PRSSA Alumni and Student Recognition Breakfast

by Olivia Pearson

Wayne State University students paired up with communications professionals for industry
insight and advice over breakfast Tuesday, April 18th in the Student Center ballroom. Public
relations professional, Kelly Rossman-McKinney, APR, PRSA fellow executive officer and
principal of PR firm, Truscott Rossman, was honored by WSUs James Measell Chapter of
PRSSA with an award for years of leadership and cutting-edge work.

The College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts held their 14th Annual PRSSA Alumni
& Student Recognition Breakfast Tuesday, April 18. WSU PRSSA matches pre-professional
communication students with industry professionals from some of Detroits top companies and
firms. Professionals sponsor the students admission and offer insight, advice and network
connections to help guide students to successfully pursue their careers.

This annual spring event is always a celebrationbut its also an opportunity for students to get
special attention from the many professionals who support them throughout the year, said
PRSSA faculty advisor Michelle Najor.

Students and industry professionals arrived in the student center between 7 and 8am at the
check-in tables to find out where they would be seated and who they would be paired with.
Attendees had time to network and exchange business cards, social media handles and
LinkedIn accounts. The program began with a welcome from Najor and introductions of
company representatives who attended the event. After breakfast and conversation amongst
attendees, the event planning committee acknowledged to all those who made the event
possible.

As a fourth year PRSSA member, but a first time alumni breakfast attendee, Im elated to have
been surrounded by so many big players in the metro Detroit PR industry. This event truly
highlighted all of the hard work and dedication Wayne States PRSSA Executive Board and
general members have devoted to the organization and the profession this past year. Kudos to
the planning committee, said senior PR major, Marcella Dudek.

Rossman-McKinney was honored as the 2017 recipient of CFPCAs Alumni Achievement Award
presented by CFPCA Associate Dean Loraleigh Keashly, Ph.D. Rossman-McKinney is
Lansings best-known and most-accomplished communications expert, according to the results
of the MIRS and EPIC-MRA State Capitol Surveys. The poll consistently ranks Rossman-
McKinney as the most effective public relations professional in Michigan. Through her
leadership and expertise, Truscott Rossman has expanded from a single office in Lansing with
about a dozen employees to three statewide offices and a team of nearly 30 PR professionals.
This growth helped Truscott Rossman to be named one of Michigans 50 Companies to Watch
in 2015.

Kelly Rossman-McKinney exemplifies PR knowledge, skill and spirit and generously shares
that with our students. We are so proud of this alumna and grateful to b able to show her how
much she means to us and to the PR profession, said Keashly.

Following her acceptance speech current PRSSA chapter president, Becca Cooper, announced
the 2017 PRSSA Executive Board. Members include: New Chapter President Delaney
DeAngelis; Vice President of Internal Communication Nick Beaven; Vice President of
Professional ProgrammingAlex Leroux; Assistant Professional Programming DirectorJoelle
Kruczek; Vice President of Fundraising and Scholarships Shannon McNamara; Assistant
Fundraising and Scholarships Director Rachel-Ann Jones; Vice President of Member
Services Alissa Demos; Vice President of Community Affairs Brittany Woods; Vice
President of Social Media MacKenzie Zoschnick; Salute Editor-in-Chief Zach Termini; and
Salute Editor Amber Bidinger. At the end of the program, students were presented
scholarships and recognized for their work and involvement in PR.

The alumni breakfast is such a great event! You get to network with industry professionals in a
very relaxed and welcoming environment, said Leroux.

PR people have this special knack for wanting to see things succeed. The breakfast I felt, was
a place where we celebrated that success for one another, said junior PR major, Lauren
Pearson.

WSU PRSSAs mission is to enhance knowledge of public relations practices, provide access to
professional development opportunities and to nurture highly qualified, well-prepared
professionals. WSU PRSSA provides guidance, motivations and professional development to
upcoming professionals in the Detroit area. The National PRSSA organization averages over
11,000 members in over 300 Chapters at colleges and universities across the nation. For more
information and ways to get involved students can visit the James Measell Chapter of PRSSA
website at wsuprssa.org or contact either, Brittany Woods at bwoods@wsuprssa.org or Ashley
White at awhite@wsuprssa.org.