Tower Creative Communications recently hosted a campus-wide, week-long campaign to spread awareness to Belmont University’s students and faculty. The campaign was focused on our First Constitutional Amendment. The five freedoms that our First Amendment right protects include speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. In partnership with MTSU’s Free Speech Center, Tower Creative Communications created a campaign through the 1 For All grant program that included all of these freedoms but focused heavily on individuals’ freedom of speech. Many different events were brought to life over the week, including a scavenger hunt that was located in the Lila D. Bunch Library. The idea behind the scavenger hunt was to show students the freedoms of the First Amendment being enacted on Belmont’s campus and educate each person on how to use these freedoms to better their communities. 

In addition to the scavenger hunt, there were other festivities that students could interact with throughout the week. A table run by students for students ran for two days on the second floor of the Janet Ayers Academic Center. The idea behind this table was to have a couple of different activities for the students to choose from. There was a “fishbowl” where students could read from a list of prompts and jot down a secret on a post-it note to throw into the bowl. A couple of the secrets would later be posted to the infamous Twitter account titled “Belmont Confessions.” If students did not feel comfortable sharing a secret, they also had the option to write how they felt about freedom of speech and how often they used it in their daily lives. They could post this sticky note to a board that was filled with other notes posted by students. Before leaving the table, students were encouraged to grab an informative brochure. 

The purpose of this campaign was to spread awareness of the First Constitutional Amendment. Confidently, Tower Creative Communications executed this campaign successfully. Students were drawn into the table for the free cookie but left the table with more knowledge of the First Amendment and an understanding of how often it is used in their everyday lives. Both the students and faculty interacted with the campaign and the results of the sticky notes showed the community how important the First Amendment really is. Without it, individuals have no voice. TCC extends a special thanks to everyone who participated and helped put on this eventful campaign. 

 

by Megan McCormac

Megan McCormac is a student at Belmont University studying Social Media Management. She is currently an associate in Tower Creative Communications. 

 

by Dr. Bonnie Riechert

The Belmont University Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America and its members received eight national awards at the society’s 2021 International Conference.

Belmont PRSSA received the national Dr. F. H. Teahan Outstanding University Service Award, recognizing its members’ service including work in Bruin Recruiters, Belmont Ambassadors, Towering Traditions leaders, the Belmont-hosted Presidential Debate, Lambda Pi Eta communication honor society and BOLD.

Senior Abigail Roering was one of only two students in the nation to receive a 2021 PRSSA National President’s Citation in recognition of her leadership in Tower Creative Communications (Belmont’s student-run firm), including WELL-Core programming and partnership with faculty and students at Tennessee State University.

One Belmont senior and four recent graduates received the PRSSA National Gold Key Award, recognizing chapter leadership, high academic performance, internship excellence and professional promise. Honored were Olivia Blumb, who graduates in December, and recent graduates Katie McAdams, Emily Stembridge, Aliah Tayyun and Lucy Walsh.

Belmont PRSSA also received a 2021 STAR Chapter Award for meeting 11 criteria of excellence including ethics advocacy, community service and professional engagement by its members. Belmont PRSSA is one of only two chapters to receive this honor each year since the award was established in 2009.

PRSSA is a pre-professional society sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America. Belmont PRSSA was chartered in 2005.

by Dr. Bonnie Riechert

Belmont University graduates and students were honored by the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter at the recent 2021 Parthenon Awards at City Winery. Area public relations and communications professionals attended the event to celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues.

Michelle Ward, Belmont Class of 2013 (B.A., public relations) and Class of 2016 (M. Ed., organizational leadership and communication), received the 2021 Mercury Award recognizing a young professional for accelerated career progress, leadership potential, community involvement and professionalism.

Ward is senior director of marketing communications at New Classrooms. She is also the recipient of 2021 Parthenon Awards in the integrated communications category and in the marketing (business to business) category and a 2016 PR Platinum Award for Branding/Re-Positioning. As an undergraduate at Belmont, she served as an officer in Belmont University Public Relations Student Society of America and was a student worker in the Office of Communications.

Two awards were presented in the student category, one featuring a team of Belmont students. A team compiled of Emma dela Pena, Katie McAdams (Class of 2020), Nicole Jones (Class of 2021) and Lexi Stewart received an Award of Merit for their team’s campaign, “Picture Present: Adapting to a Digital Landscape,” conducted on behalf of Open Table Nashville. The campaign was produced in public relations campaigns, a service-learning class, in fall 2020.

