BEA2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am PDT

Student Media at Liberal Arts Colleges: Opportunities, Challenges and Unique Student-Centered Experiences

Saturday April 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Liberal arts colleges provide unique opportunities and challenges for student media. Learn how one advisor oversees student TV, radio, and an online newspaper, and how students are gaining experience through cross-training. Discover how collaboration, community engagement, and AI use enhance content creation, and explore how partnerships, including one with the New York Islanders, have created student-centered experiences. Finally, discover how cross-department collaboration is equipping students with valuable skills for today’s media.

Moderator: Chad Whittle, Georgia College & State University
Panelists: Bradley L. Weaver, Westminster College; The Relevance of Well-Rounded Student Media
Kaley Martin, Using Intro Media Courses for Cross-Disciplinary Recruiting

Moderators

Chad Whittle

Assistant Professor of Communication, Georgia College & State University

Speakers

Bradley Weaver

School of Communication Faculty, Westminster College, Pennsylvania

Teaching broadcast communications & broadcast journalism at Westminster College since 2000. Broadcast journalist since 1985.

Kaley Martin

University of Montevallo

Saturday April 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W310

Student Media Advisors, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

10:15am PDT

Industry Bound: Guiding students through their final stretch

Saturday April 18, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

W310

The panel discusses supervising senior students' capstone projects, showcasing their multimedia projects and discussing the journey we took together along the term/year; helping them find their voices and tune their angles, overcoming obstacles, finding the balance between supporting them and yet giving them enough autonomy and space to find their way independently ahead of graduation to prepare them for the industry they're joining in just a few weeks time.

Panelists will discuss how they try to create a newsroom environment with an editorial leadership team, small teams to tackle episodes/verticals, and the work is expected to reach a professional quality that most students have not experienced in classes.

Moderator: Nadine El Sayed, The American University in Cairo
Panelists:Lauren Bavis, Syracuse University
Dwyane A. Cheddar, at the Department of Communication at Oakwood University and the Director. of the Oakwood. University Broadcasting Network (OUBN)
Jayne Cubbage, Bowie State University
Susan G. Reid, Georgia State University
Todd O'Neill, Middle Tennessee State University

Moderators

Nadine El Sayed

Associate professor of practice, The American University in Cairo

Nadine El Sayed is an associate professor of practice at the Journalism and Mass Communication Department. Prior to joining AUC, El Sayed was the senior editor leading the regional custom media publications at Springer Nature, the biggest scientific publisher in the world, and an adjunct faculty... Read More →

Speakers

Susan Reid

Assistant Professor of Directing, Georgia State University, School of Film, media & Theatre

Susan G. Reid is an Assistant Professor of Directing at Georgia State University and a nationally recognized director, writer, producer, and acting coach. She produced the feature film Rejuvenation (Amazon Prime, Tubi), led by Executive Producer of The Walking Dead, Tom Luse. Working... Read More →

Jayne Cubbage

Bowie State University

Dwayne Cheddar

Professor of Communication,, Oakwood University

Lauren Bavis

Professor of Practice, Syracuse University

Todd O'Neill

Middle Tennessee State University

Saturday April 18, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W310

12:00pm PDT

Making Magic: Where Storytelling Meets Strategy and Technology

Saturday April 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

W310

This panel of industry professionals demonstrate how to create compelling narratives, leverage strategic marketing, and utilize technical excellence to transform ordinary podcasts into standout media experiences. Rather than treating these elements as separate skill sets, the session demonstrates how their integration creates podcasts that not only captivate audiences but build sustainable, growing communities.

Moderator: Brenda K Jaskulske, University of North Texas
Panelists: Valerie GELLER, Geller Media International
Gagan Nirula, National Association of Broadcasters
Josh Miely, National Association of Broadcasters,
Michael Khatcheressian, Coaster Radio podcast
Sandy Warr, City St George’s University

Moderators

Brenda K. Jaskulske

Principal Lecturer, University of North Texas

Teach audio, podcasting, radio history, and multi-camera video production courses at the University of North Texas. Member, Texas Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors. Voice Talent.

Speakers

Sandy Warr

Senior Lecturer, City St George’s University

Hello, (First timer here)
I am a multi award winning Radio anchor (BBC and commercial) and a Senior Lecturer in Audio and Podcasting at City St George's University where I developed and launched a dedicated MA in Podcasting. I also teach some of our modules for study abroad students on how to understand London... Read More →

Gagan Nirula

National Association of Broadcasters

Valerie GELLER

Author/ Intl Broadcast Consultant/Trainer, Geller Media International

Valerie Geller trains broadcasters and podcasters in 35 countries to be more effective, engaging and powerful communicators and to help grow their audiences.Valerie Geller’s new third edition of BEYOND POWERFUL RADIO — An Audio Communicator’s Guide to the Digital World for News... Read More →

Josh Miely

National Association of Broadcasters

Michael Khatcheressian

Creator of CoasterRadio Podcast and award-winning video producer, Coaster Radio Podcast

Michael Khatcheressian is an Emmy winning producer, director and editor. He has over 25 years of experience creating innovative programming for national networks, local broadcast stations, production companies and organizations.

