For the past 10 years, the Plank Center has been the leading international resource for public relations students, educators and practitioners. The center was named after Betsy Plank, a 1944 UA alumna who broke many barriers for women in the field of public relations. Using social media and #Plank10, the center launched a yearlong campaign to celebrate its programs and leaders.
“Each month we have a different theme,” said Jessika White, communications specialist for the Plank Center. “We’re going to showcase a lot of what the Plank Center is about as well as, you know, helping you get your first job and that sort of thing.”
The organization facilitates a Fellowship for Educators, where teachers spend two to four weeks in the summer in a corporate or agency sector. Through this program, educators can share current industry trends with students. In addition, the Plank Center has hosted Milestones in Mentoring, an annual dinner that honors public relations practitioners and educators who mentor young professionals.
“It’s always been about leadership,” said Karla Gower, a professor in the department of advertising and public relations and director of the Plank Center. “It’s always been about bringing educators, practitioners and students together because those were really big areas that Betsy herself was very involved in.”
Gower said to further Plank’s visions, the Plank Center promotes research, both globally and at the University. Students also have access to Plank’s archives, speeches and papers.
To learn more about The Plank Center, visit plankcenter.ua.edu, Twitter @PlankCenterPR, or Facebook at “Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations.”
