Marco Ramirez
University of Central Arkansas student Marco Ramirez has been awarded a scholarship from The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations to attend its 2019 Summit on Diversity and Inclusion to be held in Chicago on Nov. 8.
A senior from Bentonville who is double majoring in public relations and communication, Ramirez is one of eight diverse public relations students chosen from universities across the country, and he is the only student chosen from Arkansas.
“While the process of narrowing down applicants was extremely challenging, the selection committee came away from the process inspired by the thought leaders that our profession has coming forward,” said Karla Gower, director of The Plank Center.
Ramirez credits two UCA faculty members, Riva Brown, associate professor in public relations, and Dylan McLemore, program coordinator and assistant professor in public relations, for advising and encouraging him throughout the scholarship application process.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am super excited to represent my university and the state of Arkansas in Chicago for the Plank Center events,” said Ramirez. “The UCA School of Communication helped prepare me for this opportunity by not only providing mentoring and guidance but also by supporting my passion for diversity and inclusion. The faculty from the School of Communication taught me how to articulate who I am and understand my self-worth.”
“One of the greatest strengths of our PR students at UCA is that they look nothing like the industry they are preparing for,” said McLemore. “They come from different backgrounds and approach PR problems in creative ways that will surely enrich our field. Marco is exemplary of that and has done everything he can to practice and network in inclusive ways.”
Ramirez is involved in a number of registered student organizations at UCA, including the Latino Student Association; Association of Future Alumni; LEAD Team; and UCA Speech and Debate, through which he has earned Arkansas state championship titles in communication analysis, persuasive speaking and dramatic interpretation. He is also the Student Government Association Diversity Chair, a member of the President’s Leadership Fellows and a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar.
He currently interns as a public relations fellow with The Conductor through Facebook Career Connections. In this role, Ramirez helps with the mission to provide entrepreneurial support through consulting, mentorship, access to capital and maker training. This fall, he is also serving as a teaching assistant for UCA communication professor Nelle Bedner’s Advance Communication Theory course.
Upon graduation next May, Ramirez hopes to work in public policy and further his commitment to community outreach initiatives in Arkansas.
Each Plank Center scholarship, valued at approximately $1,800, covers the costs of travel, accommodation and tickets to the Summit on Diversity and Inclusion, along with two other events sponsored by The Plank Center, the “Milestones in Mentoring” Gala and the Student Mentoring Session.
During the summit, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the profession and learn about the barriers to and best practices for growing, mentoring and retaining diverse populations within the field.
The “Milestones in Mentoring” Gala honors leaders throughout the profession who, by word and deed, have demonstrated a superior commitment to mentoring others, and who are committed to accelerating the success of others in the field.
Co-sponsored with DePaul University’s PRSSA Chapter, the Student Mentoring Session provides an open-dialogue setting for the Milestones in Mentoring honorees to share their personal experiences and provide over 50 students with advice on the public relations industry.
In addition to Ramirez, the other seven scholarship recipients are: Daniel Baires, North Carolina State University; Therese Castro, University of Texas at Austin; Giana Darville, Oakwood University, Ala.; Gisselle Garcia, University of Florida; Gernise Gregoire, University of Florida; Annabelle Schmitt, Penn State University; and Tamarra Thal, University of Florida.
For more information on the scholarship recipients, the Summit or the Center’s events, visit plankcenter.ua.edu.
About The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations is the leading international resource working to support students, educators and practitioners who are passionate about the public relations profession by developing and recognizing outstanding diverse public relations leaders, role models and mentors. Founded in 2005, the Center is named after Betsy Plank, the first lady of PR. Betsy’s legacy and vision continues on in the Center’s programs and initiatives to advance the profession and public relations education. For more information, visit plankcenter.ua.edu.
