Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University rising senior Laura Leonel was recently selected one of 12 nationwide recipients of a prestigious Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation fellowship.

Leonel, a Communication Studies major from Long Branch, was selected as part of the Foster the Future fellowship program, a collaborative initiative between Mission North, communications agency partners and the PRSA Foundation to mobilize the public relations and communications industry for transformative change.

Leonel was awarded a paid internship this summer with LaunchSquad, a public relations and marketing agency based in San Francisco but with team members across the country.

“When I first applied to this fellowship, I honestly thought, ‘There’s no way they’ll choose me,’ ” Leonel said. “As a first-generation student from a smaller university, opportunities like this often feel out of reach. This experience reminded me that potential isn’t defined by where you come from, and I’m incredibly grateful that PRSA and LaunchSquad recognized mine.”

Leonel is deeply connected to her community at Stockton. As a first-year student, she found her footing in First Ospreys, a student-led club for first-generation students, and quickly grew into leadership roles across campus. She currently serves in leadership positions with PRSSA (the student branch of PRSA) and the Student Alumni Association, and she founded South Jersey’s first chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).

During her time at Stockton, Leonel has expanded her professional experience by attending conferences in Boston, New York, Miami, New Orleans and London. She also contributes as a writer for the student newspaper, The Argo, and creates strategic social media content as a member of the Stockton Osprey Social Team.

Fellowship recipients will also receive professional development training from Muck Rack, Strong Professional and Brian Simon Associates. In addition, the PRSA Foundation will award fellowship recipients a total of $102,000 in scholarships and stipends.

“Congratulations to this year’s Foster the Future fellows,” said Natan Edelsburg, president of the PRSA Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Programs like this are critical to opening doors and creating real pathways into the industry."

PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the United States and abroad. The PRSA Foundation is an independent, charitable organization that is committed to promoting diversity among public relations professionals and companies so that they can best serve the public good and address the needs of a diverse world.

-- Story by Mark Melhorn