FPRA Gainesville is proud to offer a partial scholarship for the next LeadershipFPRA class! LeadershipFPRA provides FPRA members the tools they need to become stronger leaders in their organizations, their communities and FPRA. The Gainesville Chapter’s partial scholarship is for one professional chapter member to participate in the program, and we’re happy to be able to invest in our membership in this way for a fourth year.
Julie Frey, APR, CPRC, is the recipient of last year’s scholarship and will graduate from the program in August. Frey is the communications director at the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning.
“The chapter scholarship was critical to my participation,” Frey said. “It allowed me to talk with my supervisor and show that the chapter valued this as professional development and supported me in this program, which made it easier for me to make a case for the value of LeadershipFPRA. I am so thankful to FPRA Gainesville. It is because of the scholarship that I’m able to participate in this great program.”
LeadershipFPRA consists of an orientation and five full-day sessions held over 12 months. Graduates are better equipped to not only function as PR professionals in their respective workplaces but also strengthen their rightful seat at the boardroom table and evolve into further leadership roles in FPRA, their communities and the industry in general.
The seminar-styled leadership training sessions cover a variety of topics and industries including government, law and ethics, economic development and higher education, leading and managing and cross-functional business strategies.
“The program focuses on the skills needed to be a leader in your organization, so we cover understanding company finances, hiring top talent and being a better supervisor,” Frey said. “We also learn about other industries, from government to corporate to higher education.”
Frey believes LeadershipFPRA is beneficial for PR practitioners in different stages of their careers. “People starting out in leadership positions or about to grow into a leadership position will get a lot out of this because it will teach them things they’ve never encountered,” she said. “For me being mid-career, I saw this as an opportunity to reconnect with those skills and develop further. It was an opportunity to continue to grow in my career.”
Frey recommends anyone looking to make the next step in their career apply. “Not only will they develop their business knowledge and skills, but they will expand their network to include additional public relations professionals throughout the state. Getting to know the others in my leadership class – talking about challenges and sharing advice in groups and individually – has been one of the best things about the program.”
Self-nominations for the LeadershipFPRA scholarship are due by June 7 at 11 p.m. A committee will determine and notify the winner the week of June 10. The recipient will then be responsible for completing and submitting the application to the state association by June 17. To apply for the scholarship, click here. Learn more about LeadershipFPRA here. You can familiarize yourself with the application you’ll have to submit if you receive the scholarship here. (The first payment of $450 due at time of acceptance into the program will be covered by the scholarship. The remaining $300 must be paid by the participant and is due no later than December 31, 2019.)
If you have questions, contact Gainesville Chapter President Lindsey Robertson, APR.