The Public Relations Society of America is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the public relations and communications community. The Nashville professional chapter includes almost 200 members and sponsors Public Relations Student Society of America Chapters at Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University. Students from Belmont University and Tennessee State University served as volunteers at the awards banquet.

by Brooke Elliot

This year’s recipient of the Public Relations Graduate of the Year award is Emily Stembridge. Emily’s interest in the public relations industry began with the show “Scandal.” However, after visiting Belmont and meeting Dr. Bonnie Riechert, Emily knew that PR was the right fit for her. Emily describes that she chose corporate communications as her minor after taking Business and Professional Communications with Dr. Jimmy Davis. She emphasized how corporate communication also complements public relations. After being asked how she maintained a balance between school and campus engagement, Emily responded with “I think prioritization is key.” While prioritizing school and campus organizations can be a juggling act, Emily says that writing things down, paying close attention to due dates and working around her schedule were some of her best practices. Emily explained how she was shocked when she found out that she and her teammate won the Parthenon Award after originally missing the live announcement that they won. “It was incredible to be acknowledged on a professional level before even graduating,” Emily remarks. If Emily could give one piece of advice to an aspiring public relations professional, she would say that getting real world experience as soon as possible is key.

In addition, she advises students to get involved with PRSSA and to take advantage of the professors in the department. Emily’s time at JKS Communications taught her important skills in time management, the ability to prioritize tasks and technical skills. After securing her current job at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Emily explained her experience with LinkedIn, “I am a big believer in the power of LinkedIn. Don’t be afraid of messaging people to ask for an informational interview. The right connections will almost always be willing to help.” Belmont’s extensive opportunities to study abroad is Emily’s favorite aspect about Belmont. Emily studied abroad three separate times: once in London, once in Italy and a second time in London which unfortunately was cut short due to COVID-19. She describes how those trips were life-changing experiences that she will cherish for the rest of her life.

Lucy Walsh, recipient of the Public Relations Top Academic Achievement Award, describes that she had to navigate between campus organizations and internship commitments while also keeping up with her schoolwork. One way that Lucy accomplished this was by sitting down with no distractions to knock out some work. Lucy practiced this heavily while studying away in New York City; an incentive to get her work done was being able to live out the “NYC experience” by studying in the reading room of the New York Public Library. After COVID-19 hit, Lucy had to learn to adjust her screen time to her new learning and studying habits. When asked about some strategies she could give struggling students, Lucy responded with, “Go to office hours and make friends in class! Having a professor or classmate to bounce ideas off of and collaborate with can make all the difference.”

Lucy also emphasized that choosing topics that you have a deep passion for when doing projects will make the work much easier. Lucy enjoys going on walks around Belmont Boulevard, Belmont’s campus or the loop at Fort Negley whenever she needs help alleviating stress. If Lucy could rewind to four years ago, she would tell her freshman self to look for mentors in unlikely places. Lucy is grateful for mentors like Dr. Bonnie Riechert, Professor Sara Wigal, Holly Newsome, Julia Couch and Chelsea Lomartire for enriching the type of professional and person she has always aspired to be. While graduate school had always been on Lucy’s radar, she often felt that would be down the road for her. However, over the summer, Lucy decided to do some research into what programs would meet her academic needs while keeping her in Nashville. In December of 2020, Lucy was accepted into Vanderbilt University’s Master of Marketing program in the Owen graduate School of Management. Lucy’s greatest piece of advice that she has ever received is: “Be grateful for where you are at, what you are doing, and those you are doing it with.”

Katie McAdams, recipient of the Public Relations Leadership Award, has not always known that she wanted to go into law to advocate for oppressed and marginalized individuals. After starting out in Belmont’s nursing program, Katie soon realized that nursing was not the field that she wanted to pursue. While she loved the social and emotional support aspect of nursing, she did not like the physical aspect. Katie’s love for community service and nonprofits remained a constant in her life, and she ultimately decided that going to law school would solidify the impact that she wants to make in the future on individuals and the community. While Katie took several public relations courses at Belmont, her favorite course was public relations cases. She was fascinated by all of the different case studies she read, and she describes how this course showed the intersection between several professions and public relations. As the recipient of the department’s leadership award, Katie explains how she learned much about setting boundaries and feeling comfortable with saying “no.” “This was key to my ability to keep my grades where I wanted them, fulfilling my leadership duties and maintaining my life outside of those things,” says Katie. Katie believes that all leaders should practice communication, compassion and curiosity.

