The University of Central Arkansas School of Communication will host mock news conferences for public relation students Tuesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, March 1, in the Board of Trustees conference room in Wingo Hall.
The conferences are set for 9:25-10:40 a.m.
The events are free and open to the public.
Students will put on two hats in media relations as PR spokespersons and journalists to experience both sides, said Dr. Riva Brown, assistant professor of public relations. Twelve mini-news conferences will be held over the course of two days.
A public relations spokesperson team and journalist team will each consist of two students. The students are assigned the journalist role to make sure that questions are asked, Brown said.
“I try to pick scenarios for the spokesperson role based on the latest and greatest current news events students may be familiar with,” she said. “I try to pick topics from non-profits, entertainment, something in government and politics or something in a corporate environment.
“Diversity is another important component,” Brown said. “Times Up is a non-profit organization created by women in the entertainment business, and the diversity issue with gender and inequality of women in the work-place is a particular issue.”
UCA journalism students will film and photograph the events.
Brown said students would learn how to “look the part,” including dressing in appropriate attire. A PR professional will evaluate each presentation by giving an open verbal critique.
“I want students to take away from this experience the importance of being knowledgeable about current events in the media and examining them from a public relations perspective,” Brown said.
For additional information, contact Brown at 501-450-3655 or rrbrown@uca.edu.
The UCA College of Fine Arts and Communication includes the Departments of Art, Music, and Film, Theatre and Creative Writing as well as the School of Communication. The college’s primary mission is the preparation of the next generation of artists, educators and communicators. For more information about CFAC, visit www.uca.edu/cfac or call 501-450-3293.
By Aleecia Tyous
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office