Run for National Office

PRSSA relies on the outstanding service of student and professional leaders at all levels of the organization. Running for National office is an opportunity for you to gain unparalleled leadership experience and join a community of some of the most successful communications students and professionals.

National Leadership

PRSSA is led by the International Committee, a group of students and professionals dedicated to assisting public relations students. These volunteers are a resource to help you, and we encourage all PRSSA members to get to know the current International Committee.

On the International Committee, students hold the International President, immediate past president and eight vice president offices. Members

of PRSA serve as the National Professional, Faculty Advisers, and as the PRSA Board liaison. The PRSA senior vice president of programming also serves on the International Committee.

Student Officer Requirements

Before you commit to running for National office, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• PRSSA Membership - You must be a member in good standing of a PRSSA Chapter and maintain your membership throughout your term.
• All International Committee members must attend the International Conference in the fall and Leadership Assembly in the spring. PRSSA covers your travel and hotel costs, but you are responsible for any additional costs (if applicable).
• Full-time Student - You must be a full-time student (by your university’s standards) from the time you are elected through fall semester.

First Steps

Members may run for positions on the International Committee during the Leadership Assembly. If you’re thinking about running for an office, review the PRSSA Situation Analysis (PDF) to learn about the responsibilities of each International Committee member. The Situation Analysis provides an overview of the Society’s history, research and timelines and explains each International Committee position’s responsibilities.

Also, contact the current International Committee member(s) who holds the office(s) you are interested in. Ask about their role and the qualifications for their position, and review International Committee Job Descriptions (PDF).

Important Information

• Candidate Nomination Form (Word)  (PDF)
• Procedure Manual
• All candidate materials and the video must be uploaded to this folder by 2 p.m. ET on Monday, February 10.

Vice President Offices

The vice presidents on the International Committee are elected each year at the Leadership Assembly, and serve a one-year term, starting June 1 and ending May 31 of the following year. If you are interested in running for a vice president position on the International Committee, you’ll follow the following steps:

• Please refer to the Leadership Assembly website for the deadline and application.
• If you fail to submit your application on time, you can run from the floor at Leadership Assembly. See guidelines for complete details.
• At Leadership Assembly, you’ll participate in a 15-minute question-and-answer period with all candidates.
• If no further questions are needed after the question and answer period, the Assembly votes and the new officer is announced.

National President

To run for National President, you must be a member of the International Committee. If one or zero members of the National Committee wish to run for President, then candidacy opens to all PRSSA members. In this situation, information about running for President will be provided to all members. The President serves for one year and as the Immediate Past President the following year. Each term starts June 1 and ends May 31 of the following year.

National Faculty or Professional Adviser

The National Faculty and Professional Advisers serve two-year terms starting June 1 and ending May 31 two years later. If you are interested in applying for either of these positions, contact the current National Faculty or Professional Adviser to learn more about the position, and PRSSA Headquarters to learn when applications will be due.

National Subcommittees

Serving on a PRSSA Subcommittee is a terrific way to launch your career and expand your network. We are currently applications for the five teams listed below. The application deadline is June 30.

Apply Today!

Chapter Development Subcommittee
Chapter success starts with connection. The Chapter Development Committee builds meaningful relationships with PRSSA Chapters by providing support, resources, and recognition throughout the academic year. Members of this subcommittee serve as liaisons between the International Committee and local Chapters, helping foster community, growth, and engagement across the Society. This subcommittee will require a maximum of 4-5 hours per week and works directly with the Vice President of Chapter Development.

PRoud Council
Everyone has a seat at the PRSSA table. The PRoud Council drives change and welcomes all students by working on equitable, inclusive, and diverse initiatives to make every member feel welcome and appreciated at PRSSA. This subcommittee works alongside the Vice President of BEDI and will require a maximum of 3-4 hours per week.

Publications Subcommittee
The  Publications Subcommittee is dedicated to spotlighting the unique experiences, achievements, and voices of our general members. Subcommittee members will have the opportunity to write and edit blog posts, assist with video podcast content, and collaborate with members of the International Committee to source compelling stories. This subcommittee works under the guidance of the Vice President of Brand Engagement and will require a maximum of 3-5 hours per week.

Social Media Squad
Social media is the heart of PRSSA communications, keeping members of PRSSA connected no matter where they are. Join the Social Media Squad where you will create eye-catching graphics, write engaging captions, and participate in the content creation process for PRSSA social media accounts! This subcommittee works with the Vice President of Digital Communications and will require a maximum of 4-5 hours per week.

Translation Team
As our Society continues to grow internationally, so do the needs of our members. You can help be a part of making our content accessible for all members by breaking down the language barrier. Team members will be responsible for translating a variety of materials, including social media captions and Progressions articles, from English to Spanish and vice versa. Applicants must be bilingual in English and Spanish. This subcommittee, guided by the immediate past president, will require a maximum of 2-3 hours per week.