Fostering Inclusivity: How PRSSA Chapters and Cross-Organization Collaboration Can Support Hispanic Students

Everyone goes through a time in their life where they feel like the odd one out. Growing up in rural Ohio, I felt disconnected from Latino and Mexican culture simply because there was almost no one like me. When I was at home, I would see my mom and my grandpa whose Latino heritage was evident through both their appearance and culture. At school or in other public settings, I felt the need to seek out others like me. Ultimately, my experience of feeling alone sparked my interest in public relations. I wanted to learn how I could work with organizations of stature to help isolated or small communities feel seen and represented.  

This is a huge task that no one person can do alone. If we all work together and do something small we can make a difference in our own communities. For instance, there are ways that your Chapter can connect with your campus’ Hispanic community to help them feel recognized.  

1. Educate Your PRSSA Chapter About the Hispanic Community on Your Campus

Information about ethnic populations on your campus should be available on your institution’s website. By researching this information, you can develop a presentation to educate your Chapter about the Hispanic community on your campus. Breaking the ice on cultural conversations can create a platform for brainstorming ways to connect with specific Hispanic organizations and the Hispanic community at large. Additionally, you can open the floor for discussions on how to celebrate diversity within your own Chapter, fostering an inclusive environment that values and honors different cultures. 

2. Partner With Other Campus Organization To Hold Events or Campaigns

Once you’ve identified the Hispanic community on campus, you can start collaborating with various organizations to host events. By discussing opportunities to partner on events or campaigns, you can foster a meaningful relationship benefiting both your Chapter and the other organization. Keep in mind, it’s important to maintain this connection throughout the year, not just during designated diversity months. By doing so, you’re more genuine in your actions and ensure ongoing collaboration and support for each other’s initiatives. This commitment will help strengthen ties within the community and promote a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture among your members. 

3. Invite Speakers Specializing in Cultural Relations or Who Have a Cultural Background to Your Meetings

Hearing from individuals with firsthand experiences in a professional setting can provide valuable context on how culture influences business, communications and other fields. Inviting speakers to share their insights not only encourages new members to attend and engage with your Chapter but also opens the door for them to consider joining. Additionally, these discussions can help current members explore various career paths, deepening their understanding of how cultural dynamics shape professional environments and opportunities. 

Ultimately, you can leverage these tactics to connect with any community on your campus. You also can connect with larger groups off of your campus to learn more about groups from different ethnic, economic and ability backgrounds. By taking the initiative to learn more about others in your community, you can create long-lasting mutually beneficial relationships and become more insightful about other cultures you may come across in your personal and professional life.  


Madeline Emerick is a sophomore pursuing a public relations major and social media minor at Ohio Northern University. She is her PRSSA Chapter’s newsletter editor and is a member of the PRoud Council National Subcommittee. On her campus she also is involved in Residence Life, a Peer Mentor Program, and runs social media for her campus’ World Student Organization.  

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