AEJMC 2026, New Orleans, Aug. 5-8, 2026 (Conference website)
April 1 deadline to submit research papers and research-in-progress
See details at AEJMC 2026 Conference Paper Competition page.
April 24 deadline to submit for Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller "Teacher of the Year"
The award, named for a former SPIG president and long-time group proponent, honors a SPIG member who demonstrates excellence in teaching and advising. Please see the TOY Call for Applications for details.
2025 (SAN FRANCISCO) AUG. 8-11
Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award
Tamara Welter, Baylor University
Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG
Pam Parry, Southeast Missouri State University
SPIG Research Competition winners
1st: “Navigating AI in the Classroom: Ethical Tensions and Pedagogical Opportunities in Communication Courses,” Indah Setiawati, Alexander Carter, Kristen A. Patrow, and Lee K. Farquhar, Butler University.
2nd: “You’ve Never Seen Friends? The Lack of Common Media Experiences Among First Semester Mass Communication Students,” Jeremy Sarachan, St. John Fisher, Olushola Aromona, South Dakota State; Lisa Carponelli, Simpson; Marti Maguire, William Peace; and Nomi Morris, California Santa Barbara.
SPIG conference programming – (PDF)
SPIG Business Meeting
Friday, August 8, 2025
2024 (PHILADELPHIA) AUG. 8-11
Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award
Newly Paul, University of North Texas
Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG
Doug Mendenhall, Abilene Christian University
SPIG Research Competition winners
1st: “Broadcasting the Election: Active Learning Project – Assessment and Proposal for 2024 Presidential Election,” John Williams, Principia.
2nd: “AI in JMC Teaching and Learning: Its Use, Challenges and Opportunities,” Masadul Biswas, Loyola Maryland, and Dorothy Bland, North Texas.
3rd: “Developing Undergraduate News Habits with Daily AI Generated News Quizzes for Journalism Programs and Beyond,” Daniel Thompson and Amanda Siew, Oklahoma.
Discussant: Dr. Janice Colvin, Wilmington University
SPIG conference programming – (PDF)
SPIG Virtual Business Meeting
Friday, July 26, 2024 (minutes)
2023 (WASHINGTON, DC) AUG. 7-10
Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award
Ecaterina Stepaniuc, North Carolina A&T State University
Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG
Carrie Buchanan, John Carrol University (retired) and Dave Madsen, Morningside University
SPIG Research Competition winners
1st: “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: Dr. Janice Colvin, Wilmington University
SPIG conference programming – (PDF)
SPIG Virtual Business Meeting
Monday, July 26, 2023
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
Monday, July 25, 2022
3:00 p.m. Eastern (2:00 p.m. Central, 12:00 p.m. Pacific)
2021 (VIRTUAL) AUG. 4-7
SPIG Members Zoom meeting
When: Jul 29, 2021 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award
KiYong Kim, Biola University
Dalton-Landon Foundation Award for service to the SPIG
Kim Fox, The American University in Cairo
SPIG Research Competition winners
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
2014 (MONTREAL)
Ginger Rudeseal Carter Miller Teacher of the Year Award: Carolyn Mae Kim, Biola University
SPIG lineup (PDF – 443 KB)
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)
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)
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)
2010 (DENVER)
Teacher of the Year Award: Brian Steffen, Simpson College
SPIG lineup (PDF – 69 KB)
Preconference Best Practices Presentations (PDF – 75 KB)
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):
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