PRSSA kicks off
Innovations holds its first meeting this semester
Liberty University offers a plethora of ways for students to get real world experience through a variety of clubs and student-run organizations. Innovations, a student-run public relations firm, started off its semester by having an informational spring kickoff meeting on Jan. 26 in the Jerry Falwell Library Terrace Conference Room.
Leadership — The Innovations meeting revealed the demand for new members who can take charge. Photo credit: Kari Moye
The informational meeting hosted both existing members and prospective members of the firm and offered snacks and a raffle for a gift card from Cold Stone.
Liz Skeele, the firm director, started the meeting by introducing Innovations and explaining what the group does. Mostly made up of public relations and advertising majors, the group represents clients in the area as well as clients within Liberty University.
“We have a variety of services,” Skeele explained. “We do brand management. We do audience segmentation, development, things like that. This is a really great opportunity for you to get involved at a professional level in a college atmosphere.”
Skeele said the firm members take what they do seriously, and getting involved is a great opportunity for students to launch their professional career and develop skills in their field. Skeele also explained the membership requirements.
“Innovations is part of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA),” Skeele said. “You have to be a member of PRSSA to join Innovations. PRSSA is a really great network of public relations student societies all across the nation, and it gives you a lot of opportunities to network and learn about the field where we are all going. Innovations is a part of that, and by being a part of that, we can be connected to a wider world of public relations in the field we are all going into.”
Brittany Jones, vice president of Innovations, explained the benefits of being a part of the firm.
“We have real clients and do real work for them, which gets out to the public,” Jones said. “That is something that is huge. It is a great way to build your résumé and build your portfolio. I would say that it is one of the biggest things you can get out of Innovations.”
The four clients that Innovations represents this year are His Vision, College Republicans, Liberty Club Sports and the Center for Global
Engagement.
Jones explained that in the past the members have had the opportunity to attend conferences and meet members of other student-run firms. Jones also said that by being a part of Innovations, students could be eligible to win awards from PRSSA.
Since most of the members are graduating after this semester, the firm is in search of more members.
“Putting yourself out there is going to get you into those leadership roles,” Jones said. “We know there are so many bright minds in this room that are going to help us bring this firm to the next level.”
Foley is a news reporter.