Elon is one of 50 universities included in the 2023 PRNEWS Education A-List, highlighting the top U.S. institutions for career advancement in public relations and marketing communications.
For the second consecutive year, Elon’s School of Communications was named to the PRNEWS Education A-List, a competitive distinction shared this year by 50 U.S. institutions recognized for preparing future public relations and marketing professionals. The list bills itself as the “ultimate comprehensive guide dedicated to the best higher learning institutions for public relations and communications.”
The 2023 list, which was officially released on Nov. 18, was compiled by the PRNEWS editorial staff following an examination of curricula, diversity, faculty composition, academic awards and capstone courses. The group also considered on- and off-campus offerings, such as internships. Lastly, editors examined how the schools’ curricula reflected the changing nature of communication.
In its description of Elon, the PRNEWS website highlights the school’s requirement that all students take courses on strategic initiatives in media analytics and diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the institution’s growing focus on health communications.
American University, Ball State University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Michigan State University, New York University and Penn State University were among the other institutions recognized.
“The A-List is an award that we share as a school in recognition of the outstanding efforts of our faculty, staff and students,” said School of Communications Interim Dean Kenn Gaither. “Each and every day our teacher-scholar-mentors accept the challenge to build and maintain an ‘A-list’ program. And I know they gain strength from our students and their drive to become industry-ready PR professionals.
“We are honored to have PRNEWS recognize us among the strongest PR programs in the nation. At the same time, we will continue to strive for even greater heights in our school, in our classrooms and in the relationships we build.”
In 2019, the School of Communications was named PRWeek’s 2019 Outstanding Education Program. In their assessment of Elon, the PRWeek judges commended the school’s “hybrid faculty members” who possess terminal degrees and significant professional experience, and how the school adapts “nimbly to the demands of a digital, multimedia world of communication.”
PRNEWS is a leading source of information, education, recognition and data for Fortune 1000 professionals, agencies and government/non-profits. PRNEWS focuses on honing and growing PR and marketing professionals’ skills in social media, crisis management, media relations, digital PR, measurement, internal and external communications, CSR and diversity, equity and inclusion through its robust newsletter, online content, events, awards programs and webinars. For more than 75 years, PRNEWS has been dedicated to supporting the growth of communicators and marketers all while keeping them abreast of the latest news affecting their industries.