For the second time in a month, a Niagara College PR graduate has received a Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) award. Emily Zwart, who graduated from NC’s Public Relations graduate certificate program on June 15, was presented with the Canadian Public Relations Society – Hamilton Chapter’s Student Award of Excellence less than two weeks later at the CPRS Hamilton Pinnacle Awards.
“I was very surprised to find out that I had been nominated,” Zwart said. “Many of my classmates were total superstars, and I was so honoured to have been given the opportunity to be considered for this award.”
Zwart’s award came on the heels of another CPRS win. On June 5, her classmate, Brenna McCutcheon, took home the CPRS/Notified Student Award of Excellence at the CPRS ELEVATE National Conference in Whistler, B.C. That award recognizes student excellence on a national level.
“I honestly felt a little speechless when my name was called, but overall was thrilled,” Zwart said. “I owe a lot of my success to my peers, instructors and, of course, (Public Relations Program Coordinator) Emily McInerney.”
It was McInerney who nominated Zwart for the award by the CRPS Hamilton Chapter.
“Academically, Emily was one of our top achievers, demonstrating a sound understanding of the various PR principles she was introduced to across both terms,” McInerney wrote in her nomination. “More importantly, [she] effectively applied many of those principles in two applied, client-based projects.”
Among Zwart’s notable accomplishments was the development of a detailed communications plan with three of her peers that focused on social media strategy and content to promote a local mobile bartending service.
The CPRS Hamilton Student Award of Excellence recognizes a student who has demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles of public relations, embodies professionalism, is a leader in personal and scholastic activities and is committed to the future of the PR profession.
“Emily’s nomination was supplemented with personal notes from her program coordinator and her CPRS mentor and internship supervisor that really spoke to her professionalism, leadership, and enthusiasm for learning,” said Linneah Tovstiga, CPRS Hamilton Chair of Mentorship.
She said receiving a Student Award of Excellence from a well-respected national organization like CPRS is one way an individual can stand out in a competitive field and advance their career from the start.
“PR programs are intense. Students are asked to take in a huge amount of information, often in a short timeframe, about a constantly changing industry,” Tovstiga said. “Furthermore, students graduating and entering the workforce often find themselves competing with other recent grads, maybe even classmates, for a limited number of entry-level positions.”
Zwart credits Niagara College’s PR program for drawing her out of her shell so she could learn new things about herself every day.
“The skills I have acquired from each of my instructors will carry me through my entire future, and I have made true connections that will last a lifetime,” she said.
Zwart is currently wrapping up an internship with the Hamilton office of Enterprise Canada and soon starts a new job with the Niagara Parks Commission as a Corporate Communications Coordinator.
