Outstanding Educator Award: Hilary Fussell Sisco, Ph.D., APR

Hilary Fussell Sisco, Ph.D., APR, professor of public relations at Quinnipiac University and editor-in-chief of Public Relations Journal, has shaped the field through her teaching, scholarship and mentorship. 

PRSA honored her with its 2025 Outstanding Educator before the Oct. 28 General Session at ICON 2025.

Here, Sisco discusses what makes an effective educator, how PR classrooms are adapting to the rise of AI and why the relationships she builds with students remain the most meaningful part of her work. 

What initially inspired you to pursue an academic path?

I loved teaching from the very beginning. I was only a few years older than my students when I started as a graduate teaching instructor. I found that the classroom was a place where my energy was embraced and the students were amazing. I never looked back.

In 2024, you received Quinnipiac’s Center for Excellence in Teaching Award. What qualities do you think distinguish an effective educator?

Being open to change and establishing relationships with my students is the best way to make an impact in the classroom. I have high expectations of my students, and I am most proud when they meet them because they need to be challenged in a safe environment before they face challenges in their future workplace.

With technology and AI reshaping everything, how should educators adapt their teaching to prepare students?

Educators should collaborate with the practitioners to stay current on changes in the profession. The industry is in constant evolution, and education needs to be a partner in that change.  

As such, how do you envision the role of PR and communications education evolving?

I hope that public relations is the relevant broker of information and relationships between organizations, movements and the public. Understanding and communicating with groups is super important in this time of misinformation and disinformation, and the role that practitioners and educators play helps to shape attitudes and opinions.

For you, what is the most rewarding part of being an educator?

The relationships with my students — current, past and future — are the best part of my job.