About NSPRA
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Mellissa Braham, APR, has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, working primarily in the education and healthcare sectors. As the NSPRA associate director since 2018, she is responsible for coordinating the NSPRA Communication Audit, NSPRA Communication Review and SCOPE Survey services. In addition to managing staff, she also coordinates session programming for the NSPRA National Seminar, oversees chapter relations, contributes to member resources and develops association products.
Prior to joining NSPRA, she supported dozens of school districts across New York state during her 12 years with the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service. In her multifaceted role, she served as a trusted strategic advisor, communications professional, regional project leader, mentor, trainer, facilitator and communication auditor.
Her work was honored with an NSPRA Gold Medallion in 2013 and an NSPRA Golden Achievement Award in 2016 as well as more than 50 national and state publication awards during her time with BOCES.
She has presented multiple skill sessions at the NSPRA National Seminar on topics such as communication audits, school closures, grassroots advocacy and effective public meetings. She has presented to state-based district and school administrator associations and NSPRA chapters as well.
Before entering the field of public school PR, Mellissa provided communication services for a hospital and a law firm in New York, a mortgage company in Maryland and universities in Texas and New York.
Mellissa holds Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). She also earned a master’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, where she later served as an adjunct instructor of public relations writing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.