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

Connection Creates Opportunity: The Future of PR

In an oversaturated media world, extra clicks, likes and comments don’t make as much of a difference like they used to. So what makes an impact in a crowded digital environment?

Real connection and authentic relationships. 

The University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University Public Relations Student Society of America chapters are dedicated to building meaningful connections and trusted relationships, inspiring our ICON 2026 summer fundraising theme “Connection Creates Opportunity - The Future of PR.” 

Every summer, PRSA Colorado supports student fundraising efforts for public relations students across Colorado to help provide a chance to attend PRSSA ICON, the United States’ most prominent PR conference. CU and CSU PRSSA hope to send 10 deserving students to Orlando, Florida for this year’s conference in October. 

“Connection Creates Opportunity - The Future of PR” touches the student, professional, and human level of public relations practice and learning. Whether it’s stopping by a professor’s office to chat about a challenging lecture, joining a virtual networking event or collaborating with peers on a project, connection serves as a bridge for individual growth and building community. The same goes for PR professionals in their relationships with their teams, clients, media and stakeholders. Investing in meaningful connections creates trust, but most importantly, opportunities for all involved. 

Through our collaborative efforts this summer, CU and CSU will show the power of connection and take our lessons to a national level at ICON, to further our learning and preparation in becoming career-ready PR professionals. 

Our goal is to raise $12,000 to help fund both of our chapters’ trips to Orlando. Donations will directly assist with conference registration, travel costs, lodging and additional accommodations. ICON provides worthwhile opportunities to explore the world of PR. Students who attend will learn about where they want to take their career and expand their knowledge of different PR industries through the lens of professionals and students around the country. 

Your support can make a difference! Donation sponsorship levels are made to suit various levels of giving. However, they do not limit a donor’s capacity. All donations can be made through these websites:

University of Colorado Boulder PRSSA Donations: Website 

Colorado State University PRSSA Donations: Website 

Sponsors who donate $100 or more will be featured on CU or CSU’s social media Instagram story. All donations above $250 will be featured on an Instagram story post and will receive a shout out during CU and CSU’s Gold Picks Awards ceremony speech on Aug. 27. For donations of $500 or more, sponsors will receive an Instagram story post and full post, as well as a Gold Picks speech shout out. 

Have questions? Contact information for our fundraiser leads is below. 

Isabella Hernandez Jeppesen, CU PRSSA Chapter President: [email protected] 

Cadence Cardona, CSU PRSSA Chapter President: [email protected] or [email protected]

Meet the CSU Summer Fundraising Team:

Cadence Cardona is entering her senior year at Colorado State University, majoring in Journalism and Media Communications. She has been a member of PRSSA since her sophomore year and just stepped into the role as CSU PRSSA’s president. Cadence is driven to make a positive impact through authentic storytelling and ethical communications, and has previously held internships with CSU’s Marketing and Communications Team and a boutique PR agency.

Travis Check is entering his sophomore year at Colorado State University, double-majoring in Journalism and Media Communication and Business Marketing. This year, he will serve as the Vice President of CSU’s PRSSA chapter, where he will help members succeed and work to make PRSSA as welcoming and supportive as possible. Travis has always loved the field of communication and has spent the last couple of years in customer service.

Lucy Swatfigure is entering her senior year at Colorado State University and is majoring in Communications with a minor in Media Studies. She has been a member of PRSSA since the beginning of her Junior year and has since taken the lead on Event Coordination for CSU’s PRSSA chapter. Lucy is a dedicated, organized, and collaborative professional with experience in event planning and coordination. Through her internship with The Event Troupe, she worked closely alongside owner Amanda Piper, gaining valuable hands-on experience in event management. Lucy is excited for the year ahead with CSU's PRSSA chapter and is committed to increasing the organization's visibility and expanding its event opportunities.

Raegan Synk is entering her senior year at Colorado State University, majoring in Journalism and Media Communication with a minor in Global Environmental Sustainability. Within PRSSA, she serves as one of the Recruitment and Outreach Managers working to spread the word of PRSSA and connecting with CSU students to encourage them to join. Outside of PRSSA, she works as a Digital Media Assistant for Colorado State Athletics, where she is in charge of social media and photography for the track & field team. Outside of school and work, she loves to be outside with her friends, often dragging them on a hike or to the outfield of a local baseball game.

Brooklyn Shafer is entering her senior year at Colorado State University, majoring in Journalism and Media Communication with a minor in Entrepreneurship. As the co-membership and recruitment chair of CSU’s PRSSA chapter, she is dedicated to sharing the value of the organization with fellow communication students and helping young professionals connect with a supportive community. Brooklyn also serves as a Public Relations Intern at JKD & Company under Jane Dvorak, APR, Fellow PRSA, where she gains hands-on experience working with a diverse range of clients and expanding her industry knowledge.

Ava Stampa is entering her junior year at Colorado State University as a Journalism and Media Communications major and Sociology minor. As a new member of PRSSA as of this year, Ava is excited to begin to immerse herself in the world of public relations around the globe and at Colorado State. Ava’s role as Social Media Coordinator allows for her creativity and communications skills to collide, and she is eager to create an informative and positive outreach for all those interested in anything and everything PRSSA.

Charlotte Seymour is entering her third year at Colorado State University as a double major in Journalism & Media Communications and Political Science. She joined PRSSA last semester but this will be her first fully engulfed and taking on the role as Accountability Manager. Charlotte has a passion for creating connection through communication and some of her strongest qualities include organization, reliability and loyalty.

Meet the CU Summer Fundraising Team: 

Isabella Hernandez Jeppesen is a rising senior at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is a Strategic Communication major specializing in Public Relations with minors in Business and Sports Media. She joined PRSSA as a freshman and has been part of the executive board since her sophomore year, going from Website Director to Vice-President and now stepping into the role of CU Boulder’s PRSSA President. She is currently a Public Relations intern at AlignPR in Miami, where she immerses herself in the world of communications within the entertainment industry. Through her leadership in PRSSA and professional experience, Isabella has cultivated strong relationship-building skills and a strong passion for strategic storytelling. 

Keteyia Thomas is going into her senior year at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is majoring in strategic communications with an emphasis in public relations and minoring in sports media. This is her second year as a board member for CUs PRSSA chapter. During the school year she is an intern with CU athletics communications team and this summer she is in Washington D.C. interning with a DC SCORES nonprofit. Keteyia values PRSSA networking and community development initiatives and all the opportunities it has to offer. 

Dani Hermosillo is a Strategic Communication major with a minor in Business at the University of Colorado Boulder and serves as Fundraising Chair for CU Boulder’s PRSSA chapter. She is passionate about public relations, marketing analytics, and consumer behavior, with a particular interest in the fashion and beauty industries. Dani enjoys exploring how communication and business strategy influence consumer decision-making and hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of public relations, marketing, and analytics. 

Peyton Rhodes is entering her sophomore year at the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in Strategic Communication. As PRSSA's Summer Fundraiser and Events Director, she is dedicated to creating engaging events that connect students with public relations professionals and opportunities for career growth. Peyton will serve as a Community Engagement Mentor and President of the National Society of Leadership and Success during the upcoming academic year. Through her leadership roles and her work as the Communications and Engagement Intern for the Town of Frederick this summer, she is passionate about strengthening community connections and creating opportunities that bring people together.