Hilary Fussell Sisco of North Haven, an associate professor and chair of the department of strategic communication at Quinnipiac University.
Hilary Fussell Sisco of North Haven, associate professor and chair of the department of strategic communication at Quinnipiac University, has successfully completed the Public Relations Society of America’s examination for accreditation in public relations, entitling her to use the APR professional designation.
“Becoming accredited is a significant accomplishment, as it certifies that I am current in the profession of public relations and that I have mastered the key performance indicators of the knowledge in the field,” Fussell Sisco said. “As an educator, remaining current and connected to the profession is so important in public relations.”
The accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the profession. The examination is designed for public relations professionals who have a bachelor’s degree in a communication field and five to seven years of job experience. Candidates are granted APR after completing the process, presenting their portfolio to a readiness review panel and taking a computer-based examination.
“APR defines and legitimizes the profession, sets industry and professional standards, and builds accountable ethics and legal knowledge,” she said. “I hope to use this tool to continue my passion for public relations and the ever-growing changes in the profession.”
Before coming to Quinnipiac in 2009, Fussell Sisco was an instructor of record at the University of South Carolina and Radford University. She also has published scholarly work in journal articles, book chapters, conference papers and panel presentations.
Fussell Sisco is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the National Communication Association and the International Communication Association. She is also the co-chair of the National Research Committee of PRSA, chair-elect of the PRSA Educators Academy and associate editor of the Journal of Public Relations Research.
Fussell Sisco earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Virginia Tech. She also earned her master’s degree in corporate and professional communication from Radford University. She has a PhD from the University of South Carolina.
Fussell Sisco and her husband, Daniel, have two children, Hattie and Gideon.