BEA2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am PDT

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

Meaningful change begins with inclusive dialogue. Come be part of a conversation centered on representation, equity, and diverse voices in media.

Join the Multicultural Studies Division meeting in Las Vegas to connect with colleagues, exchange new ideas, and help shape exciting initiatives for the coming year. These meetings are a welcoming space to build community, spark collaboration, and make your voice part of the conversation. Whether you’re a returning member or attending for the first time, this is a valuable opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and play an active role in your division’s future. We’d love to see you there.

Chair: Marquita Smith, University of Mississippi
Vice Chair/Paper Competition Chair: Tisha Mays, University of Toledo

Moderators

Marquita Smith

Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Research, University of Mississippi

Speakers

Tisha Mays

Assistant Professor, University of Toledo

Tisha Mays is an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Communication at the University of Toledo. She teaches a variety of courses including Audio Production I, Audio Production |I, Podcasting, Introduction to Social Media, and Communication Principles and Practices. In addition... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W313

Multicultural Studies, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

12:45pm PDT

Festival of Media Arts: Student Showcase Session - Scriptwriting Competition

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

W313

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

Moderator: Leslie Kreiner Wilson, Pepperdine University

Narrative Feature Category
1st Place: Bailey Lynn, University of Alabama; America's Champion

Short Narrative Film Category
Award of Excellence: Erin Sides, University of Montevallo; From Found to Lost

Original Television Series Pilot Category
Best of Festival: Cooper Johnson, Missouri State University; Bandit

Award of Excellence: Jaiden Arada & Priscilla Jackson, University of Georgia; SPF

Moderators

Leslie Kreiner Wilson

Pepperdine University

Speakers

Cooper Johnson

Screenwriter, Missouri State University

J. Cooper Johnson is an award winning screenwriter that recently graduated from Missouri State University in December 2025. Johnson works as a social media film marketer and has worked with companies such as Lionsgate for John Wick 4, Prime Video, Lifetime, Buffalo 8 / Bondit.

Bailey Lynn

University of Alabama

Jaiden Arada

University of Georgia

Erin Sides

University of Montevallo

Bandit (finalish) pdf

Sunday April 19, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
W313

Writing, Festival of Media Arts | BEA, Festival of Media Arts | Student Spotlight, Festival of Media Arts

2:00pm PDT

Gender & Sexuality Division Meeting

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

W313

Important conversations start here. Join us as we explore media, identity, representation, and the issues that matter most in this moment.

Connect with colleagues, exchange new ideas, and help shape exciting initiatives for the coming year. These meetings are a welcoming space to build community, spark collaboration, and make your voice part of the conversation. Whether you’re a returning member or attending for the first time, this is a valuable opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and play an active role in your division’s future. We’d love to see you there.

Chair: Patrick M Johnson, Indiana University Northwest
Vice Chair/Paper Competition Chair: Roger Allman, Grand Valley State University

Moderators

Patrick M. Johnson

Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, Department of Communication, Indiana University Northwest

Speakers

Roger Allman

Grand Valley State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W313

Gender & Sexuality, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

3:15pm PDT

But Who's Gonna Tell Me What to Like?: The Future of Music Media

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

W313

As streaming and social media algorithms replace radio and other traditional media as the main recommendation engines for music, is there still a space in the culture for the "old" ways of introducing music to us? Is there still a point to broadcasting the VMAs or the Grammys? What about music critics at newspapers or magazines? This panel will examine the present and future of media related to the promotion of popular music.
Moderator: David Crider, SUNY - Oswego
Panelists: Jennifer Williamson, WVST-FM/Virginia State University
Nicholas Smith, SUNY Fredonia
Jennifer Rachel Billinson, Syracuse University

Moderators

David Crider

Assistant Professor/Advisor, WNYO-FM, SUNY - Oswego

Speakers

Jennifer Williamson

Program Director, WVST-FM/Adjunct Professor for Audio Production, Virginia State University

Jennifer Billinson

Syracuse University

Nicholas Smith

Director, SUNY Fredonia

Professor Smith is a BBC-trained producer and director, originally from Bristol, England. He has worked on over 100 film and TV productions and has produced several feature-length projects, including the award-winning action movie Cold Soldiers (2018) and the horror film 8 Graves... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
W313

Radio & Audio Media, Research/Theory | BEA, Research/Theory | Media Management & Content Strategies, Research/Theory | Student Spotlight, Research/Theory

4:30pm PDT

Curriculum, Assessment & Administration Division Meeting

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

W313

Great programs do not happen by accident. Join us to share ideas that strengthen curriculum, support teaching, and shape the future of media education.

Connect with colleagues, exchange new ideas, and help shape exciting initiatives for the coming year. These meetings are a welcoming space to build community, spark collaboration, and make your voice part of the conversation. Whether you’re a returning member or attending for the first time, this is a valuable opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and play an active role in your division’s future. We’d love to see you there.

Chair: Timothy E. Bajkiewicz, Virginia Commonwealth University
Vice Chair/Paper Competition Chair: Angela Criscoe, Georgia College & State University

Moderators

Tim Bajkiewicz

Associate Professor, Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture (formerly School of Mass Comm), Virginia Commonwealth University

Assoc. Prof. of Broadcast Journalism
Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Speakers

Angela Criscoe

Executive Director, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Georgia College & State University

I am the Executive Director of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at Georgia College. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, I have a passion and interest in researching, exploring, and using innovative technologies in film and television. I... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
W313

Curriculum Assessment & Administration, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

9:00am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:15pm PDT

4:30pm PDT

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