PRSSA president to scholarship recipient

As graduation nears for senior Katlyn Haugrud, one big accomplishment kicked off her final year of being MSUM’s PRSSA president. Majoring in integrated advertising and public relations, Katlyn is a 2023 scholarship recipient who attended PRSSA ICON, the organization’s premier international conference.

Originally from Pelican Rapids, Minn., Katlyn joined the Public Relations Student Society of America her freshman year after meeting current members during the Student Organization Extravaganza (formerly the Sidewalk Café). Katlyn has learned many skills from PRSSA and its experienced members and is now able to guide current students.

At the end of Katlyn’s freshman year and first year with PRSSA, she was asked to join the board, as many board members were graduating. Although she wasn’t ready to jump into the presidential position, she worked her way up, taking a new role each year.

“PRSSA has helped me make connections with people and have a leg up in my classes,” she says. “I’ve learned how to make social media campaigns and how to plan, implement, and execute decisions.”

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the most prominent student focused public relations and communications organization. PRSSA is dedicated to advocating for academic standards in public relations education through ethical principles and diversity. Students from any major are welcome to join this organization to broaden their networking and community outreach.

MSUM’s PRSSA collaborates with nonprofits in the Fargo-Moorhead area as well as with MSUM organizations and events such as Take Back the Night, the Sexual Violence Prevention Committee, HeartSprings and more.

Katlyn was one of five national recipients of the PRSSA 2023 Conference Grant, granting her paid registration fees to attend the PRSSA International Conference (ICON) in Nashville, Tenn. ICON lasts five days and allows students to learn from professionals and peers, broadening their connections and experience.

“I feel very honored and grateful to have this opportunity to meet amazing professionals,” Katlyn says. “It’s more than a scholarship and a trip; it’s networking and that opens doors for the future.”

Katlyn expresses her gratitude to MSUM and PRSSA for preparing her for this opportunity, as well as Kay Beckermann for an outstanding letter of recommendation.