The 2022 Plank Middle DEI Scholar Journey Scholarship recipients.
Breana Hicks, a senior within the Faculty of Journalism and Strategic Media, attended The Plank Middle for Management in Public Relations 2022 Summit on Variety, Fairness and Inclusion and Milestones in Mentoring gala in Chicago. Hicks was one among 18 various public relations college students to obtain the 2022 Plank Middle DEI Scholar Journey Scholarship chosen from universities throughout the nation.
“I’m extraordinarily honored to be one of many 18 recipients of this journey scholarship throughout the nation, representing the College of Arkansas. I’m past grateful for the teachings discovered and connections made!” Hicks mentioned. Hicks is an promoting and public relations main within the Faculty of Journalism and Strategic Media within the Fulbright Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The annual DEI summit offers a spot for PR practitioners, educators and college students to additional their skilled improvement, community and improve their data of DEI points and finest practices. The theme of the 2022 DEI summit was intersectionality and inclusion, and business leaders mentioned DEI within the PR business. The Plank Middle was based in 2005 on the College of Alabama and is “the main worldwide useful resource working to assist college students, educators and practitioners who’re passionate concerning the public relations occupation.” (http://plankcenter.ua.edu/)
Hicks discovered suggestions and heard tales and recommendation from present business professionals about the right way to higher assist and domesticate various leaders within the area of public relations. As a scholarship recipient, Hicks attended unique occasions, together with a breakfast to community with public relations executives, and attended the Milestones in Mentoring Gala on the conclusion of the summit, the place business leaders gathered and talked to college students about careers.
“One thing that actually stood out to me was that one among panelists mentioned that we have to be conscious of the terminology we use for DEI — we have to communicate the language of TWT: Whole World Transformation as an alternative of DEI,” Hicks mentioned. “I discovered completely different views from the summit to see DEI and myself within the advert/PR business – now I’m making an attempt to see broader points reminiscent of how my examine and work can diversify this business; that is my honors thesis subject.”
“Breana demonstrates her ardour for fairness and variety,” mentioned Jee Younger Chung, an assistant professor of public relations, who nominated Hicks for the scholarship. The advert/PR college supported her nomination. “Getting ready her software — a resume and 5-minute brief video — challenged her to articulate who she is and her understanding of DEI from the advert/PR perspective, which is her main and future job.”
“One of many essential objectives at SJSM is to organize future journalists, storytellers and media professionals to craft correct, truthful and compelling narratives that influence marginalized voices and underserved communities. Breana is exemplary of that, has achieved every thing she will to grasp and promote range, fairness and inclusion, and we’re so happy with her,” mentioned professor Jan LeBlanc Wicks, vice-chair of Faculty of Journalism and Strategic Media and head of the advert/PR main.
Breana has been concerned in quite a lot of campus-wide DEI initiatives: she is a membership president of DIYA (Variety, Inclusion, and You Affiliation) on campus since August 2021 and a Fulbright Faculty DEI Scholar Ambassador representing the college since November 2021. She hopes to pursue a profession in public relations after she graduates from the U of A.
In regards to the Faculty of Journalism and Strategic Media: The Faculty of Journalism and Strategic Media is devoted to excellence in instructing, analysis and media discourse. College students in our journalism diploma packages obtain instruction, steerage and entry to hands-on expertise from our seasoned, award-winning college and workers. Areas of examine embody information editorial and reporting, broadcast, public relations, promoting and digital media. @uarkjournalism
