AEJMC 2024, Philadelphia, Aug. 8-11, 2024  (Conference website is here)
SPIG Pre-Conference Workshop, Wednesday, August 7, 2024

More information to come...

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AEJMC 2023, Washington, DC, Aug. 2023

"The Future of Small Programs in the 21^st Century" was the title of SPIG's interesting and very relevant Pre-Conference Workshop during the 2023 conference in Washington, DC. Check out the complete lineup of panels sponsored or co-sponsored by SPIG at AEJMC here.   

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller "Teacher of the Year" 2023

Dr. Ecaterina Stepaniuc, assistant professor of The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at North Carolina A&T State University, is the 2023 recipient of the Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award from the Small Programs Interest group of AEJMC.

The award, named for a former SPIG president and long-time group proponent, honors a SPIG member who demonstrates excellence in teaching and advising. Dr. Stepaniuc was recognized at a luncheon in her honor during the AEJMC conference in Washington, DC, Tuesday, August 8 at City Tap Penn Quarter in D.C.

2023 SPIG/AEJMC paper competition

Winners of the AEJMC Small Programs Interest Group 2023 paper competition presented their research during a poster session at the AEJMC Conference in Washington, D.C. in August. 

• First Place: “A Metaverse for Learning Communication Research Methods: Focus Group Results From Preliminary Testing,” Prof. Ray Ting-Chun Wang, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
• Extended Abstract: Hot off the presses: “Examining Student Contributions to a News-Academic Partnership,” Dr. Christina C. Smith, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA, and  Dr. Lara Salahi, Endicott College, Beverly, MA.
• Extended Abstract: “Navigating difficult conversations: A qualitative analysis of student perceptions of the discussion of controversial topics in the college classroom,” Dr. Mackenzie Cato, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA.
• Discussant was Dr. Janice Colvin, Wilmington University

Dalton-Landon Foundation Service Award

SPIG established this award in 2005 to recognize group members who have provided exemplary service to the organization. The award is named after SPIG founders Terry Dalton and Kim Landon. The awards for 2023 were presented during the SPIG business meeting (Zoom) on July 26, 2023 to Carrie Buchanan, John Carrol University (retired) and Dave Madsen, Morningside University.

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SPIG AEJMC programming since 2010

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2022 (DETROIT) AUG. 3-6

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award
Masudul Biswas, Loyola University Maryland

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG
Jon Bekken, Albright College

SPIG Research Competition winners

1st: “Three Years of the Crisis Game: A Review of How Role Playing in Crisis Simulations Has Impacted Public Relations Students,” Kay Colley, Texas Wesleyan

2nd: “The Impact of a Blended Strategy of Video Tutorials and Asynchronous Activities On Skill Course Students’ Self-Efficacy,” Arly Faundes, Pontificia Católica de Chile

Extended abstract presented: “Critical Analysis of Motivations and Strategies of Faculty Overseeing News-Academic Partnerships” by Christina Smith, Georgia College and Lara Salahi, Endicott College

Extended abstract presented: “Infusing Media Analytics Content into a Communications Curriculum at a Small College Through the Use of Experiential Learning” by Kelly Poniatowski and Kirsten Johnson from Elizabethtown College.

SPIG conference programming – (PDF)

SPIG Virtual Business Meeting

1st: “Building Sustainable Client Partnerships: a Non-Profit Outreach Center’s Value to Developing a Service-Learning Pedagogy,” Chris McCollough, Jacksonville State

2nd: “Methods for Teaching Social Justice Journalism” (Extended Abstract), Dawn Francis, Cabrini

SPIG conference programming – (PDF)

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2020 (Virtual- SAN FRANCISCO)

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG:
Liz Atwood, Hood College
Cathy Strong, Massey University

SPIG Research Competition winners:

1st: “State of DataViz and Data Storytelling Education in Journalism and Communication Programs: An Exploratory Study,” Masudul Biswas, Loyola-Maryland, and Carrie Sipes, Shippensburg

2nd: “Mindfully Preparing Generation Z Undergraduates for Communication Workplace Realities,” Doug Swanson, California State Fullerton

Great Ideas For Teachers (GIFT)-- Finalists and their entries are available here

SPIG conference programming – (PDF)

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2019 (TORONTO)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Jackie Incollingo, Rider University

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG: Kay Colley, Texas Wesleyan University

SPIG Research Competition winners:

1st: “Effects of Developmental Communicative Feedback.” Malena Price and YoungAh Lee, Ball State

2nd: “Students’ Perception of the Classroom Environment: Comparison between Innovative and Traditional Classrooms.” Chang Wan Woo, Lori Britt, Toni Whitfield, and Tim Ball, James Madison

3rd place: “Los Rostros del Caño: An Exploration In Immersion Journalism from University”
Lillian Agosto, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón

Great Ideas For Teachers (GIFT)-- Finalists and their entries are available here

SPIG conference programming (PDF – 103 KB)

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2018 (WASHINGTON, DC)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Doug Mendenhall, Abilene Christian University

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG: Mitzi Lewis, Midwestern State University

SPIG Research Competition winners (tying for 1st):

“Cross-Country Collaboration: Student Evaluations of a Collaborative Journalism Project Between Two U.S. Universities.” Stephanie Bluestein, Cal. State Northridge; Karima Haynes, Bowie State; and Yue Zheng, Cal. State Northridge.

