Meet Our Executive Board for the 2021-2022 school year!
Rachel Ornstein
Position: President
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Chappaqua, NY
Major: Communication- Public Relations Concentration
Minor(s): Advertising and Journalism
Other Activities on Campus: Social Media & Marketing Intern at the Career Center, Sister of Kappa Alpha Theta
Why I joined PRSSA:
I loved being around likeminded students who had a drive to improve their professional development like I did, as well as enjoyed the opportunity to network and listen from professionals in the industry that I aspire to pursue
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
The importance of networking and improving on your professional development as a student should not be underestimated. PRSSA gives you the opportunity to establish your professional identity in preparation for entering the working world. This will ultimately set you apart from the rest of your peers during the job and internship search.
Email: ornstein@udel.edu
Neha Shanker
Position: Vice President of External Affairs
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Bear, DE
Major: Communications – Public Relations Concentration
Minor(s): Sports Management and Legal Studies
Other Activities on Campus: Order of Omega (President), sister of Pi Beta Phi (Director of PR & Marketing), UD Football Videographer
Why I joined PRSSA:
During the end of my freshman year, I made the decision to switch my major to Communication. While confident in my decision, I was still unsure of the career paths available in this field of study, and more importantly, how to figure out what path is right for me. It wasn’t until Fall semester of my sophomore year when I heard about PRSSA, and after attending the first General meeting of the year, I instantly knew joining this organization with give me the tools necessary to have a successful future. Moreover, it’s given me the opportunity to network with industry professionals, as well as create lifelong friendships with my peers.
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
PRSSA is not a club. It’s a pre-professional organization that enhances an individual’s knowledge of the Communication industry, and bridges the gap between knowledge learned in the classroom to hands-on experience. Whether you are looking to meet more like-minded students or get your foot in the door at some of the world’s most iconic organizations, PRSSA gives you the tools to cultivate relationships and kickstart your professional career
Email: nshanker@udel.edu
Mackenzie Meyers
Position: Vice President of Internal Professional Development
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Tinton Falls, New Jersey
Major: Marketing
Minor(s): Advertising
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Alpha Xi Delta, UST Peer Liaison
Why I joined PRSSA:
I joined PRSSA because when I was a freshman I was undeclared and did not know what career path I was looking for and what major I felt comfortable in. When I joined PRSSA in the beginning of my sophomore year I just knew that PR and Marketing was the right fit for me because I loved everything about this organization. PRSSA means so much to me because it really helped me find who I am and what I am meant to be doing.
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
I want everyone to know that PRSSA is not just a communications club. It is a pre-professional organization that is open to everyone who wants to grow and build their professional development knowledge.
Email: msmeyers@udel.edu
Becky Kazenoff
Position: Meetings Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Major: Communications- Public Relations Concentration
Minor(s): Journalism and Advertising
Other activities on Campus: Sister of Alpha Delta Pi, Lambda Pi Eta Secretary
Why I joined PRSSA:
I joined so I could meet students with similar interests as myself, and to better gauge which area of communication and PR would be the best fit for me.
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
Being a nationally recognized organization, PRSSA offers limitless opportunities whether it’s networking events, meeting like-minded students, interacting with professionals, and learning an extensive amount on your area of interest that you wouldn’t of had before.
Email: rebkaz@udel.edu
Evelyn Zanowski
Position: Promotions Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Glen Rock, NJ
Major: Communications – Public Relations Concentration
Minor(s): Advertising and Fashion Management
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Kappa Alpha Theta, UDress Magazine PR and Advertising Teams, Order of Omega, Lambda Pi Eta
Why I joined PRSSA:
I wanted to find an organization on campus where I could meet people with similar interests but also learn new things outside of the classroom. PRSSA was the best of both worlds! Not only have I meet amazing lifelong friends/possible future work colleagues but also have gotten to learn first hand from industry professionals what this career has to offer!
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
If there is one thing I have learn to be important in PR is to network, network, network! It is never to early to create a network of people who can connect you in the future to amazing opportunities and also make incredible friends along the way. PRSSA has given me the tools to build a LinkedIn, make my resume the best it can be, and be able to envision my future career in PR!
Email: zanowski@udel.edu
Stella Galli
Position: Director of Member Communication
Year at UD: Junior
Hometown: Westerly, RI
Major: Communications – Public Relations Concentration
Minor(s): Advertising, Journalism, and Italian Studies
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority
Why I joined PRSSA:
I joined PRSSA to be inspired and hear from professionals in the industry. However, I gained so much more from PRSSA than I could have ever imagined when I joined! PRSSA has opened my eyes to career paths that I have grown interest in, as well as has taught me about the industry in an outside of classroom setting.
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
Joining PRSSA will give you so much knowledge about different careers in the public relations industry. By joining such a great organization, not only will you be given great opportunities to network but also to learn about what path you would like to take.
Email: stellag@udel.edu
Danielle Raskin
Position: Director of External Professional Director
Year at UD: Junior
Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ
Major: Communication Major
Other Activities on Campus: Sister of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority
What PRSSA Means To Me: Since the day the previous PRSSA President came into my freshman year communications class to speak about the club, I knew it was something for me. After every single meeting I attended, I learned something new. I came into college saying I wanted to do public relations but had no real sense of what it was. I have not only learned about public relations in depth, but also the many other related career paths as well as lifelong professional skills. PRSSA inspires me constantly. After each guest speaker comes in, I walk out of the room saying I want to be like that person. The amazing and hard working previous executive board, who on their own ran this entire chapter, have also very much inspired me and showed me that I can do anything. I am so excited to have a leadership position of my own and work with the other executive members to plan a successful year.
Email: draskin@udel.edu
Lia Hyman
Position: Diversity Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Major: Communications – Public Relations Concentration
Minor(s): Journalism, and International Business Studies
Other Activities on Campus: World Scholars, UD Hillel
Why I joined PRSSA:
Before joining PRSSA, I was a bit lost about where I was going with my degree in Communication. During my first PRSSA meeting, I was impressed by the executive board’s poise and professionalism. I knew in that moment that I aspired to be like them, confident and knowledgeable about the opportunities within the communications field. I saw PRSSA as the gateway to networking with established professionals and likeminded college students all while honing valuable industry skills!
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
PRSSA’s skill slams, trips, and panels opened my eyes to the endless careers I could pursue with my degree. Graduating from college without joining PRSSA will cost you years of experience you’ll need to make up post-grad! Joining this pre-professional organization helps you learn about what it takes to make it in this industry while simultaneously teaching you the necessary skills. You truly get out of this organization what you put into it!
Email: liahyman@udel.edu
Kaitlyn Bonk
Position: Finance Director
Year at UD: Senior
Hometown:
Major:
Minor(s):
Other Activities on Campus:
Why I joined PRSSA:
Why YOU should join PRSSA:
Email: kaitbonk@udel.edu
