We’re excited to announce Kevin Saghy as the keynote speaker for OHSPRA’s “Spring Training” Conference!
Kevin is the Founder and Principal of Earned Impression, a full-service consultancy that helps clients achieve their business and community goals by motivating audiences across owned, earned, and paid channels.
His keynote session, Finding Your Power in PR, is a must-attend for professionals eager to step up to the plate and make their hits count for the people and organizations they serve. Kevin will show you how to make an impact that goes beyond your job description. Drawing from his leadership experience with organizations like the Chicago Cubs and The Ohio State University, Kevin will inspire you to unlock your PR potential.
About Kevin Saghy: Kevin Saghy is the founder and principal of Earned Impression, a full-service consultancy that helps clients achieve their business and community goals by motivating audiences across owned, earned and paid channels.
Prior to launching his own consultancy, Kevin has served as a communications and marketing leader who guided teams to industry-leading results with several iconic brands.
Most recently, Kevin served as vice president of communications and public relations for the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading the team's communications strategy, planning and execution.
Kevin joined the Cavs after developing a new functional area at The Ohio State University as head of audience engagement. In this role, he was responsible for driving creative engagements for stakeholders while strengthening their connection to the Ohio State brand. Before taking on this role, Kevin served as senior director of social media. In the first three years under Kevin’s leadership, the university improved from worst to first in its peer set for audience engagement, and fourth in the nation among 405 colleges and universities overall.
Prior to Ohio State, Kevin led business and community public relations and social media for the Chicago Cubs for eight seasons. This included leading media campaigns for Wrigley Field’s $740 million restoration, Wrigley Field’s 100th anniversary celebration and #FlyTheW postseason campaigns. Kevin developed and refined the team’s social media strategy to help the organization accomplish its business goals. In a 2017 social engagement study by SportsBusiness Journal, the Cubs were recognized as the top-performing baseball team and the only MLB club ranked among the top 25 global sports organizations.
Saghy began his career at Ketchum, a global public relations agency. He was responsible for digital and traditional media relations and influencer programs for a list of clients including Best Buy’s Geek Squad, FedEx, Dyson, Kellogg Company, State Street Corp. and Ketchum’s visibility teams.
A list of industry and volunteer awards support Kevin’s work and leadership. He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Stephanie and two wonderful children.
The Ohio School Public Relations Association is excited to present the latest installment in our virtual Lunch and Learn series! Join us virtually on Friday, January 31, 2025, at noon for a session with Eric Hudson, who will discuss the topic of Human-Centered AI in Schools.
Two years after the release of ChatGPT, schools are considering how to adopt long-term, sustainable strategies to the rise of generative AI. The first step is to reset our priorities to ensure our approach is mission-aligned and human-centered rather than reactive and proscriptive. In this session, we'll explore four essential priorities: augmentation over automation, literacy over policy, design over technology, and vision over decisions. We'll look at research and use cases from innovative schools. We'll consider how a school's approach to AI can be an asset to its program, to its message, and to its community.
This virtual Lunch and Learn session is FREE to OHSPRA members. Cost is $25 for non members. The link to join the virtual meeting will be sent via email before the session.
Register here
About the Presenter: Eric Hudson is a facilitator and strategic advisor who supports schools in making sense of what’s changing in education. He specializes in learner-centered assessment, human-centered leadership, and strategic program design. Most recently, he spent a decade at Global Online Academy (GOA), first as an instructional coach and ultimately as Chief Program Officer, working with schools around the world to rethink where, when, and how learning happens. Prior to GOA, he spent 12 years in the classroom, where he taught English, Spanish, and journalism to middle school, high school, and college students. Working with students is how he developed his passion for designing empowering learning experiences. Eric serves on the board of the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS). His Substack newsletter “Learning on Purpose” has been featured in The Marshall Memo and The Educator’s Notebook. He has a M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Cornell University. He lives on Cape Cod, MA, USA.
OHSPRA's Winter Lunch & Learn is sponsored by: Qualtrics
Pitch-Perfect PR Strategies Await at OHSPRA's Spring Training conference! The conference promises two jam packed days of professional development, networking, and fun! The value of a Spring Conference Scholarship is over $500 with registration costs, meals and hotel accommodations.
