Create a Future of Ethical PR Practitioners: Donate to PRSSA’s Summer Fundraiser

Ethics Today, Impact Tomorrow: Shaping the Future of Public Relations

Ethics are the backbone of effective communication. In a world where misinformation spreads faster than truth, the need for honest, responsible, and transparent storytelling is more important than ever. As aspiring public relations professionals, we understand that our future work will shape public perception and must be grounded in strong ethical values. 

That’s why students from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder have come together for this year’s fundraiser. Every summer, PRSA Colorado supports a student fundraiser so Colorado PR students can attend the nation’s most significant industry conference, PRSSA ICON. This event offers aspiring public relations professionals the opportunity to build bridges and gain knowledge from current PR professionals. PRSSA students at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder aim to send a group of deserving students to PRSSA ICON in Washington, D.C, in October. 

Our fundraising theme is "Ethics Today, Impact Tomorrow: Shaping the Future of Public Relations". In the classrooms of CSU and CU, we’re building a foundation in public relations skills. As we prepare to enter the professional world, we aim to understand the role ethics plays in communicating with various publics on behalf of an organization. That is why we are promoting the education of ethics in public relations for our fundraiser. In a time marked by widespread misinformation and disinformation, it is essential to prioritize truth and build public trust. As Warren Buffett once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” Through our efforts this summer, we hope to show PR professionals that CSU and CU PR students are ready to be ethically-grounded young professionals after graduation. 

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to fund the trip to D.C for deserving students. This would cover expenses such as conference registration, airfare, and accommodations. Attending ICON provides these aspiring PR professionals with a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from experts in the field, build their networks, and access exclusive connections to exciting career opportunities.

Your support can make a significant difference in helping us achieve this goal. We offer a range of sponsorship levels to suit various capacities for giving:

Donations can be made through the PRSA website or our GoFundMe page:

All sponsors who donate $250 or more will be acknowledged at PRSA Colorado’s annual Gold Pick Awards Ceremony on August 6. Additionally, all donations above $500 will be recognized on each chapter’s Instagram accounts in August. Have questions? Contact information for our fundraiser leads is below. 

CSU Team Contacts: 

Kierra Vanevenhoven [email protected] (720) 300-3897
Ella Howe [email protected] (231) 715-6191
Elyse Gerke [email protected] (206) 858-2642

CU Boulder Team Contacts: 

Hannah Kijner, [email protected], (818) 318-7431
Keteyia Thomas, [email protected], (720) 244-6603 

Thank you, in advance, to help us get to D.C. to learn more about ethics and the skills we need to be valued contributors to the PR industry.

Want to learn more about this year’s student leaders? 

Kierra Vanevenhoven is entering her senior year at Colorado State University, majoring in Journalism and Media Communication. As president of CSU’s PRSSA chapter, she is dedicated to creating a welcoming space where students can develop their skills and build meaningful connections. Kierra also serves as a Public Relations and Media Outreach intern at the Butterfly Pavilion, where she uses storytelling and community engagement to advance the organization’s mission.

Tanzid Basunia is a national award-winning journalist from Bangladesh with a strong background in public relations. He earned his degree in Journalism and Media Studies in Bangladesh and is now pursuing a master’s in Journalism and Media Communication with a focus on Public Relations at Colorado State University, where he serves as Treasurer of the PRSSA chapter. Before CSU, he was Head of Communications at FBCCI, a major South Asian trade organization, working with media like CNN. Tanzid also founded the education portal Pathashala24 and has received several honors, including the 2020 National Journalism Fellowship Award.

Ella Howe is entering her senior year at Colorado State University, majoring in Journalism with a minor in Legal Studies. Passionate about communication and storytelling, Ella thrives as a marketing specialist for the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement office on campus. In her role, she excels at creating strategic messaging and informing students about ways to get involved in their community.

Elyse Gerke is entering her senior year at Colorado State University, majoring in Journalism and Media Communication and minoring in Music Business. She has always been fond of the communication field and recently discovered her love for the PR industry. She has worked many customer service jobs making her a personable and well organized individual. 

Miguel Alvarado Arguijo is a Communications Studies Major, with a minor in Media Studies at Colorado State University. Within PRSSA, he serves as the Accountability Manager, where he focuses on ensuring meetings are documented for record keeping and helps keep participant numbers. During the school year, he worked as a mentor serving first generation students in their first year of college. In the summer, he is currently a part of the fundraising team for CSU. 

Hannah Kijner is a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Business and earning a Writing Certificate. She is active in campus leadership and student government. Hannah has a strong interest in media law and fitness. She is currently interning at Move Joy and preparing for the LSAT to pursue a law degree after graduation.

Keteyia Thomas was born and raised in Englewood, Colorado. She is entering her third year at CU Boulder, majoring in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and minoring in Sports Media. This fall, she will be interning with the CU Boulder Athletic Department. Currently, she works at Chuze Fitness in the Kids Club and nannies on her days off. She also serves as the DEI Coordinator and Summer Fundraising Coordinator for CU Boulder’s PRSSA chapter.