If Katie could give one piece of advice to aspiring law students, she would tell them to pursue all of their passions and to reach out to people. Katie describes how she reached out to over 40 students, faculty members and alumni to help gain insight on their career path. Doing this helped Katie gain different perspectives while contributing to her understanding of the role she aspires to play in the world one day. When Katie is not doing schoolwork or community activities, she still loves to learn. She enjoys watching documentaries, reading books or solving puzzles. Katie will be continuing her education at Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in Baltimore, Maryland. The school’s commitment to public service and community involvement stood out to Katie during the application process. Katie says to always “Trust your gut and follow your bliss!”

Brooke Elliott is a junior at Belmont University studying public relations and economics. Elliott has lived in Nashville her entire life, and in her free time she enjoys going on hikes, driving on backroads and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, Elliott hopes to work as the public relations coordinator for any up-and-coming beauty brand. Connect with Elliott on LinkedIn.

 

by Sydney Miller

The 2021 Arthur W. Page Center Awards recognize leaders who dedicate their careers to communicating information to the public. Their biggest goals throughout the year are to strengthen trust with the public and honoring those who are a part of that goal by working with scholars around the world. This award ceremony recognized four individuals for their careers of ethically and responsibly communicating with the public by receiving a Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication. 

The first honoree of the night, Dr. Anthony Fauci, is a long-time Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Fauci’s first piece of advice given during his speech was, “Know your audience.” As a Social Media Management major, I feel as if this is one of, if not the most important information for creating content. If one does not know who they are creating or designing for, it can be hard to curate work. 

The next honoree was Bill Heyman, who is the founder and CEO of Heyman Associates. His company is responsible for filling top communications roles for some of the most recognized brands in the world. Heyman states that he lives by his mother’s advice of valuing and cultivating relationships, while also recognizing the importance of character. Being a college student, you are always told that these years should be all about networking. While social media revolves entirely around people, it is important to make those connections and surround yourself that will not only help your future but better you as a person. 

Later we heard remarks made by Eugene Robinson, Editor, and Columnist at the Washington Post, who focuses on politics and culture in his twice-a-week posts. When asked a question about what tips Robinson had for recent communication graduates on remaining honest and ethical, he stated: “You know what’s right and what’s wrong. There is the right job out there for you and if the one you have now is not the right, there are lots of people who will help you find the right one.” Not only in the field of public relations, but in any field, it is important to enjoy your job and want to do the ethical thing no matter the circumstance. 

For the last honoree for the Page Center Awards, we heard from Judy Woodruff, Anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour (fun fact: Woodruff has covered every presidential election since 1976). During this ceremony, we learn that Woodruff has been quoted to say, “There is no such thing as objectivity, but that you do your best to be fair.” Personally, I feel that that is such an important aspect when it comes to any job or lifestyle. In day-to-day encounters, judgment should be based on observations and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices.

Sydney Miller is a social media management student from Mount Juliet, Tennessee and is a member of Belmont University’s class of 2022. 

By Lucy Walsh

Members of the Belmont University’s Department of Public Relations gathered virtually on December 1 to celebrate a successful semester and to honor fall graduates. The event was organized by members of Belmont’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and featured semester highlights and a guest speaker from a local Nashville professional. 

November 2020 graduates earning degrees in Public Relations included Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, Lindsey Falgoust, Katie McAdams and Emily Stembridge. Graduates were honored at a socially distant commencement ceremony hosted on campus on November 20 in the Massey Performing Arts Center, and each student was given time during the departmental celebration to share their favorite memories of their undergraduate experience. Graduate Emily Stembridge shared that her favorite memory involved taking every single public relations course with senior PR major Aliah Tayyun, with whom she won a 2020 Parthenon Award for their public relations campaign for Unlocked, a local ethical jewelry brand. 

Recent graduates and PR Capstone students also announced their plans to pursue the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations exam offered through the Public Relations Society of America and the Universal Accreditation Board. Students are eligible to complete their certificate exam after taking a certificate preparatory course and sitting for the exam within six months of their graduation. 

