Category Archives: JPRE News

News and updates for those interested in the Journal of Public Relations Education.

In Memoriam – Pamela Bourland-Davis

Pamela Bourland-Davis
Georgia Southern University
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Public Relations Education 2021-2024

The public relations academic community mourns the loss of Dr. Pamela Bourland-Davis, whose passing leaves a profound void in our professional and personal circles. A dedicated educator, visionary leader, and compassionate mentor, Dr. Bourland-Davis exemplified the very best of what it means to serve the academy.

For nearly two decades, she chaired the Department of Communication at Georgia Southern University, where her leadership was marked by a rare blend of intellectual rigor and steadfast support for faculty and students. Her administrative acumen was matched only by her generosity of spirit, guiding, uplifting, and inspiring those around her.

Nationally, Dr. Bourland-Davis’s contributions were wide-reaching. She served as Editor of the Journal of Public Relations Education and held leadership roles in numerous professional associations, including as Head of the AEJMC Public Relations Division (2000–2001) and as President of the Southern States Communication Association (2020). Her enduring commitment to advancing the discipline was evident in her work with the Commission on Public Relations Education, where she had recently begun serving as Vice Chair.

What set Dr. Bourland-Davis apart was her ability to build community. She mentored emerging scholars with care and conviction, encouraged collaboration, and gently urged others into leadership—often before they recognized their own readiness. Her influence lives on in the many colleagues, students, and friends she empowered.
Dr. Bourland-Davis’s legacy is one of inclusion, service, and scholarly excellence. In honoring her memory, we are reminded of the power of mentorship, the importance of humility in leadership, and the enduring impact of a life lived in service to others.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the extended academic community she shaped so meaningfully.

With appreciation and respect,
The Journal of Public Relations Education Editorial Team

The JPRE Awards 2025

Chuck Lubbers Award for Pedagogical Research
The Journal of Public Relations Education’s (JPRE) founding Editor-In-Chief presents the Chuck Lubbers Award for Pedagogical Research. This is an esteemed recognition given annually to an outstanding research paper that exemplifies academic excellence in the field of public relations (PR) education. This award celebrates the innovative, impactful, and methodologically rigorous work of authors who significantly contribute to advancing PR pedagogical understanding and practice. Selected by a panel of expert scholars, the winning paper is distinguished by its originality, research depth, presentation clarity, and potential to influence PR educational theory and practice. This accolade not only honors the authors’ dedication to high-quality PR pedagogy research but also sets a benchmark for future submissions, inspiring a continual elevation of standards in PR educational scholarship. The award underscores JPRE’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge, transformative educational research. The award is given annually at the AEJMC conference and includes a $250 cash award.

2025 Award Recipients- Stephanie Madden & Kate Guastaferro for “Public Relations isn’t all Rainbows and Butterflies”: Student Experiences in Developing a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Campaign (10-2)

The Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations – Moody College, UT Top Quality Reviewer Award
The Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations – Moody College, UT Top Quality Reviewer Award for the Journal of Public Relations Education (JPRE) is a prestigious accolade bestowed annually to honor an outstanding individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, expertise, and diligence in reviewing JPRE submissions. This award recognizes the crucial role of peer reviewers in maintaining the highest standards of scholarly discourse and integrity in PR educational research. Recipients are selected based on their thoroughness, constructive feedback, and timely contribution to the advancement of PR pedagogical knowledge. The award acknowledges their invaluable service to the academic community and encourages continued excellence in the critical task of peer review, thus highlighting the vital importance of quality reviews in shaping the future of pedagogical scholarship. The award is given annually at the AEJMC conference and includes a $250 cash award.

2025 Award Recipient – Katie Place, Quinnipiac University

Top Ethics in PR Pedagogy Paper Award
The Top Ethics in PR Pedagogy Paper Award for the Journal of Public Relations Education (JPRE) is presented by the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication. This award is a distinguished honor given annually to one exemplary paper in the field of ethics in public relations pedagogy. This award recognizes groundbreaking research that significantly contributes to the understanding and teaching of ethics and responsibility in public communication. The winning paper is chosen from all work published in the journal in a calendar year and will be awarded to a paper that offers exceptional insight, rigorous analysis, and profound impact on the ethics of public relations education. The award reflects the Page Center’s dedication to nurturing ethical awareness and practice in corporate and public communication spheres. This accolade not only celebrates academic excellence but also reinforces the importance of integrating ethical considerations into the core of PR education. The award is given annually at the AEJMC conference and includes a $500 cash award. The award will only be given if an appropriate article appears within a calendar year.

