Conference

AEJMC 2025, San Francisco, Aug. 7-10, 2025  (Conference website)

Reminder: April 1 deadline to submit papers and extended abstracts

See details at AEJMC Conference Paper and Extended Abstracts page.

Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFTs) call for submissions

gift call grapic

In honor of our anniversary year, SPIG invites submissions of Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFTs) – classroom-tested teaching activities, exercises and techniques to share with novice and veteran journalism and mass communication instructors.

The theme of this year’s Wednesday, August 6 pre-conference GIFTs session in San Francisco is teaching in a small program.

Full call information handout

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Submissions are DUE by Monday, April 21, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET https://forms.gle/e16ermwdxf65kLBn7
  • Acceptance notification: On on shortly after May 5, 2025
  • Pre-conference Session: Wednesday, August 6, 2025, AEJMC San Francisco

 

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. 

Dalton-Landon Foundation Service Award

Dr. Pam Parry has been awarded the 2025 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.

Here are just a few of many comments about Dr. Parry shared by SPIG members.

"She has just been there for us year after year. From the first time I started my involvement with AEJMC she was there…she’d have a big Hello when I went to the conferences, she was always a big supporter of SPIG. But year after year she was a hero of support and involvement with our Teaching Journalism and Mass Communication journal. I will miss her." Cathy Strong

"Pam was generous, inclusive and a prolific historian. This is a loss that will take time to process." --Vivian Martin

"I am shocked and very sad. Pam was part of the early days of the SPIG and was always willing to do whatever needed to be done. Her kindness and energy will be missed, and the world just became a little colder." --Jim Sernoe

"She was a memorable person, who always welcomed me at AEJMC conferences and online gatherings. She was a leader with many ideas, and I admired her fearlessness." --Christina Smith


SPIG AEJMC programming since 2010


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