UA Public Relations Professor Named Educator of the Year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. J. Suzanne Horsley, assistant professor of advertising and public relations at The University of Alabama, has been recognized as the Southern Public Relations’ Federation’s 2012 Educator of the Year.

Horsley received the honor at the 2012 SPRF conference in Destin, Fla., Oct. 9.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by my peers in public relations,” Horsley said. “These professionals are UA students’ future employers, so to be recognized by them for educating and preparing our students for their chosen careers is very humbling.”

Horsley has also been recognized as a White House Champion of Change, for work done with the American Red Cross in the wake of the April 27, 2011, tornadoes, as well as ways she involved students in public affairs’ efforts surrounding the event.

The Educator of the Year award was initiated by SPRF in 2008 to recognize outstanding professional educator members. Each state organization (covering Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi) is invited to nominate one outstanding public relations educator. Horsley was named Educator of the Year by the Public Relations Council of Alabama prior to being nominated for the SPRF award.

The advertising and public relations department is part of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences.