Retired Faculty Member Named to Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame

Street, who retired in December 2025 after 30 years with the Ole Miss journalism program, is the first faculty member from the School of Journalism and New Media to achieve the honor. She was inducted Sept. 21 during the SPRF conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

"The SPRF Hall of Fame honors the most accomplished and impactful public relations professionals in the southeastern U.S." said Patrice Guilfoyle, the organization's Hall of Fame chair. "Nominated by their peers, inductees are selected through a rigorous process.

"Robin's career in educating future professionals has left an indelible impression on numerous students and public relations practitioners who still sing her praises years after they left her classes. She is among the best of our profession and wholly deserving of this honor. "

Street taught Ole Miss journalism classes, specializing in public relations, for more than 30 years. For many years, she was the only instructor for public relations, teaching classes at both the introductory and advanced levels. 

She retired from full-time teaching in May 2020 but continued to serve as an adjunct online professor through 2025. 

"Many former students credit her with preparing them for and steering them into their PR professions," her nomination for the honor read. "Hundreds of them have written her thank-you notes for her lessons, compassion and inspiration." 

Andrea Hickerson, dean of the journalism school, joined the Ole Miss faculty after Street retired but quickly began hearing Street mentioned. 

"When I travel around the country visiting alumni, I've come to expect hearing that Robin is the one who inspired them to pursue a career in PR," Hickerson said. 

The honor is Street's second this year. She was honored by the journalism school in April with the inaugural "IMC Distinction in Service" award for, "a faculty member who has had a profound effect on SJNM IMC students and the discipline."

"During your career, you shined an incredible light on the School of Journalism and New Media, and we are truly honored to call you one of our own," her award notification said.

Top: Robin Street talks to integrated marketing communications students in Farley Hall. Street is the first faculty member from the School of Journalism and New Media to be inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Southern Public Relations Federation. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services