UA Plank Center Awards $20,000 in Leadership Grants in Public Relations

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at The University of Alabama will award $20,000 to support four research projects that will enhance understanding of factors that contribute to effective and ethical leadership in public relations.

Dr. Bruce Berger, director of the Plank Center and chair of the advertising and public relations department in the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, said, “We congratulate the grant recipients and look forward to the results of their research. These grants, along with other new initiatives, represent the Center’s first small steps toward helping to develop leadership values and skills in the classroom and profession.”

Recipients of the inaugural leadership grants are:

• Dr. Yoonhyeung Choi, and doctoral student Jounghwa Choi, Michigan State University, who received a grant of $6,600 for their study, “Dimensions of Leadership Qualities in Public Relations: Exploring Dual Perspectives by Practitioners and Dominant Coalition.”
• Richard Waters, doctoral student, University of Florida, who was awarded $4,500 for his study, “Exploring the Link Between Leadership and the Practice of Public Relations: An Examination of How Leadership Style Influences Relationship Maintenance Strategy.”
• Drs. Kelly Page Werder and Derina Holtzhausen, University of South Florida, who received a grant of $2,825 for their study, “An Analysis of the Relationship Between Leadership Style, Practitioner Roles, and Public Relations Strategy Use.”
• Dr. Seow Ting Lee, Illinois State University, and Dr. I-Huei Cheng, University of Alabama, who were awarded $6,000 for their study, “Leadership and Ethics in Public Relations: A Knowledge Management Approach.”

More than 30 scholars responded to the request for proposals issued in March, Berger said. The competitive proposals were blind reviewed by academics at six universities.

Formed in 2005, the primary mission of the Plank Center is to help develop and recognize outstanding leaders and role models in public relations. Led by a national advisory board, the center supports research, teaching, service and professional educational efforts that further the understanding and ethical practice of public relations. The center is named for UA alumna and nationally acclaimed public relations pioneer, Betsy Plank.

The center is located in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at UA, one of the most prestigious communication colleges in the nation. C&IS consistently is ranked among the top 10 in number of doctoral degrees awarded and in many of its research programs. With 600 students, UA’s public relations program is the largest undergraduate degree program in the College.