2025 Award Recipients – Alec Tefertiller, Rosalynn Vasquez, Matthew Brammer for The Kids are Alright: Examining how US Public Relations Students Ethically Navigate Artificial Intelligence (11-1)

Pamela Bourland-Davis Editorial Excellence Award
The Pamela Bourland-Davis Editorial Excellence Award honors an individual on “staff” with JPRE who has demonstrated exceptional commitment, skill, and integrity in editorial leadership. This annual award recognizes those who uphold the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and innovation in the editorial process. Recipients of this award have significantly contributed to elevating the visibility, rigor, and impact of the publications or platforms they steward. Their work reflects a deep dedication to editorial ethics, inclusivity, mentorship, and the advancement of knowledge within their field. This award celebrates excellence in areas such as peer review coordination, editorial strategy, author development, content curation, and process improvement. It acknowledges the often-unseen VOLUNTEER labor of editorial work at JPRE that ensures clarity, coherence, and credibility in published communication. This award winner is selected annually by the Editor-in-Chief, JPRE.

2025 Award Recipient – Christopher McCollough, Kennesaw State University

Special Issue Call for Papers – The Graduate Issue

Manuscript Due Date: 08/07/2025
Anticipated Publication: January 2026 JPRE 12(1)

Guest Editors

Emily S. Kinsky, West Texas A&M University
Charles Lubbers, University of South Dakota
Adrienne A. Wallace, Grand Valley State University
Pamela G. Bourland-Davis, Georgia Southern University (posthumously)


Since 1975, the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) has studied undergraduate and graduate public relations education standards and practices, with the bulk of its effort being to lessen the gap between the profession and the academy at the undergraduate level. In 1999, the CPRE “Port of Entry” report addressed the university as the official “port of entry” for those who seek to make public relations a career, citing both undergraduate and graduate education as the tooling and retooling centers of the public relations profession. Then, the last official CPRE report on graduate education was released in 2012, “Standards for a Master’s Degree in Public Relations: Educating for Complexity.” With the growth of master’s-level public relations education in recent years and the splintering of methods, modes of delivery, theory, and practice, this special issue attempts to bridge the gap that exists in pedagogy related to PR graduate education with an issue solely dedicated to graduate education in public relations.

The purpose of this special issue call is to invite research articles, teaching briefs, scholarly and critical essays, and case studies, and we are especially interested in articles that explore BOTH the challenges and opportunities for public relations pedagogy focusing on graduate-level education in the public relations classroom. Submissions that offer practical knowledge and guidance for ONLY graduate public relations education are encouraged. We invite original submissions, and areas of focus could include but are not limited to:

  • How practitioner expectations align with graduate education
  • Best practices for internships in applied master’s programs
  • Applied theory at the graduate level
  • International approaches to graduate education
  • Developing research and data analytical abilities for practice
  • How graduate programs connect with the demands of the profession
  • Innovative approaches to graduate education (e.g., unique course offerings, new ideas for projects and assignments)
  • CEPR graduate-level certifications (e.g., tips, benefits)

Submission Guidelines
Submissions should follow the Author Guidelines on the JPRE website. Authors should include the special call name (SIGradPR) in parentheses after their manuscript title to indicate the submission is for this particular special call. Authors should submit their manuscript through Scholastica, the online submission system for JPRE. All submissions will be anonymously reviewed, following the guidelines of JPRE. Authors must use APA style for citations, references, tables, figures, and captions, plus follow the JPRE Styleguide. All identifying information must be deleted before full paper submissions.

Timeline with Key Dates
Deadline for full manuscript submission to JPRE’s Scholastica submission portal: https://jpre.scholasticahq.com/ – 08/07/2025
Notification of review results, including invitations for revision and resubmission (R&R): August 2025
Deadline for R&R submission: 09/30/2025
Scheduled Publication: January 2026 12(1)

If you have any questions, please contact the guest editors for additional information.
Dr. Emily S. Kinsky, West Texas A&M University, ekinsky@wtamu.edu
Dr. Chuck Lubbers, University of South Dakota, chuck.lubbers@usd.edu
Dr. Adrienne A. Wallace, Grand Valley State University, wallacad@gvsu.edu

JPRE_2025_11(2)_SpecialIssueCallDownload

Honoring Dr. Pamela Bourland-Davis: A Legacy of Leadership, Mentorship, and Heart

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr. Pamela Bourland-Davis, a beloved educator, tireless leader, and cherished member of the public relations academic community. Her sudden departure leaves a void that will be felt across the many professional circles she so actively enriched.

Dr. Bourland-Davis’s career is a testament to the powerful combination of intellectual rigor and compassionate mentorship. At Georgia Southern University, where she chaired the Department of Communication for 19 years, Pam was known not only for her administrative strength but for the enduring support she offered to colleagues and students alike. She led with both vision and heart.

