JCSU News Release

JCSU PR Director Receives National APR Designation

November 8, 2007 - Johnson C. Smith University Assistant to the President/ Public Relations Director, Benny L. Smith has earned his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Universal Accreditation Board.

The accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the profession. Professionals earning the APR must maintain their credentials through continuing professional development, providing leadership to the profession and serving their local communities.

An award-winning journalist, Smith began working at JCSU in 2004 as the assistant director of public relations. Smith was promoted the following year to director of public relations. He has more than 14 years of journalism experience working with the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, an affiliate of the New York Times Newspaper and the Hendersonville-Times News.

Smith graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina where he received a Masters in Mass Communications degree. He attained his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of North Carolina Asheville. He also has an associate’s degree in journalism from North Greenville University, formerly called North Greenville College. Smith is a native of Greenville, S.C.

“Earning the APR reflects a mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed in our increasingly complex profession,” said Marisa Vallbona, APR, 2007 chair of the Universal Accreditation Board. “Practitioners who achieve the designation are demonstrating their commitment not only to our profession, but also to a strong code of ethics and to the betterment of their organizations and clients.”

For more information about the UAB and the APR designation, visit www.praccreditation.org.