Reynolds School lecturer and faculty advisor Alison Gaulden, APR, received her second Dr. F. H. Teahan Outstanding Faculty Adviser of the year award Oct. 9, 2017 at the National Public Relations Student Society of America Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Gaulden first won the award in 2015.
Students cannot nominate previous winners in consecutive years. Criteria for the award include demonstration of innovate guidance for the PRSSA ÁùºÏ±¦µä Chapter, inspiring students, positively effecting public relations education and the academic department, advocating for students within PRSA Sierra ÁùºÏ±¦µä as the sponsor chapter, as well as among its members.
The nomination read, in part:
"Reynolds School of Journalism lecturer and dedicated faculty adviser, Alison Gaulden, APR, is a proven leader, mentor, wise counsellor, and even a dear friend. She has taught this Chapter more about the industry than all of our workshops, agency tours, and possibly even conferences, combined. Her dedication and passion for this field is seen through her teaching and mentoring. Her open heart and generous personality are made evident through her commitment to PRSSA and each of its members. She has molded each of us into the pre-professionals we are today and has paved the way to our bright futures after graduation. This year she even helped chapter president Cassie Breazeale's boyfriend arrange the timing for him to propose to her at our end of year awards banquet!"
Gaulden has taught for 12 years, serving as faculty adviser for more than half of those years, including the last four.
"I'm passionate about students learning the craft of public relations, learning and fulfilling their leadership roles, applying their strategic communication education to sustain the chapter and further the ethics and growth of the PR profession," said Gaulden. "To be recognized for an avocation with an award that comes from the students is a priceless gift."
Students submit the nomination in June and the award is dispensed at the PRSSA national conference. There are more than 350 PRSSA Chapters across the country, all requiring a faculty adviser. PRSSA ÁùºÏ±¦µä received a $200 cash prize and Gaulden received a trophy.
