Public Relations, Advertising, and Social Media Everything you learn will help you understand the world of integrated communications.

All students are required to be fully vaccinated (meaning a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines) in order to participate in our program.

To participate in this exciting program, students must be entering grades 9-12 as of Fall. No prior experience is necessary in order to participate.

This program is open to the first 20 students who complete the registration and pay their deposit. A waitlist will be created once we reach capacity.

Please note: some examples and content used during class may include R-rated materials.

Important Dates:

Program Start Date: Monday, July 18 at 8:30am 

Program End Date: Thursday, July 21 at 4:30pm 

Class Outlook:

Classes will be held Monday - Thursday with a 1-hour lunch break (lunch is provided). Each day will consist of lectures, hands-on lab time, and off-campus field trips. 

A more detailed schedule is coming soon! The below is subject to change. 

Drop-Off / Pick-Up For Commuters:

Commuter students should be dropped off each day in our designated "Drop-Off Zone". This zone is located at 330 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Parents and guardians will pull into the lot, drop off their student, and exit down First Avenue. Additional details will be sent to registered participants. To view a campus map of our University, click here.

Jenna Lo Castro, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Advertising

Jenna M. Lo Castro, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of public relations and advertising at Point Park University. Prior to joining the Point Park community, she was an assistant professor of corporate communications at Penn State, Fayette. She has taught at Pittsburgh universities including Duquesne, Carlow and Chatham.

Lo Castro is currently a director of communications and strategy for Oyster Creative Collective, a marketing agency in Pittsburgh. She has been a reviewer for various communication journals such as the Pennsylvania Communication Annual, the Ohio Communication Journal and the Communication & Critical/Cultural Studies Journal. She also has industry experience in advertising and has written for both magazine and newspaper.

Camille Downing, M.A.

Lecturer and Adjunct Associate Professor

Camille Downing has been an adjunct associate professor at Point Park since 1998 and became a full-time lecturer in 2015. In her role, Downing acts as a professional-in-residence in the School of Communication, where she teaches public relations and integrated marketing communications courses while continuing her work as the president of Downing Communications, an independent consultancy that specializes in non-profit public relations and marketing communications. Her clients have included numerous hospitals, universities and social service agencies in Pittsburgh and across the state. As a communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in all facets of strategic communications planning and implementation, Downing brings a unique blend of talent and expertise to both the classroom and the board room.

Downing is a board member for PRSA Pittsburgh, serving as its student liaison. Additionally, she has been actively involved in the International Association of Business Communicators for more than 25 years serving in leadership roles at the local, regional and international level. She helped found the IABC Heritage Region, which incorporates 19 chapters in the northeast and Midwestern part of the United States, and served as the region's first regional director. She was the co-chair of the IABC Heritage Region Conference for three years and served in a leadership role for the conference for 12 years. 

Downing lives in Hampton with her husband, Joe. They have a daughter, Sierra, who attended Westminster College, and a son, Alex, who attended American University for his undergraduate degree and Point Park University for his master's degree.

Payment Information:

All payments are due June 30, 2022.

Registration and payments will be handled through our easy, user-friendly online registration platform, CampDoc. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Electronic Checks are accepted. Payment plans are available. Students receive a t-shirt with seasonal swag and an ID holder with their registration. 

Non-Refundable Deposit: 
A non-refundable deposit of $100.⁰⁰ is required to reserve your space in the program. Please review our FAQs for the most up-to-date information on cancellations and refunds

Board Information:
Students will receive a daily buffet lunch. Most meals will take place in our Lawrence Hall Dining Room.

Available Discounts:
1. A 30% tuition discount is currently offered to Point Park University employees, alumni, and their immediate family members. Family is defined as yourself, your spouse, and/or your children. Room and board costs are not available for this discount.

Welcome to our campus!

All classes will be held on campus at Point Park University. This program will specifically take place at our Center for Media Innovation.

Students will utilize features including our:

Address: 
Point Park University
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

As an undergraduate student at Point Park, you’ll have access to opportunities only a world-class city can offer — and few universities can match — for a real-world, career-oriented education. Consider a B.F.A. or B.A. through our School of Communication.