FGCU FPRA Member Kerrie Blankenship Earns Certificate in Principles of Public Relations

FGCU FPRA Member Kerrie Blankenship Earns Certificate in Principles of Public Relations

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 14, 2024) – Kerrie Blankenship, recent FGCU graduate and member of the FGCU Student Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), recently earned the prestigious Certificate in Principles of Public Relations.

The certificate, which is earned through passing an examination designed to test the foundational knowledge of those entering the public relations profession, is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) and gives students a leg up in securing sought-after positions in the profession. Blankenship is the ninth Eagle to earn the certificate.

“Kerrie has added two other significant achievements to her record: she was inducted into the FGCU Hall of Fame and graduated from FGCU with a perfect 4.0 GPA,” said Kara Winton, MS, APR, CPRC, a public relations instructor in the Department of Communication and Philosophy at Florida Gulf Coast University.

During her two years with the FGCU FPRA chapter, Blankenship served as marketing director for the student organization in her final year. Following graduation, she plans to return to her hometown of Tampa Bay to pursue a career in public relations within the event planning industry.

To qualify for the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations examination, students must be within six months of graduation (either before or after) from an accredited college or university, whose degree is in public relations or a related area of study. They also must be members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) or student member of another UAB participating organization, and take a course specifically designated for Certificate preparation either online or on campus.

About the Florida Public Relations Association

The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. For more information on the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association, visit fpraswfl.org.

About the Universal Accreditation Board

The UAB was established in 1998 by a coalition of public relations professional organizations, which includes the Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto Rico, Florida Public Relations Association, California Association of Public Information Officers, Maine Public Relations Council, National Association of Government Communicators, National School Public Relations Association, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Religion Communicators Council and the Southern Public Relations Federation. Each organization contributes resources and senior-level volunteer members representing all segments of the public relations profession. More information about the Certificate and the Universal Accreditation Board is available at praccreditation.org.