By Madison Harrigan
Alumna Tiffany Blazina (’98, ’21) visited Wilson Hall this past semester to help kick off the MSU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America’s (PRSSA) first-ever lecture series, held on a series of
Thursday evenings.
Murray State PRSSA hosted the fall lecture series to bring in business professionals to educate
undergraduate public relations and comms majors on different ways that PR can be applied in various
industries.
Blazina works as HR/PR director for the Crittenden County School District, located an hour north of Murray State. She kicked off the special session in September by presenting each attendee a SWAG Bag complete with branded automotive accessories and her business card, positively setting the tone and demonstrating how to make a positive first impression.
Blazina then recounted her personal experiences in Murray State’s public relations program, of which she is an alumnus. She also shared how she got her start in PR and grew into the role she currently fulfills.
During the session, members gained valuable insights into crisis communication and the importance of social media in futhering a brand image.
“I believe the most important thing about working in public relations is the human element. Whether it’s a celebratory message, an informative post or a response to a crisis, a good PR practitioner will remember that in any event or circumstance, people come first. It’s best to acknowledge feelings, show empathy and look for the story behind the name or face,” Blazina said. “That’s when the power of public relations is stoongest.”
If you are interested in speaking as a guest lecturer, please contact PRSSA Faculty Adviser Elizabeth Thomas at 270-227-9790 or mentor, Dr. Marcie Hinton at (270) 809-5308.
Next up in the spring, MSU’s PRSSA chapter is hosting a PRSSA District Conference featuring panel discussions and networking events for surrounding PRSSA chapters. The dates for the major event are March 29 –30, 2025.
