College of Fellows Officer Nominations
To lead the best, we need the best.
Since the College of Fellows was founded in 1989, PRSA has welcomed tens of thousands of members.
Just over 700 have been inducted into the College of Fellows: the “gold standard” for leadership and service in the public relations profession.
See where the College of Fellows has been in the 2022 Annual Report and where the College is headed in the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan.
Are you ready to lead our community of extraordinary leaders?
Officer Positions: Eligibility and Availability
College of Fellows Officers are elected by the membership to serve one-year terms beginning January 1, with the exception of the Chair-Elect, who moves on to serve as Chair and then as Immediate Past Chair. Officers of the College comprise the Executive Committee. This three-year commitment provides continuity and supports engagement among those who serve at the highest levels of College of Fellows leadership.
Open positions include chair-elect, vice chair, and secretary-treasurer. Each position is filled annually through the College's nomination process. All applicants – including those who are serving or have previously served as Officers – are considered as new candidates.
Officers may not succeed themselves in the same office. However, a person serving the remainder of an unexpired term may be elected to a full term in that office.
Duties and Responsibilities of College of Fellows Executive Committee
Serving on the College of Fellows Executive Committee provides unique opportunities for members to expand their leadership and service in PRSA and our profession.
In partnership with the College’s committee chairs, the Executive Committee supports the College’s Standards of Excellence through implementation of the College of Fellows Strategic Plan.
Serving as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chair-elect of the College provides unique opportunities to learn about and lead signature College programs. Those experiences are invaluable for those who ultimately serve as chair of the College.
Additionally, each year that you serve as an Officer, you have a voice and a vote in important decisions about the College and its future.
Duties and responsibilities of College of Fellows Officers can be found here.
College of Fellows Programs and Events
Annual highlights include the GoodFellows program, selection of the new class of PRSA Fellows, and planning for the College of Fellows Induction Celebration.
College of Fellows programs also include:
- APR Marketing: advocating for accreditation and support of future Fellows
- Diversity & Inclusion: supporting diversity & inclusion in the College of Fellows, PRSA and the public relations profession
- Education Initiatives: supporting Fellows who are educators or wish to pursue a career in education
- Mentoring: partnerships include PRSSA, PRSA’s New Professionals Section and the “Aspire Higher: Future Fellows” program at colleges and universities across the country
- Professional Development for members of the College
- Sage Award: honoring a Fellow who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to mentoring
- Social Media
- Strategic Communications
- Strategic Planning
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 30, 2023.
Nominations by petition must be submitted by July 31, 2023.
For questions or assistance, please contact us at fellows@prsa.org
College of Fellows Executive Committee
Recruitment Timeline
| May-June | May-June | Call for applications |
| June | June 30 | Deadline for applications and signed “Willingness to Serve” form: 5 p.m. EDT |
| Mid-July | Nominating Committee deliberations and recommendations | |
| Mid-July | Invitation to active Fellows for nomination by petition | |
| July 31 | Deadline for nominations by petition: 5 pm EDT | |
| August | August 15* | If more than one candidate has been brought forward, a ballot containing the names of all persons nominated by the Nominating Committee and anyone nominated by petition will be sent to all active members of the College. |
| August 22* | All ballots are due to PRSA headquarters no later than 5 pm EDT. | |
| August 23 | The Nominating Committee Chair presents the slate of officers to the College of Fellows Leadership Team. | |
| August 24 | An announcement of newly-elected officers will be sent by email to all active members of the College with additional communication in the monthly College newsletter and through the College’s social media channels. | |
| October | New officers will be recognized at the College’s Annual Meeting and Induction Celebration and will have the opportunity to connect with outgoing officers. |
Completed applications (Willingness to Serve form, biography, candidate statement, headshot photo and letters of recommendation) must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. EDT on July 1 for consideration for the following calendar year.