Student of the Year Award

    Michael K. Simmons Student of the Year Award

    The Michael K. Simmons Student of the Year award recognizes a student who is an active member of a PRCA student chapter. The award recognizes not only academic achievement in the field of public relations but also leadership through community service and campus activities. The winner receives a $500 scholarship. The award is named after a North Alabama member who was influential in his career with students throughout the state. He was the 1988 Philip R. Forrest Jr. Professional Achievement Award winner. 

    Eligibility

    1. Student must be enrolled full-time in an institution of higher learning

    2. Student must be an active member of the PRCA student chapter

    3. As of August (1 year prior to competition year), the student must have completed enough accredited course hours to be classified as a junior in public relations or a related course of study

    4. The student must have an overall GPA of 2.5 on 4.0 scale or 2.0 on 3.0 scale. In major coursework, student must have at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 2.25 on 3.0 scale

    Entry Info and Deadline:  Entries are submitted electronically on the Medallions website, https://prca.secure-platform.com. Entry deadlines for 2027 are forthcoming but are usually in February. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered for an award.

    Download Student of the Year guidelines

    Questions: Contact  Lisa Frazier APR.