[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Morgan Professor Named ‘Outstanding HBCU Educator of The Year.’” _builder_version=”4.9.4″]
For two decades, Dr. David Marshall, worked as a television news anchor, reporter, producer, and writer. The long-time journalist has worked in New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, having covered a plethora of news stories during his illustrious career. But now, Dr. Marshall finds himself in the news –PRNEWS.
Dr. Marshall, who serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Strategic Communication (SCOM) in the School of Global Journalism & Communication (SGJC) at Morgan State University, was recently honored by PRNEWS as the “2021 Outstanding HBCU Educator of The Year.”
“It’s been overwhelmingly positive,” said Dr. Marshall. “PRNEWS is a big national industry publication in the area of public relations, so it’s a professional achievement in your profession, which is always good. Professionally, within the Public Relations Society of America, which is our industry’s professional organization, there’s been a lot of congratulatory remarks and thanks for representing the profession.”
He added, “From the academic community, there’s been a lot of recognition.
One of your jobs, I think as someone who works for a university, is to be a good brand ambassador. So, it may not necessarily be a national award, but you should really be leading in your local community or your church or your something to bring Morgan’s good name with you wherever you go.”
DeWayne Wickham, Distinguished Professor and Dean of the School of Global Journalism & Communication at Morgan State University, was among those saluting Dr. Marshall on his latest honor.
“We are certainly very proud of Dr. Marshall, the SCOM faculty, and students,” said Wickham. “In our school, we emphasize the importance of the professor-practitioner. This award validates our approach and celebrates the collective contributions that Dr. Marshall and our entire SGJC faculty make to ensure student success.”
Dr. Marshall was among those honored by PRNEWS during the CSR & Diversity Awards held April 27, 2021. The virtual awards ceremony celebrated communications leaders in 46 categories. In honoring the awardees, PRNEWS noted, “the winners and honorable mentions represent the communicators who use their platforms for the betterment of their communities and the global community at large. They amplify the voices of marginalized groups and dedicate themselves to social causes.
These campaigns, initiatives, professionals, teams, rising stars and lifetime pioneers are helping to usher in a diverse, equitable future and redefine organizations’ role in the fight for global change.”
Dr. Marshall is a graduate of Morgan, earning his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies in 1987. In 2019, PRSA Maryland named Dr. Marshall “Educator of The Year” at the annual “Best in Maryland” competition. He has been active with PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) National and The PR Council, an association dedicated to agencies with public relations offerings – on plans to create diverse pipelines of talent by encouraging agencies to increase their recruitment efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
“I’m really humbled quite frankly,” said Dr. Marshall. “But I specifically wanted to have a platform as Outstanding HBCU Educator of the Year because I think that is the place where the work is really important to highlight the important roles of HBCUs.”
Dr. Marshall has served in a variety of capacities in academic life including professor, department chair, dean, academic vice president and college president. His teaching intersects public relations and journalism. He has launched a program at Morgan where his writing students are embedded at the AFRO-American and The Baltimore Times newspapers to enhance their journalism and story-telling skills. In addition to exposing students to the craft of journalism, Dr. Marshall aims to equip students with skills to tell empowering stories about people of color.
“We’re going to continue doing our job of giving the young people a great education, to watch them, and prepare them,” said Dr. Marshall, who also has experience around assessment and accreditation. A widely sought out speaker and consultant in the documentation of teaching and learning practices, he serves as the Assessment Coordinator for SGJC.
Active in community and professional causes, he is also a member of NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) and serves as President of The Maryland Chapter of The Public Relations Society of America. He earned his accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2019.
“I think there’s been the most reaction from industry professionals, in recognizing that this is really important work that needs to be done in order to, number one, really create pathways of opportunities for minority students coming out of HBCUs into these firms in Baltimore and across the country,” said Dr. Marshall referencing career opportunities in the field of Public Relations. “But more importantly, calling a spotlight on an industry which still in 2021, has not fixed or solved its diversity problem.”
He added, “My job is to not just to open doors for our young people, but literally to kick them down.”
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]