Nationally, her influence was equally significant. She served as a past editor of this journal and held leadership roles in practically every scholarly association, including Head of the Public Relations Division of AEJMC (2000-2001) and the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA), where she served as President in 2020. Her thoughtful contributions to the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) helped shape the standards that guide our field – she was just stepping into the Vice-Chair role at CPRE to galvanize these efforts. In recent years, her commitment to service and education was formally recognized with honors from both SSCA and NCA.

However, what many of us will remember most about Pam is the way she quietly but consistently cultivated community and, oh, ever-so-gently nudged people into leadership roles. She saw capacity in us that we did not even see in ourselves. Pam welcomed collaboration, mentored emerging scholars with patience and encouragement, and brought warmth and wisdom to every room she entered – okay, okay, and a little bit of good old-fashioned southern sass too.

In an academic world that can often feel fragmented or competitive, she built bridges. She looked for opportunities to include, to guide, and to affirm. Pam never pulled the ladder up behind her; she always had a hand on your back, reassuring you that you really could do it too. Her legacy is not only found in publications, awards, or committee work, but in the many individuals whose professional paths she influenced and whose personal lives she enriched.

As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate her impact. Dr. Bourland-Davis embodied the values of generosity, excellence, and service that define the very best in our field. May we carry her example forward by supporting one another with the same authenticity, humility, and grace that she gave so freely.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the wide-reaching academic network that will miss her dearly. Further details on memorials or tributes will be shared as they become available.

With appreciation and respect,
The Journal of Public Relations Education Editorial Team

Special Issue | Call for Graduate Education Papers

“Elevating PR: Insights and Trends in Graduate Education”

Manuscript Due Date: 08/07/2025

Anticipated Publication: January 2026 JPRE 12(1)

Guest Editors:

Pamela G. Bourland-Davis, Georgia Southern University

Emily S. Kinsky, West Texas A&M University

Charles Lubbers, University of South Dakota

Adrienne A. Wallace, Grand Valley State University

Since 1975, the Commission on Public Relations Education (CPRE) has studied undergraduate and graduate public relations education standards and practices, with the bulk of its effort being to lessen the gap between the profession and the academy at the undergraduate level. In 1999, the CPRE “Port of Entry” report addressed the university as the official “port of entry” for those who seek to make public relations a career, citing both undergraduate and graduate education as the tooling and retooling centers of the public relations profession. Then, the last official CPRE report on graduate education was released in 2012, “Standards for a Master’s Degree in Public Relations: Educating for Complexity.” With the growth of master’s-level public relations education in recent years and the splintering of methods, modes of delivery, theory, and practice, this special issue attempts to bridge the gap that exists in pedagogy related to PR graduate education with an issue solely dedicated to graduate education in public relations. 

The purpose of this special issue call is to invite research articles, teaching briefs, scholarly and critical essays, and case studies, and we are especially interested in articles that explore BOTH the challenges and opportunities for public relations pedagogy focusing on graduate-level education in the public relations classroom. Submissions that offer practical knowledge and guidance for ONLY graduate public relations education are encouraged. We invite original submissions, and areas of focus could include but are not limited to:

  • How practitioner expectations align with graduate education
  • Best practices for internships in applied master’s programs
  • Applied theory at the graduate level
  • International approaches to graduate education
  • Developing research and data analytical abilities for practice
  • How graduate programs connect with the demands of the profession
  • Innovative approaches to graduate education (e.g., unique course offerings, new ideas for projects and assignments)
  • CEPR graduate-level certifications (e.g., tips, benefits)

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions should follow the Author Guidelines on the JPRE website. Authors should include the special call name (SIGradPR) in parentheses after their manuscript title to indicate the submission is for this particular special call. Authors should submit their manuscript through Scholastica, the online submission system for JPRE. All submissions will be anonymously reviewed, following the guidelines of JPRE. Authors must use APA style for citations, references, tables, figures, and captions, plus follow the JPRE Styleguide. All identifying information must be deleted before full paper submissions.

Timeline with Key Dates:

  • Deadline for full manuscript submission to JPRE’s Scholastica submission portal: https://jpre.scholasticahq.com/ – 08/07/2025
  • Notification of review results, including invitations for revision and resubmission (R&R): August 2025
  • Deadline for R&R submission: 09/30/2025
  • Scheduled Publication: January 2026 12(1)

If you have any questions, please contact the guest editors for additional information.

Dr. Pamela Bourland-Davis, pamelagb@georgiasouthern.edu

Dr. Emily S. Kinsky, ekinsky@wtamu.edu

Dr. Chuck Lubbers, chuck.lubbers@usd.edu

Dr. Adrienne A. Wallace, wallacad@gvsu.edu