Belmont’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America was also honored for their awards from the 2020 PRSSA International Conference. The PRSSA executive board attended the virtual conference programming in October, and the chapter took home the Star Chapter Award and the Dr. F. H. Teahan Award for Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Chapter Relationship Award honoring their sponsorship with the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter. Jamie Anderson, a former PRSSA chapter president and May 2020 graduate, was honored with a National Gold Key Award. 

Other highlights included recognition of attending faculty and the addition of Amber Palmer-Halma and Annakate Ross as two new adjunct professors for the 2020-2021 academic year. Department milestones also included the launch of the Social Media Management major which currently stands 25 students strong after its first semester and the launch of the PR at Belmont blog. Additionally, Public Relations faculty members began teaching in the newly redesigned M.S in Strategic Communication & Leadership program offered at Belmont beginning in the fall 2020 semester. 

The Zoom celebration concluded with a presentation from guest speaker Pam Schmidt who currently serves as the Director of Human Resources and Talent Development at MP&F Strategic Communications in Nashville. Schmidt shared resume and hiring tips with attending students with the specific context to how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the careers of young professionals. Her best advice? Flexibility, digital skills and a well crafted thank you note are keys to success! 

A private, four-year university, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. Rewarding career opportunities are offered in public relations and Belmont University offers degrees in both public relations and social media management. Since the establishment of the public relations major at Belmont in 2004, our public relations graduates are in demand throughout the region, from coast to coast and around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.belmont.edu/pr/index.html.

By Dr. Kevin Trowbridge

To learn more about Belmont’s growing Social Media Management program, the PR at Belmont blog interviewed department chair Dr. Kevin Trowbridge! To learn more about Belmont University’s Social Media Management program, visit http://www.belmont.edu/social-media-management/index.html.

 

What inspired the Department of Public Relations to branch out to add a Social Media Management program? 

Social media is pervasive and has revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with one another. Early on, public relations helped organizations and brands communicate with their publics using traditional media. Now, social media dominates the landscape. Organizations of all types are embracing social media channels to share information with and engage their various publics. As with any public relations function, social media management requires special knowledge and skills. We design our social media management program to equip emerging professionals with knowledge, skills and abilities to use social media strategically to achieve an organization’s communication goals. The new major and minor allows students to focus on this ever-expanding specialty within the strategic communication profession. 

 

What kind of future career can students explore with a SMM degree? 

A degree in social media management prepares emerging professionals to lead the social media efforts for any type of organization. Whether they are creating social content, developing the strategies, managing online communities or advising other communication professionals, graduates of our program will be ready to step into any of the countless openings for tomorrow’s communication professional.

 

What new SMM course offerings can students expect to see on Classfinder within the next few semesters?

Our first new SMM courses roll out in Spring 2021 with PRL 2880 Social Media Content Development and PRL 3680 Risk & Crisis Management for Social Media. Other new courses include Social Media Measurement & Analytics and Social Media Planning & Management. We plan to introduce them during the 2021-2022 academic year. 

 

 How is the SMM major a well-rounded program for all students? How can more traditionally analytical and more traditionally creative students find their fit? 

The best social media professionals tap into their creative and analytical talents. Both are essential for managing strategic communication in the social space. Our curriculum is designed for the creative or analytical student to hone their natural talent while developing the other. The creativity needed for strategy and content development goes hand in hand with the analysis needed for monitoring, measuring and evaluating. 

 

Can public relations students pair their major with a major or minor in SMM, and is this something you would recommend? 

Social Media Management pairs perfectly with many other academic areas, including public relations, corporate communication, communication studies, political science, creative and entertainment industries, data science, design communications, entrepreneurship, business, journalism, marketing, mass communication, music business, publishing, sport administration, etc.

 

Dr. Kevin S. Trowbridge, APR, is an educator and professional, strategist, researcher, Learner®, Maximizer®, Relator® and all-around communication enthusiast. And, Dr. Trowbridge fuses those roles as a member of the public relations faculty at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. In addition to his institutional and professional commitments, Dr. Trowbridge enjoys researching social media and new technology’s impact on communication and culture, leading a ministry to young professionals, collecting Potato Heads and experimenting with all kinds of technological gadgets.

 

After a semester unlike any other, the PR at Belmont blog caught up with current seniors in the public relations department to hear about what helped them navigate what their Fall 2020 semester had in store for them. With COVID-19 protocols and an altered semester schedule, things on campus and online looked quite a bit different, but our students and faculty were certainly able to make some lemonade out of the lemons 2020 had in store.

 

How did the PR department help you make the most of this semester?

