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 NSPRA's research services (NSPRA Communication Audits, SCOPE Surveys), managing staff, coordinating session programming for the NSPRA National Seminar, overseeing chapter relations, contributing to member resources and developing association products. She presents on school communication topics throughout the year, including sessions at the NSPRA National Seminar, for state and national education-affiliated associations, and at state/regional SPRA chapter conferences.
Prior to joining NSPRA, Mellissa 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.
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.