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January 2026 
Letter from the President
Happy new year! I hope this recent holiday season was relaxing and fulfilling.
As we begin to ground ourselves in 2026, I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead PRSA Iowa as board president this year. I’m following in the footsteps of so many outstanding leaders and communications professionals who have ensured the foundation of our chapter stays strong. With the help of the entire 2026 PRSA Iowa Board, I fully believe this year can be one of the most valuable for our membership in recent memory.
Discussions about key initiatives began in December when board transition meetings were held, and they will continue in mid-January with a half-day strategic planning session as an entire board. While it is premature to share specific ideas, we will remain committed to providing strong educational and professional development opportunities again this year. We also hope to find new ways to increase engagement with members, non-members and students to maximize awareness of the many benefits PRSA has to offer – at both the chapter and national levels.
My email is [email protected] if you have questions or want to make a suggestion. Additionally, we’re always on the hunt for more volunteers for various committees so please don’t be shy to raise your hand if you’d like to be more involved.
I’m looking forward to the year ahead!
Best,
Phillip Nicolino
PRSA Iowa President
Upcoming Events
Friday FYI
Chart Your PR Career Path for 2026
Jan. 9, 2026
9 – 10 a.m.
Tomorrow morning, you have the chance to kick off the new year by charting your career path with real-world guidance and actionable insights from Monique Farmer. If you're serious about your career goals for 2026, make sure to sign up for this free virtual event. Learn more and register.
Quarterly Luncheon
PR Power Hour: A Collaborative Luncheon
March 5, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mark your calendar for our first quarterly luncheon of the year! This will be a collaborative luncheon where you’ll get to exchange ideas and insights with your peers. Learn more and register.
Awards Update
Apply for the 2025 PRIME Awards
2025 PRIME Awards are open for submission! The application portal is open through Jan. 23, 2026. For more details on entry submission categories and application requirements, click here to access the award submission overview. To access the submission portal, click here.
For questions, please contact Meghan Nietzel at [email protected].
APR News
Level Up Your PR Knowledge With APR Prep Course
Whether you’re a PRSA member or not, now is the time to invest in your professional growth by registering for the 2026 APR Prep Course. This 100% virtual, six-week program runs from Saturday, Jan. 31, through Saturday, March 7, 2026, with sessions held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All sessions are recorded for added flexibility.
Taught by experienced, APR-accredited public relations professionals, the course prepares participants for both the APR panel presentation and computer-based exam. Each session covers core concepts, real-world strategies, and practical materials aligned with today’s PR and communications challenges. Participants gain valuable insight, confidence, and tools to strengthen their skills and advance their careers.
Earning your Accreditation in Public Relations is a respected credential that demonstrates strategic thinking, ethics, and professional excellence.
The fee is $50 for PRSA Iowa members and $100 for non-chapter members.
To learn more, contact Pat Howard, APR or Ivy Sprague, APR.
Ethics Column
Tell Us What You Think!
We want our chapter's DEI efforts to be meaningful and member-driven, so we'd love to hear from you! Please take a minute or two to complete this short survey about DEI topics, speakers, event accessibility, and anything else you feel is important for us to know. Your input will directly affect our programming and other initiatives. Thank you!
Member News
Christina Gayman, APR, Voted In as Midwest District Chair-Elect
Christina Gayman, APR, current PRSA Iowa Sponsorship Chair and former chapter president, has been voted in as the Midwest District Chair-Elect for 2026. You can read the full story here.
Member Profile
This month, we’re spotlighting Ellen Converse, Communications Consultant at Iowa Primary Care Association. Get to know Ellen, her favorite piece of advice, and how she got involved in PRSA.
Member Updates
Milestone Anniversaries
In each issue of this newsletter, we recognize PRSA Iowa Chapter members who are celebrating milestone PRSA anniversaries. Congratulations to the following individuals who celebrated or will celebrate milestone anniversaries this month.
1 Year
- Brooke Crawford
- Dustin Higginbotham
- Jacqueline Kiple
- Melinda Thach
5 Years
- Jamie Mullin
30 Years
- Jane Keairns
Job Bank
If you're looking for a qualified communications professional to fill a position, make sure to use the PRSA Iowa Chapter Job Bank! PRSA members pay $25 per post, and non-members pay $50 per post. Submit a position for the Job Bank.
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