Application deadline: December 5, 2024. Two available scholarships: The Scott Ebright Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the former OHSPRA (formerly NSPRA-Ohio) president, president-elect, vice president and NSPRA Executive Board member. Applicants for this scholarship must be new to school public relations, having served in their role less than three years. Eligible applicants must hold a paid membership with OHSPRA and the form below by December 5, 2024. Those who apply for the Scott Ebright Memorial Scholarship will also automatically be included in the pool of applicants for the annual Spring Conference Scholarship. The annual Spring Conference Scholarship, which any OHSPRA member may apply for, is designed to help school communication professionals who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend the two-day professional development event. Eligible applicants must hold a paid membership for the 2024-2025 school year with OHSPRA and submit a the form below by December 5, 2024. The OHSPRA Board of Directors will approve scholarship recipients after the deadline to submit. Recipient(s) will be notified at that time. Questions: Contact OHSPRA President-Elect, Cristina Capretta at presidentelect@ohspra.org.
Apply by clicking this link.
The Ohio School Public Relations Association (OHSPRA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Mark of Distinction from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). This significant recognition highlights OHSPRA's exceptional efforts in membership building and specialized communication initiatives.
OHSPRA is one of only 14 NSPRA Chapters nationwide to receive this distinction in 2024, underscoring its commitment to excellence in school communications. The association was recognized in the following categories:
The recognition ceremony took place in July during the NSPRA National Seminar in Bellevue, Washington. OHSPRA members who attended the conference had the opportunity to celebrate this achievement together, marking a proud moment for the organization.
"We are thrilled to be honored with the Mark of Distinction," said Patrick Gallaway, President of OHSPRA. "This award reflects our collective dedication to advancing school public relations and fostering strong communication within our communities."
OHSPRA remains committed to providing valuable resources, professional development, and collaborative opportunities to its members, ensuring that school public relations professionals in Ohio continue to thrive.
We are excited to announce the introduction of a Retiree and Student membership levels, aimed at expanding our reach and making school PR more accessible to a broader audience.
Retiree: Designed for retired professionals passionate about supporting and shaping the future of school PR, this $50 membership offers a wealth of benefits tailored to your experience and interests.
Student: Embark on a journey towards becoming a future leader in public relations in our student membership. This membership caters specifically to college students studying PR, offering invaluable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow within Ohio's educational landscape. As a bonus, this $50 membership includes free access to the Friday speaker presentations at the OHSPRA Spring Conference.
If you're a retired professional eager to stay connected or a student aspiring to join the field, our new memberships offer unique opportunities to engage with Ohio's vibrant educational community.
Explore these options and join us in fostering the growth of school PR across the state!
OHSPRA is pleased to announce Akwi Nji as an OHSPRA Spring Conference speaker.
Nji's presentation,Bold Storytelling That Disrupts Tradition to Engage, Empower, Inspire, will be an impactful session to close out our conference.
You don't want to miss Nji's amazing presentation as you learn how to take a profoundly different approach to engage employees, reignite enthusiasm, and build trust with your families and community. In this interactive and engaging session, participants will reimagine how to integrate powerful graphics, videography, and copy that slices through the static and appeals to diverse audiences. Akwi delivers valuable insights and actionable takeaways. You'll leave inspired, informed, and empowered to implement practical steps to achieve your marketing and communications goals, improve the academic experience for students, and increase family and staff engagement.
About Akwi Nji Akwi Nji is an artist and communication strategist whose experience includes working as Communications Director in the second largest school district in Iowa. She most recently served as Director of School and Community Relations and Communications at Waterloo Community School District. Her professional background is in education, arts administration, journalism, public relations and marketing. She specializes in integrating video, audio, graphic design, and written content to develop creative campaigns which engage, inform, and inspire trust. As a communications director for PK-12 education, she was the first in her region to launch a district podcast, Superintendent’s blog, and a monthly TEDTalk-style series for educators. As founder of Powerful Over Pretty, a niche marketing solutions agency specializing in powerful storytelling to boost brands, she designs and implements innovative yearlong marketing campaigns – primarily for K12 districts – through live, digital, and traditional communications that represent and engage diverse populations. Akwi works at the intersection of innovation and communication strategy. In one district, social media followers increased by 800% in six months. Because she is also a professional artist, she brings to the school public relations profession an innovative and effective multidisciplinary approach to utilizing the power of communications to ignite empathy and trust in audiences.
