We interviewed racially/ethnically diverse, early career public relations practitioners. By asking participants to reflect on their collegiate social and educational development, we unearth contributing factors to these individuals' success both in college and in their professions to date. Respondents desired much more in-school training and…

As one of the top U.S. choices for international students, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a solid reputation in China and a history of educating Chinese students that goes back more than a century. But the university did not realize until last June that its nickname in China is the "Cornfield Ivy" and that Chinese…

River Trails School District 26--a K-8 public school district in Mount Prospect, Illinois, with 1,580 students--developed, implemented, and celebrated a student-centered public relations event that focused on reading and technology. The literacy and technology fair drew hundreds of parents, students, staff, and community members to the district…

While institutions do not often have a hook as compelling as an eagerly awaited movie, great content is critical for media relations success--and coupling it with the right distribution channel can ensure the story finds the right audience. Even better, retooling it for several media platforms can extend the life and reach of a story. The changes…

Realists recognize reorganizations for what they are: opportunities to do things better--to change business as usual to reflect best practices, new tools and technologies, and current challenges in the marketplace. At educational institutions, perhaps no area is as sensitive to those shifts as communications and marketing offices. The advances in…

The education system of our times has transformed greatly due to enormous developments in the IT field, ease in access to online resources by the individuals and the teachers adopting new technologies in their instructional strategies, be it for course design, development or delivery. The field of Distance and Online Education is experiencing…

On February 14, a former graduate student at Northern Illinois University (NIU) entered a campus building and shot 21 people, wounding five fatally, before he shot and killed himself. This article presents an interview with Cherilyn G. Murer, the Chair of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, on the actions taken by the board and the…

The purpose of this paper was to explore issues in resistance to the public school system in urban communities, and in particular, Chicago, Illinois. Data from the Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) School and Citywide Reports (CPS, 2007) were analyzed to assess the disconnect between urban communities and public education. Although the city is 42%…

Perceptions of school-community relations by 104 building principals (from a sample of 177 in selected Illinois school districts) reveal ambiguity in support for and direction of school-community relations by school districts, policies and procedures manuals, written guidelines, and budgetary provisions. (Author/MLF)

How Do You Manage, is a column in Library Journal where librarians send in stories based upon actual events happening in libraries across the United States. This story recounts a public relations situation where a reporter from a local paper interviews by phone, a librarian in charge of audio and video services in a small town library. The…

The author describes a student visitation and recruitment program, "Look into Vocational Education" (LIVE) sponsored annually by the Capital Area Vocational Center in Springfield, Illinois. During the three-day program, nearly 1,000 high school sophomores visit vocational programs and interact with teachers and current students. (CH)

Graphic impressions (stationery, publications, bookstore items, displays, campus signage) is one of four communication mechanisms available to a college. Harper College in Illinois offers an example of a uniform graphics approach. A graphics designer has the role of publicizing a college to its community. (CA)

Working with local reporters is increasingly important in passing educational referendums. An analysis of the Rockford, Illinois, school system's press coverage relating to a failed and then a passed referendum shows an interesting pattern. The referendum defeat was preceded by a lack of fact-filled, substantive newspaper reports about the…

Describes an Illinois school district's successful effort to boost its early education program by reopening an older school and putting all three-to-six year olds into smaller classes under one roof. Success came from careful planning, a close working relationship with community members, smart public relations, and a good product showing strong…

Intended for teachers of speech and theater, the material in this annual journal is divided into three parts: original research, instructional practices and materials, and Illinois issues. Titles and authors are as follows: (1) "A Study of the Predictive Validity of the Relational Control Paradigm" by Emil Bohn and Douglas G. Bock, (2)…