“Integrating Writing Processes: An Assignment Model.” Sharlene Kenyon, Oklahoma State University

SPIG pre-conference workshop (PDF – 243 KB)

SPIG conference panels (PDF at-a-glance handout – 60 KB; PDF from SPIG News – 246 KB)

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2017 (CHICAGO)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Adam Maksl, Indiana University Southeast

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG: Jim Sernoe, Midwestern State University

SPIG Research Competition winners:

1st: “The Trifecta: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Among Journalism, Public Relations and Video Production Students in a Simulated Environment.” Katherine Fink & Paul Ziek, Pace University.

2nd: “How to Communicate University Reputation: In-depth Interviews of Parents to Understand Their Perceived University Reputation and Communication Behavior.” Christa Burkholder and Youngah Lee, Ball State University.

3rd: “‘Using Their Own Voice’: Learning to Tell Stories with Instagram.” Robert Byrd and Pamela Denney, University of Memphis.

Great Ideas For Teachers (GIFT) finalists-2017

SPIG pre-conference workshop (PDF – 69 KB)

SPIG conference panels, updated with dates and times (PDF – 447 KB)

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2016 (MINNEAPOLIS)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Cindy Simoneau, Southern Connecticut State University

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG: Vivian Martin, Central Connecticut State University, and Brian Steffen, Simpson College

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 41 KB)

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2015 (SAN FRANCISCO)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Sonya DiPalma, University of North Carolina at Asheville

Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG: Dick Hendrickson, John Carroll University

6 Accepted Paper Titles and Author Names/Schools (PDF –  57 KB)

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 62 KB)

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2014 (MONTREAL)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Carolyn Mae Kim, Biola University

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 443 KB)

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2013 (WASHINGTON, DC)

Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Mitzi Lewis, Midwestern State University

Scholarship of Application Award: Cathy Yungmann, Cabrini College
Scholarship of Application Honorable Mention: Lisa Phillips, The State University of New York at New Paltz

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 47 KB)

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2012 (CHICAGO)

Teacher of the Year Award: Kathy Brittain Richardson, Berry College

Great Ideas for Teachers (GIFT) Award: Carol Schwalbe, University of Arizona

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 47 KB)

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2011 (ST. LOUIS)

Teacher of the Year Award: Kay Colley, Texas Wesleyan University

Scholarship of Application Award: Brian Poulter, Eastern Illinois University

Great Ideas for Teachers (GIFT) Award: David Cuillier, University of Arizona, and Mark Berkey-Gerard, Rowan University at Glassboro

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 56 KB)

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2010 (DENVER)

Teacher of the Year Award: Brian Steffen, Simpson College

SPIG lineup  (PDF – 69 KB)

Preconference Best Practices Presentations (PDF – 75 KB)

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2009 (BOSTON)

Teacher of the Year Award: Pam Parry, Belmont University

Great Ideas for Teachers (GIFT) Award: Daniel Reimold, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

PowerPoint presentations and other handouts:

• Janet Kolodzy: Emerson College Journalism (PDF – 68 KB)
• Susan Lewis: Building It Up and Breaking It Down (PDF – 189 KB)
• Tracy Lauder: Brochure (PDF – 93 KB), Major Requirements (PDF – 47 KB), Program Strengths & Challenges (PDF – 51 KB)
• Faron Scott: Multimedia in the Intro News Course (PDF – 70 KB)
• Todd Sodano: Rethinking Hands-on Production (PDF – 79 KB)
• Indira Somani: Small Programs, Big Opportunities (PDF – 558 KB)
• David Weinstock: Merging Traffic (PDF – 3 MB)

Luncheon at Charley’s (photos complements of John McClelland) and dinner with past chairs and others (photos complements of Jim Sernoe):

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2008 (CHICAGO)

Teacher of the Year Award: Susan Lewis, Abilene Christian University

Great Ideas for Teachers (GIFT) Award: Jody Mattern, Minnesota State University-Moorhead

Creative Scholarship of Application Award: John Hanc, New York Institute of Technology