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Flagstaff, Ariz. (Jan.
5, 2006)—A Northern Arizona University assistant
professor of public relations and 12 NAU seniors
traveled to Washington, D.C., recently to present
the results of a five-month project to their client,
the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
Assistant professor Astrid Sheil, who has a
background in international relations and business,
secured the work for Kurdistan through a former
contact in Washington. The students, all from NAU's
School of Communication, presented their findings to
Qubad Talabany, the executive director of Kurdistan,
and his staff.
All of the public relations materials produced by
the class had to be sent to Baghdad for final
approval by Iraq President Jalal Talabani.
When students began their project during the first
session of summer school, none of the students knew
who the Kurds were. "I had no idea that the Kurds
are the largest ethnic minority in the world without
a homeland," says Carly Swearingen, a senior public
relations major.
The class revamped the Kurdistan web site, developed
a comprehensive media database for distribution of
press releases and designed and produced brochures,
"backgrounders," fact sheets and more for a new
media kit.
In addition, the students wrote and produced a
PowerPoint presentation on the history of the Kurds
for use by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The
students also solicited permission from a panel of
experts willing to talk about the Kurdish issue to
the media.
"Flying to Washington and getting to present our
work product to an international client was a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us," said Kiku
Hartman, a senior public relations student. "I
learned a lot about international affairs and the
war in Iraq from this class and how public relations
can make a difference."
The students also attended a 90-minute briefing with
acting ambassador from Iraq, Faiz al-Gailani.
While in Washington, the students took advantage of
the opportunities to tour the Capitol and the dome
with U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi and to attend several
committee and subcommittee meetings on the Hill.
An alumnus of NAU, Renzi rolled out the red carpet
for the students. Renzi's office also sponsored a
reception for the students and Kurdistan
representatives on Capitol Hill. For the students,
it was the first time any of them had visited
Capitol Hill. In their spare time, the students
dispersed to visit national monuments, tour the
Holocaust Museum and spend an afternoon in the
Smithsonian Institution.
"It was a learning experience I will never forget,"
said graduating senior Ricardo Beccera.
Sheil is interested in continuing to develop
experiential learning classes for students.
"In addition to the fabulous experience all these
students had, one of them came back from Washington,
D.C., with a job on Capitol Hill," Sheil said. "The
students were so pleased with their experience they
started an organization called the Student
International Public Relations Agency of NAU."
Sheil will look for additional international clients
for future classes.
"The students did exceptional work," Sheil said.
"The client was pleased and intends to put the
materials to use immediately. But best of all, the
students came back from Washington knowing that they
can play in the big leagues. You can't put a price
tag on the confidence the students gained from the
experience of working for a high profile
international client."
www.nau.edu
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