2026 Call for Nominations: NCA Governance and Leadership Positions

Two LA Director positions to serve three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Legislative Assembly (LA) is composed of approximately 186 members consisting of representatives of NCA’s 68 interest groups, the NCA Executive Committee, three members each of the four Regional Associations, one member of the National States Advisory Council and the Association of Communication Administration, nine at-large directors, and six directors appointed by the LA.  

The LA serves as a key liaison function between the leadership and the broader membership. The strength of the Association relies in significant part on informed responses to the questions that come before the Legislative Assembly. The business at the LA meetings is legally governed by the NCA bylaws, and decisions are guided by the Association’s strategic plan. The Legislative Assembly shall exercise fiduciary responsibility over the affairs of NCA and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and policymaking of the Association (Bylaws Article III, Section 3).  

Expectations:  

The LA meets each year in tandem with NCA’s annual convention and once in the Spring for a virtual session and orientation. The LA is the principal policy making body of the Association. There is typically an afternoon session the Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. before the convention, as well as a morning session from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday. NCA will provide lunch during the Wednesday session and breakfast at the Saturday session. LA members will receive materials at least two weeks prior to the Wednesday session. Members are expected to review and be familiar with all materials prior to the Wednesday session.  

Additionally, the LA votes electronically in the Spring to approve Journal Editors for a three-year term.  

General duties and responsibilities for members of the Legislative Assembly include: attending the Legislative Assembly meetings held during the Annual Convention and reviewing, deliberating, and voting in respect to Association matters as brought forth to the Legislative Assembly. 

Officers, directors, trustees, key employees, substantial contributors, or employees thereof, and grant selection committee members are not eligible to receive grants from NCA. 

Qualifications:  

Nominees can be at any stage of their professional career. LA Directors are appointed to address emerging interests and critical problems within the membership and to achieve a balanced representation of teaching levels, ethnic and minority group interests, sex, age, and academic status. Preference for LA Director positions will be given to those who fulfill NCA’s mission towards IDEA initiatives.  

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other LA members while discussing various issues during sessions. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current issues within the field of Communication. 
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn LA responsibilities and the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.  

One Member appointed by the Legislative Assembly to serve a one-year term as chair starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Strategic Leader 

The Nominating Committee is a 78-member committee tasked with recruiting potential nominees as well as reviewing and selecting the slate of nominees who will appear on the general ballot for Second Vice President, Legislative Assembly, and the Leadership Development Committee.  

The committee meets one to three times a year virtually to discuss candidates and determine the ballot that will be presented to the membership in October, with the election in December. The first meeting takes place in the Spring roughly in March or April; if needed, the second meeting is in the Summer usually in July; the third meeting is in the Fall in August or September to finalize the slate for the December election. Committee member workload varies but may average 2-4 hours a month from April – September.  

Expectations: 

The chair is tasked with coordinating the work of the committee, running virtual meetings, and coordinating with the National Office to ensure the ballot has been filled. The chair will meet with the National Office in March to schedule a kickoff meeting with the committee. The committee’s work will conclude in September.
 

Qualifications: 
Nominees for chair should be members of the association with a long history of service to NCA. Nominees for At-Large positions can be at any stage of their professional lives.   

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other Nominating Committee members while discussing possible nominees. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current issues within the field of Communication. 
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions. 

Four At-Large Member positions appointed by the Legislative Assembly to serve a one-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

At least four but up to eight At-Large Members selected by the Leadership Development Committee and approved by the Legislative Assembly to be placed on the Association’s general election ballot in December 2026, where four will be elected to serve a one-year term starting in January 2027. 

The Nominating Committee is responsible for preparing a slate for the election of the Second Vice President, the At-Large Directors of the Legislative Assembly, and the At-Large Members of the Leadership Development Committee.  

Expectations:  

The committee meets one to three times a year virtually to discuss candidates and determine the ballot that will be presented to the membership in October, with the election in December. The first meeting takes place in the Spring roughly in March or April; if needed, the second meeting is in the Summer usually in July; the third meeting is in the Fall in August or September to finalize the slate for the December election.  

