BEA2026: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

BEA101 for Students ONLY

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

W315

Attention all students and student advisors... we'll be talking all BEA student opportunities in Las Vegas.

Moderators

Sandy Henry

Professor, Drake University

I am the BEA Faculty Fellow for Student Programs. I'd love to hear about your student's needs and ideas you have for expanding student opportunities, both at the convention and throughout the year.

Speakers

Heather Birks

Executive Director, BEA

Saturday April 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W315

Student Spotlight, Other | BEA, Other

2:00pm PDT

Applying for BEA Scholarships @ the BEA Info Desk

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

West Hall - 3rd Floor Lobby

Stop by the BEA Booth in the exhibit hall and find out about what scholarships are available to BEA student members.
Hosted by BEA Scholarship Committee Chair: Peter B. Orlik, Central Michigan University

Speakers

Peter B. Orlik

Central Michigan University (emeritus)

BEA's Scholarship Committee Chair

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
West Hall - 3rd Floor Lobby

BEA, Other | Student Spotlight, Other

2:00pm PDT

Signature Station Success Stories

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

W308

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
W308

Student Media Advisors, Other | BEA, Other | Student Spotlight, Other

3:15pm PDT

ACEJMC Q&A with the Experts @ the BEA Info Desk

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

West Hall - 3rd Floor Lobby

Stop by the BEA Booth in the exhibit hall and ask any and all questions related to ACEJMC.

Speakers

Michel M. Haigh

Professor, Texas State University

Michel M. Haigh brings a mix of practical and teaching experience to her position at Texas State. She joined the faculty in July of 2017. lty at Penn State from 2006-2017 where she taught public relations writing, campaigns, research methods, freshmen seminar, and mass media and society... Read More →

Gregory Pitts

Professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media, Middle Tennessee State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
West Hall - 3rd Floor Lobby

BEA, Other | Curriculum Assessment & Administration, Other

4:30pm PDT

Mas Que Palabras: Navigating the Future, Promise, and Pressure of Bilingual Media

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

W303

This panel examines the evolving landscape of Spanish-language media and its impact on higher education. Panelists will explore industry shifts, curriculum adaptation, financial pressures including federal funding cuts, and the growing scrutiny of bilingual offerings. They will discuss strategies to balance innovation, accountability, and community impact while preparing students and organizations to navigate rapidly changing industry, cultural, and financial realities.

Moderator: Teresa (Terry) Filipowicz, Pima Community College
Panelists: Glenda R. Balas, University of North Texas - Dallas
Jennifer Meadows, Chico State University
Raul Aguirre, REA Media Group

Moderators

Terry Filipowicz

Pima Community College

Teresa (Terry) Filipowicz has been a Teamwork and Leadership in Small Groups Online Course Subject Matter Expert, Computer Information Systems Artificial Intelligence Course Development Team Member, Artificial Intelligence Governance Council Member and part of the Business and Industry... Read More →

Speakers

Jennifer Meadows

Professor, Chico State University

Jennifer Meadows is a Professor of Media Arts in the Media Arts, Design, and Technology Department at California State University, Chico. She is the 2025-2026 BEA President. Her research and teaching focuses on communication technology, emerging technologies, diversity and inclusion... Read More →

Glenda Balas

Professor, University of North Texas - Dallas

Dr. Glenda Balas is a Professor in Communication and Technology at the University of North Texas at Dallas. She was formerly Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UNT Dallas; Professor and Chair of the Communication and Journalism Department at the University of New Mexico; and Chair... Read More →

Raul Aguirre

REA Media Group

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
W303

Multicultural Studies, Other | BEA, Other

11:30am PDT

Mentoring 101: Building Faculty and Student Success from Campus to Career!

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

W308

Higher education is facing unprecedented challenges, from declining enrollments and budget constraints to evolving industry demands. Effective mentoring is critical for institutional resilience and student success and can lead to relationships that are reciprocal, long-term partnerships. Mentoring can create learning opportunities where mentees bring fresh perspectives, technological fluency, and innovative approaches that elevate mentors' teaching. Mentoring can also provide mentees with academic guidance, professional networks, and career navigation support. This panel will share mentoring strategies from the perspective of both the mentor and mentee.
Moderator: Stephen Price, University of Central Missouri
Panelists: Karen Russell, Tennessee State University
Adrienne Garvey, Southeastern University
Rynna Burgbacher, Southeastern University
Angela Criscoe, Georgia College & State University
Christopher Scott Jackson, University of Florida

Moderators

Stephen Price

Professor, University of Central Missouri

I am a Professor in the Digital Media Production Program at the University of Central Missouri. I am also the author of the textbook, "Single-Camera Video From Pre- to Postproduction" with Focal Press.

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 →

Karen Russell

Asst. Professor, Tennessee State University

Adrienne Garvey

Assoc. Professor of Broadcasting & Journalism, Southeastern University

I am a former broadcast journalist who has found herself loving being in the college classroom. I enjoy storytelling through writing especially but also love the added tools of using video and sound to tell a compelling story. I am also deeply interested in the mental health of journalists... Read More →

Rynna Burgbacher

Southeastern University

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W308

Curriculum Assessment & Administration, Other | BEA, Other | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Other

12:45pm PDT

Defining the Documentary: Trauma and Documentary

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

W303

“Defining the Documentary” is an ongoing series exploring issues concerning the documentary. Following a brief introduction, we will break into groups each with its own moderator, and discuss this topic—allowing all attendees to participate in the ongoing conversation. This year’s topic is focused on trauma—within the documentary, among the filmmakers, and thinking how audiences react.
Moderator: Julia Largent Kuttler, McPherson College
Nick Geidner, The University of Tennessee
Shanna Gilkeson, Eastern Michigan University
Ralph Beliveau, University of Oklahoma
Tom Hallaq, Kansas State University

Moderators

Julia Largent Kuttler

Associate Professor of Communication, McPherson College

Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Adviser (newspaper & podcast studio) at McPherson College in central Kansas. I study documentaries and fandom, both separately and in tandem. I like cats.

Speakers

Ralph Beliveau

Professor, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Beliveau is the Area Head for Creative Media Production and Professional Writing at the University of Oklahoma and affiliate faculty in both Film and Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies. He writes and teaches about media education and literacy, race, horror media, documentary... Read More →

Documentary, Other | BEA, Other

2:00pm PDT

BEA Past President Meeting

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

W313

BEA's past presidents meet for an update on current association activities.

Moderators

Glenda Balas

Professor, University of North Texas - Dallas

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W313

BEA, Other

BEA2026

9:00am PDT

Sandy Henry

Heather Birks

2:00pm PDT

Peter B. Orlik

2:00pm PDT

Marjorie Yambor

Kylie Karner

Shawn Isaacs

Austin Bartolomei-Hill

Richard Reed

3:15pm PDT

Michel M. Haigh

Gregory Pitts

4:30pm PDT

Terry Filipowicz

Jennifer Meadows

Glenda Balas

Raul Aguirre

11:30am PDT

Stephen Price

Angela Criscoe

Karen Russell

Adrienne Garvey

Rynna Burgbacher

12:45pm PDT

Julia Largent Kuttler

Ralph Beliveau

Shanna Gilkeson

Dr. Tom Hallaq

Nick Geidner

2:00pm PDT

Glenda Balas

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