BEA2026

Our panel provides opinions, advice, and recommendations for teachers grappling with the ascending role of podcasts in our Video Production programs. The issues of podcast audience size, monetization strategy, niche, and quality will be discussed. And we'll debate whether most future employers would simply prefer a more varied, traditional video resume.
Moderator: Dennis Patrick Conway, Valdosta State University
Panelists:
Dennis Patrick Conway, Valdosta State University

The College Broadcasters Inc. host the National Student Media Convention each year and attract hundreds of students who work at college media outlets all around the country. This panel will feature members of the CBI Board of Directors who will share what they learned about the current state of college media from their interactions with attendees at their most recent convention in Denver.

Moderator: John W. Owens, University of Cincinnati; Vice President, CBI
Panelists: Anabella P Poland, Montclair State University - WMSC FM; President, CBI
John Devecka, Loyola University Maryland, Development Director, CBI
 Jasen Sokol, John Carroll University
Steven Hames, Berry College

What is the state of media universe?Telcom Update is now 30 years old and the media world is changing rapidly; there are many questions. Do services like YouTubeTV and Sling spell the end of cable? Will AI spell death to copyright and change ‘Fair Use’? How will AI impact local journalism? Are broadcasters and cable ready for the fragmentation of sports? Should there be a federal right of publicity law? Will the FCC change ownership rules? Can Next Gen TV save broadcasters? Can rural public radio survive without federal funding? With the FCC’s new 2025 EEO rules is DEI dead? What will state-level age verification laws do to the Internet? Finally, there are many difficult questions for the Supreme Court on what role government has in the new media frontier. These issues are some that will be addressed in this year’s panel.

Moderator: Fritz J. Messere, SUNY - Oswego
Panelists: Kim A. Zarkin, Westminster University, Current First Amendment Issues in Media 
Laurie Thomas Lee, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Important Privacy Issues Related to Media
Amy Sindik, Central Michigan University, FCC and Regulatory Issues Impacting Broadcasting 
Paul J. MacArthur, Utica University, Cable, Satellite and Online Video Issues 

Small college campuses require small programs to aid themselves, leaving a fair amount of work for students to elevate their media programs. This panel explores the challenges and adversities, along with the similarities and differences, faced by student media leaders and their peers when growing a student-run college radio station and a student-led film production simultaneously. Topics explored include fundraising, obstacles faced, and learning through the ongoing processes.

Moderator: Aaron J Rios, University of the Incarnate Word
Panelists: Danna Ramos, University of the Incarnate Word
Nydia Perez, University of the Incarnate Word
Leland Campbell, University of the Incarnate Word

Getting the first job after college can be tough. We share advice and feedback on what makes a good resume, reel and portfolio and offer tips to get noticed by hiring managers.
Moderator: Heather Dunn, Talent Dynamics/ASU

This panel featuring both students and faculty will discuss how sports, broadcasting, and journalism teach skills that move the students’ studies from inside the classroom out into the community. We will also explore practical uses of AI, aligning academics with real-world skills.

Moderator: Kathy Heuston, Austin Peay State University
Speakers:
David Ellison, Faculty, Austin Peay State University
Barry Gresham, Faculty, Austin Peay State University
Alexis Hill, Undergraduate Student, Austin Peay State University
Jazmin Logan, Undergraduate Student, Austin Peay State University

Newsrooms are known for their “salty” workplace culture where “f bombs” fly as frequently as breaking news alerts sound; gallows humor long used to manage the stress of having a front row seat to death and destruction.

Both of these mainstays of newsroom culture are becoming increasingly problematic in today’s multi-generational newsrooms.

This panel will offer thoughts on what that means for educators training future journalists and for the employers who seek to hire them.
Moderator: Steve Bien-Aime, University of Kansas
Panelists: Dan Grainge, President NEP Specialty Capture Division
Wes Akers, Northern Kentucky University

Making the jump from industry to education? While an institution’s standards for tenure and promotion are typically expressed, when it comes to people in applied fields, there are often subjective requirements in the minds of those who make the decisions about promotion that are not articulated. Get advice and ideas from seasoned, professors who have navigated that path on how to exceed the expectations of the academic world.

Moderator: Chris Strobel, Northern Kentucky University
Panelists: Marilee Madelyn Morrow, Marietta College
Paul Hemenway, Lamar University
Kathy Bruner, Taylor University
Mark Seignious, University of Northwestern-St. Paul
Cameron Harris, Channel Islands University
McManus Woodend, University of Southern Indiana

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

Promotional Video/Tease/PSA Category
Best of Festival: Nate Locker & Amadou Diallo, Ball State University; Ball State Sports Link: My Black Is

1st Place: Symone Harms, Aiden Penner, Jesus Arriaza-Lopez & Paige Drew; Bethel University; Bethel University Track and Field Intro 2025-2026

Audio Story/Feature/News Category
1st Place: Seth Berquist, Indiana State University; WZIS Sports Update

Audio/Video Event: Play by play talent
1st Place: Jack Stager, Michigan State University; Jack Stager for Impact Radio

Video Live Game Production Category
1st Place: Jack Stager, Madison McCarter, Joseph DesVergnes-Christy & Jacob Maurer, Michigan State University; Michigan State Volleyball vs Nebraska

