ICON 2025 Recap
Posted on Nov. 11, 2025 / Subscribe 0
From Oct. 26 to 30, four members of Wayne State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (WSU PRSSA) chapter– Ashley Ortiz, Byanca Ninov, Lily Osborne and Vivian Gregory– traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) annual ICON Conference.
The national event brought together students and professionals from across the United States and parts of Latin America for a unique opportunity to network and advance their professional development. Attendees participated in breakout sessions covering topics such as rewriting DEI strategies, navigating crisis communication, building company culture, the role of AI in the workplace and the future of public relations.
“As a senior studying public relations, PRSA’s ICON Conference is the best place to expand your network, better understand the evolving media landscape, and learn how industry professionals navigate their challenges, celebrate their successes and drive meaningful initiatives,” said Ashley Ortiz, president of WSU PRSSA. “Attending this conference for the second year in a row was a true privilege, which was made possible by the generous support of PRSA Detroit and the WSU Communications Department. This experience strengthened my connection with WSU PRSSA’s executive board, inspired me through the insights of others and boosted my confidence as I step into the field as an incoming professional.”
In addition to breakout sessions, students engaged in structured networking opportunities and heard from keynote speakers, including award-winning actress and author Lauren Graham. The conference offered space for reflection, collaboration and inspiration among emerging leaders in public relations and related fields.
For Wayne State University’s PRSSA members, ICON 2025 sparked career growth, meaningful connections and a stronger sense of belonging to the profession. The experience reinforced the chapter’s commitment to professional development and provided valuable insight into the evolving landscape of strategic communication.
Ashley Ortiz is a public relations senior at Wayne State University and the 2025-26 Wayne State University PRSSA president.
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