Committee member workload varies but may average 2-4 hours a month from April – September. 

Qualifications:  

Nominees for chair should be members of the association with a long history of service to NCA. Nominees for At-Large positions can be at any stage of their professional lives.   

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other Nominating Committee members while discussing possible nominees. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current issues within the field of Communication. 
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  
• NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.  

One position to serve a three-year term (third year as committee chair) starting January 2027.  

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Strategic Leader   

The Finance Committee is responsible for providing guidance and information to the Legislative Assembly on the financial affairs of the Association and shall have such other responsibilities as are established by the Legislative Assembly or Executive Committee of the Legislative Assembly. 

Expectations:  

In addition to meeting the responsibilities of the Finance Committee, members serve on the Legislative Assembly and its Executive Committee (with voting rights on both bodies). As members of the Executive Committee, Finance Committee members are expected to attend two meetings in the Washington, DC area each year in February and August. Finance Committee members arrive a day early in August to discuss the proposed budget for the following year with the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer.  

The Finance Committee also meets in November during the annual convention for an Executive Committee meeting the Wednesday morning of convention and the Legislative Assembly meeting sessions on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning. Convention travel and food expenses are NOT covered. The Finance Committee Chair is expected to present the proposed budget to the Legislative Assembly at its Wednesday meeting.   

The Finance Committee participates in a scheduled Executive Committee virtual meeting in June as well as email and virtually throughout the year. Finance Committee members fulfill all standard responsibilities of non-profit Board members. All new EC members are expected to attend an EC orientation virtually before the February leadership retreat.  
 

The second-year Finance Committee member will serve as a member on the NCA Award Trustee Committee, which oversees the NCA awards funds, process, criteria, and administration of all NCA association-wide awards. The other members include the NCA Second Vice-President, Immediate Past President, and the Executive Director. 

Financial Considerations:  

NCA pays all expenses for in-person Executive Committee meetings in February and August including airfare or car mileage, hotel, taxis or Uber/Lyft. Meals not provided by NCA are reimbursed per NCA’s per diem policy. 
 

Qualifications:  

Given the complexity of the work on which the Finance Committee focuses, the committee is committed to having members with demonstrated financial experience. The committee is committed to diversity of experience and wants to ensure people at all career stages have an opportunity to participate in the association at this level. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other Finance Committee members and Executive Committee members while discussing possible proposals and discussion items pertinent to NCA. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current issues within the field of Communication. 
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn the mission of NCA, its bylaws, policy manuals and fiduciary responsibilities. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required. 
• NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.  

One year as chair-elect beginning in January 2027, followed by a three-year term as chair beginning in January 2028.   

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Strategic Leader 

The IDEA Council serves as the liaison between the NCA Executive Committee and the NCA membership. The IDEA Council supports NCA’s data collection to assess the members’ emerging needs, communicates priorities regarding policy, publications, resources, and meetings, and seeks accountability to address these needs. The IDEA Council supports the NCA in leading with IDEA principles (a core strategic initiative) and providing mentoring and advocacy for IDEA scholars, teachers, and practitioners. 

Expectations:  

The chair serves as a member of the council, which meets in-person twice a year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the Council may convene virtually and through email as needed.  

The chair also represents the council as a member of the Legislative Assembly and its Executive Committee. As a member of the Executive Committee, the chair is expected to attend two meetings in the Washington, DC, area each year (one in February and one in August (travel expenses covered by NCA), one virtual meeting in June, and both an Executive Committee meeting and the Legislative Assembly meeting at the NCA Annual Convention. The chair fulfills all standard responsibilities of a non-profit council member. 

Workload: 

The chair-elect will serve a one-year term beginning in January 2027, during which they will shadow and work closely with the current chair to learn the responsibilities of the role. The chair-elect will then begin a three-year term as chair in January 2028. 

Once in the role, the chair is responsible for directing and coordinating the work of the Council. The chair collaborates with the NCA Office and Executive Committee to develop and implement initiatives that advance IDEA-related strategic goals for NCA. The chair also oversees the coordination of IDEA Council Panels at the annual convention and leads the review and selection process for NCA’s National Awards on IDEA Initiatives. 

