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Minnesota PRSA Helps Establish National Multicultural Endowment Scholarship Fund
Minnesota chapter is inaugural donor of scholarship to support the next generation of multicultural public relations leaders
MINNEAPOLIS, June 12, 2020 – The Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the inaugural donor to the Multicultural Endowment Scholarship fund, a recently established national scholarship through the
PRSA Foundation and the
PRSA national Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This fund was created to educate and empower rising diverse talent in the public relations and communication industry.
The Minnesota PRSA Board of Directors felt compelled to act in response to the tragic death of George Floyd, the anti-racism protests and the ongoing issues of systemic racism throughout society. The chapter, in collaboration with PRSA’s national diversity and inclusion leadership, moved quickly to establish the endowment fund in an effort to create a positive solution from the terrible circumstances.
“This is a cause that is not only close to home, but important to the future of our profession,” said Dan Hauser, president, Minnesota PRSA. “Diversity makes our industry stronger, and we need to do all we can to remove barriers and actively support the next generation of leaders. Our chapter is proud to be the first in the nation to elect a Board-level Diversity and Inclusion Officer to lead this effort.”
Donations to the foundation help PRSA fund scholarships for promising public relations students and provide internships that put talented young people on the road to success. Donations also assist in sponsoring important research that sheds light on the experiences and perspectives of people of color in public relations and the barriers that prevent them from rising as far and as fast as they could otherwise.
"The Multicultural Endowment Scholarship fits Minnesota PRSA's objectives of looking to education as a key building block for industry change and societal solutions," said Marsha Pitts-Phillips, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Minnesota PRSA. "We encourage our members and other chapters to donate to the scholarship fund; which as an endowed fund, signifies longevity of support for future multicultural students, the ones who will reflect the much-needed change for more diverse talent in our industry."
The PRSA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the singular mission of increasing diversity and inclusion in the public relations industry, stands at the center of an industry poised for change. The Foundation helps educate and empower rising diverse talent with the potential to become the next generation of leaders in a rapidly changing business landscape.
Visit the
website for more information on the PRSA Multicultural Endowment Scholarship and to donate.
About Minnesota PRSA: Minnesota PRSA is the ninth-largest chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals with nearly 32,000 professional and student members. A strong, active part of Minnesota’s communications community since 1953, Minnesota PRSA’s membership is comprised of nearly 300 corporate, agency, independent, non-profit and government public relations professionals from Minnesota, the Dakotas and western Wisconsin. Through its programs and services, Minnesota PRSA delivers on its mission of engaging members at every stage of their careers with the knowledge, resources and connections to achieve professional excellence, drive ethical and strategic outcomes, and advocate for the profession.