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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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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Santana, a senior mass communication major, was selected for the ’s Summer Internship Program. The Arkansas Newspaper Foundation supports Arkansas newspapers by helping fund summer interns at Arkansas Press Association member newspapers across the state. The paid internship is designed to help aspiring college-age journalists get started in their newspaper careers.

“As an aspiring journalist who wants to become a reporter, I am glad I got experience in every field of journalism,” Santana said. “Working for my hometown newspaper helped me figure out how to find local news. It taught me the rules of journalism and helped me build my resume.”

During the fall semester, Santana completed an internship at KATV and credits landing the internship to the experience he received at the Dumas Clarion.

Santana’s internship was specially sponsored by donations from the Arkansas Press Women, the Dumas Chamber of Commerce, Dumas Economic Development, and Merchants & Farmers Bank of Dumas in memory of Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder. Melvin and Charlotte Schexnayder owned and published The Dumas Clarion for 44 years. Schexnayder, who passed away in 2020, was one of the first members and a former president of Arkansas Press Women and the first female president of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce, among many other honors, making her a powerful role model for future journalists in Arkansas.

Over the summer, Santana worked with Dumas Clarion Publisher Linna Jones and covered city meetings and events. He cites his favorite stories of the summer as those involving his high school classmates. He wrote a feature story about Maria Lopez, who has returned to Dumas to become the parent center coordinator and middle school band director, as well as an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for a new business, Raye Haven Salon that is located at the site of a once vacant Bumper to Bumper shop.

“This summer I felt like an official reporter,” Santana said. “I had more responsibility and learned time management skills. This internship has already helped my career and will continue to do so in the future.”

At ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Santana also serves as a reporter for the student newspaper, the Forum, as well as co-vice president and social media chair for the Hispanic/Latinx Initiative, all while running his part-time photography business. He will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with a concentration in journalism.

For other students who are considering completing a summer newspaper internship, Santana advised them to take chances and ask plenty of questions.

“Put yourself out there and don’t be scared to make mistakes because you will learn from them,” Santana said. “In this industry, you have to network. For students who are taking an internship, don’t just ask questions. Make sure that you make an impression.”

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Senior Olivia Hicks is graduating twice this semester with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing.

Hicks has spent the fall semester working part-time for MHP/Team SI, a full-service performance marketing agency, learning skills in public relations, social media development and management, and news and editorial writing. After graduation, she plans to begin a full-time public relations position with the company.

“I am very excited for this next step,” Hicks said. “I really love campus, and it will be hard to leave, but I will make sure to come visit.”

Hicks joined ����Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2020, citing affordability as the key reason she chose the university.

“When senior year rolled around, I had to look deep and figure out what was most important to me,” Hicks said. “I realized that being close to home and close to my family would give me many opportunities both personally and academically. Because of the scholarships and grants I have gotten from this school, I am graduating debt free!”

Hicks’ mother also played an important role in her decision to attend college. Hicks grew up watching her mother earn two degrees, which inspired her to work hard in her own college career.

“My mother is also an alum of the university,” Hicks recalled. “She is a single mother who went to school while raising me. She graduated when I was 11 with a bachelor’s degree in history, and then she went back for her master’s degree in secondary education and graduated in 2019. My entire childhood was surrounded by higher education. I grew up on this campus. I remember going to swim in the pool and sitting in on my mom’s history lectures. I loved this campus and the faculty. It’s like home to me.”

Hicks learned key skills while attending ����Vlog��ý Little Rock. Through the Federal Work-Study Program and Trojan Works, she worked for two years as an editorial assistant in the Office of Communications and Marketing.

“I would say that my time as an editorial assistant is what prepared me the most,” Hicks said. “Not only did I get to know the staff at my current job through that position, but it gave me connections, led me on a path to writing stories that won national awards, and gave me confidence in my skill set. A lot of my college career I credit to that time. It gave me a lot of opportunities to hone my skills, be involved in campus, meet a lot of people, and that was the highlight of my college career.”

Meaghan Milliorn, director of digital strategy, described Hicks as an asset to the Communications and Marketing team.

“Her creativity and enthusiasm were valuable as she created content and videos for the university’s social media platforms,” Milliorn said. “I’m so proud of her growth and that she gets to build her career and utilize what she’s learned at the university.”

Along the way, Hicks has also completed internships in marketing, public relations, and social media with the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Trojan Food Pantry, Stone Ward, and Wildwood Park for the Arts. She has been honored for her writing skills with multiple awards in education sports writing and education feature writing by the Arkansas Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women.

Another important part of Hicks’ college experience was being involved in the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC), which helped her pay for college and learn valuable leadership skills.

“I started CLC as a freshman and immediately found a home there,” Hicks said. “Corrigan Revels and Tiffani Silvey were very integral to my college experience. They’ve been wonderful mentors, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I was a peer mentor for the arts and communication student group for two years. My mentees were amazing, and I loved getting to help them through their early college experience.”

As this part of her life comes to a close, her advice for new college students is to get involved in campus and professional opportunities.

“Get out of your comfort zone because you never know who you might connect with, who might have job opportunities, and who might be your friend,” she said. “There are so many opportunities here that people don’t know about, and it’s a matter of putting yourself out there and knowing the right people.”

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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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