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NASA Glenn’s Office of Communications Earns Top Honors 


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Members of NASA Glenn Research Center’s Office of Communications gather for a group photo with a winning red guitar and clear glass trophies in front of a backdrop with the words “PRSA” on it.

Members of NASA Glenn Research Center’s Office of Communications gather for a photo after the Public Relations Society of America’s Cleveland Rocks Awards ceremony.
Credit: Tim Phillis

NASA Glenn Research Center’s Office of Communications earned top honors — including Best in Show — during the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)’s Cleveland Rocks Awards on Nov. 19. During the event, the PRSA Greater Cleveland chapter recognized outstanding campaigns and tactics developed in 2024 by leading public relations and communications professionals in the Northeast Ohio community. 

The Best in Show award is presented to the top scoring submission across all categories and subcategories. NASA Glenn’s Solar Eclipse Campaign entry scored the highest out of more than 75 entries in the Cleveland/Akron area. The Glenn team took home the prestigious red guitar for their outstanding effort. 

WKYC’s Betsy Kling assisted in presenting the following awards to NASA Glenn:

Integrated Communications Campaign  (Public Affairs and Government Category)  
 · 2024 Solar Eclipse – In the Path of Totality Campaign – Gold 
 · Spaceplane Stacked and Shaken at NASA Glenn Test Facility – Silver 

Events (Public Affairs and Government Category) 
 · Total Solar Eclipse Fest 2024 (NASA Glenn and Great Lakes Science Center) – Gold 

Tactic – Best Use of X (Formerly Twitter) 
· Congrats, “Passtronaut” Josh Dobbs! – Gold   

Best in Show 
·  2024 Solar Eclipse – In the Path of Totality Communications Campaign   

NASA Glenn Research Center’s Office of Communications director receives a red guitar from Public Relations Society of America’s Cleveland Rocks chair. One person seated in the background looks on.
NASA Glenn Research Center’s Office of Communications Director Kristen Parker, holding a guitar, poses with Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Greater Cleveland Board of Director’s Cleveland Rocks Chair Kristin Pohlig. The guitar symbolizes PRSA’s Cleveland Rocks Best in Show award.
Credit: Tim Phillis 

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      Tandra Spain representing NASA as “Cosmo” the astronaut mascot at a Houston Astros baseball game. What are your hobbies/things you enjoy outside of work? 
      I enjoy crafting, traveling, mentoring students in Pearland Independent School District, spending time with family, and my Rooted Together community. 

      Day launch or night launch?  
      Night launch! 

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      Star Wars (the original version) 

      NASA “worm” or “meatball” logo? 
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      Follow updates on social media at @ISS_Research on Twitter, and on the space station accounts on Facebook and Instagram.  
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