The Public Relations Student Society of America Nevada chapter earned the Dr. Fred H. Teahan Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Chapter Relationship award at the PRSA International Conference, held Oct. 17-20 in Orlando, Florida.
The chapter received $300 and a plaque in recognition of its strong partnership with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Sierra Nevada Chapter.
The award honors chapters that demonstrate a strong, mutual relationship through programming, mentoring and professional development. PRSSA Nevada was recognized for the Sierra Nevada Chapter’s continued investment in student success through scholarships, membership dues subsidies, competition support and professional guidance. The Sierra Nevada Chapter also includes the student chapter in its bylaws and regularly pairs professionals with students as mentors. Every student who seeks a professional mentor is matched with an industry member, many of whom are Reynolds School alumni, helping create a steady pipeline of guidance and support.
“We were so excited to hear our name called among so many larger schools,” PRSSA Nevada President Liv DesAutels said. “I’m incredibly proud of the relationship our students have with the professional chapter. I learned few chapters have a partnership as strong as ours, and it means a lot to be recognized for that.”
Students also contribute to the chapter’s work. They have created social media templates for the busy board professionals, designed the graphics for the 2025 Silver Spikes awards and regularly support the Silver Spikes event with reception services.
Nine board members attended the conference, made possible by student fundraising efforts to ensure the full board could be present for the award presentation.
DesAutels said students were thrilled to hear their chapter’s name announced among those of many larger schools.
“The late faculty emeritus Jim Ellis, APR, Fellow PRSA, would be proud to see our small chapter bring home for a second time an award he earned in the late 1980s,” said faculty adviser and principal lecturer Alison Gaulden, APR, Fellow PRSA.
The award reflects the collaborative spirit between students and professionals and the shared commitment to preparing the next generation of public relations practitioners.
