Manship senior wins Ruth Edelman PRSSA Award
03/18/2016
Manship senior JoLena Broussard has won the Ruth Edelman Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Award. Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with more than 5,000 employees in 65 cities, as well as affiliates in more than 35 cities. The award is presented in partnership with Edelman’s Global Women’s Executive Network (GWEN) to recognize student members who have demonstrated achievement in women’s leadership, women’s studies and/or contributions in the field to promote women’s issues.
Students applying for the award were evaluated on their leadership, career-related achievements and activities, social media/digital presence and recommendations from faculty members and/or industry professionals. “I am truly honored to be the recipient of the Ruth Edelman/PRSSA award,” said Broussard. “I am excited to bring determination and dedication to my position as I strive to embody Edelman’s values of excellence, curiosity and courage.”
Broussard is a native of New Iberia, La. and the second Manship student to receive the Ruth Edelman PRSSA Award in the three year existence of the award. She will receive a $1,500 cash award and the opportunity to complete a three-month paid internship in one of Edelman’s U.S. offices of her choice.
“With this award it was an honor and a surprise,” said Broussard. “It feels good to be recognized as a leader for women and it’s definitely a great feeling to know that my contributions are being recognized,” she said.
Broussard is a public relations major with minors in business administration and leadership development. She is currently a PRSSA Executive Board Member and has been the director of ImPRint Communications ( a nationally affiliated student-run public relations firm at LSU) for the past two years. Broussard has also worked closely with Hands Producing Hope, a social enterprise whose mission is to invest in the lives of the women in Costa Rica and Rwanda by offering education, employment and life skills workshops.
Although Broussard will be graduating this spring, she has been accepted into the LSU Flores MBA program, which she says fits right into her career plans. “My ultimate goal is to own my own strategic communications firm, and hopefully, with my experience and connections that I make at Edelman I can take my firm to an international and global level.”
Story by Jared Joseph