“The department made me feel incredibly loved. In my senior capstone, I got to walk through life with other seniors in my major as we shared the good and bad of our lives as professionals and students.” – Sophia Johnson, senior

“Honestly, the PR department helped me make the most of the semester by just being here for me and with me. Both professors and other students recognized how stressful things were and everyone was just willing to help each other out.” – Molly Barresi, senior

“PR Capstone pushed me to network with more people online and build those relationships with PR professionals.” – Alexia Berton, senior

“They helped set me up for professional success as I look for finding jobs and begin to network within the PR field.” – Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, senior

“I felt very supported by my professors and was able to really lean into my peers for help with connections, professional materials, etc.” – Cameron Corey, senior

“The PR department was understanding of what we were going through as students and were more than willing to accommodate.” – Aliah Tayyun, senior

“The PR department has been so supportive and understanding this semester. They have done a great job molding the curriculum to fit this hyfelx model. My professors also always check on how I’m doing and they really mean it.” – Rileigh Skelton, senior

“The greatest benefit of my Capstone class was taking the time to develop an entire professional portfolio built around my brand as a public relations professional. It has provided me with everything I need to stand out in my job search.” – Lindsey Falgoust, senior

“The PR department is always such a great resource for it’s students. In such a tricky semester they’ve offered me so much advice and encouragement recently.” – Shelby Cage, senior

“The professors are extremely helpful as always. Dr. Bonnie has never failed to answer my last-minute, scattered emails asking for help on classes, internships, making connections or even just advice. The entire department has been so graceful with the transition to virtual and incredibly understanding and flexible towards students’ needs.” – Emily Stembridge, senior

“Senior Capstone has been formative in preparing me for graduation. Learning about the expectations and realities of the professional world have been tremendously helpful in informing my post-graduate endeavors. Also, the PR faculty truly go above and beyond, in every respect, to make students feel cared for. I cannot imagine what my college years would have been like without the support of this amazing group of professionals.” – Katie McAdams, senior

“Just giving me the tools to succeed, especially in PR writing!” – Rachel Smith, senior

“Their support and resources they provided helped me make it through my last semester of college.” – Gabi Howell, senior

 

A private, four-year university, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. Rewarding career opportunities are offered in public relations and Belmont University offers degrees in both public relations and social media management. Since the establishment of the public relations major at Belmont in 2004, our public relations graduates are in demand throughout the region, from coast to coast and around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.belmont.edu/pr/index.html.

 

 

Any good PR student has poured both their heart and soul into research, case studies and writing assignments during their time in the department. Between major specific courses and electives, there’s certainly no shortage of portfolio pieces available to those studying public relations at Belmont. However, almost everyone has a piece of treasured writing or a successful campaign milestone that still makes them proud. The PR at Belmont blog caught up with some of our students to see what project has encouraged them most during their time at Belmont! 

What is your favorite class project you’ve done in a PR class, and why did you love it?

 

“Creating deliverables in Nonprofit PR for a nonprofit because it allowed me to do more research on the organization and realize where I can get involved.” – Olivia Blumb, junior

 

“I enjoyed the PR Research project the most. I learned so much about the effects of volunteering and mental health, especially from those that I interviewed. I liked that we were able to do the project on our own time.” – Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, senior

 

“My favorite class project was my campaign for my campaign class. It was very fun to work with a real org and to be surrounded by my PR peers. It was a collaborative, hands-on project and I think it gave me the most encompassing experience thus far.” – Aliah Tayyun, senior

 

“My favorite class project was a Public Relations Audit on The Walt Disney Company that I did in PR Principles! This was my favorite project because it was one of the first extensive projects I was a part of that made what I was learning about PR applicable and really developed my growing love for public relations. I had an amazing team to work on this with and it was so rewarding to present all of our hard work together!” – Nicole Jones, senior

 

“My PR research project hands down.” – Molly Barresi, senior

 

“PR Campaigns because it helps with team building and Dr. Bonnie gives feedback and support to help out team members.” – Lexi Stewart, junior

 

“I really love my social media class! Being able to run a campaign for the Belmont social media management program is so fun!” – Rachel Smith, senior

 

“I loved my professional project in the PR Principals class. It was so fun getting to interview a PR professional!” – Olivia Tolliver, junior

 

“Planning a campaign in PR campaigns for Unlocked, a local jewelry company that trains homeless women to make jewelry and pays them a livable wage. It was so applicable to the real world and so rewarding.” – Emily Stembridge, senior

