FHSU
A strategic communication campaign produced by three Fort Hays State University (FHSU) students has earned a first-place award in the collegiate division for Public Relations, Social Media, or Recruitment/Involvement Campaign in the recent 2025 National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) at-large contest.
As first-place winners in the at-large competition, the FHSU students are now invited to enter the NFPW National Contest.
The award-winning project was created in the spring 2024 strategic campaign design class taught by Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, a professor in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science at FHSU. NFPW is a national organization for all professionals in various communication fields.
The winning students, all majoring in communication with an emphasis in public relations and advertising, are:
• Nathan Erbert of Hays, Kansas
• Halee Glover of Wichita, Kansas
• Kaitlyn Flaherty of Derby, Kansas
Their campaign was designed to support Jana’s Campaign in celebrating its significant milestone of reaching 100,000 K-12 students with relationship violence prevention education.
Nathan Erbert shared his connection to the project, stating, "Having grown up in Hays, I was introduced to the mission and message of Jana’s Campaign from a very early age through their regular presentations in our grade schools. To have the opportunity to work on a celebratory project with them during my final undergraduate semester felt like a full-circle moment. The team at Jana’s Campaign was incredibly welcoming and available, making them a joy to collaborate with. Being able to help tell such an impactful story truly fueled our creative process."
Dr. Yang emphasized the value of experiential learning in her curriculum. “At FHSU, we are committed to providing students with practical, real-world experiences through service learning,” she said. “This pedagogical approach integrates meaningful community service with academic instruction, guiding students to apply their knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and cultivate a sense of civic engagement. The success of this project with Jana’s Campaign in the NFPW at-large contest is a testament to the power of service learning and the dedication of our students.”
About Jana’s Campaign:
Jana’s Campaign is a national education and violence prevention organization with the single mission of reducing relationship violence. In honor of the late Jana Mackey and other victims and survivors of relationship violence, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking
About the National Federation of Press Women:
The National Federation of Press Women is a nationwide organization of women and men pursuing careers across the communications spectrum, from journalism to public relations and beyond.