Qualifications: 

Nominees should be mid-career or beyond with a strong knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Some administrative experience and/or past service on the council in preferred, but not required.   

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other IDEA members while discussing various issues during meetings and throughout the year.  
• The ability to think comprehensively about IDEA initiatives. 
• An understanding of the mission of NCA.  
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association.  
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.   

Three positions for three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Mentorship and Leadership Council (MLC) was established in 2021 by the Legislative Assembly to help create innovative ideas and research best practices in mentoring within NCA. Council members work with the chair to establish goals and objectives with deliverable outcomes that moves NCA’s Strategic Plan forward. The MLC helps coordinate NCA’s mentorship and leadership resources, activities, and opportunities, which are meant to serve NCA members across every facet of their careers. The MLC’s work is at the heart of NCA’s mission to support members’ professional growth and development.  

Expectations:  

Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the council convenes virtually and communicates through email.  

Workload:  

Council members plan and promote mentoring and leadership sessions for the annual convention, curate digital resources, and help maintain year-round engagement opportunities in collaboration with NCA groups. The MLC also assists in hosting occasional programs with the National Office and supports the recognition and publicity of outstanding mentoring and leadership within the NCA community. The role typically requires a commitment of approximately 4 hours per month, with some variation during peak periods. 

Qualifications:  

As the Mentorship and Leadership Council is committed to diversity of experience, the Council typically includes representatives from a broad range of research methodologies in the Communication discipline. Council members should also have a strong record of mentorship within their institution/community and demonstrate ongoing NCA leadership. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other Council members while discussing various issues during meetings and throughout the year. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about mentorship and leadership across various methodologies.  
• An understanding of the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required. 

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions. 

Two positions for three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The NCA Publications Council is responsible for supporting the Association’s publishing program, including recommending editors to the Legislative Assembly for the Association’s journals and filling journal editor vacancies as necessary. 

Expectations:  

Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the council may convene virtually and communicate through email. Members are expected to review and be familiar with all materials sent prior to their meetings.  

Workload:  

The committee reviews proposals, nominations for journal editors electronically throughout the year for an average of 4-5 hours per month. The time commitment for committee members is dependent on the number of proposals and nominations.  

Qualifications:  

Given the need to identify and recruit new editors for each of NCA’s 12 scholarly journals as these positions become vacant, as well as the desire to continuously improve the journals’ quality and operational excellence, the Publications Council will have members who enjoy high visibility in the discipline and have editorial experience.  

Because the journals cover a wide range of Communication-related subjects, the Council will include members who are diverse in terms of subject expertise with a mixture of humanities and social science perspectives reflected in its composition.  

Preference for Publications Council positions will be given to those who help fulfill NCA’s mission toward IDEA initiatives.  

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other Publications Council members while discussing various issues during meetings and throughout the year. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current Communication publishing issues. 
• An understanding of the journal editing process and the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  
• NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.  

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions. 

Two positions for three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Research Council is responsible for advancing creation, dissemination, and promotion of knowledge about communication. 

Expectations:  

Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the council may convene virtually and communicate through email. This Council manages several important tasks including reviewing applications for the Charles H. Woolbert Research Award, serving as a reviewer for Research Cultivation Grants and applications to the Mid-Career Scholars Writing Retreat, helping to secure hosts for the Doctoral Honors Seminar, identifying individuals to attend advocacy events in Washington, DC in support of both the social sciences and humanities, and developing convention programming.  

Workload:  

The committee reviews proposals, nominations for the Woolbert Award, and Research Cultivation Grants electronically throughout the year for an average of 4-5 hours per month. The time commitment for committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.  

Qualifications:  

As the Research Council is committed to diversity of experience and intellectual pursuit, the Council typically includes representatives from the broad range of research methodologies in the Communication discipline. Nominees should have a record of research excellence. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other Research Council members while discussing various issues during meetings and throughout the year. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current Communication research across various methodologies.  
• An understanding of the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required. 

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions. 

