PRSA Richmond has announced that Virginia State University (VSU) is home to the newest Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter in the Richmond region. VSU is the third PRSSA chapter in this area, joining Virginia Commonwealth University and Longwood University. Professor Henry Moore serves as the chapter’s faculty advisor and Jay Ell Alexander, PRSA member serves as the professional advisor.

“VSU is very excited about the recognition as one of the newest PRSSA Chapters in the country,” comments Moore. “PRSSA provides the necessary tools for our students to be successful during their college career and after graduation.”

PRSSA is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. PRSSA is made up of more than 11,000 students and advisers organized into 300 plus chapters in the United States, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. PRSSA provides many opportunities to student members, including awards, internships, scholarships, leadership training and conference support. New PRSSA Chapters are granted a charter from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) after an exhaustive application process. Local PRSA Chapters support PRSSA efforts through a variety of initiatives.

VSU PRSSA president Jordan Mason says that “having a PRSSA chapter at Virginia State University opens many doors for the public relations students here. We now have access to all the tools that will help us jump-start our careers as PR professionals.”

PRSA Richmond acts as a liaison to PRSSA chapters at universities across Central Virginia, hosts an annual student mentoring week and visits colleges and other venues to speak about careers in public relations. PRSA Richmond will be sponsoring one PRSSA student to attend the 2016 PRSSA National Conference in Indianapolis, IN, October 21-25, 2016.

“PRSA Richmond is proud to support the next generation of PR professionals in the Richmond region,” said Andrew K. Ryan, APR, PRSA Richmond president. “We’re thrilled that a new PRSSA Chapter has been established at VSU. This accomplishment further highlights the school’s commitment to the PR industry and delivering a great education to its PR students.”