Kaiya Lynch becomes first University of Missouri student to win GKC-PRSA Inez Kaiser scholarship
By Emily Early
COLUMBIA, Mo. (Dec. 4, 2025) — Missouri School of Journalism senior and first-year accelerated M.A. student Kaiya Lynch was awarded the Greater Kansas City Public Relations Society of America 2025 Inez Y. Kaiser Memorial Scholarship Fund, becoming the first Mizzou student to earn the scholarship.
Lynch was selected for the $5,000 scholarship because of her student involvement, passion for the field of public relations and enthusiasm to advance the industry.
“When my mentor encouraged me to apply back in April, I never imagined I would actually be selected — but I am beyond thrilled and grateful to be recognized in this way,” Lynch said. “It’s a reminder of why I’m passionate about the work I do and the impact I hope to continue making.”
Lynch’s enthusiasm for journalism and public relations stems from her childhood, when she sold homemade magazines to neighbors. In high school, she continued that passion as editor in chief of the student newspaper. The School of Journalism solidified that interest for her once she discovered the strategic communication emphasis.
“When my mentor encouraged me to apply back in April, I never imagined I would actually be selected — but I am beyond thrilled and grateful to be recognized in this way. It’s a reminder of why I’m passionate about the work I do and the impact I hope to continue making.”
— Kaiya Lynch
“That early spark — combining design, narrative and audience connection — planted the seed for what would become a lifelong passion for public relations,” Lynch said. “I was the editor in chief of my high school’s newspaper at the time and was set on majoring in marketing since it seemed like the only way to enter the field, but I quickly learned about strategic communication and knew that journalism was the major for me and the School of Journalism was the place to be.”
Lynch currently works with American Advertising Federation, MOJO Ad and high school journalism workshops as a residence hall chaperone/mentor for the School of Journalism. In addition, she is a university tour guide, a Writing Center tutor, conducts undergraduate research, interns for the University of Missouri Honors College and is an engagement coordinator at NextGen Precision Health.
Lynch’s mentor, Professor Jon Stemmle, has instructed her in three courses including MOJO Ad, where Lynch and a team of students are working with Bath and Body Works to foster connections with younger audiences. Lynch cited Stemmle as an adviser in the School of Journalism and beyond.
“Kaiya has a really astounding resume for someone of her age, having worked in social media, digital marketing, graphic design and account management,” Stemmle said. “She’s someone who has embraced learning all that she can about various aspects of our industry.”
“Kaiya has a really astounding resume for someone of her age, having worked in social media, digital marketing, graphic design and account management. She’s someone who has embraced learning all that she can about various aspects of our industry.”
— John Stemmle, Professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Sara Biles, president of GKC-PRSA, said the scholarship committee was also impressed with her student involvement and personal essay responses.
“We felt like she was someone who would embrace this field of public relations and communications and go on to do bigger and better things,” Biles said. “That’s what Inez Kaiser was doing; she was a groundbreaker and did a lot of things to advance public relations but also public relations for Black professionals, and we could see that in Lynch’s application as well.”
That focus — Lynch’s commitment to public relations — is what GKC-PRSA represents. They work with a community of professionals in the public relations and communications industry, in addition to working with students in surrounding Public Relations Student Society of America chapters.
GKC-PRSA’s mission is also deeply rooted in the values Kaiser left behind. The organization works with Kaiser’s son and granddaughter to uphold her vision for the industry through the scholarship.
“Inez Kaiser was a Kansas City native who became the first Black woman in the nation to own a public relations firm with national clients,” Biles said. “When that was happening during her lifetime, that was really revolutionary, and she really made a mark and helped Black public relations professionals grow and expand and have opportunities. The chapter had accumulated a fair amount of money, and we wanted to be able to do something with that money to better the profession and help people coming up.”
Biles encourages any students interested in the public relations and communications field or looking for a network opportunity to reach out to GKC-PRSA. The 2026 Inez Y. Kaiser Memorial Scholarship Fund will open again around late February or early March.
Updated: December 4, 2025