SUNY Buffalo State M.S. Degree in Public Relations

05/13/2026

Congrats to Alexandra Pucci-Schaefer on successfully defending her master’s project for Festivals Fredonia, a nonprofit organization in Fredonia, NY! Alexandra is a graduate student at Buffalo State University completing her master’s degree in public relations in May 2026. In 2024, she graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor of arts degree in communication. Originally from Western New York, she serves as the Head Diving Coach at SUNY Fredonia while also working in sales and marketing for her family business, Pucci’s Carpet One Furniture & Bedding.

Alexandra’s interests center around community engagement, leadership, coaching, and helping local organizations grow through meaningful communication and relationship building. Throughout her graduate studies, she has completed research and public relations campaigns focused on strengthening community connections, supporting nonprofit organizations, and increasing public involvement in local events and initiatives. She is also passionate about mentoring young athletes and helping students build confidence both in and out of the classroom.
With her degree in public relations, Alexandra hopes to continue working with community organizations, small businesses, and nonprofit groups to improve communication, increase public awareness, and create stronger connections within local communities. She believes effective communication can bring people together, encourage involvement, and create positive change that benefits society as a whole.

05/12/2026

Congratulations to Aidan Ricotta on successfully defending his master’s project for the Lakeshore Humane Society, an animal rescue organization in Dunkirk, NY!

Aidan, a native of Avon, NY, says his academic journey started at SUNY Fredonia studying for a bachelor’s degree in communications and media management, and it led him straight into the master's program in public relations at Buffalo State University. He cares deeply about strategic storytelling and using PR as a tool for change, particularly within the nonprofit sector. He’s proud to be building his career in the Buffalo region and can't wait to see where this next chapter takes him.

05/11/2026

Best wishes to Gaelynn Petry on successfully defending her master’s project for The Classics Company, a theater company in Rochester, NY!

Gaelynn is a Rochester, NY native and received her B.A. in Music from the University of Rochester in 2016 and has been pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. She is currently employed in the Bakery at Wegmans and upon completion of her M.S. In Public Relations she intends to pursue a career in social media, blending her video and photography production skills and the Public Relations knowledge she has learned through this program. Outside of work and school she enjoys being outdoors, taking photos and trying every local ice cream shop in the Rochester area.

Congratulations, Gaelynn!

05/11/2026

Congratulations to Buffalo State University M.S. in Public Relations students Rebecca Buxton, Stephanie Codd, Brandon Coonan, Courtney Helinski, Noor Mian, Gaelynn Petry, Alexandra Pucci-Schaefer, and Aidan Ricotta on successfully defending their master’s projects!

They created PR campaigns to generate greater awareness for organizations including The Kind Cardz (Orlando, FL), Homespace (Buffalo, NY), Remarkable Wrestling (Long Island), Cornerstone Arena (Lockport, NY), The Main Street Gourmet Deli (White Plains, NY), The Classics Company (Rochester, NY), Festivals Fredonia (Fredonia, NY) and Lakeshore Humane Society (Dunkirk, NY). The students’ campaigns, the focus of COM 690 taught by Professor Deborah Silverman, were created with a four-phase campaign planning model widely used in the public relations field.

Student Aidan Ricotta is shown here with Professor Silverman.

05/11/2026

Congrats to Stephanie Codd on successfully defending her master’s project for Homespace, a nonprofit organization in Buffalo!
Stephanie is a 2026 graduate of the master’s in public relations program at Buffalo State University. Stephanie also holds an associate’s in fashion business management from FIT and a bachelor’s in marketing from Canisius.

She currently works in the nonprofit development space in western New York, specializing in helping nonprofits with marketing, PR, and ultimately maximizing their impact through fundraising and grant writing to fund their programs. Much of her work in school was focused on various PR strategies and campaigns specifically for not-for-profit companies.

Her dream is to become a development director at a successful nonprofit in the community she lives in. Stephanie has an amazing husband (Steven), two children (Timothy and Taylor) and two fur babies as well who have lovingly supported her through her time in school. She is proud to be graduating with the award of Outstanding Master’s Student 2026!

11/13/2025

Alumni Spotlight: Denyel Beiter ‘25 (MS in PR) serves as public relations specialist with the Lockport (NY) City School District. She was one of four finalists for a national award, the 2025 Excellence in School Marketing Award, which attracted nominations from across North America! She also won a 2025 Student Excalibur Award for Best PR Campaign from PRSA Buffalo Niagara for her campaign last spring in our COM 690 Master’s Project course, the capstone course in our M.S. in Public Relations program. Way to go, Denyel!

10/23/2025

Our M.S. in Public Relations program coordinator, Dr. Deborah Silverman, is at today’s Buffalo State University Graduate & Professional School Fair to discuss our online program! The event, which runs until 1:30 pm in the Student Union, is hosted by Buffalo State’s Career & Professional Education Center.

10/12/2025

Our program coordinator, Dr. Deborah Silverman, participated last week in a roundtable discussion in New York City on preparing students for PR careers! The event, “Ready or Not? Rethinking PR Preparation for a Changing Industry,” was hosted by the national Commission on Public Relations Education, where Dr. Silverman serves as vice chair.

Topics included use of AI in PR, the impact of media changes on entry-level practitioners, and soft skills needed to succeed in public relations.

Dr. Silverman (at right) is shown with current Commission co-chair for educators Dr. Julie O’Neil and past co-chair for practitioners Stacey Smith. Dr. Silverman will become co-chair for educators in January.

The Commission provides research-based recommendations on the PR curriculum to schools across the country and around the world.

10/10/2025

Our Communication Department is so grateful to Lia DePerro for establishing a scholarship for journalism students in memory of her late husband, Don DePerro!

Journalism junior Thomas Bailey, recipient of the new Donald DePerro Journalism Scholarship, met today with Mr. DePerro’s widow Lia, daughter Amanda, and Communication Department Chair ! Thomas, who is president of student newspaper as Mr. DePerro was when he was a Buffalo State Journalism student, talked about today’s Record staff and production of the newspaper. Great to welcome the DePerro family back to campus!

10/07/2025

Congratulations to these outstanding M.S. in Public Relations students!

Buffalo State MS in PR students recognized by Public Relations Society of America October 3, 2025 By Sabrina Kahwaty Four Buffalo State students in Buffalo State’s master of science in public relations (MS in PR) program were honored with Student Excalibur awards for “Best PR Campaign” from th...