024 year is Kristin Daher, who specializes in professional advising for the club. Having purchased and rebranded a PR agency in 2015, Daher’s goal is to provide PRSSA members with valuable industry knowledge to set them up for success after college.
Last up to speak was PRSSA alum Jessica Pineda. Pineda now works as the PR manager for Disneyland Resort and attributes the beginning of her career journey to her involvement in PRSSA.
“PRSSA gave me the foundation that I needed to succeed,” Pineda said.
Pineda remarked on the significant network one can access when joining the club. Not only does PRSSA offer career networks, but it also allows an opportunity for friendship.
After the meeting, students got a chance to get to know other students as well as talk to the executive board.
Follow @ csufprssa for a list of their upcoming fall events.