 

“My favorite project I’ve completed was my case study on Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Phil Bredesen during the 2018 midterm elections and the association with the celebrity endorsement theory. I had originally presented it as just a current events topic, but then Dr. Trowbridge encouraged me to expand it into my final project for the course! It was so interesting to blend something local to Tennessee with an analysis of both my favorite entertainer and an important moment of our recent history.” – Lucy Walsh, senior 

 

“I just completed my first main project for Professor Buckner’s PR Principles class and I got to interview three amazing female public relation practitioners all over the United States! It was absolutely fascinating to hear their perspectives and advice for budding practitioners!” – Noelle Peters, freshman

 

“My favorite PR project has to be the one I’m working on right now in Campaigns with Dr. Riechert. I’m on a team of four women (power move, yes) working to launch a rebrand for local nonprofit Open Table Nashville. Putting our education to practice and being able to serve an organization in need has been amazing. And..it doesn’t hurt to be working with three of my pals!” – Katie McAdams, senior

 

A private, four-year university, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. Rewarding career opportunities are offered in public relations and Belmont University offers degrees in both public relations and social media management. Since the establishment of the public relations major at Belmont in 2004, our public relations graduates are in demand throughout the region, from coast to coast and around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.belmont.edu/pr/index.html.

Photo Credit: Belmont University, Spring 2019

Choosing a school and major are some of the hardest decisions young adults and young professionals have to make. This process  can often seem monumental, definitive and just plain confusing. However, once you “find your fit” and build a home and network for yourself at your university, it often feels like all of the pros and cons lists and campus visits were all worth it. Recently, the PR at Belmont blog polled both upperclassmen and recent graduates with an important question: “Why Belmont?” Here are the responses from those who know and love our department best! 

 

“Everyone at Belmont is so kind and genuine and they truly want to see you succeed! Also, the campus is beautiful!”- Olivia Toliver, junior

 

“It was the only school I visited that I felt at home. The city, the connections and the opportunities are amazing too.” – Emily Stembridge, senior

 

“I chose Belmont due to the small size of the PR department. I really wanted to get to know everyone and be involved and Belmont gave me that opportunity!” -Olivia Blumb, junior

 

“I chose Belmont because of its community, faith values and amazing Publishing program. I never expected to fall in love with Public Relations along the way. Even though it is just my minor, I have felt so at home in the PR department thanks to amazing faculty and peers. Belmont has equipped me with everything I need to feel prepared as I begin my career!” – Nicole Jones, senior

 

“I chose Belmont because I felt like I would be able to get more 1 on 1 attention and build stronger relationships with my classmates and advisors here than at my state school options. It also has a small town in a big city demeanor that makes campus feel like home! Additionally, the opportunity to study in NYC through the Belmont East program was the icing on the cake.”- Lucy Walsh, senior

 

“THE PROFESSORS. Belmont’s PR faculty are unmatched. I have no doubt they are the best PR education team in the country. Aside from their professional experience and involved teaching style, these professors are on your team. They’ve been rooting for me in all that I do and have the utmost care for students.” – Katie McAdams, senior

 

“What I like the most about Belmont is having the opportunity to network with people from all across the U.S. and the chance of living in such a lively city!” -Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, senior

 

“I chose Belmont because of the location and PR department!” -Lexi Stewart, junior

 

“This is still a hard one for me. I always say that my mom and sister brought me to Belmont because they both went here, so I think a better question is what made me stay? I think overall the PR department, the sociology department, and my peers are what made me stay. Without the support and guidance from all these people around me, I do not think I would have stayed. Looking back at freshman year, I have grown and changed for the better and I am happy with the progress I have made so far!” – Aliah Tayyun, senior

 

“I chose Belmont because I wanted to be in Nashville. Along with a PR degree I also studied Music Business so I knew I needed to be in Nashville for those two paths to combine. Belmont along with a great PR program, Belmont also allowed me to gain the music industry connections I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.” – Jamie Anderson, Class of 2020

A private, four-year university, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The University’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. Rewarding career opportunities are offered in public relations and Belmont University offers degrees in both public relations and social media management. Since the establishment of the public relations major at Belmont in 2004, our public relations graduates are in demand throughout the region, from coast to coast and around the world. To learn more, visit http://www.belmont.edu/pr/index.html.

Photo Credit: Belmont University