Building a Social Impact Student Agency: LoopedIn Co. at DePaul University
By Nur Uysal, Ph.D., College of Communication, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
In Spring 2025, we launched LoopedIn Co., a student-run public relations and strategic communication agency housed within the Center for Communication Engagement in the College of Communication at DePaul University. Designed as a social impact educational enterprise, LoopedIn Co. brings together experiential learning, community engagement, and professional development in a way that reflects the core values of AEJMC PRD’s PF&R pillars—particularly public service, diversity and inclusion, and ethics.
At its core, LoopedIn Co. is built on a simple idea: students learn best by doing meaningful work with real clients. Our student teams partner with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations to develop communication strategies, craft compelling narratives, and build visibility. Since its launch, students have worked with partners such as the Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning, Mondha (a Haiti-based human rights organization), Invest for Kids Summer Investment Challenge, and Chicago Scholars, helping each organization better articulate its purpose and connect with its audiences.
One recent collaboration illustrates the impact. Through their work on the Invest for Kids Summer Investment Challenge, students developed a cohesive communication strategy and built a strong digital presence, leading to a significant increase in applications (from 46 to 163) in one year. This kind of outcome demonstrates how student work can create real, measurable value for community partners.
From a pedagogical perspective, LoopedIn Co. is designed as a high-impact experiential learning model that bridges classroom knowledge with professional practice. Student-run agencies replicate the structure and expectations of real communication firms, immersing students in client-based environments where they develop and execute strategic campaigns. Building on this model, LoopedIn Co. intentionally integrates social impact into experiential learning, allowing students not only to apply theory but also to engage in meaningful, purpose-driven work. Students gain hands-on experience in research, strategy, client communication, and presentation, while also developing critical professional competencies such as adaptability, teamwork, and ethical decision-making. At the same time, the agency model fosters a sense of ownership and belonging, as students take on leadership roles and contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven culture. This approach reflects a shift from learning about public relations to actively practicing it, positioning students as emerging professionals while advancing community-centered communication.
At a time when higher education is being called to demonstrate relevance and impact, LoopedIn Co. offers one model for bridging classroom learning with community engagement. It positions public relations not only as a professional skill set, but as a public service practice grounded in ethics, inclusion, and meaningful dialogue.