Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD’s Interim Executive Director of Communications, Marketing & Public Information Claudia Lemus Campos has earned the rigorous Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). The announcement was made by the Universal Accreditation Board, a consortium of nine professional communication organizations that directs this competency certification program.
Lemus Campos recently earned this prestigious accreditation from the Universal Accreditation Board in December 2022. The Accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the profession. The APR is a test of professional expertise, ethics, and personal commitment to the public relations industry.
Only candidates who successfully complete the rigorous process, including presenting their portfolio during a Panel Presentation and sitting for a computer-based Examination, are granted the APR.
In addition to earning her APR Accreditation, Lemus Campos has numerous state and national accolades including being selected as part of NSPRA’s 35 Under 35 Program, which recognizes young professionals who are making a difference for their school districts or education-related employers. She has over seven years of experience in the communications field including serving as an Instructor for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Office of Professional & Workforce Development’s Certificate in Content Marketing Course. Her role at PSJA ISD includes ensuring the successful development and execution of all internal and external communication catering to over 30,000 students and close to 5,000 employees at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD.
During her tenure, Lemus Campos has been a recipient of numerous Gold, Best of Category, and Crystal Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Star Awards.
“Earning the APR reflects a mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in our increasingly complex profession,” said Marian Faulk, APR, 2021 chair of the Universal Accreditation Board. “Practitioners who achieve the designation are demonstrating their commitment not only to our profession but also to a strong code of ethics and to the betterment of their organizations and clients.”
About Claudia Lemus Campos
Claudia Lemus Campos has worked at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD for over seven years. She is a graduate of PSJA North Early College High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a focus in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication & Innovation from Texas Tech University. Additionally, she has a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Digital & Social Media from Texas Tech University. Her role includes ensuring the successful development and execution of all internal and external communication catering to over 30,000 students and close to 5,000 employees at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD.
Claudia has also served as an Instructor for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Office of Professional & Workforce Development’s Certificate in Content Marketing Course.
Throughout her career and time at PSJA ISD, Claudia has earned numerous awards and accomplishments, including 35 Under 35 – NSPRA’s Class of 2020; 2021 TSPRA Best of Category State Award – Social Media Campaign; 2020 TSPRA Crystal Award for Public Schools Week at PSJA Campaign; TSPRA Gold Star Award- Published News Release; 2017 TSPRA Best of Category Award – Social Media Campaign.
About the Universal Accreditation Board
The UAB was established in 1998 by a coalition of public relations professional organizations that today includes the Asociación de Relacionistas Profesionales de Puerto Rico, California Association of Public Information Officials, Florida Public Relations Association, Maine Public Relations Council, National Association of Government Communicators, National School Public Relations Association, Public Relations Society of America, Religion Communicators Council and the Southern Public Relations Federation. Each organization contributes resources and senior-level volunteer members who represent all segments of the public relations profession.
For more information about the UAB and the APR designation, visit www.praccreditation.org.
