The Scripps Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is preparing for its Second Annual Diversity Panel, featuring four Ohio University panelists who will speak about how the communication, public relations and journalism industries can improve the current media landscape. 

As the media strongly influences public perception, maintaining a diverse and equal representation of populations remains more important than ever. The panel will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, April 16, in the Friends of the Library Room in Alden Library 319. All are welcome to attend this free event to listen, learn and ask questions in a safe and inclusive environment.

In this year’s diversity panel, Scripps PRSSA invited a diverse group of panelists representing various organizations at Ohio University. 

This year’s panelists include:

• Earl Hopkins — A junior studying journalism, news and information, president of the Black Student Communication Caucus and editor-in-chief of Black ThOUght, Hopkins will be spending this summer in Los Angeles, working in culture and entertainment as he pursues his goal to run a multimedia organization and publication.
• Kris Perez — A junior studying journalism, news and information and president of the Scripps Hispanic Network, Perez aims to spread awareness of diversity in media through workshops, question-and-answer sessions and professional development. He is fluent in Spanish and is of Dominican descent.
• Mara Diaz — A senior studying communication studies and Spanish with a certificate in Law, Justice and Culture, Diaz is the director of member relations for the OHIO chapter of the Association for Women in Communication, president of Ohio University’s Spanish Club and the social media strategist for OHIO’s International Student and Faculty Services office. She hopes to make a career out of her passion to use storytelling as a communication tool.
• delfin bautista — Director of OHIO’s LGBT Center and an adjunct lecturer in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program as well as the Social Work program, bautista serves as the faculty adviser for the Latino/a Student Union and SHADES. 

The diversity panel serves as a conversation starter for important issues surrounding inclusivity and representation in the strategic communication field.

Scripps PRSSA is a professional student organization at Ohio University. It is the collegiate branch of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The OHIO chapter has over 70 active members and over 100 general members. The organization is representative of numerous majors and academic tracks. The diversity panel is only one of the weekly meetings held in the Friends of the Library Room every Monday at 6 p.m.

This article was provided by the Scripps Public Relations Student Society of America.