BEA2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am PDT

Top Tips: What We Learn from the Great Women Screenwriters in Early Hollywood

Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Panelists will showcase a dynamic slide deck highlighting screenwriting wisdom from the trailblazing women of early Hollywood — pioneers like Alice Guy Blaché, Lois Weber, Frances Marion, Anita Loos, Jeanie Macpherson, Marguerite Bertsch, and Mae West. Drawing on their groundbreaking work, the session will reveal practical tips and timeless techniques that continue to inspire writers today. Afterward, attendees are invited to join an interactive discussion and hands-on workshop: history buffs can dive deeper with questions while screenwriters can share their own scenes, exchange feedback, and sharpen their craft with peers.

Moderator: Leslie Kreiner Wilson, Pepperdine University
Panelists: Alessandra Bautze, Georgia State University
Rosanne Welch, Stephens College

Moderators

Leslie Kreiner Wilson

Pepperdine University

Speakers

Rosanne Welch

Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting

Rosanne Welch (Ph.D.) is the Executive Director of the Stephens College MFA program in TV and Screenwriting in LA. She has written for Beverly Hills 90210, Picket Fences, ABCNEWS: Nightline, and Touched by an Angel. She edited When Women Wrote Hollywood (2018), runner up for the... Read More →

Alessandra Bautze

Georgia State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W308

Writing, Workshop | BEA, Workshop

10:15am PDT

Marketing and Branding My Program: Timely Strategies to Attract and Keep Students

Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

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In an era when Two-Year college marketing departments have moved away from marketing individual programs and toward marketing the institution as a whole, how can I make my program stand out? This panel will share some strategies for success in marketing your program to prospective students.
Moderator: Kaitilyn Furister, Aims Community College

Moderators

Kaitilyn Furister

Instructor, Aims Community College

I am a full-time instructor at Aims Community College in Greeley, CO, where I teach audio production and radio production in the Communication Media department’s two-year degree programs.

Before stepping into my current role, I worked as the Technology and Production Specialist at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO (2022-2024), where I installed equipment, created engaging audio and video content, and trained and managed others in production technologies... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
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Two-Year/Scholastic Institutions, Industry Issues & Updates | BEA, Industry Issues & Updates | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates

11:30am PDT

Voice of America and the Evolution of International Broadcasting: History, Technology, and Influence

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

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In light of recent cutbacks to U.S. international broadcasting, this panel explores the evolving role of Voice of America (VOA) and its counterparts in shaping global media. From shortwave radio to digital platforms, these broadcasters have long served as tools of public diplomacy. As artificial intelligence and mis/disinformation reshape the media landscape, the mission and credibility of international broadcasting are more vital than ever.
Moderator: Lance Liguez, University of Texas - Arlington
Panelists: Tom L Ingram, University of Texas - Arlington
LaDonna Lynn Aiken, University of Texas - Arlington
Andrew Clark, LeTourneu University

Moderators

Lance Liguez

Faculty Advisor, University of Texas - Arlington

Speakers

Andrew Clark

LeTourneau University

Tom L. Ingram

Advt Professor, University of Texas - Arlington

LaDonna Aiken

Broadcast Specialist, University of Texas - Arlington

I am an assistant professor of practice in broadcast communication at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I teach broadcast production classes, as well as my faculty-led Study Abroad to Japan.

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
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International, Research/Theory | BEA, Research/Theory

12:45pm PDT

Festival of Media Arts: Student Showcase Session - Film & Video Competition

Sunday April 19, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

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Join us for this series of sessions showcasing the work of our Festival of Media Arts Student Film & Video winners.

Moderator: John Doyle, Eastern University

Instructional/Educational Category
2nd Place: Kate Needham & Erika Clayton, University of Oklahoma; Shining Bright: Hunter's Capstone

Studio or Remote Category
2nd Place: Mya Fryckman & Savannah Reinke, St. Cloud State University; St. Cloud TEDx - Cory Hepola

Long Narrative Category
1st Place: Natalie Giorgetti, Lilly Stover & Riley Berridge; University of Oklahoma; Sonder

Moderators

John Doyle

Eastern University

Speakers

Natalie Giorgetti

University of Oklahoma

Mya Fryckman

Station Manager, St. Cloud State University - UTVS

Savannah Reinke

Saint Cloud State University

Kate Needham

Senior Producer, University of Oklahoma

Hello! My name is Kate Needham, and I am a senior majoring in creative media production with a minor in entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in May of 2026. I serve as Senior Producer for Gaylord Hall Productions, a client video-production company at Gaylord... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
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Production Aesthetics & Criticism, Festival of Media Arts | Student Spotlight, Festival of Media Arts | BEA, Festival of Media Arts

