The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has honored its student chapter at the College of Social Sciences on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus. The David A. Ward chapter of PRSSA was recognized for its outstanding leadership and community engagement in the 2024-2025 academic year.
“We dedicated our time and effort to ensure that we upheld the highest standards set by PRSSA,” said Mailani Magbanua, chapter president and a graduate student in Communication within the School of Communication and Information. “We can’t wait to see how our chapter will continue to flourish in the future.”
To earn the Star Chapter Award, PRSSA student chapters must meet at least eight of 11 rigorous requirements, which include strengthening relationships with a sponsoring professional chapter, addressing ethics in meetings, participating in community service, and engaging in national events and awards.
The UH PRSSA students organized a variety of academic and professional events, including a speaker series, communication skills workshops, community service projects and fundraising efforts. The chapter also held semi-annual career day tours and, this past spring, offered members a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Hawaiʻi Business Magazine and Anthology Marketing Group.
“This award reflects our members’ passion and dedication to achieve the chapter’s goals,” said Ji Young Kim, faculty advisor and associate professor of Communication. “This is the second time the UH PRSSA chapter has earned this national recognition, and I am looking forward to their continued success.”
Added Amy Hennessey, the chapter’s professional advisor, “As an alumna, it gives me great pride to see how they’ve continued to build on the legacy of so many members before them. I continue to be inspired by the quality of our students and their contributions to the profession and our local PR community.”
Follow the chapter on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prssauhm/.
