Public relations professor Bey-Ling Sha was deemed the Public Relations Society of America's Outstanding Educator of the Year for 2012.
The Public Relations Society of America selected San Diego State University Associate Professor Bey-Ling Sha as its Outstanding Educator of the Year for 2012.
The award honors a member of the organization who has made significant contributions to the advancement of public relations education through college or university teaching.
Sha will receive her award at the organization's 2012 International Conference in San Francisco, which runs from Oct. 13-16.
“Our profession is fortunate to have such a dedicated educator and passionate communicator preparing the next generation of public relations practitioners for the journey that lies ahead," said the organization's CEO, Gerald F. Corbett.
About Sha
Sha has been teaching public relations for more than a decade. Prior to joining the faculty at San Diego State University, she held assistant and associate professorships at the University of Maryland and the American University of Paris.
She received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the college of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at San Diego State University in 2007, and from the University of Maryland in 2004.
Earlier in her career, Sha worked as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Census Bureau, where the campaign she directed for the 2000 U.S. census earned a 2001 PRSA Silver Anvil Award for excellence. She also has worked as a public relations consultant for Microsoft Corp., Perrier-Vittel, Premier Aircraft Sales and Father Joe’s Villages.
Sha is co-author with Glen Broom of the 11th edition of the best-selling textbook “Cutlip & Center’s Effective Public Relations." She also has published scholarly articles in the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, Public Relations Journal, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly and Journal of Promotion Management.
“There is no greater responsibility than shaping the minds of young public relations professionals through education,” Sha said. “Teaching students is tremendously rewarding in itself, and I am humbled and honored to accept the PRSA Outstanding Educator of the Year Award.”
Sha holds a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Maryland at College Park. She has been Accredited in Public Relations by the Universal Accreditation Board.
About the Public Relations Society of America
The Public Relations Society of America is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community. With a mission to “advance the profession and the professional,” PRSA provides news and information, thought leadership, continuing education and networking opportunities, sets standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct, and advocates for the business value of public relations and greater diversity among public relations professionals.
Based in New York, PRSA comprises 112 local chapters; 14 professional interest sections that focus on specific industries and practice areas; and the Public Relations Student Society of America, which is active at more than 320 colleges and universities.