As Director of Public Relations for Trenholm State Community College, it’s Angela Hurst’s job to tout the college and all it offers. But the seasoned PR pro still gets a thrill seeing the results of her work, watching potential students envision their own possibilities.
Are you from Montgomery? I am from Detroit, Michigan. I came to Montgomery to attend ASU.
When did you start working at Trenholm State Community College? April 1, 2017.
What are your main duties as Director of Public Relations? My primary duties are managing and posting content to our social media channels, managing media relations, creating press releases and advisories, planning events and promoting positive messaging about college programs, activities, accomplishments, etc., through marketing and advertising.
What first got you interested in working in PR? Initially, I wanted to be a news anchor, and I started as a reporter after graduating from college. One of my beats was the Alabama Legislature. At that time, former Governor Don Siegelman was Lt. Governor, and I would always speak with his Chief of Staff about the Lt. Governor’s stance on particular issues. One day, I was asked if I would be interested in working in the Lt. Governor’s Public Information office, and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity. So, I swapped roles, and instead of reporting the news, I was working on the side making the news. From that point forward, public relations has been a part of my career, spanning two decades.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Seeing the direct impact that the college has on students’ lives. I love leading or being a part of student tours and seeing the wonderment and possibilities in young women’s eyes. Often, they may desire to choose a male-dominated field, but feel a sense of apprehension until we tell them that women are welders, machinists and electricians too. And seeing them walk across the stage after earning their professional certificate or associate degree is so gratifying.
Workforce Workhorse
Angela Hurst is proud of the role Trenholm State Community College plays in developing the River Region’s workforce and pointed to its newest efforts. “Recently, the college has enhanced the students’ experience by expanding student apprenticeship opportunities with community stakeholders and outfitting all classrooms at both locations with state-of-the-art distance learning, innovative technology and purchased augmented and virtual reality simulators to include 3D learning modules in allied health, truck driving and automotive repair.”
trenholmstate.edu