Two positions, to serve three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Teaching and Learning Council (TLC) of the National Communication Association is charged with advancing excellence in communication pedagogy across the discipline. The Council supports, promotes, and enhances effective teaching and learning practices by fostering innovative pedagogy scholarship on, encouraging scholarly engagement with pedagogy, and  while strengthening the professional development of communication educators at all career stages. 

Expectations:  

Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the Council convenes virtually and communicate through email. 

Workload:  

TLC members support disciplinary pedagogy, oversee the selection of teaching-related National Awards and Communication Pedagogy Grants. The TLC also plans Convention programs and support materials (such as VLOs, podcasts, and advocacy resources). The role typically requires a commitment of approximately 4-5 hours per month, with some variation during peak periods. 

Qualifications:  

The Teaching and Learning Council seeks members who are interested primarily in working towards the mission of the council. To that end, the Council typically includes individuals with a demonstrated background and interest in communication and instruction, including an understanding of research in teaching and learning and a commitment to learner-centered pedagogy and a strong record of teaching.  

The Council includes members from all educational sections, including community colleges, elementary/secondary education, and diversity of higher education institutions. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other TLC members while discussing various issues during meetings and throughout the year. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current Communication teaching issues from K-12, Community College, and Four-year institutions.  
• An understanding of the mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.   

Two positions to serve three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Resolutions Committee is responsible for reviewing the proposed public statements and providing related recommendations to the Legislative Assembly. 

Expectations:  

The Resolutions Committee receives, reviews, edits, and recommends action on public statements brought for consideration before the Legislative Assembly. The Committee convenes virtually and communicates through email. Members are expected to review and be familiar with all materials sent prior to meetings. 

The National Office will disseminate the call for resolutions in March with a July deadline. If any resolutions are submitted, the committee will meet virtually in through the year to provide feedback to the submitter and a recommendation, which will be forwarded to the Legislative Assembly. A member of the committee, traditionally the chair, will attend the Wednesday afternoon session of the Legislative Assembly at the Convention to forward the resolution with recommendation to the body.  

Workload:  

The committee is expected to attend a virtual orientation and meet as needed throughout the year. The role typically requires a commitment of approximately 1-4 hours per month. 

Qualifications:  

The committee seeks to keep a balance of representation of members from various institution types, career stages, and geographic locations. The Leadership Development Committee also considers seriously NCA’s diversity and inclusion goals when identifying potential members. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members while discussing various issues during meetings.  
• The ability to think comprehensively about current Communication issues. 
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships in favor of what is best for NCA as an Association. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.   

Two positions to serve three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Convention Committee is responsible for providing recommendations on issues related to the Annual Convention, reviewing convention site proposals and providing site recommendations to the National Office, recommending changes to the Annual Convention based on feedback provided via the annual convention attendee survey, and discussing ways in which the Annual Convention can better serve NCA members and convention attendees.  

Expectations:  

Working with the NCA National Office Convention staff, the committee meets in person once each year during the NCA Annual Convention. The committee will meet virtually to review convention specific proposals coming before the EC and may meet as needed to discuss pressing issues related to the convention. Throughout the year, the committee may communicate via electronic means.  

Workload:  

The committee reviews convention related proposals electronically throughout the year for an average of 3-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of proposals.  

Qualifications:  

The committee seeks to keep a balance of representation of members from various institution types, career stages, and geographic locations. The Leadership Development Committee also considers seriously NCA’s diversity and inclusion goals when identifying potential members. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• Attended the Annual Convention at least twice within the last five years. 
• Able to attend the Annual Convention all three years while serving as a member of this committee. 
• Knowledge of, or willingness to research current issues facing attendees of the Annual Convention. 
• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members while discussing various issues related to the Annual Convention. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about current issues within the field of Communication. 
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.  
• Experience as a program planner at the regional or national level is preferred. 

NCA supports inclusivity, diversity, equity, and access among all volunteer leadership positions. NCA’s IDEA strategic plan is taken under consideration during all discussions.   

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert

The Bernard J. Brommel Award for Outstanding Scholarship or Distinguished Service in Family Communication recognizes outstanding scholarship or distinguished service in the field of family communication. This contribution may include research published in scholarly publications or leadership in instructional areas. Scholarship is broadly defined to include the spectrum of scholarly writing found in articles published in any journal or by members publishing in major research journals sponsored by other associations or organizations, or in book or monograph form. 

