Assad Named Outstanding Executive by PRSA

By Jacqueline Molik Ghosen

BUFFALO, N. Y. -- University at Buffalo School of Management Dean Arjang Assad was named the 2011 Outstanding Executive by the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for his recognition and support of the role of public relations within UB and throughout the community.

Assad was honored at the chapter’s 22nd annual Excalibur Awards banquet. He was cited for establishing a culture of transparency, promoting open, two-way communication with the school’s stakeholders and advancing the use of strategic communications as part of an overall operating philosophy.

He also was lauded for supporting a number of initiatives that have significantly enhanced the reputation of the School of Management, including the student-run volunteer income tax program, MoneySKILL, the Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession program, the Panasci Technology Entrepreneurship Competition and the launch of LeaderCORE, the MBA certification program that guides students through the development of key leadership and communications competencies.

Recent past recipients of PRSA’s Outstanding Executive award include Michael Cropp, MD, CEO of Independent Health, John Koelmel, president of First Niagara Bank, and John B. Simpson, former president of the University at Buffalo.

In addition to the Outstanding Executive award, the Excalibur event recognizes top public relations projects, programs and practitioners. Other School of Management award recipients included Jacqueline Ghosen, APR, and Cathy Wilde, who received gold Excalibur awards in two categories: magazines (Buffalo Business) and creative tactics (newsletter templates); Jacqueline Ghosen and Jill Illenz, who received a silver Excalibur award in the brochure category (LeaderCORE brochure); and Jacqueline Ghosen, Cynthia Shore and Hailley MacDonald, who received a silver Excalibur in partnership with M&T Bank in the community relations category for MoneySKILL financial literacy outreach.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.