Auburn University senior receives national Daniel J. Edelman PRSSA award

Auburn University College of Liberal Arts senior Rachel Pipan has been named a winner of the 2015 Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations Student Society of America Award by Edelman Public Relations. As one of only two national winners, she will receive $1,500 and a three-month paid internship at one of Edelman's U.S. offices to help advance her public relations skills.

"I am beyond honored to one of the two winners of the Daniel J. Edelman PRSSA award for the outstanding public relations student," said Pipan, a senior majoring in public relations and minoring in business. "Daniel Edelman was a true pioneer in the field of public relations, and his firm has an impeccable reputation for ethics, research and excellent execution of public relations campaigns. I am looking forward to interning for Edelman and following in his footsteps."

The award, named after the founder of Edelman, has been presented annually since 1990 to active PRSSA students and honors those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership ability, a commitment to a public relations career and esteemed contributions to PRSSA. Edelman is the world's largest public relations firm home to more than 5,000 employees in 65 cities, as well as affiliates in more than 35 cities.

Pipan, an Honors College student who manages on-campus communications for the university's Office of Undergraduate Research, has set a career goal to be the communications director for an international nonprofit organization.

"Having the opportunity to work in Edelman's outstanding office will provide me with an invaluable educational experience," said Pipan. "Edelman's office in Washington, D.C., includes working on government and public policy campaigns, and since my passion lies in female political representation, I would ideally have an opportunity to sharpen my skills while working for causes and clients I love."

In 2014, Pipan was the winner of the John D. Graham PRSSA scholarship and was the second place winner of the Betsy Plank PRSSA scholarship. She credits her achievements in the public relations field to her education in the School of Communication and Journalism.

"Auburn's public relations program pushed me to be an ethical, curious and determined public relations student," said Pipan. "All in all, my classes have intersected beautifully to both help me gain my past internships and to help me win this award."

After graduation, Pipan, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, plans to attend American University to pursue a master's degree in strategic communication.