This award can also be given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution over a period of years to family communication through leadership, teaching, or promoting the area of family communication at the local, regional, or national level. The award also can be given to someone who combines both scholarly contributions with instructional leadership. 

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 2-3 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.  

Qualifications:

Nominees should be at the mid-career stage or beyond and focused on teaching and/or researching in family communication.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Family Communication research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Two positions, to serve three-year terms, starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Diamond Anniversary Book Award honors the most outstanding scholarly book published during the previous year. The selection committee evaluates books for a generation of research judged to be critical to the discipline of communication; dedication to excellence in the conception and method guiding the analysis; the presentation of findings which generate new insights and understandings regarding communication; and explicit sensitivity to the potential uses and value of the analysis for others in areas such as research, teaching, and application. 

Expectations:  

Selection committee members are responsible for reviewing, evaluating, deliberating, and selecting a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee Chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is selected by the committee from the members entering their second or third year.  

Workload:  

The selection committee receives a physical copy of each nominated book mailed to them in early June and reviews other supporting materials electronically from June to August. The time commitment for selection committee members depends on the number of nominations but may range from 6-10 hours a month.  

Qualifications:  

Committee members are responsible for reviewing, evaluating, deliberating, and selecting a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. The selection committee chair is chosen by the committee and is responsible for coordinating the work, ensuring deadlines are met, and providing the NCA Staff Liaison with a 100-word blurb for why the winner is deserving of the award. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Communication research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships while reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The NCA Distinguished Scholar Award was created in 1991 to recognize NCA members for a lifetime of scholarly achievement in the study of communication. Recipients are selected to reflect excellence within the communication profession. 

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 2-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.  

Qualifications:  

Nominees should be at the mid-career stage or beyond and can demonstrate continued service to NCA. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Communication research, pedagogy, and service.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Two positions to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

The Donald P. Cushman Memorial Award was created to honor Dr. Cushman, an influential figure in the field of communication. The award is designed to recognize Cushman’s mentorship of students, which centered around excellence in scholarship, as well as students’ socialization as scholars in the communication discipline. The award honors the top-ranked student-authored paper from all NCA Interest Groups that competitively rank papers for programming at the NCA Annual Convention.  

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is selected by the committee from the members entering their second or third year.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 5-6 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications:  

Nominees must hold a doctoral degree, have faculty status, and be able to demonstrate relevant experience in evaluating advanced student scholarship.  

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Communication student research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027.  

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Franklyn S. Haiman Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Freedom of Expression honors outstanding published research on freedom of expression. The content criteria to be used for the award selection procedures include the vitality and importance of the subject; the calculated impact of the study upon its audience; the quality of composition; and the enduring value of the scholarship.

Expectations:

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.

Workload:

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 3-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be engaged in teaching/research in freedom of expression. The current editor of Communication and Democracy (formerly First Amendment Studies) is ineligible to serve on the selection committee during their term as editor.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about First Amendment research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

The Gerald M. Phillips Award for Distinguished Applied Communication Scholarship honors the author of a body of published research and creative scholarship in applied communication. The body of scholarship recognized by the award is broadly defined to include the spectrum of scholarship expressed by the Journal of Applied Communication Research, but only as a model for defining the scope of the award. The body of scholarship recognized by the award may be published in any journal, book, or monograph, or published in other than print media, such as but not limited to film, video tape, audio tape, or radio.

Expectations:

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.

Workload:

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 3-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be engaged in teaching/research in Applied Communication.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Applied Communication research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

The Global Communication Award recognizes communication scholars who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and notable service in the areas of global communication. Specifically, the recipient will be recognized for distinguished communication scholarship that: 1. De-Westernizes way of knowing and doing; 2. Focuses on regions, communities, or spaces outside of the United States and Europe Integrates and cities international, and global scholars, theories, approaches, and/or methodologies in their scholarship; 3. Amplifies the global ecologies of knowledge. 

Expectations:
Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee. 

