San Marcos, CA\u00a0 \u2013 Palomar College Director of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs Laura Gropen was awarded the 2015 All PRO Award from the California Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO). Gropen received the award at the Awards Banquet during CCPRO\u2019S annual conference, held at the Wyndham Hotel in San Diego on April 23, 2015.<\/p>\n
CCPRO \u201cpresents this award annually to the individual in our ranks who stands out as among the best in our business,\u201d wrote Peter Anning, chair of the All PRO selection committee. \u201cNominations for the All PRO Award are solicited from college presidents, district superintendents, chancellors and public relations professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palomar College Superintendent\/President Robert P. Deegan nominated Gropen for the award. He said, \u201cLaura has provided me and the college with important direction on a number of critical communications issues, including dealing with wildfires, campus evacuations for power outages\u2026and countless other incidents. \u00a0She has also been instrumental in singing the college’s praise, placing many positive stories in all of the local media outlets and landing our college on the front page (or at the top of the news) a number of times.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to her public\/media relations skills, she is a highly-respected public affairs professional,\u201d Deegan said. \u201cHer contacts and relationships with elected officials and their staffs have proven to be an asset over the years. \u00a0This honor is well-deserved. Laura serves as a great example for other PIOs\/PAOs in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gropen is president-elect of the CCPRO organization, and served as vice president for the last year. She has led the Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs Office at Palomar College since 2009. Prior to that she was Marketing Services Manager for 3C Media and CCC Confer, two California Community Colleges grant-funded projects, based at Palomar College in San Marcos.<\/p>\n
According to their website, \u201cCCPRO is a statewide professional development and service organization that seeks to promote excellence in California\u2019s community college public relations and related professions. The organization serves as a central resource of information and provides counsel and assistance relating to the advancement of community colleges statewide and the professional growth of its members.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
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Media contacts:<\/p>\n
Melinda Finn, Public Affairs Office, 760-744-1150 x2365
\nLaura Gropen, Director, Public Affairs, 760-744-1150 x2152<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"