– Public relations students gain real-world experience through a semester-long partnership with Rockland County Toys for Tots and set a goal to collect 3k toys for the organization –
St. Thomas Aquinas College public relations students are spending the fall semester working with the Rockland County Chapter of Toys for Tots, applying classroom concepts to a real client while helping the organization reach younger audiences and gaining professional experience they can carry into their careers.
“I am thrilled to partner with the students at St. Thomas Aquinas College,” said Gail Goodson, coordinator of the Rockland County Chapter of Toys for Tots. “They have brought fresh energy and ideas from the start, and I am excited to see how they help us connect with a new generation of supporters.”
Students are managing the public relations process from research through execution, including client interviews, audience analysis, goal setting, campaign development, media outreach, social media and event planning. Their work is designed to strengthen awareness and engagement among college-age and younger audiences.
“At St. Thomas Aquinas College, we believe some of the most meaningful learning happens when students are able to use their education in service to others,” said College President Kenneth Daly. “We are committed to ensuring our students graduate with a very strong academic background, complimented by experiential learning that prepares them for career success in the workplace and service in our communities.”
Professor Elaine Winship incorporates a service-learning project into her public relations coursework each fall.
“Experiential learning is where the classroom comes to life,” Winship said. “Students are applying what they learn, working with a real client and seeing how thoughtful public relations can create measurable results. At the same time, their work is helping an organization that serves local children and families. It is a true win-win.”
“This has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college career,” said Communications major Cheridan Williams. “I am gaining real-world experience and marketable skills that I can add to my résumé, while learning how to work with an actual client. Knowing that the work we are doing also helps children in our community makes the experience even more rewarding.”
The partnership also supports a long-term Toys for Tots goal of engaging a new generation of volunteers, donors and community supporters. The semester will culminate in a student-led event, fundraising initiatives and a toy collection, with students setting a goal of collecting 3,000 toys for local children.
Additional student-led campaigns and donation opportunities will be announced throughout the semester. To support the project or donate a toy, contact Professor Elaine Winship at ewinship@stac.edu or 845-390-4200.
About St. Thomas Aquinas College
St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 76 acres in Rockland County, NY, providing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Home to a diverse student body of approximately 2,000 full- and part-time students, the College provides over 100 undergraduate, graduate, and advanced certificate programs across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and STEM. St. Thomas Aquinas College is also the host site for the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one business advisement, training, and research to small businesses and entrepreneurs in our region. The College is ranked among the best Northern Regional Universities and recognized as a Top Performer on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report, highlighted in Colleges of Distinction for Business, Education, and Career Development, and designated as a Yellow Ribbon Program institution. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); its School of Education is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.
About Rockland County Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a nationally recognized charitable program led by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and dedicated to bringing hope and joy to children in need during the holiday season and throughout the year. In Rockland County, the program is led by the Marine Corps League, Detachment #243, whose members and volunteers collect and distribute new, unwrapped toys, books and other gifts to local children through nonprofit community partners. The Rockland County detachment has supported Toys for Tots for more than 35 years. In 2025, more than 22,000 toys were distributed throughout the county. Toys for Tots also provides year-round support through literacy, foster care, and disaster response and recovery programs.