Workload: 
The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 2-3 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications: 
Nominees should be at the mid-career stage or beyond and focused on teaching and/or researching in global communication.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Global Communication research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Three positions to serve two-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Golden Anniversary Monograph Award honors the most outstanding scholarly monograph published during the previous calendar year in any of the areas of the speech communication arts and sciences. 

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met and is selected by the committee from members entering their second year of service.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to September for an average of 5-8 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.  

Qualifications:

Nominees should be engaged in research from various Communication methodological backgrounds.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Communication research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert

The Interpretation/Performance Studies Committee selects the recipients of the Leslie Irene Coger Award for Distinguished Performance and the Lilla A. Heston Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Interpretation and Performance Studies.

The Leslie Irene Coger Award recognizes NCA members with outstanding careers in performance. The award is given for a body of performance or an outstanding career in performance. It may, in exceptional cases, be given to performers of a single or a smaller body of performance.

The Lilla A. Heston Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Interpretation and Performance Studies recognizes NCA members who have published research and creative scholarship in interpretation and performance.

Expectations:

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.

Workload:

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 3-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be engaged and knowledgeable in performance studies and interpretation research.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about various interpretation and performance studies methodologies.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Two positions to serve two-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

The Mark L. Knapp Award in Interpersonal Communication recognizes career contributions to the study of interpersonal communication. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant scholarly contributions to the study of interaction and/or relational processes.  Honorees will have also contributed to the quality of interpersonal communication through active involvement in the discipline, significant mentoring of students, and/or public service focused on interpersonal communication. 

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is selected by the committee amongst the second-year members. 

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 2-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications:

Nominees should be recognized leaders in the study of interpersonal communication and well-acquainted with the broad scope of scholarship in the area.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Interpersonal Communication.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve three-year terms starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

The award honors Dr. Marsha Houston noted African American feminist communication scholar who was instrumental in helping raise and duly ensure recognition of the collective academic voices of African American women and other women of color in conventional feminist communication.  

Expectations: 

 Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 2-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications:

Nominees should be recognized leaders in the study of Feminist Communication Theory.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Feminist Communication Theory.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

Orlando L. Taylor was the first African American to serve as president of NCA. The award recognizes a scholar whose body of scholarship demonstrates a sustained commitment to the study of African American and/or African Diaspora communication and culture. 

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 2-4 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications:  

Nominees should be at any stage of their professional career and have experience in Africana Communication research, culture, and teaching.  

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Africana Communication research, culture, and teaching..
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Three positions to serve one-year terms starting January 2027.  

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Professional Service Awards Committee selects the recipients of the Robert J. Kibler Memorial Award and the Samuel L. Becker Distinguished Service Award. Both awards honor members who have demonstrated excellence, commitment, and service to the Association and the discipline.

The Robert J. Kibler Memorial Award honors those who have epitomized the qualities of Robert Kibler’s professional and personal life, including dedication to excellence, commitment to the profession, concern for others, a vision of what could be, acceptance of diversity, and forthrightness.

The Samuel L. Becker Distinguished Service Award honors a person who has made the greatest contribution to the Association and the profession during her or his career. The contributions may be in research, teaching, or service. In most cases, the selected honorees have made outstanding contributions in all three areas.

Expectations:

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair will be selected by the committee.

Workload:

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 3-5 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be at any stage of their professional career and have a proven record of service with NCA.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about communication research, teaching, and service.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Two positions to serve a three-year term starting in January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Rhetorical Scholarship Selection Committee selects the recipients of the Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar Award, the James A. Winans-Herbert A. Wichelns Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Rhetoric and Public Address, and the Karl. R. Wallace Memorial Award.

The Ehninger award honors distinguished scholars who have executed research programs in rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, or public address studies.

The Winans-Wichelns award honors Rhetorical and Public Address scholarship that has been published by NCA members in the previous year based on copyright date.

The Wallace award is given to foster and promote philosophical, historical, or critical scholarship in rhetoric and public discourse.

Expectations:

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is chosen by the committee.

