PR Students Create Communications Plan for Organization Helping At-Risk Children

Public Relations students in the School of Communications completed a communications and fund raising plan this spring for the St. Louis non-profit Sneakers With Soul. The organization provides shoes to at risk children in the greater St. Louis area.

The project was part of the PR program’s Capstone Campaigns course taught by Associate Professor Gary Ford. Each year PR students undertake strategic communications projects for real clients. The class has completed 48 projects for St. Louis organizations, businesses, and non-profits during the last 15 years.

“I can’t thank the students enough for the work that went into this plan. As Sneakers With Soul moves forward, this plan will be most helpful in developing strategies and tactics that will get us to where we need to be with respect to our individual donor giving,” said Maurice Parisien, president and founder of the organization.  The organization distributes thousands of pairs of shoes each year and is seeking to expand.

Public Relations students conducted the project this year virtually due health concerns from the pandemic.  The final presentation was completed on Zoom and gave students experience in working in a virtual environment. The student team included Jewell Wood, who served as account executive for the project, Drew Fisher, Emilio Cordova, Addi Beussink, Nerma Planic and Justine Ruble.

The capstone class is one of the final courses students complete before receiving their BA in Public Relations. The goal of the course is to complete projects for St. Louis area clients that provide similar work experiences the students will encounter in their jobs as public relations professionals.

“This experience prepares students for their careers and is an essential part of our program,” Ford said. “I often receive notes from alums expressing appreciation for these real world experiences they say are exactly what they find on their first jobs after graduation.”