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K-State Today

October 6, 2014

Public relations students, international programs office collaborate to promote international initiatives

Submitted by Mary K. Pyle

Students in Barb DeSanto's public relations writing class are again teaming up with the Office of International Programs to help promote international initiatives at K-State.

The Office of International Programs and the MC 280 class have joined in a collective effort to apply the academic abilities of the public relations students to real-world scenarios while promoting activities of the office.

The office was established in 1991 to strengthen communication and collaboration among K-State's many international programs, to achieve identified goals for the university's further internationalization, promote study abroad and international experiences, deliver English language training, and provide a focal point for international agreements. 

"The Office of International Programs gives the public relations writing class an incredible opportunity to practice what they are learn," said DeSanto, assistant professor at the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications. "Students gain experience of writing for a real-world client and they are rewarded with seeing their work adopted and put to good use by the office."

MC 280 examines various forms of contemporary public relations writing, with special emphasis on preparation of messages for different media and audiences.

"This is the most valuable type of learning because it combines knowledge with application," DeSanto said. "It also shows the beauty of collaboration; my students are so thrilled to realize that their work is meaningful, and they also have a new appreciation for the work that the Office of International Programs does to advance the K-State global learning experience."

Through this partnership, the students participate and cover international events and programs and their stories are submitted and featured in university media venues. The office gains an elevated awareness of international opportunities available on campus. As a result of this partnership, the first story from MC280 student Lauren Holtmeier appears in this issue of K-State Today.

"We look forward to having the MC 280 class be a vital communications arm as we implement and promote International Education Week, which will be Nov. 17-21. The students have already provided us with creative programming ideas and activity suggestions for the week," said Mary Pyle, special assistant to the associate provost for international programs. "This is a great example of how a university unit and a college collaborate to provides a meaningful student experience."

For further information about the Office of International Programs contact Pyle at mpyle@k-state.edu.