Laura L. Neff-Henderson Earns APR Designation

February 18, 2008 (ROANOKE, VA) — The Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is honored to announce that Laura L. Neff-Henderson is now fully accredited in Public Relations (APR). Neff-Henderson is Director of Marketing at North Cross School in Roanoke. She has been a member of PRSA and in the Blue Ridge Chapter, since 2004.

Prior to her career at North Cross School, Neff-Henderson worked as the Public Relations Specialist for Arlington Public Schools, in Arlington, VA. She has also experience as a newspaper reporter and designer and worked as the Public Information Officer/Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Petersburg Public Schools in Petersburg, Va., from August 2002 – January 2004.

Neff-Henderson has a bachelor’s degree in media studies from Radford University and a master’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In addition to her position as secretary on the Board of the Blue Ridge Chapter of PRSA, she is also a member of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and the Council Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Accreditation is gained through two steps: a rigorous computer-based exam administered by the Universal Accreditation Board and through an oral presentation to fellow APR-members. The APR accreditation is the only professional certification program open to public relations professionals. It is a mark of distinction identifying those who prove their commitment to the field and to its ethical practice.

PRSA is the world's largest association of public relations professionals who represent business and industry, government, non-profit, healthcare, schools and professional firms. The purpose of PRSA is to unite professionals, set industry standards and a Code of Ethics for performance, and to increase public recognition of the public relations profession. The Blue Ridge Chapter serves members in western Virginia.

For more information, visit our website at www.prsa-blueridge.org or contact Shelly Whitaker, APR, Accreditation Chair at shelly.whitaker@advanceautoparts.com.

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