Accreditation in Public Relations

6 Accredited PR Pros on Why They Pursued Their APR

For each issue, the editors of Strategies & Tactics ask PRSA members a “Question of the Month.” In honor of April being APR Month, we posed the following question: “Why did you decide to pursue Accreditation in Public Relations?” 

For more information about APR month and the Accreditation process, visit this link.

“Having been a practitioner for 25 years, I had always wanted to apply for my APR, but never found time to do so. Last year, at a PRSA meeting, Stacey Sunday and I were approached about it by Professor Alison L. Gaulden from the University of Nevada-Reno. With her encouragement and support, we are both proud APRs!”

Suzanne B. Hendery, MA, APR
Chief Marketing Officer and VP, Marketing and Communications, Renown Health
Reno, Nevada

“As an independent communications and PR consultant, I felt that pursuing my Accreditation in Public Relations was vital for the integrity of my practice and for demonstrating to clients that I can deliver faithfully on the services I offer.”

Catherine Brozena, APR
Owner and Creative Director, ColorThisWorld Communications
Oakland, Calif.

“After 13 years of professional practice, I believed it was important to demonstrate my knowledge and credibility in the profession by earning Accreditation. PR practitioners have a responsibility to counsel their organizations with an ethics-based approach, and I believe Accreditation signals a practitioner’s commitment to sound public relations strategies and practice.”

Emily Finley, APR
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at Marvin Windows and Doors
St. Paul, Minn.

“In hindsight, during my ten-year career I was flying by the seat of my pants, so I decided to look for the discipline and skills I needed. I now have an unparalleled sense of confidence because I have the tools I need. I can better craft messages and coordinate activities that affect my organization’s relationships with its publics. By developing strategic PR plans, I can be assertive, better align campaigns with the corporate goals, and serve my organization proactively, effectively, and consistently.”

Marcia Brookey, APR
VP and Director of Marketing, Trust Company of Oklahoma 
Tulsa, Okla.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. Because I believe in what it stands for, I value APR Accreditation tremendously.”

Christopher Eric Vadnais, APR
Public Affairs Officer, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Murfreesboro, Tenn.

“As a broadcast journalist turned PR professional, I pursued my APR as a source of formal industry education. Earning my APR has made me more confident in my daily work and challenged my strategic approach from research to evaluation.”

Allison Williams, APR
Internal Communications Specialist, Greater Nevada Credit Union
Reno, Nev.

If you’re interested in answering a future question, then please email john.elsasser@prsa.org.

About the author

John Elsasser

1 Comment

  • These are insightful quotes that help encourage and motivate public relations majors like myself to pursue an Accreditation in Public Relations. Acquiring an APR is more than just gaining three letters after your name as a label of professionalism. Morever, it demonstrates credibility and commitment to clients that PR Professionals can properly execute the services they offer. -Michaela McLean, writer/editor for Platform Magazine

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