IN THIS ISSUE Summer Cleanup Project
Summer 2021 Vol.1 Newsletter
Okina Tran Alumna Profile Why You Should Join PRSSA
TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Editor-In-Chief..............................................01 Letter from the President......................................................02 Letter from the MaverickPR Director...................................03 Meet the Board......................................................................04 UNO PRSSA former president shares her passion for others.....................................................................................05 Here’s why you should join PRSSA.......................................07 Two PRSSA E-Board members volunteer at the Maha Festival...................................................................................09
Editor-In-Chief: Tavion Davis Copy Editor: Kathryn O’Connor Faculty Adviser: Karen Weber Contributors: Veronica Beck Rose McCaffrey Miranda McCord Diana Muñoz Katherine Peña MK Roumph
COVID-19 cancels in-person ICON 2021; virtual conference still offers world-class content..............................................10 Experts share best practices in creativity, strategy and diversity..................................................................................11 UNO PRSSA helps keep Elmwood Park clean.....................12
Letter from the Editor-In-Chief Editor-In-Chief looks forward to a hopeful future for UNO PRSSA by Tavion Davis I’d like to formally introduce you to the Summer Newsletter as the Editor-In-Chief. I’m thrilled to be your Vice President of Diversity and Publications this year and hope to make every PRSSA member feel welcome and included while creating, managing and publishing content for our chapter. Following the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines and the introduction of mass inoculation, we hope for a future where we’re back to some semblance of normal. I’m sure many of you are tired of hearing stories involving the virus, but your safety will always be our top priority. This summer, the Executive Board has worked hard to prepare for the upcoming semester and bring more professional development opportunities. We can’t wait to see and meet all of you in person after our previous year restricted us to Zoom calls. This will be my first newsletter created and released as VP of Publications. We have had many noteworthy activities this summer, but content has been sparse following a year of being restricted to Zoom. Therefore, it’s my goal to try and facilitate the creation of new ideas for content creation by being active in the ideation of events and professional development opportunities.
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Finally, I invite you to read through some of the stories of our achievements, opportunities, and other special content to familiarize yourself with UNO PRSSA’s culture. All of you are important, skilled, and by joining PRSSA, you’ve taken the first step at advancing your professional development.
Letter from the President My name’s Kat, PRSSA’s new president by Katherine Peña Welcome back to the fall semester. I’m so excited to be president this year and look forward to working with each and every member as we strive for excellence as a chapter and as students. This summer alone, we grew closer as a chapter through our service projects and group bonding. And after getting to know our E-Board members, I’m confident that the fall semester will continue to be tremendous and filled with opportunity. As president, I want to create a welcoming environment where we can thrive together both professionally and personally. PRSSA has opened doors to the world of public relations and communications. Now it’s time to make ourselves proud while we work alongside our community to continue our chapter’s legacy. I know this year holds a lot of promise. Our hope is to participate in service and professional development projects in-person to make up for lost time in isolation. It’s also important to me to create a bond between our alumni and new members. In this profession, it’s vital to make connections.
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I can’t stress enough that my main goal as president is to make everyone feel involved, appreciated and immersed in the opportunities that PRSSA offers. I encourage fellow students to reach out to me with any questions, comments or concerns throughout the year. Remember, you’re wanted, you’re important, and you’re a part of what makes PRSSA exceptional!
Letter from the MaverickPR Director
From branding to video, MavPR serves summer clients by MK Roumph The MaverickPR staff not only survived another semester in the age of COVID but persevered through the ongoing challenges. The 12 staff members served eight clients throughout the summer, offering a fullservice experience of advertising, branding, copywriting and editing, graphic design, media outreach, photography, public relations, social media and videography. Although the client meetings remained in the digital space, the staff had the opportunity to return to campus for in-person firm meetings and utilize MavPR’s new video equipment to film the first video of a series for our new client, Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC). The summer 2021 MavPR staff consisted of many new faces after the May graduating class. However, the level of experience did not affect the result of having a group of curious, eager and fast learners. As the world continues to heal, MavPR continues to teach, support and guide the next generation of communicators and public relations professionals. As I conclude my final semester of college and role as firm director, I’m so grateful for my opportunity to have led two semesters.
