On March 16 and 17, students in the Master’s in Strategic Public Relations (SPR) program, participated in the program’s annual trip to New York. Each year students meet with NYC-based leaders and peers in the industry from corporations, agencies and nonprofits.
Program Director Larry Parnell arranges the trip each year utilizing contacts and colleagues in New York and always tries to include a “special “stop to make the trip memorable.
In past years, SPR students have visited the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and rung the closing bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in Times Square.
This year’s highlight was a visit to the United Nations to meet with the global communications team. However, this stop became more dramatic when they students received an unexpected invitation from the UN Communications Director!
Here are some student reactions and comments:
Cynthia Proctor, an online SPR student from Albany, NY, reports: Eric Porterfield, U.N. Foundation Sr. Communications Director, greeted us inside the UN security area with exciting news, ‘You just got access to the noon UN press briefing!’ There we found Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, sharing up-to-the-minute reports on over 30 U.N. activities with a group of international reporters. When he opened the floor to questions, we found ourselves in a Media Relations master class. Mr. Dujarric was direct, concise and consistent. It was global communications, unfolding in real time.
For Daniela Sinner – a first semester on campus SPR student, meeting her online colleagues and industry leaders and peers in the PR field was a highlight – along with the UN visit.
“The NYC trip was an amazing experience. It allowed me to meet with peers that work at some great PR firms in NYC. This gave me insight on what to expect when I enter the field after I graduate next year,” she said. “I also felt like I had the chance to get to know my classmates through this experience. Plus, the visit to the UN and sitting in on the Press Briefing really blew my mind,” she concluded.
For Shana Feggins – a first year student as well, the trip was special for three reasons: gaining valuable insights, sitting in on the UN press briefing, and meeting classmates from all over the US.
“Being able to meet and talk with Gary Sheffer, VP of Communications at GE, and visit with Shelley Spector at the Museum of PR were two of my favorite parts of the trip. This collective experience in New York City was amazing and memorable,” she concluded.
“Each year we put together this trip to provide students with experiential learning in the center of the global PR industry. And each year something happens that is truly an “only at GW” moment,” commented Professor Larry Parnell, Program Director.
He added, “We appreciate the support of the GSPM administration and the CPS Dean’s Office in staging this trip and allowing us to provide a unique learning opportunity for our students.”
