Public Relations and Marketing Communications
You will learn to shape the identity of a brand, business, nonprofit, organization and/or individual by strategically telling compelling stories in a variety of formats designed for diverse audiences.
Public Relations Pros are versatile. From crafting influencer-relation campaigns, to writing speeches for politicians – our students are nimble, and ready for anything.
You will develop knowledge and skills in areas such as messaging strategy, content marketing, social media, crisis management, social media analytics, advertising and branding. Through this program, you’ll learn to disseminate those efforts strategically in today’s ever-changing media landscape. Students benefit from a curriculum that integrates learning experiences in the classroom to real-world scenarios—allowing students to practice both strategic and tactical ways to solve problems, reach audiences, and hone in-demand communications skills.
Hands-on opportunities like membership in our Communications Liaison and our innovative student-run agency, Studio 5, help our students take advantage of experiential learning opportunities that attract employers. Faculty in both the Communications Department and the School of Management are also seasoned practitioners, drawing on their experience to prepare you for the real world of communications.
Employers recognize our students as critical assets to any creative team. They intern and find exciting careers in industries from agencies, to content strategy, to health care and everything in between.
Our Faculty
Briana Martino
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Erica Moura
Associate Professor of Practice
Bob White
Professor
Kat Lombard-Cook
Assistant Professor & the Design Track Director and the Integrated Media Track Director
Dannie Annecston
Assistant Professor of Practice
Yulong Li
Associate Professor
Edward Vieira
Professor
Spotlight on Public Relations and Marketing Communications Students and Alums
Reflecting on Community Service, Friendship, and Fun at Simmons
First-generation student Gia Elie ’24 has engaged in community service in the Boston area as part of the Alpha Kappa sorority. She has also been involved with the Black Student Organization and has completed two internships. She counts the friendships she has made at Simmons as one of her most transformative experiences.
Black Student Organization Honors Black History Month with Food, Festivities, and Intergenerational Community
Throughout Black History Month, all students are welcome to express their solidarity with Simmons’ Black community over cupcakes, soul food, music, and dancing. We spoke with BSO’s Soul President Gia Elie ’24, Soul Vice President Sunei Clarke ’24, and Soul of Communications Bartianna Brown ’24 about their passion for Black history and co-curating events that celebrate their culture.
Gia Lebrun ’24 Shares her Perspective as a First-Generation Student at Simmons
We asked first-generation student Gia Lebrun ’24 about her perspective on the college experience and what advice she would give to prospective first-generation students.
Studio 5 Imparts Real-World Industry Experience to Communications Students
Essentially a student-run communications agency, Studio 5 gives Communications students at Simmons a taste of real work experience. We spoke with Communications professors and recent alumnae/i about what makes Studio 5 such a successful exercise in experiential learning.
Maggie Knowles '02 Helps Celebrate Local Food Culture and Agricultural Sustainability
As the Editor-in-Chief of edible MAINE, a print and digital magazine that explores Maine’s food scene, alumna Maggie Knowles promotes a holistic approach to the culinary arts and food production. Knowles spoke with us about her love for writing and food, and how Simmons helped her achieve her dreams.
Sherri Burnett '24 Hones her Marketing Skills with a Full-time Job and Side Businesses
Sherri Burnett '24 Hones her Marketing Skills with a Full-time Job and Side Businesses Public Relations and Marketing/Communications major Sherri Burnett is pursuing her degree online from California. Simmons is giving her the tools she needs to further hone her...
Meet Your Orientation Leaders: Emily Marder '23, Katelyn Fox '25, Kiki Regan '23, Sophie Bredensteiner '23, and Tess Federico-Maietta '23
Emily Marder '23 is a Nursing major from Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Emily explains why she became an Orientation Leader: "I had fond memories of my orientation and liked how the Orientation Leaders were able to foster a community feeling and connect...
How the Ifill Forum Gave Kate Farrell ’23 Hope for Democracy
Kate Farrell ’23 fills us in on participating in the Ifill Forum and how alumna Gwen Ifill's legacy is felt in the Simmons classroom.