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Community has become more important than ever because of a global pandemic that tried to divide. Instead of being divided by the challenges, MavPR grew closer and became a family.
MEET THE BOARD Fall 2021
Katherine Peña
Kathryn O’Connor
Diana Muñoz
Courtney Kilroy
President
VP of Public Relations & Communications
VP of Social Media
VP of Creative Services
Veronica Beck
Rebecca Kisicki
Rose McCaffrey
Miranda McCord
VP of Member Services
Tavion Davis
VP of Diversity & Publications
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VP of Finance & MaverickPR Director
Liz Rollin
MaverickPR Assistant & Creative Director & VP of Archives
VP of Events
VP of Community Engagement
UNO PRSSA former president shares her passion for others
by Diana Muñoz Since her graduation in 2020, Okina Tran, former UNO PRSSA president, has developed a new passion for social impact that enhances her love for public relations. Her desire to learn more about the field and serve others led Tran to join the chapter as a sophomore where she immediately became involved as newsletter assistant< She moved up to vice president of publications before assuming the role of president. “It was seriously the best time,” she says. “I have learned so much from UNO PRSSA.” The experience Tran gained through PRSSA, MaverickPR, its nationally affiliated student-run firm and several internships helped her land her job as a junior associate for Weber Shandwick in Washington D.C. “As the UNO PSRSSA president, I had to juggle so many things at different times,” Tran says. “If I didn’t have the organization skills and time management skills, it would have been harder for me to go into this new role.” Weber Shandwick is a global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations around the world. Her agency work introduced Tran to social impact and public affairs. Tran has worked remotely due to COVID-19. And while she loves the remote aspect of working from home, she’s anxious to meet her co-workers in person. “I’m itching to go back to the office,” Tran says of her plans to move to Washington D.C. in the near future.
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In addition to campus involvement, working multiple internships gave her experience in the field, which stood out to Weber Shandwick. She interned for Bailey Lauerman, The Women’s
Fund of OMaha, United Way the Midlands, and the Maha Music Festival. Tran encourages PRSSA members to get involved and gain experience in what interests them before graduation. She also says students should seek out national scholarships and fellowships such as the Multicultural Advertising Internship Program (MAIP). The program’s mission is to provide and showcase the advertising industry with the best talent. Each year hundreds of college students are chosen to showcase their talent. As Tran continues to grow as a professional, she plans to continue working in a social impact space. “I love working for companies that are very dedicated to learning about their consumers and their thoughts and beliefs,” she says. Today, more than ever, consumers want to support a brand that’s being sustainable, proactive and supportive. Tran says she plans to continue to be a mentor to UNO students. “I just love helping people and providing them with any and all opportunities that I come across.”
Photo by UNO PRSSA
Tran (Left) posing for a photo with Faculty Advisor Karen Weber (Right)
Photo by Okina Tran
Tran’s name badge for the PRSSA 2019 International Conference.
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Photo by UNO PRSSA
Okina Tran (Far Left) at ICON
Here’s why you should join PRSSA by Veronica Beck The University of Nebraska at Omaha is proud to have such a variety of clubs and student organizations activities for students to become involve on campus. Ranging from sororities to intramural sports, the campus is constantly booming with life. One organization students should look into is the Public Relations Student Society of America or PRSSA. PRSSA is an organization built on a foundation many other extracurricular activities fail to obtain: professionalism. Joining PRSSA is more than just joining a club on campus, it is joining a pre-professional organization of like-minded students looking to gain knowledge before their future careers. Though this may sound intense, it’s still a lot of fun. PRSSA hosts numerous events, meetings, and activities that keep students engaged. Some activities include Santa Paws (a.k.a. seeing adorable animals for a day), doing community service projects that help to better OMaha, La Notte Italiana or Italian Night, an entire night dedicated to fundraising and pasta eating, and much more. Of course, the organization is based upon giving students real-life experiences working in public relations settings. Whether this is done by networking with PR professionals or getting their feet wet by learning how to post on social media, students gain valuable experience.
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PRSSA also offers many opportunities that other organizations do not: traveling. Hitting the tarmac and taking off in a plane is a dream many college students hold. PRSSA allows for these dreams to become reality. Every fall, select students take off to different locations of the United States in a networking frenzy.
