San Diego State University Masters Student Wins 2012 Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship
Nicole Lee, a masters. student at San Diego State University, is this year’s winner of the Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship. The fellowship − named for James E. Grunig, Ph.D., and Larissa A. Grunig, Ph.D. − is presented by the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) and sponsored by PRIME Research.
Lee will enter a six-week fellowship in the PRIME Research offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan during summer 2012. She will receive a $5,000 stipend and will submit a research paper to be published (by IPR) at which time she will receive another $2,500 from IPR. Her research emphasis interests are the role of mentorship in public relations and employee engagement.
“We are delighted to have Nicole Lee as the fifth recipient of the Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship,” said Mark Weiner, CEO for PRIME Research in North America. ”The Fellowship aims to foster interest in public relations research as a career path; Fellows contribute to PRIME’s research-based consulting for global clients.
“We congratulate both Nicole Lee and PRIME Research for what we believe will be a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Jim Grunig. “Selected from a strong field of applicants for the 2012 PRIME Research Fellowship, Ms. Lee will glimpse life inside one of the world’s premier research operations.”
Lauri Grunig added: “Ms. Lee brings an academic understanding of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Her graduate studies have prepared her well for the challenges of applied research. We expect the relationship between PRIME Research staff, its clients and Ms. Lee to endure long past their six weeks together in Ann Arbor.”
The Grunigs are professors emeriti in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park. Together they have written or edited 10 books. Each has written more than 200 articles, book chapters, monographs, reviews, and conference papers on public relations theory and research. They have lectured in 43 countries, won nearly every major award for public relations educators, and advised hundreds of master’s and doctoral students.
Past Grunig Fellowship Winners
Vanessa Proctor
“Winning the Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship in 2010 opened up a gateway of opportunity for me within the world of PR Research and communication consultancy. It gave me a solid, reputable and enjoyable foundation to step forward with my career and move from my role as a masters student into a young professional. Now, as a Project Manager at Prime Research, I know that without the fellowship I would never have been able to command the role, responsibility and rapid career development opportunities I have now. It truly was a fantastic experience and door opener into a leading global communications company.”
Shana Meganck
“Winning the Grunig PRIME Research Award was not only a huge honor but a wonderful experience. Everyone in the industry knows how well-respected the Grunig’s are and it was such a pleasure to be associated with them, and chosen to grow as a researcher with Prime.”
Owen Kulemeka 
“Winning the Grunig PRIME Award was an achievement that has benefitted me in many ways that go beyond the money and time spent working at the PRIME office. The award has helped my career because being associated with such a prestigious prize has opened doors to exciting opportunities. It was a memorable experience and as a professor, I encourage my best students to not only apply for the award but to seek job opportunities at PRIME which, in my view, is one of the best places to work in public relations.”
Amanda Stageman 
“My participation in the Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship was valuable beyond measure. While working with PRIME Research’s talented team of project managers, I learned how to ideate, develop and implement a research project that could be useful to PR professionals in their everyday practices. It also taught me how to thrive in a fast paced research setting, something that is quite different from the academic world. Most importantly, my internship at PRIME Research opened the door to a world of professional opportunities and sparked an interest in pursuing a career in PR research. It was an ideal learning environment that truly stimulated my professional growth and undoubtedly helped prepare me for my current position. I would recommend the Fellowship to any graduate student who is interested in PR research.”
About PRIME Research
A communication research innovator, PRIME Research’s locations in the USA, Brazil, Uruguay, UK, Germany, Switzerland, India and China serve clients in 35 countries. With fifteen industry practice areas as well as a complete array of public relations monitoring, research, evaluation and consulting services, PRIME leverages its marketing and corporate communications expertise to help clients to build brands and reputations. For more information on PRIME, visit www.prime-research.am.
About IPR
The Institute for Public Relations is an independent foundation dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations™ and focused on research that is applicable in communications practice. Its research is available free at www.instituteforpr.org and provides the basis for the organization’s professional conferences and events.
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