Mike is currently vice president of media production for the National Association of Broadcasters. He produces high-profile video productions, national television spots, online media and live, interactive programming for the organization. He creates original content for NAB’s... Read More →

Saturday April 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
W310

Radio & Audio Media, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

1:15pm PDT

Exploring the 100 Best Black Podcasts of 2025 and Their Impact

Saturday April 18, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

W310

This panel will explore the content of the 100 Best Black Podcasts as well as their creators based on the list generated by FeedSpot. In addition to exploring the hosts and content, we'll explore metrics for the top performers via social media metrics such as Facebook, Twitter and IG followers. Panelists also will explore various formats and key topics that range from "The Read," which focuses on hip-hop and pop culture, to "Black Girl Finance" for "money minded sisters."

Moderator/panelist: Kim Fox of American University in Cairo. Other confirmed panelists: Dorothy Bland of the University of North Texas, Marquita Smith of the University of Mississippi. Up to two more panelists could be added, including a male podcaster who made the top 100 list. We are inviting John Allen Hendricks, a department and of mass communication at Stephen F. Ausin University in Nacogdoches and author of several books including Radio's Second Century and The Radio Station: Broadcasting, Podcasting, and Streaming.)
Moderator: Dorothy Bland, University of North Texas
Panelists: Kim Fox, American University in Cairo
Marquita Smith, University of Mississippi
John Allen Hendricks, Stephen F. Austin State University

Moderators

Dorothy Bland

Professor, University of North Texas

Dorothy M. Bland, Ph.D., is a journalism professor at the University of North Texas Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. In 2019, she was honored as one of the top 35 women in higher education by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine. During her tenure as a journalism dean, student enrollment, faculty and staff grew. Under her leadership, the Mayborn launched a master’s degree in digital communication analytics plus earned AEJMC’s Equity and Diversity Award. She worked 25 years in the news industry... Read More →

Speakers

Kim Fox

Professor of Practice, American University in Cairo

The first and only double BEA Best of Festival Winner in the same year; podcaster (Ehky Ya Masr Podcast) and executor of the podcasting trifecta: teaching, researching and producing podcasts.
https://soundcloud.com/ehkyyamasr

Founder and organizer of PodFest Cairo, Egypt and Africa... Read More →

John Allen Hendricks

Professor & Chair, Stephen F. Austin State University

Marquita Smith

Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Research, University of Mississippi

Saturday April 18, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
W310

Multicultural Studies, Industry Issues & Updates | BEA, Industry Issues & Updates | Radio & Audio Media, Industry Issues & Updates

3:00pm PDT

A Conversation with Lifetime Achievement in Creative Scholarship recipient John Woody

Saturday April 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

W310

Steve Anderson & John Woody are the first recipients of the BEA Lifetime Achievement in Scholarship Award. In this session, we'll have a conversation with John about his career progression alongside the rise of technological innovations that have defined modern storytelling. We will discuss key moments in the growth of the field while offering some insights he has gleaned about academia and BEA over the course of his long and successful career.

Moderators

Michael Bruce

Dept. Chair, Associate Professor & Director of Digital Media Center, University of Alabama

Speakers

John Woody

Emeritus Professor, James Madison University

John M. Woody dedicated thirty years to James Madison University, where he served as a full professor of Media Studies until his retirement in 2015. Specializing in advanced video post-production, he built a reputation for combining creative storytelling with emerging technology... Read More →

Saturday April 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
W310

4:15pm PDT

Creating Learning Experiences in Professional Productions

Saturday April 18, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

W310

Professional productions provide opportunities for students to move beyond the classroom and immerse themselves in real learning environments. By participating in live broadcasts, studio productions, documentary work, film productions, and other industry-level projects, students gain hands-on skills that reinforce theory and coursework. This panel brings together faculty who have integrated students into their professional productions. Attendees will learn how these experiences prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Moderator: Michael Crews, Georgia College & State University
Panelists: Valerie Turco, SUNY New Paltz
Nick Artman, Slippery Rock University
Heather Elliott-Famularo, University of Connecticut
Hussein El Moataz, American University in Cairo

Moderators

Michael Crews

Georgia College & State University

Speakers

Hussein El Moataz

Adjunct Instructor, American University in Cairo

Experienced Media Producer and Media Production Instructor conducting research on social media and news dynamics. Proficient in content creation, social media management, and public relations. Recognized for excellence as an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Production Aesthetics & Criticism, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Filmmaker Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

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