Growing the next generation of PR talent: Inside the 2026 IPREX Student Cohort at FAMU
For the second year in a row, IPREX partnered with Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication to host a Student Cohort to expose students to independent agencies. Six exceptional scholars spent several months, under the direction of SalterMitchell PR President + Partner Heidi Otway, getting an inside view of agency life, leadership, and client work.
From February through April 2026, the students moved from classroom theory to real-world PR and communications, learning from IPREX agencies, participating in the virtual IPREX Leadership Development Conference, and working on a SalterMitchell PR client campaign.
A program built on collaboration and opportunity
The Cohort brings together:
Six FAMU J‑School scholars in PR, broadcast and print/digital journalism, selected for their motivation and potential.
IPREX agency leaders and practitioners who share honest insights about their work and careers.
A mix of learning and doing — from leadership conversations and “Ask Me Anything” sessions to producing content for IPREX and a partner agency client.
Rather than replicating a standard internship, the cohort is designed as a focused, relationship-driven experience. Students meet regularly with program lead Heidi Otway and engage with professionals across the IPREX network, gaining both new skills and a clearer sense of how agencies operate.
In Their Words: What the experience meant to the 2026 IPREX Student Cohort Participants
Bryant Green, a fourth‑year broadcast journalism scholar, described how quickly the experience translated into his studies:
“This cohort really helped me a lot. I really saw how it transferred different skills in my life. It helped in my social media and data analytics classes, and I actually began to excel more after starting the cohort. I saw inside a PR and marketing company and how it works.”
For D’Aryya Martin, a fourth‑year public relations scholar and content creator, the client work changed how she thinks about her craft:
“I’m a content creator, but my content is just for me. Having rules and guidelines from SalterMitchell PR and their client really pushed me further, not only as a content creator for others, but also for myself. It put fire under my feet because I was working on somebody else’s timeline. Like, this is my job. I have to do this.”
Second‑year business administration scholar Maya Simone Williams shared how the cohort widened her understanding of PR itself:
“When I think of PR, I think just of marketing and social media. But being in this cohort helped me dig deeper into PR. I was building on that in this cohort, and it increased my interest in the PR field.”
For Venessa Walters, a second‑year public relations scholar, the experience was about finally being “in the room where it happens”:
“This experience exceeded all my expectations. Working with Heidi Otway and her team, meeting IPREX members during the Leadership Development Conference, and meeting with Tunheim were very exciting. These experiences made me feel like a professional, and like I’m already at my big job.”
Fourth‑year PR scholar Starr Destiny McKay spoke candidly about what it meant to be selected:
“I’ve been applying to internships and received rejection after rejection. So when I was accepted into this cohort, I was given a chance, and I really appreciate it. In this short period of time, I’ve learned so much about real-life public relations. The opportunity to be part of the cohort has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It has allowed me to dream — and dream big.”
And third‑year PR scholar Tochi Nwadiogbu reflected on the confidence that comes from being trusted with meaningful work:
“We received real, hands-on PR and marketing experience, working on a campaign, messaging, and branding. I’ve never, ever worked on anything like this before, so being able to put my skills to the test, following the guidelines and deadlines, really made me want to put time and effort into this and make sure my craft is perfect… I feel like I’m growing, and overall really thankful for the experience. I really wish it were longer.”
When the cohort closed its final meeting in April, their main feedback was that it ended too soon, a strong signal of how deeply they valued the experience. In response, Heidi scheduled two more mentoring sessions with the students during their summer break.
Why this matters to IPREX
While the Student Cohort is first and foremost about student growth, it also delivers important benefits for IPREX and our partner agencies:
A living talent pipeline. Agencies gain early visibility with emerging, diverse practitioners who already understand what independent firms do and how they work. A student in the first student cohort was chosen as a Spring 2026 intern by an IPREX partner agency.
Fresh perspectives. Through their questions, feedback, and approaches to PR and marketing, students bring a Gen Z lens to campaigns, content development, and agency culture — insights that can benefit our agencies in workforce recruitment and development.
Stronger university partnerships. The collaboration with FAMU deepens our relationship with one of the leading HBCUs in the United States and aligns with IPREX’s long‑term commitment to an inclusive industry.
IPREX virtual LDC breakout discussion
A special thank you to Heidi and the FAMU J-School
None of this would exist without the leadership and care of IPREX Global President Heidi Otway. For two years, Heidi has championed the FAMU partnership, recruited students, connected them with IPREX colleagues, and mentored them beyond the formal program dates.
We are equally grateful to Dean Mira Lowe and Professor Ranata Hughes at the Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, whose on-campus support helps identify and encourage scholars such as Bryant, D’Aryya, Maya, Venessa, Starr, and Tochi to join the cohort.
Looking ahead
Planning is underway for the 2027 IPREX Student Cohort at FAMU, with this year’s scholars helping to shape the promotion and curriculum so future students can go even further.
To learn more about the IPREX Student Cohort and how agencies across our network can support or connect with past and future participants, visit the IPREX Student Cohort page.