This fall, our students are traveling for the first time since 2019 to Orlando for the annual PRSSA-PRSA International Conference for an extended stay filled with sunshine, good food, and most importantly, PR experts from around the globe. PRSSA is also different from other organizations because of its room for growth. Becoming an executive board member is a valuable experience that PRSSA makes simple. Some people decide to join the E-Board their freshman year, while others may join their senior year. No matter the circumstances, the infinite room for growth that PRSSA offers is unmatched by other organizations. Many students may wonder how PRSSA would benefit them if they aren’t communication majors studying public relations. I can personally attest to the benefits of joining PRSSA. As a Public Health major, I found myself worried that PRSSA wouldn’t be helpful for me. Boy, was I wrong! This organization has allowed me to find new interests, new friends, and more importantly, new opportunities I would never have found elsewhere.
If you join PRSSA, I promise you won’t regret it. PRSSA works to be as inclusive as possible. The organization’s arms are open to not only people of different majors but people of different backgrounds. Diversity and inclusion are staple motives in the UNO PRSSA chapter. Finding ways to keep every student comfortable and involved is a value not overlooked. From diverse speakers to diverse leaders, PRSSA welcomes all with open arms. Still on the fence? PRSSA is more than just public relations, it is family. Finding friends in this busy, electronically driven world has become harder than ever. PRSSA allows for a safe space for people to mingle, learn and grow together. Whether you want to manage a social media account, work in sales, or any other aspiration, PRSSA offers something for everyone. We can’t wait to meet you!
Photo by Tavion Davis
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(L to R): McCord, McCain, Ryder, Squiers, Love, Roumph, Robles, Shipley, and Christensen
Two PRSSA E-Board members volunteer at the Maha Festival By Rose McCaffrey Listening to a variety of musical artists, participating in the “Meet and Greet” and getting free admission were among the perks of being a volunteer at the 2021 Maha Music Festival. Tavion Davis, vice-president of diversity and publications, and I volunteered at the event that celebrates music and culture in OMaha. After a year off due to COVID-19, the sold-out festival showcased such artists being Khruangbin, Thundercat, Japanese Breakfast, Drive-By Truckers, Shovels & Ropes, Matt Cox & The Marauders, EDEM Soul Music, Dirt House, J. Crum, Kethro, and Crabrangucci. We worked in the Bartender Local Draft Bar tent. The first orders were rough as we figured out how to take orders and pour beers but eventually we stayed on top of orders and understood what to do.. This job was not kidding when it said it’s a fast-paced environment, but thankfully, we adapted quickly.
making sure everyone had a nice, refreshing beverage.” After the shift, volunteers enjoyed a complementary beverage of choice and a chance to enjoy the festival.We enjoyed the nearby silent DJ, the environment, and the shows in the background.
Customers ordered draft beers for $7 or a can beverage for around $6 to $8. With a purchase of a cooler, they can fit up to six cans with ice. All sales and tips go towards the nonprofit of the organization. Davis handled the front by completing the orders for the customers and handing them the drink of their choice. I handled the back of the tent by serving the on-tap drinks and restocking cups.
It was definitely difficult at first, but once we understood our work, it was the easiest thing in the world. I loved doing it, and I loved the fact that we couild walk around the festival after our shifts. Everyone looked so happy and it was a bunch of fun.
