Office of Public Affairs’ Matthews gains Accreditation in Public Relations credential
Allison Matthews
Longtime Mississippi State Office of Public Affairs staff member Allison Matthews has gained a national credential recognizing her as a leader and mentor in the field of public relations.
Matthews, who has worked as news editor for 13 years, successfully completed a rigorous process to earn the Accredited in Public Relations, or APR, credential.
Earning the APR involves a two-part process designed to measure advanced knowledge, skills and abilities across a spectrum of competencies including the PR process of researching, planning, implementing and evaluating programs; applying ethics and law; managing issues and crisis communications; understanding PR theories, models and concepts; leading the PR functions within an organization; and managing stakeholder and media relationships.
The professional development program is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board and affiliated with the Public Relations Society of America. Professionals who earn the APR are committed to lifelong learning and the highest ethical practice of public relations. Learn more at www.prsa.org/professional-development/accreditation-in-public-relations-(apr).
Matthews is a Starkville native and MSU alumna with a bachelor’s degree in communication/journalism. She also earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi. Prior to her MSU role, she worked at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.
