Strong leadership has never been more critical for the public relations profession, especially for students emerging in the industry. Located in Capital Hall at The University of Alabama, The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations is working to meet that need by connecting research, mentorship and professional development to prepare the next generation of communication leaders.
Founded in 2005 in the namesake of Betsy Plank, a public relations pioneer often called the “First Lady of Public Relations,” the Center was created to recognize and develop outstanding leaders in the profession and classroom. Today, it serves as a resource for practitioners, educators and students committed to advancing ethical and effective communication leadership.
The Plank Center bridges academic insight and professional application through research initiatives, industry partnerships and leadership development programs like their flagship EMERGE: The Plank Center & The Grossman Group Leadership Academy program. The Center explores how communication leadership functions within organizations and where gaps remain between leaders and their teams.
One of the Center’s largest studies surveyed more than 4,500 communication professionals across 23 countries, examining how leadership operates in modern public relations organizations. The findings helped shape new frameworks for leadership development across the profession. Read more about the study here.
Beyond the research, the Center emphasizes mentorship as a cornerstone of professional growth. Events such as the Milestones in Mentoring initiative recognize professionals who invest in developing leaders.
The Plank Center is committed to connecting students, scholars and practitioners in a shared mission: advancing ethical communication leadership worldwide. To learn more about the Plank Center, click here.