Registration is required for both breakfasts.  Fee for each breakfast is $35.

Doctoral Chairs Breakfast, Friday, November 21, 7:00-9:15 a.m.

Chair:  Linda Putnam, Texas A&M U and Scott Poole, Texas A&M U

Panelists:  Bill Balthrop, University of North Carolina; Ed Fink, University of Maryland

This breakfast program focuses on the National Research Council’s (NRC) upcoming study of academic fields. Over the last two years, NCA worked collaboratively with the Council of Communication Associations to convince the NRC to include communication as a discipline in its national study.  The successful argument, presented to the methodological committee of the study, provided sound evidence that communication studies produces enough degrees to meet the numerical threshold for inclusion and that communication doctorates are research and not professional degrees.  Presenters at the breakfast offer suggestions for department heads and deans for participating in the study, coordinating with university administrators, completing faculty and program surveys, and using the results effectively.  Other topics include objective measures of faculty such as publications, grants, fellowships, and citations.  Presenters will also review the ISI database, its listings in communication, and how faculty and chairs can use this resource.

Department Chairs Breakfast,  Saturday, November 22, 7:00-9:15 a.m.

Chair:  Betsy Bach, NCA Educational Policies Board

Panelists:  James Applegate, NCA Past President; Susan Holton, Bridgewater State College; Steven Beebe, University of South West Texas; Bob Avery, University of Utah

Roundtable Facilitator: Sherry Morreale, NCA National Office

This year’s department chairs breakfast, Thriving in Challenging Times: Campus and National Perspectives, is an opportunity for attendees to share their ideas and proactive strategies for managing and promoting a communication department in the face of budget shortfalls and cutbacks. The breakfast starts with a plenary panel in which presenters with experience in successfully promoting communication departments address:  the impact of national trends on communication programs; internal and external challenges for departments at the campus level; and, opportunities for chairs to raise money and other support for their programs. Following the presentations and a hearty breakfast, chairs participate in roundtable discussions with colleagues from similar types of institutions to share problems and issues as well as ideas for addressing concerns they have identified.  All chairs are invited to bring to the breakfast their best ideas accompanied by any handouts to share during the table talks.