Professor Shawn Orr's Article Featured on eCampusNews

An article written by Communication Studies faculty member Shawn Orr was featured on the front page of eCampusNews, an electronic publication focusing on technology and innovation in higher education.  

Orr's article, 5 tips to teach online - from an instructor doing it now, provides quick strategies to help instructors "[utilize] digital tools to ensure continuity of learning for our students." Tips include setting realistic expectations (for students and for ourselves), celebrating successes, and, of course, communicating!

Check out the full article here!

AU PR Students Participate in Bateman Case Study Competition, Educate about the Census

A group of AU public relations students are participating in the Bateman Case Study Competition, which assists the U.S. Census Bureau with ensuring college students and other select publics understand the importance of completing the Census and how and when that is done. More about AU's Bateman Team and the work its students are doing can be found here.

With the suspension of face-to-face instruction for the spring semester, the Bateman Team faces additional challenges. Though we have to change our tactics in light of students not being on campus, the goals of the campaign remains the same: to educate and engage.

To help achieve these goals, the Bateman students have created the Instagram account @count_au_in, which includes educational posts about the Census, and opportunities for AU students to engage with each other around this information. The account will be deactivated on March 21. Be sure to check it out to learn more about the Census!

PR Students Partner with Veteran's Affairs

Public Relations students are working with the Ashland University Veteran's Affairs office this semester on the creation and implementation of a campaign to build connections with fellow veterans and AU students. These opportunities to get involved in real-life projects help develop students into successful public relations professionals. 

Have a Great Spring Break!

Students in Shawn Orr's COM 205: Intro to Public Relations class kicked off the last class before spring break with a pancake breakfast. The maple syrup was brought in by student Abby Rohr from her family's maple tree farm (available at Sweet Fire Sugar Bush), and students enjoyed a time of eating and networking.

The Communication Studies Department wishes everyone a safe and relaxing spring break!

PRSSA Meeting Slated for Monday, March 16

PRSSA meetings are open to any AU student interested in communication and public relations. 

COM Studies Professor Performs at Suffrage Celebrations

Communication Studies Professor and Director of the Online Communication Studies Program Dr. Deleasa Randall-Griffiths was recently featured on Good Morning Tulsa for her portrayal as suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt during the city's Women's Suffrage Commemoration events.

Events of the day, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th

Dr. Randall-Griffiths as Carrie Chapman Catt
Sharon King Davis as Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Rebecca Marks Jimerson as Ida B. Wells

Amendment, included Living History performances, during which Dr. Randall-Griffiths gave a keynote portrayal of Chapman Catt, a march and rally, and opening of the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum's "Votes for Women: Striking a Four-Letter Word from the Constitution" exhibit.  Additional Living History performances were given by suffragettes Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Ida B. Wells, and Susan B. Anthony.

This event is one of a number for which Dr. Randall-Griffiths is slated to portray Chapman Catt, including a Living History Performance as part of Ashland University's Symposium Against Indifference.  Her performance at AU, which takes place Monday, March 2 at 7:00 pm in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium, will include an in character monologue and Q&A.  The third portion of the performance will be an out of character Q&A session, which will allow Dr. Randall-Griffiths to comment on broader topics and themes surrounding the suffrage movement.  This event is free and open to the public. 

PRSSA Chapter Hosts Popular Career Talk

Lenroy Jones, director of
AU's Career Services

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hosted a standing room only LinkedIn event on Monday, February 17, where students learned how to build a great student profile, create a professional network, and use LinkedIn to find an internship or job.

Lenroy Jones, director of Career Services at Ashland University, led this interactive and information-packed session. Students from the American Marketing Association joined PRSSA students during the session in a collaborative effort to highlight and promote the impact social media has on today’s organizations.

AU's chapter of PRSSA provides opportunities for AU students interested in communication and public relations to enhance their education and broaden their network.