ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
After completing the Texas Christian University Certi.ed Public Communicator Program, 25 public-sector communicators from around the country received their designation as certi.ed public communicators. Christine Pollok, director of marketing for the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, completed the program. Professionals working for school districts, cities, counties and other publicsector institutions gather at TCU to learn how to be ethical leaders and reach their communities.
SEE GRADUATES PAGE YA In order to graduate, a CPC student must complete a strategic communication plan developed for his or her organization, plus 95 hours of graduate-level instruction over the course of two summers and one midwinter session.
Cohort 12 of CPC included 17 members of city communication departments from across the country, two members of county communication departments, and six members from other organizations such as Anna ISD (Texas), the North Texas Municipal Water District, Greater San Marcos Partnership and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD (Texas).
In a world reliant on accessible, fast-paced communication, public-sector communicators must stay up-to-date with the tools and resources that help them provide accurate and timely information for the welfare of their communities.
“In the era of artificial intelligence and misinformation, it is crucial to have access to accurate, ethical and educational information about government services,” said Dr. Ashley English, a long-time faculty member in the program and an associate professor in TCU’s Department of Strategic Communication.
English and Dr. Sarah Maben are joining Dr. Jacqueline Lambiase as co-directors of the program this next year.
The program addresses complex topics, including listening, social media policy, leadership and data analysis. Each cohort tests their crisis and communication skills with a crisis tabletop exercise meant to help students experience a crisis as it unfolds. In groups, students work together to create strategies and tactics to effectively communicate with public safety officials and their communities.
“Our CPC students keep communities informed,” English said, “and build trust with residents, to promote engagement in ways that strengthen our democracy. They develop these skills through our curriculum. It is a privilege to comanage a program that produces such meaningful community impact and aligns with TCU’s mission to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens.”
Communicators are part of the reason cities and schools have persisted in times of change, uncertainty, and heartbreaking circumstances, Lambiase said at Cohort 12’s graduation ceremony on July 24.
The CPC Program partners with TCU’s Department of Strategic Communication in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication and TCU Extended Education, along with four professional organizations: the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers, the National Association of County Information Officers, Texas School Public Relations Association and the City-County Communication and Marketing Association.
The CPC board and faculty members congratulate the graduating students as they join more than 300 CPC graduates. Applications for the next cohort in summer 2026 are now open and will be accepted through Dec. 31. For more information, visit the CPC webpage: schieffercollege. tcu.edu/stratcomm/ resources/cpc-program or email [email protected].