Workload:

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to September for an average of 8-10 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be at any stage of their professional career and have a proven record of in rhetorical studies or public address.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about rhetorical studies or public address research, teaching, and service.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting in January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award honors new scholars in the communication discipline who have published their first scholarly book or monograph. Honored scholars are selected on the highest standards of academic rigor. Submissions address any area of communication research and may employ any methodology. Submissions are judged on their ability to open new fields of research for the discipline, for their potential to influence research in a particular area of the discipline, and/or for their potential to become standard reading for scholars in the discipline. 

Expectations:  

Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The chair is the third-year member of the committee. 

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials electronically from June to August for an average of 5-6 hours per month. The time commitment for selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications:

Nominees should be at any stage of their professional career and have a proven record of research excellence.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about communication research.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One Position for a member to serve a four-year term starting in January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert

The Committee on International Discussion and Debate promotes international understanding and the practice of communication through discussion and debates between students from the United States and other nations. The program seeks to broaden the scope of international educational and cultural exchanges by providing a channel for the exchange of ideas and attitudes among students and young people in America and throughout the world; make possible informal meetings among students, college and university personnel, and the general citizenry of participating countries; facilitate the exchange of information and ideas about the educational systems of the countries involved; reinforce the importance of dialogue as a preferred means for resolving international and intercultural differences; maintain and enhance the ties between the National Communication Association and forensics organizations, forensics programs, and their sponsoring academic departments throughout the United States; and provide opportunities to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the discipline of communication both in other nations and in the United States.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be at the mid-stage level or beyond in their careers. Each member serves a four-year term serving as chair in their third year. Most of the work of this committee is done electronically throughout the year.

Workload:

The committee reviews materials and holds monthly meetings electronically from February to September for an average of 3-4 hours per month. The committee also is expected to meet at the Annual Convention in November to start planning debates for the following year.

Qualifications:

Nominees should be at any stage of their professional career and have a proven record of organizing formal forensic speech and debates competitions.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about forensics and debate.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

Two positions to serve three-year terms beginning January 2027. 

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Thought Leader 

The purpose of the Doctoral Education Committee is to promote the highest standards of Communication scholarship through excellence in doctoral education. The committee works in collaboration with the Research Council, Teaching and Learning Council and other Association bodies as appropriate.  

Expectations:  

The committee convenes once a year in person during the Annual Convention. Most other work is done by electronic means throughout the year. The committee also reviews nominations and selects a winner for the Gerald R. Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award.  

Workload:  

The selection committee reviews nomination materials for the Miller Award electronically from June to August for an average of 6-10 hours per month. The time commitment for award selection committee members is dependent on the number of nominations. 

Qualifications:

Nominees should have a history of service to their department/institution. Members are selected with the intent of maintaining a committee that is representative of doctoral programs geographically, intellectually, and in other appropriate ways.

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed.
• The ability to think comprehensively about Communication research.
• Previous experience in reviewing doctoral dissertations.
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA.
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.

One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2027.  

Leadership Cultivation Framework Persona: Subject Matter Expert 

The Leathers Memorial Fund is a grant selection committee that reviews funding requests for projects to support Communication scholarship in Eastern Europe and funded by the Dale G. Leathers Memorial Fund to Promote Communication Studies in Emerging Democracies. For more information, visit https://www.natcom.org/dale-leathers-fund-grants/.  

Expectations:  

Committee members are charged with devising general criteria for judging proposals, for selecting the designees of the fund, and for establishing any priorities for operationalizing the purposes of the Fund, intended to support communication scholarship emerging democracies. All of the work of the Committee is done electronically from September to November. Members serve three-year terms. The role typically requires a commitment of approximately 2-4 hours per month during the grant review period. 

Qualifications:  

Nominees should have an interest in promoting Communication teaching and research in emerging democracies. 

Nominees must be members of NCA at the time of submitting materials and possess:  

• A willingness to collaborate with other committee members as needed. 
• The ability to think comprehensively about Communication scholarship in emerging democracies 
• An understanding of the vision and mission of NCA. 
• The willingness to set aside professional affiliations/friendships reviewing nomination materials.  
• A commitment to adhere to confidentiality when required.