“I think volunteer work is important for people to give back to their community. The Maha festival was no exception. There were people who just wanted to have fun and connect with one another again after lockdown and remote working/learning,” Davis says. “I was happy to be a part of that process by
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Photo by Rose McCaffrey
COVID-19 cancels in-person ICON 2021; virtual conference still offers world-class content by Miranda McCord For the second year, COVID-19 has forced PRSA to turn the PRSA International Conference (ICON) into fully remote. The surge in COVID’s Delta variant across the country led organizers to move the conference to an all-virtual format, A team from UNO PRSSA and MaverickPR had looked forward to attending in-person at the Orlando World Center Marriott this October. “I’m deeply disappointed for our students. They worked so hard and deserve this incredible opportunity to connect in-person with students and professionals from every part of the U.S. and abroad,” says Karen Weber, UNO PRSSA faculty adviser. “I’ve attended every Conference from 2004 to 2019, and I can personally attest to how attending conference enriches your life.” ICON is a conference held to develop skills, learn from industry leaders, share ideas and find new ways to grow professionally. The conference provides students and professionals with the opportunity to grow in their field through workshops, seminars, sessions and networking opportunities. These activities encourage attendees to gain inspiration and
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Graphic by PRSA
ICON 2021’s official PRSA graphic
fresh perspective as they are immersed in events led by the brightest and most innovative minds. Yamiche Alcindor will give a keynote presentation on “Illuminating the Human Experience.” Alcindor is an award-winning broadcast journalist who works as the White House correspondent for the PBS NewsHour. She also serves as moderator of Washington Week, and an NBC and MSNBC political contributor. Alcindor will share her experience and observations she has learned through her career. ICON 2021 also offers resume critiquing, networking with PRSA Champions and a career fair.
Experts share best practices in creativity, strategy and diversity by Diana Muñoz On Brand Conference participants heard from experts across the country that focused on building and teaching innovative marketing insights. The virtual conference held July 15 kicked off with Andy Boyle, director of product engineering for the Chicago Sun-Times. During Boyle’s 50-minute presentation, he included memorable improv games anyone can do to improve their creativity. “The two most important words to creativity are “yes” and “and,” Boyle says. “It’s about the idea of agreeing and building.” Boyle’s goal was to get a bit less serious when it comes to developing ideas and problem-solving. By the end of the presentation, Boyle taught the audience about expanding creativity and giving yourself the power to say YES to new ideas. Lyn Wineman, founder of KidGlov and content strategist and Jazmyn Brown also spoke about content marketing and how to create a marketing strategy that works. Brown shared over every platform that KidGlov implements to create their strategy. Another memorable speaker, Derek Walker, owner of Brown and Browner in Columbia, South Carolina, spoke about race, diversity, and inclusion within the public relations industry. “It’s been an interesting journey being a black man in advertising,” Walker says. When Walker first began his career in 1986, he could not find a job in advertising due to the color of his skin. He told attendees the story about
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one of his first job interviews out of college. He walked into the agency’s office ready for his interview and when they saw he was a person of color the manager said, “’I’m sorry, but our clients aren’t ready for a black copywriter.’” Walker says he still hears stories like this inspired him to open and operate his own agency. “Being more diverse doesn’t mean you have to exclude anyone,” Walker says when he explains how his agency embraces people of color. He touched on a topic that many do not hear about especially in the PR industry and he made an impact on people of color and minorities. Walker says he believes more diverse teams produce more creative and effective work. Walker shares his thoughts on the work industry and the need for more diversity. “If we can’t talk about it, how do we address it?” How does society begin to talk about it? By getting those in power to change how they think and see people of color,” Walker says.
Photo by Rebecca Kisicki
UNO PRSSA Executive Board at Elmwood Park.
UNO PRSSA helps keep Elmwood Park clean by Tavion Davis Early morning on July 10 a storm, with hurricane-force winds, passed blew over the Omaha metro, knocking out power for roughly 134,000 OPPD customers. The storm didn’t just cause massive power outages, it also knocked down trees, signs, wires, and caused debris to litter several areas, especially Elmwood Park. Just over a week later, members of the UNO PRSSA’s Executive Board helped clean up Elmwood Park. UNO President Katherine Pena says this service project was as much about the leadership team bonding as it was about serving our community. “It was an idea that came about just as suddenly as the storm did, Pena says. “We were searching for ways in which we could help our community.” Members met in front of the Arts and Sciences building to gather trash bags, gloves, and other items. Then they walked down to the Elmwood Park Pavillion to have a short picnic before starting the clean-up process. The crew focused on the playground, pavilion and baseball field picking up and disposing of trash, branches and other debris that littered these areas. At the end of the day, the team filled seven lawn bags full of various debris and trash.
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“At first, it felt like the storm had washed away most of the trash and debris because it was difficult to find enough trash,” says Rebecca Kisicki, UNO PRSSA’s vice president of finance and MaverickPR director. “However, we spent some time searching around and managed to do some great work.”
