Michelle Hinson is the Director of Development for the Institute for Public Relations, an independent foundation dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations, located at the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

Michelle is responsible for creating, planning and executing IPR's development program including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of current and prospective donors for annual, major and planned gifts, and special events. She is also instrumental in developing and managing new revenue streams.

She plays a major role in the organization, planning and development of IPR's forum and summit programs that have gained a reputation for providing some of the nation's best available continuing education opportunities for corporate and agency public relations managers as well as those involved in communications measurement and evaluation. Michelle is also creating and executing IPR's social media strategy.

Michelle is secretary of IPR's Commission on Public Relations Measurement and Evaluation and is on the board of advisors for the International Public Relations Research Conference. She is also a member of the newly formed Social Media Understanding Group. In addition, Michelle is co-author of a number of research papers and reports that have been presented at academic and professional conferences.

She is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.A. in sociology and earned a Master's Degree in Philanthropy & Development from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Michelle is currently a PhD candidate in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in nonprofit management and leadership at Walden University.

Michelle is a charter member and a past president of the Arredondo Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She is also a member of PRSA (on the Review Board of Public Relations Journal and working on various committees) and on the board of IAOC (International Association of Online Communicators).

In her spare time, Michelle is mother to Hailey (her precocious & snarky daughter). Check out her blog: Happy White Girl at http://michellehinson.wordpress.com/.