2:00pm PDT

Signature Station Success Stories

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

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Thinking about entering the Student Media Advisors Division’s Signature Station Competition? Join last year’s first-place winners in radio and television as they share considerations, connections, and collaborations that informed their portfolio process so you can organize, galvanize, and realize your own Signature Station success.
Moderator: Marjorie Yambor, Dalton State College
Panelists: Shawn Andrew Isaacs, University of West Georgia
Austin Bartolomei-Hill, Appalachian State University
Richard Reed, Program Director, WOLF Sports Network
Kylie Karner, Appalachian State University

Moderators

Marjorie Yambor

Dalton State College

Speakers

Kylie Karner

‘24- ‘25 AppTV Station Manager, Appalachian State University

Shawn Isaacs

General Manager, University of West Georgia

I have 25 combined years of radio experience in small market radio and college radio. As the General Manager of WOLF Radio since 2010 and WOLF Sports Network since 2014, I've lead students to Atlanta market jobs and over 30 national and international award reconitions. The most prized... Read More →

Austin Bartolomei-Hill

Appalachian State University

Richard Reed

Program Director, The University of West Georgia

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
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Student Media Advisors, Other | BEA, Other | Student Spotlight, Other

3:15pm PDT

Festival of Media Arts: Faculty Showcase Session & Awards - Interactive Multimedia, Sports, Audio & Scriptwriting Competitions

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT

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Please join us as we recognize all of the Faculty Festival winners from Film & Video, IMET and Sports competitions.

After the awards are handed out, we will hear from our Best of Competition winners.
Confirmed Presenters

Interactive Multimedia
Emerging Media & Technology Category
Capturing New Perspective in Modern Media: Using Drone Videography to Showcase the Sam Houston State University Community; Antonio Bocanegra II, Sam Houston State University

Interactive Reality Category
Eyes of Freedom Immersive; Pat Clark, University of Colorado Boulder

Sports Competition
Long Form Sports Video Category
Authentic ACC: Syracuse Spring Football; Jordan Kligerman, Austin Beehner, Mike Lang & Richard Wiesmann, Syracuse University

Audio Competition
Long-Form Production Category
The Traveling Radio Show Goes to the CSU!; Jeff Jacoby, San Francisco State

Scriptwriting Competition
Narrative Feature Category
Hole-in-the-Wall; Matthew Evans, University of Georgia

Moderators

Heather Dunn

Arizona State University

Speakers

Jordan Kligerman

Visiting Asst. Professor, Syracuse University

Jordan Kligerman is in his third year as a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor in the department of Television, Radio and Film within the Newhouse Sports Media Center as part of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. In his current role, Kligerman teaches Sports Documentary... Read More →

Matthew Nolte Evans

Assistant Professor of Entertainment & Media Studies, University of Georgia

Antonio Bocanegra II

Lecturer of Mass Communication, Sam Houston State University

Antonio Bocanegra II, MFA is an emerging digital media practitioner whose work bridges academic insight and real-world production. As a Lecturer of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University and a Video Consultant Contractor for Perry Homes, he blends teaching, creativity... Read More →

Pat Clark

Assistant Professor: Critical Media Practice - Faculty Director: Immersive Media Lab, University of Colorado Boulder

Pat Clark is an assistant professor in the department of Critical Media Practices and the faculty director of the Immersive Media Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. As a media maker and researcher, he is interested in new methods of interactive storytelling and how they can... Read More →

Jeff Jacoby

San Francisco State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
W308

4:30pm PDT

The Future of Local Television, AI, Ownership, and the New Broadcast Frontier

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT

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Local television is at a crossroads.
We will look at AI already being used in newsrooms and how these tools could reshape both editorial workflows and ethical standards. We will discuss the operational, technical and editorial makeup of consolidated newsrooms, the rapid growth of streaming newscasts and other local content, and how it all affects the future job market.
We'll also address ownership changes and how these shifts change the way local television has been defined over the years.

Moderator: Suzy Smith, Ball State University
Panelists: Terry J. Heifetz, Ball State University
Michael Brouder, Ball State University
Stephen Crews, Gray Television

Moderators

Suzy Smith

Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Media, Ball State University

Speakers

Stephen Crews

Talent Acquisition Specialist, Gray Television

I have spent over 25 years covering news across the Wiregrass. I spent over a decade working in newspapers and radio, covering news and sports. The experience I gained in a small community is invaluable. I learned how to develop my own film and print my own pictures before transitioning... Read More →

Michael Brouder

Ball State University

Terry Heifetz

Ball State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
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News, Industry Issues & Updates | BEA, Industry Issues & Updates | Law & Policy, Industry Issues & Updates | AI Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates

9:00am PDT

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:15pm PDT

4:30pm PDT

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