Courteney Sykes on Graduation, Resilience and New Paths Ahead
Image Credit: Courteney Sykes
When she crossed the graduation stage at Clark Atlanta University this spring, Courteney Sykes carried more than a diploma. She carried the results of years of determination, leadership and a passion for public relations that shaped her college experience.
Sykes earned a degree in mass media arts with a concentration in public relations. She said she was drawn to PR because of its ability to combine storytelling with creativity.
“I originally wanted to go into sports because I noticed there are a lot of athletes who need somebody to represent them and tell their stories,” Sykes said. “I want to be able to tell the story of a brand or a person, not just what they do on camera, but behind the scenes.”
During her time at Clark, she immersed herself in campus life. She joined the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) in her sophomore year, attending national summits and workshops, and making industry connections that extended beyond the classroom.
She also secured an internship with Tyler Perry Studios after what started as a simple student tour. Weeks later, she and others who showed up to a surprise lunch were offered summer positions.
“That was another lesson I learned. Sometimes, don’t ask questions, just show up,” Sykes said. “Because I showed up, I was able to work on set for shows like House of Payne and Assisted Living. It was a 10 out of 10 experience.”
Her drive didn’t stop at internships. Sykes founded Clark’s first student-run PR firm, which she considers one of her biggest achievements. The firm provided students with the opportunity to work with real clients and gain experience that’s often hard to secure before graduation.
“HBCUs need a stronger PR department,” she said. “With the firm, students don’t need prior experience, just the eagerness to learn. It gives us leverage when we graduate.”
Among her proudest moments was coordinating the first PRSSA district conference hosted by an HBCU. The April 2025 event brought together more than 50 students from across the Southeast and featured sponsors like Comcast, as well as national PR organizations and industry leaders.
“I started working on it months in advance, securing sponsors and planning panels on entertainment PR, sports PR, crisis management and more,” Sykes said. “Seeing it come together was definitely one of my proudest moments.”
Her journey was not without challenges. She lost her mother at the end of her freshman year, an experience she said reshaped her perspective on resilience.
“That was something that really hit me hard, but I was able to get through it with the help of family and close friends,” Sykes said. “It taught me not to lose sight of my goals.”
Looking ahead, Sykes is pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication at Florida State University while interning with the Florida Chamber of Commerce. She envisions a future in cities like New York, Los Angeles or Miami, and one day hopes to own her own PR firm.
“I hope to make an impact by inspiring people to be themselves and not be scared,” Sykes said. “The worst they can say is no. I don’t ever want to regret not trying.”
