BEA2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am PDT

Monday April 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

University led student reporting programs provide high impact learning experiences for students AND trusted sources of information for local communities. In these programs student reporters (generally though classes or managed internships) cover local communities and their content is shared with media partners or distributed directly. These are programs where professionals edit and vet the student work and work with media partners to provide stories to meet local needs and to journalism standards.

Moderators

Richard Watts

Director, Center for Community News - University of Vermont

The role of students in community news!

Speakers

Chandra Clark

Associate Professor, University of Alabama

Multimedia journalism educator, electronic news/broadcast producer for life, and community journalism advocate. The transition from professional newsroom and freelance producer/pr practitioner includes helping the public and educators understand the role of broadcast journalism in... Read More →

Rick Brunson

Senior Instructor, University of Central Florida

Maria Fernanda Camacho

Spanish Language News Manager, WUFT-University of Florida

Monday April 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W310

Service Learning & Community Engagement BEA News

10:15am PDT

Integrating Virtual Production Technology Into Your Curriculum

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

W310

The use of game engines, like Unreal, motion capture, camera tracking and LED volumes have changed the way the creative industries produce content and tell stories. As this technology filters down from large studios to everyday production houses, colleges and universities may still struggle with integrating virtual production into media curricula. This panel features strategies and best practices for getting started in virtual production, even on a budget.
Moderator: Gregory D. Newton, Ohio University
Panelists: Brian Plow, Ohio University
Kevin Burke, University of Cincinnati
Brian Mehrens, Southern Missouri State University
Richard Grunberg, Toronto Metropolitan University
Tommy Ting, Toronto Metropolitan University

Moderators

Gregory Newton

Associate Dean, Graduate College, Ohio University

Speakers

Kevin Burke

Professor and Division Head, University of Cincinnati

Richard Grunberg

Toronto Metropolitan University

Richard (“Rick”) Grunberg remains an active and influential figure in the production and advanced education community, with more than thirty years of experience as an award-winning creative and technical professional. His academic background includes studies in Engineering, a BA from the RTA School of Media... Read More →

Brian Plow

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Brian Plow is on the faculty at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, teaching documentary and narrative filmmaking, with strong emphases on storytelling, technology and community engagement. In 2020, Brian co-founded the Digital Cinema Initiative. Through the... Read More →

Brian Mehrens

Missouri Southern State University

Tommy Ting

Toronto Metropolitan University

Tommy Ting is an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he teaches filmmaking and virtual production through his research in emerging technology, storytelling and worldbuilding. Prior to joining TMU, Ting held product management and technical production roles... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W310

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

11:30am PDT

Seeing the game differently: Storytelling, Perseverance, and Sports Broadcasting. No Sight but all Vision

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W310

Allan Wylie shares his unique journey into sports broadcasting and his passion for storytelling and sports debate.In this session, he will discuss overcoming roadblocks and low expectations . Through storytelling, explaining how he brings games to life with vivid detail , energy and emotion. Allan will discuss his love for sports debate and analysis breaking down moments that drive conversation among fans. Attendees will gain insight into building a voice in sports media. He will stress the importance of preparation and how his challenges become strengths. No Sight but all Vision.

Speakers

Allan Wylie

Rowan University

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W310

Sports, Special Event | BEA, Special Event

12:45pm PDT

Managing Equipment on a Shoestring Budget

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

W310

As the title suggests, this panel will offer some advice on how to teach media production effectively while keeping your budget under control. It can be done, especially if you can prioritize what's really essential to good teaching and learning.
Moderator: Robert jon Maass, Metropolitan Community College
Panelists: Lisa White, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Moderators

Robert Maass

Advisor, Metropolitan Community College

I have taught media production for Metropolitan Community College for 24 years.

Speakers

Lisa White

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
W310

Two-Year/Scholastic Institutions, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

2:00pm PDT

The King of Podcasting: Howard Stern

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

W310

While Joe Rogan and Marc Maron are often credited as trailblazers in podcasting, the groundwork for long-form, unfiltered audio conversations was laid earlier. In 2006, Howard Stern made the groundbreaking move from terrestrial radio to a new platform, Satellite, embracing a format that allowed for extended interviews and candid discussions on a wide range of topics. This transition not only transformed his own career but also reshaped the audio entertainment landscape—paving the way for the podcast era as we know it today. This panel will explore Stern’s pivotal role in redefining how audiences consume spoken-word content and why every podcaster owes part of their craft to his innovations.
Moderator: Lucas Cuny, San Bernardino Valley College
Panelists: Kevin Lyons, San Bernardino Valley College
Natalie McNair, San Bernardino Valley College

Moderators

Lucas Cuny

Department Chair - Director of the Institute of Media Arts, San Bernardino Valley College

Lucas Cuny grew up surrounded by corn fields and truck stops in New Haven Indiana. As Luke Skywalker did or George Bailey always threatened, he shook off the shackles of the small town and came to Southern California to face his ultimate adventure, to pursue is passion for film. He... Read More →

Speakers

Kevin Lyons

San Bernardino Valley College

Natalie McNair

San Bernardino Valley College

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W310

Two-Year/Scholastic Institutions, Industry Issues & Updates | BEA, Industry Issues & Updates | Student Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates | Podcast Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates

3:15pm PDT

The First Amendment in an AI Society

Monday April 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT

W310

AI is here to stay. In 2026, virtually all digitally literate people would agree, even (or especially) including Generative AI. That being the case, is Amendment I to the U.S. Constitution, celebrating its 235th anniversary this year, here to stay as well? Does it still have relevance? Or even practical applicability? Those are the provocative questions this panel will explore.
Moderator: Carey Martin, Liberty University
Panelists: Cory Carpenter, Lander University; Wait, What? That's Not My Voice! First Amendment and Commercial AI Use
Stephanie A Longo, Penn State Scranton; Moving Toward AI Legal Standards
Adam Schwartz, Towson University; What We Don’t Hear: Audio Editing, AI, and Reframing the Truth
Heather Walters, Missouri State University; AI, Free Speech, & Uncertainty: An Analysis of Garcia vs. Character Technologies, Inc.

Moderators

Carey Martin

Professor, Liberty University

screenwriting, directing, film & television history

Speakers

Cory Carpenter

General Manager of LUX Studio and Associate Professor, Lander University

Stephanie A. Longo

Assistant professor, corporate communication, Penn State Scranton

I am an extremely knowledgeable, dynamic multilingual Communications Professor respected for 10 years leveraging traditional and alternative delivery methods to provide instruction and mentoring in student-centered environments. I have a proven track record utilizing applied industry... Read More →

Heather Walters

Senior Instructor, Missouri State University

Adam Schwartz

Assistant Professor, Towson University

Monday April 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
W310

Law & Policy, Industry Issues & Updates | AI Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates

9:00am PDT

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11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

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3:15pm PDT

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