Get to Know Mark Weinstein – Our 2025 ECD Board Chair

Home PRSA Chapter: PRSA Dayton

City/state of residence: I live in Fairborn, Ohio, but I am originally from St. Joseph, Michigan.

University/degree: Bachelor of Science in Communication and Journalism from Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

What year did you join PRSA (national)? 2005

Where do you work? Executive director of public relations at Cedarville University

What was your first job out of college? General Reporter and Sports Writer for The Papers, Incorporated, in Milford, Indiana. It was GREAT training ground for what I have been doing in PR for the past 36 years.

What is your biggest career lesson?

Develop a work ethic that cannot be criticized.

Work with a sense of urgency and stay focused on the mission of the organization.

What was the most memorable moment in your career?

It’s difficult to name one with a career spanning 35+ years, so here are a few:

  • Building media relations initiatives at four universities that significantly increased visibility while impacting morale, fundraising and enrollment. The most notable is at Cedarville University where we built a campus newsroom to conduct interviews with stations across the country, and the Cedarville Stories Podcast, which I host weekly.
  • Assisting Geneva College, where I was PR director, to become known as the “Birthplace of College Basketball,” after learning that it played the first college basketball game on April 8, 1892. We recreated that first game, and the event generated a 3.5-minute story on NBC national TV.
  • Managing media interviews for the Pittsburgh Speakers Series at Robert Morris University and moderating a news conference for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • Being named by PRSA Dayton as its 2023 Communication Professional of the Year. It’s very special being recognized by peers.

 What lesson do you want to share with graduates entering the workforce in PR?  Professionally, work with integrity. Give your organization your best effort every day. No shortcuts. Personally, life is short, so live with intentionality and don’t believe that our careers are paramount to who we are. Live for a higher, greater purpose and use your skills toward that end.

What is your favorite aspect of the PR profession?

Building relationships. Public relations is all about personal and professional relationships. I have had many opportunities to connect with people in various communities, workplaces and media outlets. The universities where I’ve worked have benefited from these relationships, and my life is full of gratitude because of the people whom I’ve met.

 What is your opinion about AI and how it relates to the PR profession?

AI is integral to our work today. It can help us share stories and advance our organizations. Some view AI as threatening their careers, but I believe those who do not embrace AI will be the ones being replaced. I use AI every day on writing assignments, headlines, and helping with “writer’s block.”

 What do you most value about being a member of PRSA?

The people who I’ve met as a result of PRSA. I am a much better person and full of gratitude because of the professionals who are PRSA members.

What is your hope for 2025 in PRSA ECD?

My year as chair will focus on engaging our members so that we advance the mission of our district; improve our skills; and impact our communities, chapters, and district in a positive way.

Anything else you want to share about yourself?

My faith is central to who I am and how I strive to live. A favorite Bible verse (Ephesians 3:20) speaks to how God does immeasurably more through me than what I could possibly imagine. That’s true in my life and career.

My interest in sports has played a key part in my life. I have attended major league baseball games in every stadium, the subject of a book I’m writing. (My favorite is PNC Park in Pittsburgh.)

I also want to write a book about leadership principles from a PR perspective, using my experiences at the various universities where I’ve worked as examples.