University students Take on the United Way
On Thursday March 19, ten Bloomsburg University students met with ten unique United Way agencies to build both a campaign and a relationship with each other.
Dr. Kristie Byrum, a Bloomsburg University professor, took the initiative to set up a short Public Relations curriculum enhancement program with Mass Communication students. She chose 10 students and coordinated with the United Way to make this opportunity happen for both the students and the agency.
The PR United Way curriculum enhancement program includes ten United Way agencies:
- Downtown Business Inc.—Bloomsburg
- Single Mother Individually Living Empowered (SMILE)
- Columbia Child Development
- Agape
- Berwick Mural Project
- Your Loving Choices
- Boy Scouts
- Columbia County Volunteers in Medicine Clinic
- Berwick Area Swimming Pool Association
- For the Cause
The 10 students were given an agency to work with and build a campaign around that the students will execute in the upcoming semester. This campaign will include different aspects such as social media initiatives, promotions, awareness, and growth through monetary and relations aspects.
Dr.Kristie Byrum, Rebecca Hess, Rebecca Ward
As meetings began on Thursday morning, students were able to meet with their agency and gain an insight to whom they are and to what their agency needed from the students. They began to form a relationship both professionally and personally.
Each group was given an agenda and a planning guide to help the operation of this partnership. Students will learn the essentials to build an effective PR campaign by working with Dr. Byrum who is an accredited representative by the PRSA organization. Using the skills they learn these students will meet with their respected agencies to execute their planning.
This curriculum enhancement project is one of many opportunities that students can take on and learn real world experience from. It’s a way to showcase their creative side and mix it in with the education they have been receiving for the last few years.
This program was kicked off on Thursday and will remain throughout the remainder of the semester. This is the start to a hopeful long-lasting relationship amongst Bloomsburg University students and the greater Bloomsburg and surrounding areas.
