The David A. Ward chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Communication and Information earned the Star Chapter Award for the 2024–25 academic year. This national award recognizes the chapter’s outstanding achievement and leadership in community engagement.
“We dedicated our time and effort to ensure that we upheld the highest standards set by PRSSA,” said Mailani Magbanua, chapter president and a graduate student in communication. “We can’t wait to see how our chapter will continue to flourish in the future.”
To earn the Star Chapter Award, PRSSA student chapters must meet at least eight of 11 rigorous requirements, which include strengthening relationships with a sponsoring professional chapter, addressing ethics in meetings, participating in community service, and engaging in national events and awards.
The UH Mānoa PRSSA students organized a variety of academic and professional events, including a speaker series, communication skills workshops, community service projects and fundraising efforts. The chapter also held semi-annual career day tours and, this past spring, offered members a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Hawaiʻi Business Magazine and Anthology Marketing Group.
“This award reflects our members’ passion and dedication to achieve the chapter’s goals,” said Ji Young Kim, faculty advisor and associate professor of communication. “This is the second time the chapter has earned this national recognition, and I am looking forward to their continued success.”
Added Amy Hennessey, the chapter’s professional advisor, “As an alumna, it gives me great pride to see how they’ve continued to build on the legacy of so many members before them. I continue to be inspired by the quality of our students and their contributions to the profession and our local PR community.”
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The School of Communication and Information is part of UH Mānoa’s College of Social Sciences.
