The APR demonstrates professional competence, industry expertise, personal and professional dedication and values, and reflects progressive industry practices and high standards.

Faller said she is thrilled to have earned the accreditation.

“The process was both challenging and rewarding, from developing and presenting a strategic PR plan to tackling an extensive exam that tested my knowledge and expertise,” she said. “This achievement reflects my commitment to excellence in the field, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to continue making an impact in communications and public relations at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock.”

“Angie’s work has helped ����Vlog��ý Little Rock earn national attention, and watching her grow as a communicator has been incredibly rewarding,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Earning her APR reflects her strategic mindset and dedication to the field. This is a significant milestone—and a well-earned one.”

Faller is a member of the Arkansas Chapter of PRSA and is president of Arkansas Press Women, an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women.

To get ready for accreditation, Faller participated in the APR Ready-to-Roll Program, a four-month preparation course available in the fall at no cost to chapter members. The program offers mentorship, informational sessions, and guidance throughout the process. The Arkansas Chapter of PRSA boasts one of the highest APR-to-member ratios among PRSA chapters nationwide.

Candidates usually have five or more years of experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in a communications field. They must present a campaign portfolio to panelists who determine their readiness to take the computer-based examination, which is administered by the Universal Accreditation Board.

Passionate about journalism and communications, Faller is skilled in writing, editing, public relations, social media, interviewing, and media relations. Faller’s writing has helped the university net numerous awards including a Best of CASE District IV Award for Writing-Profile (1,000+ words) for the article, “Williams’s Legacy Will Impact Generations”.

Faller received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in digital storytelling from Ball State University. She has worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in her native state of Illinois as well as in communications at Ohio University and Grambling State University. Faller became the news and content writer at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016 and was named news director in 2019.

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Through , Little Rock seeks to provide citizens with in-depth knowledge of city government, its departments, programs, and how they can impact residents.

In addition to being the state’s capital, Little Rock is Arkansas’s largest city, with over 202,000 residents. Faller was among 40 residents who attended the academy.

“We received an overview of Little Rock’s city government, budgeting, and economic development, as well as safety departments like police, fire, and 911,” she said. “We also explored quality of life topics like parks and recreation and sustainability measures, housing and neighborhood programs, and the city’s social service programs and community resources.”

Faller said exploring the city’s public safety was particularly fascinating.

“I thought the most interesting session of the program was the third week, when we learned about those who are working to keep citizens of Little Rock safe,” she said. “We visited the Little Rock Fire Department training facility and met the police chief and fire chief. We also heard from the people who run the Department of Emergency Communications and the Emergency Management Division. I thought it was really interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep Little Rock safe during emergencies.”

Faller, a Little Rock resident since 2016, said the academy provided excellent learning opportunities.

“Participating in R.O.C.K. Academy has been an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of local government and highlighted the vital role of citizens being involved in their community,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see firsthand how dedicated service on boards, commissions, and volunteering can drive meaningful change in our community.”

She’s thankful to have had the opportunity to learn more about the city she calls home.

“I would really like to thank Melissa Mitchell, creative economy and special projects advisor for the city of Little Rock, and all the other city of Little Rock employees who did such a great job organizing R.O.C.K. Academy presentations,” Faller said.

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Faller brings more than 15 years of experience in journalism, communications, and digital storytelling to the president’s role. She said she is excited that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Arkansas Press Women, which was founded in 1949.

“I am honored to lead this esteemed organization during this important anniversary year. I am hoping to honor the legacy and impact of women in communications in Arkansas and commemorate the unique history of our organization with our dedicated members,” she said. “I look forward to fostering collaboration, innovation, and the continued growth of our community of talented professional communicators.”

Faller said she is grateful to APW’s immediate past president, Kristin Netterstrom Higgins, for her hard work leading the association for the past six years.

“Together, we will amplify the impact of Arkansas Press Women and contribute to the vibrant landscape of journalism in our state,” she said.

Skilled in writing, social media, public relations, editing, interviewing, and media relations, Faller is passionate about journalism and communications.

“I’m absolutely thrilled about Angie taking the lead as the president of Arkansas Press Women,” said Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Her know-how in the news world is amazing, and her eagerness to give back to our profession is truly inspiring.”

Active with APW since 2018, Faller has served as the at-large district director, scholarship chair, and Communicator of Achievement chair. She has also helped with membership recruitment, served as a judge in APW’s statewide communications contest, and helped organize the funding of a summer internship with community partners from Dumas. The Charlotte Schexnayder Journalism Scholarship through the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation’s Summer Internship Program was named after the late Charlotte Schexnayder, one of APW’s most accomplished members.

Faller received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in digital storytelling from Ball State University. She has worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in her native state of Illinois as well as in communications at Ohio University and Grambling State University. Faller became news and content writer at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2016 and was named news director in 2019.

In addition to being active in APW, Faller is a volunteer with AR Kids Read, the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Staff Senate Blood Drive Committee, Little Rock Public Radio, and Second Presbyterian’s pen pal ministry. She serves as a commissioner on the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History Commission.

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“The CASE Circle of Excellence Award holds great significance in our industry, representing excellence and innovation in university advancement,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor of university advancement. “It is a reflection of our team’s exceptional talents and the impact they are making on our organization and the community we serve. Their commitment to excellence has set a benchmark for others to aspire to, and it fills me with immense pride to see their hard work acknowledged by CASE which is widely viewed as the standard bearer in our profession. I am confident that this award is only the beginning of many more achievements to come.”

