Preparing Future Communications Leaders: How Scarlet PR Connects Students to Real-World Experience
For Rutgers students aspiring to careers in public relations, Scarlet PR offers an opportunity to gain professional experience, build industry connections, and apply classroom knowledge to client projects that address real-world challenges.
Scarlet PR is a student-run public relations firm founded and managed by the Rutgers University Todd Hunt Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Based at the School of Communication and Information, the agency provides students with hands-on experience serving paying clients while developing professional skills. In addition to client work, Scarlet PR offers workshops, guest speakers, networking events, and other professional development opportunities.
“Scarlet PR created an opportunity on campus at SC&I for students to earn hands-on experience in public relations, social media, content creation, and other marketing communication channels,” said Scarlet PR’s faculty advisor Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Communication Mark Beal.
President Kylie Buckle said the agency’s current clients include Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts, RWJBarnabas Health, SC&I Continuing and Professional Studies, the Rutgers Global Sports Business Graduate Program, and Lady Blue & Gold.
The agency's goal is to ensure students graduate prepared for successful careers in communications, Buckle said, adding, “My biggest goal is to continue creating opportunities for our members to gain real, hands-on experience in public relations.”
Hannah Schwartz MCM’25, COM’24, a former president of Scarlet PR, attributes her career preparation to the practical experience she gained through the student agency. Schwartz is currently employed by Bayer as a communications coordinator. She oversees communications for the company’s New Jersey headquarters and supports integrated strategic communications efforts across social, website, media, and other channels.
During her time with Scarlet PR, Schwartz managed account teams, organized workshops with PRSSA, pitched new clients, and oversaw about 50 students while working with nine client organizations. The experience, she said, taught her an important lesson about leadership: successful teams depend on trust and collaboration.
“Scarlet PR taught me how to let go and trust my teammates—because one person can’t do everything,” Schwartz said. “Being a leader is about equipping your team with the tools they need to be successful.”
David Pangilinan COM’16, who joined Scarlet PR soon after it was founded and is now senior manager of market and cultural intelligence at Paramount, recalls that Scarlet PR gave him the chance to apply concepts he learned in the classroom. He said students involved in Scarlet PR can have very busy schedules as they balance schoolwork and other obligations while completing projects for clients. “Students have to consider demographics, budgets, research and campaign strategy when working with clients,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan added that the experience continues to influence how he approaches communications work, particularly when evaluating audiences and competitors.
Client Michael Leviton, Blood Services Business Development Liaison at RWJBarnabas Health, said Scarlet PR has played a crucial role in helping the hospital promote its blood drives to Rutgers students through tabling, social media, news releases, and other on-campus outreach strategies.
“When you have an institution as large as Rutgers, sometimes it's a positive, but sometimes it's a negative to try to get the word out to everybody,” Leviton said. “Scarlet PR really does that piece-by-piece marketing for us, so they're an integral part of our successful blood drives at the Yard.” This fall, a blood drive at Rutgers will take place from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. September 16 and 17 at The Yard, 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick.
Through the years, Scarlet PR has continued to evolve along with the communications sector. Currently, the agency is adapting to developments in artificial intelligence. “Students should learn how to use AI responsibly while preserving the human connection and creativity that are essential to public relations,” Buckle said.
Ultimately, Scarlet PR’s greatest impact may be on the students themselves. Through real-world client work, leadership experience, and the application of classroom learning, Rutgers students graduate with stronger portfolios, greater professional confidence, and a clearer understanding of what it means to work in public relations.
Learn more about Scarlet PR at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information.
