MSU student PR group shines with Star Chapter, Gold Key awards
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter is earning national recognition for its excellence in leadership, service and professional development, and one of its own is receiving a top individual honor.
The chapter is a recipient of the PRSA/PRSSA Foundation’s 2025 Star Chapter Award, a distinction given to select groups exceeding national benchmarks. To qualify, chapters must complete at least eight of 11 specified contributions that strengthen it and the national network.
The MSU chapter is advised by Associate Professor Terri Hernandez and Assistant Professor Uyanga Bazaa, both in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre.
“Our members worked hard, from organizing ethics-focused programming and attending national conferences to leading community outreach and building professional relationships with PRSA Alabama, our sponsoring chapter,” Hernandez said.
“Our public relations students have demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm, leadership and initiative in managing our chapter,” Bazaa added. “The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and faculty.”
Additionally, spring 2025 graduate Greta Allen of Olive Branch received the PRSSA National Gold Key Award, the highest individual recognition given to members. The honor celebrates exceptional academic achievement and leadership within a chapter.
“Greta is among the most impressive students to come through our public relations program,” Hernandez said. “Her work ethic, creativity and professionalism are evident in everything she undertakes, and I have no doubt she will continue to make meaningful contributions to the profession.”
Terry Likes, professor and head of the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, said, “The department is proud to feature high achieving public relations faculty and students. Our PR students have won nearly 150 regional and state awards in the last six years. At a time when students have countless commitments making it hard to attract them to another meeting, PRSSA chapter meetings consistently draw dedicated future PR professionals eager to learn and network with industry leaders.”
During the 2024-2025 academic year, MSU PRSSA students engaged in a range of high-impact experiences—from visiting Peritus Public Relations in Birmingham, Alabama, for a behind-the-scenes look at agency life to attending national events including PRSA’s ICON conference and the PRSSA Leadership Assembly. The chapter hosted expert-led sessions on crisis communication and content creation, partnered with OSERVS for local community service, and earned second place in the national Pacesetter Award competition.
For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.comm.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.