OHSPRA is pleased, once again, to offer two full scholarships to OHSPRA members to attend the annual Spring Conference. This year’s OHSPRA Spring Conference will be held on April 25-26, 2024, at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel.
The two scholarships will cover each recipient’s registration fee, as well as lodging at the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel on April 25.
The Scott Ebright Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the former OHSPRA (formerly NSPRA-Ohio) president, president-elect, vice president and NSPRA Executive Board member. Applicants for this scholarship must be new to school public relations, having served in their role less than three years. Eligible applicants must hold a paid membership with OHSPRA andsubmit a completed application form by March 1, 2024. Those who apply for the Scott Ebright Memorial Scholarship will also automatically be included in the pool of applicants for the annual Spring Conference Scholarship.
The annual Spring Conference Scholarship, which any OHSPRA member may apply for, is designed to help school communication professionals who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend the two-day professional development event. Eligible applicants must hold a paid membership with OHSPRA and submit a completed application form by March 1, 2024.
The OHSPRA Board of Directors will select and approve the scholarship recipients after the April 10 deadline. Recipients will be notified at that time.
We are thrilled to announce that Carrie Sanchez, Director of Leadership and Learning at North Point Educational Service Center, will deliver a two-part keynote address at our 2024 OHSPRA Spring Conference.
In her keynote, "Remembering your WHY, Living Your Truth and Celebrating Your Work," Sanchez will share strategies and stories encourage growth, intentional action, and leadership development.
You won't want to miss hearing Carrie Sanchez set the tone for an engaging and empowering conference experience. Join us at the OHSPRA Spring Conference as we strive to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to advance your leadership communication success!
Registration for the OHSPRA Spring Conference opens in February. Stay tuned for more details.
About Carrie Sanchez
Carrie Sanchez, MEd, EdS, is a native of Toledo, Ohio. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio Northern University. Her Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration as well as her Educational Specialist degrees came from Bowling Green State University. Carrie has also earned a Women in Leadership certificate from Cornell University. After 13 years in the classroom, Sanchez transitioned to the principal's office in 2009 as Principal of Port Clinton Middle School where she served from 2009-2022. In 2022, Carrie embarked upon a new role as the Director of Leadership and Learning for North Point Educational Service Center in Sandusky, Ohio. Her leadership coaching and teaching now reaches the
27-member school districts impacting the learning of over 25,000 students annually. In addition to her primary role, Carrie currently serves as past- president of the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) and is the Director of Music for her church in Port Clinton. Carrie is also the proud mother of two daughters: Mia and Ashton. You can reach Carrie directly at carriesanchez.com or sanchez@pesc.org or 419-627-3930.
Help! We have a message to put out, but how should it be communicated to families? What constitutes an all-call? Who should deliver the message? Most importantly, how can we make sure we communicate consistently so families know what to expect?
Join us Friday, Feb. 9 for an OHSPRA virtual Lunch and Learn with Shawn McKillop as he presents Enhancing Engagement: The Power of Communication Standards in Schools.
Explore this award-winning approach to how school districts engage with families and communities during an Delve into Communication Standards and their role in promoting clear, consistent communication to bridge gaps and build trust. This presentation will examine who is responsible for communications, focusing on staff awareness of how, what, and when to communicate, and identifying when a topic is expected for direct communication. It's about keeping parents well-informed and setting clear expectations. This represents a school district's commitment to effective communication. The Standards aim to provide uniform experiences across schools, streamline communication, and eliminate redundant messaging. Engaging case studies will highlight how standards can improve your school PR offerings, build trust, promote engagement, and enhance customer service.
This February Virtual Lunch and Learn is sponsored by Class Intercom and free for OHSPRA members.
Register Now!
OHSPRA is excited to launch our Patron Program, inviting educational organizations to make a meaningful difference in school communication and receive recognition and exposure among our 200+ members across Ohio. As a Patron, your organization will be instrumental in advancing the professional development of school communicators in Ohio. Your support is not just an investment in OHSPRA, it's a step towards shaping the future of school communications and gaining valuable exposure for your organization.
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