The AdPr Academy Welcomes Three N.C. A&T Journalism and Mass Communication Students

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 5, 2023) – Three students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JOMC) – sophomore Kennidi Cottle and seniors Santroya Pitzer and Bria Williams – were selected to participate in the University of Georgia’s seventh annual Myra Blackmon AdPr Academy for Diversity & Inclusion one-week intensive seminar in Atlanta.

This year marks the beginning of a significant collaboration between the academy and N.C. A&T, as the university becomes one of the 10 official partner schools of the AdPR Academy.

The Myra Blackmon AdPR Academy for Diversity and Inclusion is an educational outreach program designed to amplify the power of diversity, equity and inclusion while growing the pipeline of diverse advertising and public relations professionals.

Cottle, Pitzer and Williams play vital roles within the Aggie Media Group, a student-run, faculty-advised public relations agency dedicated to serving the university community.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for our driven and engaged students to network, learn, share and later impact the future of advertising and public relations vis-a-vis enhanced diversity and inclusion,” said Yahya R. Kamalipour, Ph.D., JOMC interim chair. “The seminar offered students a unique hands-on experience and case studies dealing with some of the challenges and issues confronting the advertising and public relations professions.”

In the 35-hour seminar, students had the chance to meet peers from various universities and gain insights from top professionals in advertising and public relations. At the end of the seminar, each student received a certificate from the University of Georgia. The seminar took place at the Fitzco Agency and featured guest speaker Evan Levy, CEO of Fitzco, covering topics such as networking and interviewing tips, and panel discussions with experts from Intuit Mailchimp, American Airlines, Hilton and Morehouse College.

 “We hope this collaboration will continue for years to come and, in the process, enrich the educational and professional lives of many students,” said Kamalipour.