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Investing in Excellence at Every Stage: Karyn S. Hollingsworth, Ph.D., APR Shares Insights On Her Recent APR Achievement

Posted by admincarolyn on Aug. 27, 2025  /  APR  /  Subscribe 0

Thirty years into a distinguished career that began in journalism and evolved into public relations, Karyn S. Hollingsworth, Ph.D., Director of Communications, UNLV College of Liberal Arts, made a decision to further invest in herself by pursuing Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). Despite holding a terminal degree well respected in academia, she sought the challenge of earning the gold standard in the PR profession. 

Her motivation was both personal and professional: to validate her skills and bolster her confidence, while challenging herself to grow. Our APR: Ready to Roll program became the roadmap to her success. 

“The program set the stage for my success by providing tips for effective studying, recommended texts, and guidance on the areas that would be tested, along with a cohort composed of other motivated professionals going through the same process. The Ready to Roll experience was invaluable,” Karyn shared with us. 

Balancing intensive study with professional demands was a lesson in time management - a crucial skill for continuous learning. What began as intermittent studying evolved into focused daily preparation over six to seven weeks once her exam was scheduled. Her dedication paid off: Karyn became an Accredited member last month! 

Looking ahead, Karyn plans to leverage her APR to implement more effective research-informed campaigns, improve communications processes, and better demonstrate the value of public relations to leadership and key stakeholders. Equally important, she hopes to inspire other practitioners of color to pursue this credential.

“I strive to embody the mission and values of our PRSA chapter by collaborating with my peers, advocating for continuous learning, and strengthening the credibility of the profession through integrity, ethical decision-making, and inclusion of a diversity of ideas,” she says.

Karyn’s achievement proves that the pursuit of excellence knows no timeline. Only commitment. Her advice to our members? “Invest in yourself and your professional growth. You’re worth the effort.”

Congratulations to PRSA Las Vegas Valley Chapter’s newest APR!

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