UA’s Plank Center Launches Free Webinar Series for PR Students and Educators

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at The University of Alabama is launching a series of free webinars for public relations students and educators.

The six, hour-long webinars will feature industry professionals from around the country and are designed to advance leadership values and skills in public relations while bridging the gap between the education and the practice.

“There are several fee-based webinars for professionals, but none address public relations students and educators specifically,” said Keith Burton, president of Insidedge, Chicago, and Plank Center board member. “This series is being developed with the needs of those communities in mind.

The series currently includes the following webinars:

For students: Deciding Between a PR Job and an Advanced Degree
Wednesday, April 15, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. CST.

Presenters:
Brandi Boatner, PRSSA National President
Dr. Karla Gower, director of the Plank Center, The University of Alabama
Doug Serton, public relations recruiter, Heyman Associates, New York City

For educators: The New Social and Digital Media/Web 2.0
Friday, May 1, time to be announced

Presenters:
Jeff Beringer, senior vice president, Dialogue Group, GolinHarris, Chicago
Keith Burton, president, Insidedge, Chicago
Dr. Robert French, professor of public relations, Auburn University
Toby Ward, president, Prescient Digital Media

Topics for the remaining sessions include: the evolving practice of global public relations, the world of corporate social responsibility and green public relations, the role of diversity and inclusion in driving global success, and leadership in public relations.

For more information about the webinars and to register, visit the Plank Center Web site at http://www.plankcenter.ua.edu.

In 2005, the UA Board of Trustees established the Plank Center, named for public relations leader and UA alumna Betsy Plank, to develop and recognize outstanding performance in the profession and the classroom. It sponsors research, national awards and service programs to advance the understanding and practice of ethical and responsible public relations.

In addition to national leaders in the practice and education, the Center Board includes an ex officio position for the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America, which represents more than 9,800 members in 295 colleges and universities.

The Center is housed in UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences.  UA’s public relations program, with nearly 600 students, is the largest undergraduate degree program in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. The program is the 12th in the nation to be reviewed and certified by PRSA.

The College is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 10 in number of doctoral degrees awarded and in its research programs.