Nicholson School of Communication and Media Instructor Chrissy Cruz is proud to share a course she developed that is bridging the gap between academia and career success through hands-on learning, industry engagement, and real-world strategic communication experience.
The Honors Public Relations (PUR 4000H) course at NSCM is exclusively offered to students in the Burnett Honors College and provides high-achieving students with practical, applied skills that give them a competitive edge in the public relations and communication industries.
Professor Cruz brings 12 years of university teaching experience, including eight years at the University of Central Florida, where she focuses on advertising/public relations, intercultural communication, instructional communication, and business communication. She holds a Master of Mass Communication with a specialization in Public Relations from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, a Master of Education, and an Educational Specialist degree, all from the University of Florida, equipping her with expertise in instructional design, curriculum development, and faculty development.
“Public relations today encompasses far more than media management,” Professor Cruz explains, “it’s about building strategic relationships, shaping brand narratives with authenticity, and staying ahead of emerging digital trends such as AI and digital storytelling. In this course, my students move from theory to practice in meaningful ways — they develop real-world campaigns, connect with industry professionals, and build the confidence to step into public relations, corporate communication, and marketing roles with a competitive edge.”
As a result, many students from Professor Cruz’s course have secured public relations internships, campus leadership roles, and job opportunities in communication, marketing, and media — all tied to the skills they built in class.
Michelle Morillo, a Strategic Communication student in the course, shared her experience: “Professor Cruz’s Honors Public Relations class introduced me to an exciting field that I now consider essential for any profession’s success. From strategic communication to personal branding, learning about public relations has given me the confidence to navigate a new industry during a career transition and provided skills that will stay with me throughout my life.”
The inspiration for this course’s design stems from Professor Cruz’s background in teaching various undergraduate and graduate-level communication courses, including advertising, journalism, PR, cross-cultural, and advanced debate. Cruz’s expansive teaching portfolio specializes in leadership communication as well as business and professional communication, fast-tracking her students’ internship attainment.
“This course has been especially impactful in helping me understand how to develop strategic public relations campaigns and apply those skills in a real-world setting. Professor Cruz’s interactive case studies and experiential learning activities have provided me with a clear understanding of how brands engage with their audiences— an experience that directly supports my role as an outreach intern at Limbitless Solutions. Through this class, I’ve gained valuable experience in crafting engaging content for Limbitless’ social media and cultivating meaningful relationships with donors and local schools,” said Mercia Steinborn, an Advertising/Public Relations major in the Burnett Honors College.
Professor Cruz’s Honors Public Relations course reflects UCF’s commitment to equipping students with innovative, relevant, future-focused experiences — and the passionate faculty behind them.
Written by Majdulina Hamed and Chrissy Cruz.
Published to Nicholson News on April 1, 2025.
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