The Communications and Marketing team received a silver-level CASE Circle of Excellence Award in the Marketing/Advertising Category for digital advertising.

“The work the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is doing around affordability is incredible, and to have our team be recognized in an international competition for that work means so much,” said Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer. “I am so proud of this team and their continual work to support the mission of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. Being recognized for that work is incredibly special.”

The premier accolades for educational advancement, the Circle of Excellence Awards recognize colleges, universities, and schools whose talented staff advanced their institutions with ingenuity and resourcefulness.

“The Circle of Excellence Awards showcase the impact advancement professionals have upon their institutions and communities around the globe, every day,” says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham. “Our 2023 honorees—from diverse institutions and teams of all sizes—are bold, creative, and resourceful. They demonstrate how powerful it is when advancement teams champion teaching, learning, research, and the progress that education ignites.”

The CASE judges noted that the digital advertising campaign’s strategic focus on affordability and its powerful impact on prospective students stood out among the nominations.

“By directly addressing the financial barriers faced by students, the ads instilled hope and effectively conveyed the university’s commitment to accessibility,” the judges wrote. “The impressive reach, click-through rate, and increased interest in campus tours and inquiries demonstrated the campaign’s success. Moreover, the ads served a dual purpose of both raising awareness and substantiating the university’s claims of affordability. ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s innovative approach and the profound impact it had on prospective students make it a deserving recipient of this recognition.”

In addition to the CASE award, the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications and Marketing team has won several top awards from the annual National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest.

Phillips, Angelita Faller, news director, Klansee Tozer, senior graphic designer, and Olivia Hicks, editorial assistant, received awards during a June 24 awards ceremony during the NFPW’s annual conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tozer received second place in Graphics and Design – Book Designed by Entrant for the Donaghey Scholars Honor Program Booklet as well as first place in Public Relations Material – Brochure for Department of History Brochure.

“I am very excited to have won on a national level,” Tozer said. “These two print projects were fun to design, and work in collaboration with our university print shop in the production. I continue to be thankful for the creative opportunities at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. Go Trojans!”

Faller received first place in Publication Regularly Written by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Now.

Phillips received second place in Public Relations Materials – Report for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Annual Report.

Additionally, Faller and Phillips received an honorable mention for a Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Newsletter.

Hicks, a senior double majoring in mass communication and professional and technical writing, received second place in Collegiate/Education Writing – Features for “Hudson Graduates from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock” and first place in College/Education Writing – Sports for “Disc Golf Makes Its Debut on ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus.”

The ����Vlog��ý Little Rock winners were among a slate of statewide winners that helped the Arkansas Press Women win the Sweepstakes Award for receiving the most winning entries of any state affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women. It was the first time the Arkansas chapter has earned the award.

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Angelita Faller, news director, Dr. Carrie Phillips, chief communications and marketing officer, Klansee Tozer, senior graphic designer, and Olivia Hicks, editorial assistant, received awards during a May 20 awards luncheon on the campus of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.

“I want to express my appreciation and gratitude for the work that Carrie, Angie, Klansee, and Olivia are doing,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor of university advancement. “They are a part of a team of marketing and communications professionals working collaboratively across campus with valued partners to help them achieve their goals. Hard work and professionalism earned them this due recognition from Arkansas Press Women.”

Faller and Phillips received first place for a Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association Newsletter. Additionally, Phillips received first place in Public Relations Materials – Report for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Annual Report.

Faller also received first place in Specialty Articles – Sports for “����Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Wins Legal Writing Contest for Exploration of Jock Taxes During COVID-19;” first place in Specialty Articles – History for “����Vlog��ý Little Rock Researchers Uncover History of American Indian Nurses in World War I;” and first place in Publication Regularly Written by Entrant – Newsletter/other publication for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Now.

Tozer received first place in Graphics and Design – Book Designed by Entrant for the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program Booklet as well as first place in Public Relations Material – Brochure for the Department of History Brochure.

“As a graphic designer working for a university, my creative hunger is fulfilled each day,” Tozer said. “The folks in the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program are always easy to work with so when I asked them if they were open to a redesign of their recruitment booklet incorporating our new brand elements, they were excited to see the outcome. Printing Services did a great job printing their eight-page, saddle stitched booklet, and they were pleased with the results.

The Department of History sent a request for help with their ‘Evenings With History Series’ brochure. The two-sided print piece consisted of 10 panels and four folds. Working with Printing Services, we were able to give this brochure a pop of gold shine with their new printing capabilities. It turned out beautifully and the folks in the Department of History thought it was fantastic. I am thankful for every creative opportunity.”

Hicks, a senior double majoring in mass communication and professional and technical writing, received first place in Collegiate/Education Writing – Features for “Hudson Graduates from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock;” first place in College/Education Writing – Sports for “Disc Golf Makes Its Debut on ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Campus;” and third place in Collegiate/Education Writing – News for “Forcum and Nadeem to Serve as New SGA President and Vice President.”

“I was so excited to learn that my stories won such prestigious awards, especially since I’m still a student,” Hicks said. “My work with MarComm the past two years has been the most rewarding experience of my college career, and being awarded for my stories are just the cherry on top.”

An affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women, APW was founded in 1949 by women working in Arkansas newspapers to provide an opportunity to compete and network in a male-dominated industry. The organization is now an association of communicators in journalism, public information, business, education, and government.

All first-place entries will go on to compete in the National Federation of Press Women competition. National winners are announced during the NFPW’s annual conference June 22-24 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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