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Where Communication is Key

PRSSA is a University of Houston student organization focusing on students in the public relations field. They host workshops and on-site visits, have fundraising opportunities, and help students learn how to network. They hold general meetings every Monday at 6pm to 7:30pm. They host different groups such as PR Pals where they pair people, have officers serve as mentors to the new members, and create long-lasting bonds after college. PRSSA’s main goals are to create future PR professionals with knowledge with networking, skill-building, and real-world experience. PRSSA focuses on creating and forging relationships with their community and aspires to live out their motto “Where Communication is Key.”

PRSSA organizes a variety of events to help students develop their skills, network with professionals, and gain real-world experience. The annual National Conference features workshops, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities, with notable industry leaders offering insights into current PR trends, best practices, and career advice. Regional conferences provide specialized sessions tailored to specific interests or regions, while PRSSA Week is celebrated with workshops, guest speakers like Lisa Goldberg, Natalie Sanchez and Tiffany Aguinaldo, and networking events that highlight diverse aspects of the PR field. Additionally, Pitching Competitions give students the chance to pitch to real-world clients, and National Organizing Committee events offer webinars and virtual sessions. Agency tours and site visits allow students to observe professionals in action at PR firms, corporations, and organizations. Chapters also host networking mixers and social events where students can connect with alumni and industry professionals, fostering meaningful relationships and career development. 

PRSSA provides strategic communication students with many opportunities to advance their careers and develop key skills, while also allowing them to connect and network with their peers. The organization also offers leadership opportunities through officer roles designated to giving students the chance to gain leadership roles by gaining experience managing an organization and preparing students for their future careers. Officer roles such as president, vice president, director of finance, director of professional development, director of communications, and director of philanthropy, amongst others, equip students with professional experience. PRSSA also hosts a variety of workshops where students get the chance to learn directly from top industry professionals. Some of these workshops include, professional development workshop ft. Megan Bilnoski, Food, and hospitality PR workshop ft. Jordan Smith, and social media management software workshop, amongst many others. These opportunities give students practical knowledge and skills to advance their careers. 

Any student, regardless of their major, can benefit from joining PRSSA. With constant learning opportunities, such as various hands-on workshops and other informative events, students gain valuable communication skills that are vital to being successful in any industry. Not only that, members get unique opportunities to be exposed to the professional world, giving them multiple chances to expand their network and outreach. Most importantly, joining PRSSA is a fun way  for students to meet new people, create new friends and engage with the UH community. Those interested in becoming a member are encouraged to contact PRSSA via social media or through the Get Involved portal in AccessUH.

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Communicating Valenti's Courses

The Jack J. Valenti School of Communications is located at the University of Houston. Jack J. Valenti was a student at the University of Houston and graduated in 1946. During his time at UH, he was a part of the Daily Cougar newspaper and was student body president. In 2002, Valenti was given the “honorary doctorate” of UH. Lastly, in April of 2008, the School of Communications was named after him in honor of an outstanding alumni. 

Jack J. Valenti School of Communications students have required classes that all communications majors take over the course of four years. This is the same with other majors and minors. There are 5 different majors that students take in the communications school: Journalism, Health Communications, Media Production, Strategic Communications, and Corporate Communications. No matter what major they’re in, there are four required classes everyone must take to graduate. Their required classes are Writing for Communicators, Media and Society, Business and Professional Communication, and Communication Law and Ethics. 

Writing for Communicators is a class where students learn to write with proper grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, paragraph structure, and creative storytelling. Media and Society is a class where students understand the impact of media on our society, mass media, and different media messages sent out. Business and Professional Communication is a class where students learn how to act and write properly in a business setting. They learn how to write emails and letters, and students focus on understanding how to interact with people in the business setting. Lastly, Communication Law and Ethics is a class where students learn about the changing society of our world and the laws changing communications efforts as well as the ethical issues with our First Amendment rights. 

Fun fact, the School of Communications is part of the largest student body class in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. 

The Jack J. Valenti School of Communications at the University of Houston provides a solid education for anyone looking to make a mark in the world of communications. With a mix of core courses, hands-on projects, and internship opportunities, students are fully prepared to dive into today’s ever-changing media environment. The school’s legacy, shaped by the achievements of Jack J. Valenti, continues to motivate students to pursue careers that leave a lasting impact. Whether you're into journalism, media production, or corporate communications, the Valenti School sets you up with the tools to become a leader in the industry.