On Feb. 24, the Oglethorpe chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America hosted a panel on diversity in the field of communications.

In recognition of Black History Month, PRSSA’s four panelists engaged students in discussions about the importance of diversity in the workplace, while also providing valuable insight into the world of media and public relations.

On the panel were Vett Vandiver, director of public relations/marketing for Achieve Atlanta; LeKeith Taylor, founder of The Artful Journey Project; Lorenzo Gordon, an entrepreneur and founder of Humbl Hustlr, and Chauncey Martin, an Atlanta PR professional.

During the session, each panelist was asked the one word that personally defines success—an impactful talking point for students.  Words like “evolution,” “resilience,” “patience,” and “effort” reminded students that success comes in many forms and is the result of time and dedication. Success in the PR industry comes from the ability to learn and to build relationships with others in and out of the workplace. Students were also given valuable time to ask questions about the industry and receive feedback from panelists.

PRSSA, though a relatively new presence on Oglethorpe’s campus, has been hosting many panels like this one throughout the year. The student organization also hosts tours around Atlanta for students to see firsthand where professionals in the field work and to gain networking opportunities. Students PRSSA members also recently attended the PRSA Georgia Conference at the Coca-Cola headquarters to network with leading professionals in the industry.

Oglethorpe’s PRSSA chapter is open to any student, regardless of their major.