Angie Champsaur Earns APR Certification

ATLANTA, June 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Angie Champsaur has earned her Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification, it was announced today by the Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsageorgia.org).

Champsaur is a media relations specialist with the U.S. military's Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) at Encompass Digital Media. She works with public affairs officers and news organizations to coordinate media coverage of military operations around the world, including live and taped satellite feeds from Afghanistan, hometown hero interviews, White House Medal of Honor ceremonies and dinners as well as emergency response and humanitarian aid.

Before her current job, Champsaur was a marketing and public relations specialist for Encompass and Crawford Communications.

"Earning my accreditation has been the most rewarding and challenging step I've taken in my career," Champsaur said. "The APR process has strengthened my ability to provide sound PR counsel and commitment to professional growth. The challenge is worth the reward, and I'm grateful PRSA offers this opportunity."

Champsaur earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Jacksonville State University (AL).

Now in its 50^th year, Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is the voluntary certification program for public relations professionals established to unify and advance the profession by identifying those who have demonstrated mastery of a body of knowledge as well as recognition of experience and professional judgment in the public relations field. The international certification process is governed by the Universal Accreditation Board, of which PRSA is a lead participant.

To employers and clients, the APR designation, which is used after the member's name, signals the benchmark of excellence for the practice of public relations and the candidate's dedication to ethics and professionalism.

Preparation for the exam requires six to 12 months of rigorous study spanning 60 topics requiring noted expertise in 10 categories. PRSA Georgia offers a comprehensive study system, designed to prepare the candidate for the 90-minute oral readiness review presentation covering 16 of the knowledge, skills and ability topics and the three-hour computer-based exam, which tests the other 44 skill areas. As a result of this program and the Chapter's promotion efforts, the Chapter has risen to the Top 10 ranks in the country for preparing public relations practitioners with this distinction.

PRSA's Georgia Chapter (www.prsageorgia.org), the second-largest local chapter in the national society, consists of some 850 professionals throughout Georgia. Its mission is to enhance the profession, provide continuing education and offer networking opportunities for its members.

The Chapter has monthly meetings as well as eight Special Interest Groups (Corporate & Employee Communications, Healthcare, Independent Counselors, Leader Board, Nonprofit, Technology, Travel & Tourism, and Young Professionals) that meet at various times.

The Chapter supports 10 PRSSA (student society) groups at the following colleges:  Berry College (Rome), Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta), Columbus State University (Columbus), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville), Georgia State University (Atlanta), Georgia Southern University (Statesboro), Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw), Savannah State University (Savannah), University of Georgia (Athens) and University of West Georgia (Carrollton).

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SOURCE Georgia Chapter, Public Relations Society of America