Social Media Workshop & PR Alumni Dinner

If I had to describe today in three words, I would say learning, growth and connection. Being in the Public Relations Student Society of America, especially at a chapter like Ohio Northern’s, it truly feels like a family. Today’s Social Media Workshop and the PR Alumni Dinner were a testament to that. 

The day kicked off with the Social Media Workshop. The keynote speaker was Caroline Schumacher, president and CEO of Give Kids the World. Throughout her presentation, she spoke about her time at ONU, her experience in the Disney College Program — where she was first introduced to Give Kids the World — her work with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and her personal brand. Listening to Caroline speak about her time with Give Kids the World was truly inspiring. The stories and people she shared deeply resonated with me. 

Following her presentation, I attended a session from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, led by Amy Arnold and Kelly Savage. They discussed organic and paid social media, emphasizing that the two go hand in hand. I found it particularly interesting that they are moving away from hashtags and placing more emphasis on keywords. They also shared an example of two paid advertisements with identical text but different images: one featured a check-in desk, while the other showed a doctor speaking with a patient. Surprisingly, the desk image performed better. 

Next, I attended a session by Tim Stried, director of media relations for the Ohio High School Athletic Association. As a former multi-sport athlete and Ohio native, I was already familiar with the organization. Tim focused on the type of content that his team primarily produces to promote tournaments. 

I then attended a session led by Sami McNeal, client success manager at Geben Communication, who focused on influencer marketing and ways to measure success in the industry. 

Lastly, I attended a session on digital advertising in an artificial intelligence boom, facilitated by Tyler Louth, CEO of Marketing Essentials. He shared tips on improving marketing expenditures and creating a better sales experience. 

To wrap up the day, I attended the PR Alumni Dinner, where I had the opportunity to network with alumni and current students, as well as reconnect with recent graduates and friends. Overall, the day was a testament to the family that ONU PRSSA has created. It showed the value of mutually beneficial relationships and how much everyone invests in the success of the current generation of students — something I am immensely grateful for.