Vice President of Belonging, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Aniketh Koneru

Aniketh Koneru stands as a progressive leader within the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) as the newly elected Vice President of Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the 2025-2026 term. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Communication at Northwestern University, Aniketh embodies an unwavering commitment to cultivating inclusive environments, transforming societal narratives, and employing data-driven strategies to forge impactful communication campaigns.

An alumnus of the University of Oklahoma (OU), where he graduated with honors with a B.A. in Public Relations, Aniketh has demonstrated remarkable engagement within his academic community. His tenure as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the OU PRSSA chapter was marked by orchestrating a transformative student speaker panel showcasing a collaborative initiative supported by the Howard-Scripps Foundation grant. This initiative united journalism and public relations students to explore the interconnected histories and shared struggles of the Greenwood district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In addition to his DEI advocacy at the university level, Aniketh distinguished himself by leading the Human Diversity committee within the Student Government Association's Undergraduate Congress. Here, he spearheaded various initiatives, notably enhancing student resources at the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center and reformulating support systems for multicultural organizations following the state governor's executive order to eliminate DEI programs. His legislative accomplishments also include co-authoring significant congressional resolutions celebrating Black History Month, Women's History Month, and a pivotal disabilities definition bill, alongside a collaborative bill with the Black Emergency Response Team. Furthermore, he successfully co-hosted a voter registration drive in partnership with a multicultural sorority, amplifying engagement around the critical democratic process.

Aniketh’s capabilities extend beyond his DEI initiatives; he notably became the first student from his undergraduate institution to co-author and present research at the prestigious Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication conference. His active involvement at OU’s student-run advertising and public relations firm saw him implementing strategic social media campaigns that garnered over 200,000 views through engaging Instagram Reels, demonstrating his innovative approach to contemporary media.

Intriguingly multifaceted, Aniketh is not just an advocate for inclusivity and social justice; he has also co-founded and managed an Indian-classical fusion dance team, where cultural expression thrives alongside artistic endeavor. Serving both as publicity chair and vice president of the India Student Association (ISA) at OU, Aniketh has adeptly forged connections with international students, thereby enriching the institution's diverse tapestry. His role on the Coca-Cola sponsorship committee facilitated the allocation of $80,000 in corporate sponsorships to various student organizations, underscoring his resourcefulness in mobilizing financial support for his peers.

To summarize it best, Aniketh is all about inclusivity, leadership, research, and curiosity.

Contact

vpdiversity@prsa.org

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