This panel explores how educators can train students to develop their on-air presence in sports media. From play-by-play and color commentary to sideline and feature reporting, panelists will share strategies for helping students balance confidence, style, professionalism and storytelling. The discussion will highlight classroom exercises and assignments that simulate live game calls, mock radio shows, and on-camera reporting while comparing them to industry expectations. Attendees will gain practical ideas for helping students discover and strengthen their unique sports voice across platforms.
Moderator: Anjelica Trinone, West Virginia University
Adam C. Earnheardt, Youngstown State University
Chuck Scatterday, West Virginia University
Steve Stilwell, Liberty University

This Alpha Epsilon Rho co-sponsored panel features industry advice from professionals for students at all levels of education in all areas of media. Leaders from a variety of media industries and experiences share ideas about skill sets for students to focus on, realities of the workplace, and ways AI has affected staffing and expectations for internships and recent graduates, including advice from

Moderator: Stacey O. Irwin, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Panelists: Cliff Neill, Towson University
Neal Bennett, E.W. Scripps
Adrienne Garvey, Southeastern University
Darryl Jefferson, SVP Engineering & Technology for NBC Olympics & Sports
Kristi Fulkerson, Operations Manager, Service Electric Network (AERho Alumni)

As more institutions establish sports media degree programs, courses either emphasizing or featuring instruction about sports play-by-play are growing as well. This panel features educators with sports broadcast experience to suggest ideas for classroom instruction that can enhance practical experience behind the microphone.

Moderator: John McGuire, Oklahoma State University
Panelists: Dylan McLemore, Oklahoma State University
Kyle J. Miller, Northwest Missouri State University
Kenneth A. Fischer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

For the first time, more people are streaming content than are connected to cable/satellite.
In 2023, online audio audiences bypassed broadcast audiences for the first time.
As the media ecosystem evolves to increased narrowcasting, this panel will explore whether existing mass media theories are still sufficient and/or valid to explain and predict current and future media effects.
The related question will consider whether it’s time to consider new theories to explain media effects in an increasingly non-mass media world.
Moderator: Richard Vogel, retired from Culver Stockton College
Panelists: Glenn Hubbard, East Carolina University
Teresa (Terry) Filipowicz, Pima Community College
Bridget Rubenking, University of Central Florida
Frank A. Aycock, Appalachian State University
Respondent: Paul T.M. Hemenway, Lamar University

Fresh questions lead to new discoveries—come connect with fellow scholars to discuss methods, ideas, and research directions for the year ahead.

Join the Research 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: Bridget Rubenking , University of Central Florida
Vice Chair: Heather Polinsky, Central Michigan University

Former ABC News anchor and correspondent Antonio Mora will address on-camera presentational skills on all levels, focusing on what students need to do in order to be effective broadcast news professionals and strong on-camera storytellers.
Moderator: Antonio G. Mora, University of Miami

This presentation showcases how college radio transforms classroom and studio learning into a foundation for student success. From mastering on-air skills and live sports coverage to creating social media content, producing podcasts, live remotes, and campus events, students gain confidence and professional skills through experiential learning opportunities that will set them apart in the media landscape. This panel highlights strategies to enhance student learning, boost station visibility, foster community partnerships, and generate revenue.
Moderator: Linda Burkley, Susquehanna University

Teaching pitching is not easy because students need to understand the meat of the story plus think of a creative and artsy way to produce the final product. This roundtable panel session could also be a decent workshop inviting BEA members to bring their best student story pitches and then show the results. The goal of this session would be to show the initial pitch, then show the best stories aired, published, and executed by our students. This interactive session will include pitches and successful stories that could be used as examples to collect and take back to share newsworthy, creative, objective, memorable, interesting, and well-sourced pitches.

Moderator: Chandra Clark, University of Alabama
Panelists: Harrison Hove, University of Florida
Carey L. Higgins-Dobney, University of Kentucky
Brittney Nix-Crawford, University of North Carolina Charlotte

Join us for a fireside chat with Cameron Coats, Online Editor for Radio Ink magazine and radio personality Zach Sang. 

Zach Sang is the most formidable yet likable inquisitor of his generation. Having kick-started his career when he was just 14, launching a radio show from his New Jersey bedroom, Sang went on to host Zach Sang and the Student Body on GOOM Radio, eventually becoming executive producer and music director of Zang Radio, one of the largest online teen radio stations at that time. Post-GOOM he partnered with Westwood One, spending 10 years on terrestrial radio hosting and producing the Zach Sang Show, transmitting to 90 terrestrial stations and millions of listeners (not to mention racking up millions of views online). Sang’s interviewed some of the biggest names in pop culture including Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Blackpink, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, BTS, Zendaya, and countless other top tier names. His conversations are personally probing and creatively illuminating, but they’re also safe harbor, free from a clickbait gotcha agenda, offering instead, easy rapport and an open ear. 

For his next act Sang is continuing his partnership with Amazon Music across the board — which started in 2021 — while taking his show back to radio. Additionally the 30-year-old’s got his eyes on increasingly ambitious, broader scope projects. His production company Sang a Song is humming, developing a slate of TBA multi-channel formats. 

In a world where Content Is King, this multi-hyphenate is always iterating, but his ethos remains unwavering: Zach Sang leads with curiosity, empathy, and humor. He’s sharing too, but primarily he’s listening so that others can be heard.

Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, will briefly kick off the session share the work of the foundation. The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life of men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute financial need due to a critical illness, severe accident, or other serious misfortune.