Silverman Selected for PRSA's College of Fellows

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has selected Deborah Silverman, associate professor of communication, for inclusion in its prestigious College of Fellows.

Fifteen PR practitioners from across the country, both in academia and in professional public relations positions, were chosen for the Class of 2012.

"This is considered a pinnacle achievement of your career," Silverman said. "I look at the list of who has come before and feel really humbled and honored to be a part of this group."

Founded in 1989, the College of Fellows is comprised of more than 300 senior PRSA members who have advanced the public relations profession and distinguished themselves through their experience and leadership in the industry. To be eligible, practitioners must have at least 20 years of experience, have earned their accreditation in public relations (APR), and have demonstrated exceptional capability and accomplishment in the practice or teaching of PR.

Silverman will be inducted into the College of Fellows during the 2012 PRSA International Conference October 13 in San Francisco. The College of Fellows members provide mentoring for PR professionals and students; support PRSA in the execution of its strategic plan, especially in the areas of advocacy and education; and create and sponsor a continuing education “master class” during the annual international conference. During her stay in San Francisco, Silverman will present a workshop on ethics, one of her specialties, to students attending the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference.

For three years, Silverman has worked at PRSA’s national level and is the current chair of its Board of Ethics and Professional Standards. Earlier this year, she helped create a new industry-wide definition of “public relations” as one of seven members of PRSA’s “PR Defined” Task Force. Previously, she served at both the regional and local levels of PRSA, including a year as chair of the Northeast District.

Through this position and her research, Silverman has been interviewed by the New York Times and other national publications about ethical quandaries involving well-known PR firms, which placed Buffalo State in the national spotlight. Her participation at PRSA’s national level also benefits her students.

"I can give students a national feel for public relations, talk to them about the ethical missteps I’ve seen, and give them contacts when they graduate," Silverman said. "In this economy, networking and who you know is more important than ever."

Based in New York, PRSA has 112 local chapters, 14 professional interest sections, and the PRSSA, which is active at more than 320 colleges and universities. Silverman serves as the faculty adviser for the Buffalo State campus chapter of PRSSA.