Biography
Debra Connelly has a background in both journalism and public relations. She spent
several years writing and learning the newspaper trade at a leading Missouri weekly
paper. With a move to Central Florida she spent 14 years in hospital public relations
as a writer and special projects coordinator. Connelly served twice as president of
the local Florida Public Relations Association and on the state board of directors.
FPRA, with its more than 1,100 members, was the only professional public relations
organization in Florida until it later merged with the Public Relations Society of
America. When she first came to Western Connelly worked four and a half years as a
writer in the publications office of the Office of Public Information and taught night
classes in communications and public relations. For the past 10 years Connelly has
been teaching full time in the Department of Communication.
Teaching Interests
Connelly teaches the core class Introduction to Media Writing as well as major public
relations classes such as Desktop Publishing, Public Relations Writing and Advertising
Writing.
