PR professor to boost global communication

July 5, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation recently awarded Assistant Professor Juan-Carlos Molleda nearly $17,000 to continue building online resources for the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.

The alliance aims to boost public relations around the world by sharing ideas and best practices, seeking common interests and standards, and encouraging better understanding of each culture, according to its Web site, www.globalpr.org.

“We’re producing business guides to help professionals, academics and students all over the world to navigate the complex national context in which the public relations profession develops and is practiced,” said Molleda, who teaches international public relations at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications.

The alliance examines ethical standards, accreditation, and other initiatives to strengthen the profession globally.

“The U.S. is a world leader in the profession,” Molleda said. “With this sponsored research, PRSA Foundation, as the philanthropic arm of the largest public relations association of the world, exemplifies the leadership role of the country by supporting initiatives that has benefits for professionals, academics and students beyond the U.S.”

The college is a national leader in the professional education of future journalists and other communications practitioners. Nationally accredited, it has programs in advertising, print and broadcast journalism, public relations, and telecommunication production and operations, as well as graduate-level programs in science/health communication, documentary, media law, political communication, international communication, and other specialties.