Georgetown’s Center for Social Impact Communication Grows Dramatically in First Year

March 3, 2009 - PRLog -- Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC), the nation’s leading academic initiative on social impact communication, is celebrating its one-year anniversary. A center within Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies, CSIC aims to transform the role of the communicator by educating graduate students to strengthen the social sector, promote corporate social responsibility, and build innovative cross-sector partnerships.

“Our students are applying what they learn to create positive social change,” says Denise Keyes, founder and executive director of CSIC and the associate dean of the Georgetown Master of Professional Studies in public relations and corporate communications. “This initiative truly reflects Georgetown’s emphasis on developing the whole person and its commitment to justice and the common good.”

As former Senior Vice-President of Fleishman-Hillard in D.C., Keyes brings three decades of experience in communications and holds a passion for embedding ethics and responsible practices into the field. Her vision is for the center to set standards for the practice of socially and ethically responsible communications and to train future leaders in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

“Students are learning how to help advocates, and business and political leaders continue the chain of leadership in responsible and ethical communications,” says Robert Manual, dean of the School of Continuing Studies.”

CSIC launched with support from the Harman Family Foundation, the World Bank and Eaton Corporation and has already partnered with the United Nations Global Compact as well as 25 nonprofits in the District of Columbia. PR Week recently recognized the program as a finalist for the 2009 Education Program of the Year Award.

As an initiative within the Master of Professional Studies program in public relations and corporate communications, CSIC allows Keyes to use the knowledge and insight gained through her professional career to help mold forward-thinking communicators in the field.

“Social impact isn’t just for nonprofits anymore, we’re working towards a multi-disciplinary approach to communications that brings all the sectors together,” adds Keyes. “After they graduate from this program, students will lead communications efforts for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, as well as nonprofits and advocacy groups.”


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About the Center for Social Impact Communication
Founded in 2007, the Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC) is housed at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies in Washington, D.C., and is an initiative through the Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. CSIC creates leadership opportunities for communicators who want to use their skills for positive social impact. It educates graduate students through a curriculum designed to strengthen the social sector, promote corporate social responsibility, and build innovative cross sector partnerships. CSIC offers students opportunities to engage in the center’s activities through relevant coursework, international programs, skill-based volunteering, and center fellows.

For more information call Jennifer Gilman, Deputy Director at (202) 687-4662 or visit: http://www12.georgetown.edu/scs/csic/contact/index.html  

About Georgetown’s Master of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications (MPS PR/CC)
The MPS PR/CC program through the School of Continuing Studies has a mission to develop a dedicated cadre of global communications leaders who commit to using their skills, passion, and energy to create social impact. Its vision is optimistic. The program encourages our public relations and corporate communications students to reach for more than professional success. The program aspires to elevate the discipline of communications and to harness its power by fostering responsible communications practices and educating inspired communicators who use their talents to change the world.

For more information call Ashley Duque Kienzle, Program Director at (202) 687-7000 or visit: http://www12.georgetown.edu/scs/mps/prcc/home.cfm