Deadline to Apply—December 1, 11:59 PT
The Communication PhD Pipeline Program (CP3) is a two-year fellowship and mentorship experience designed to recruit, mentor, and prepare students for doctoral study in communication and future faculty careers. Founded in 2022 by NCA Past President Dr. Ronald L. Jackson II, CP3 has now transitioned to NCA, which will host its first official cohort beginning in February 2027.
CP3 fellows are selected through a highly competitive, multi-stage application process and receive structured mentorship, professional development, and meaningful opportunities to engage with the broader communication discipline.
The program is designed to:
- Increase awareness and understanding of doctoral education by providing participants with information about doctoral programs, graduate admissions, and academic career pathways.
- Facilitate meaningful mentoring relationships that connect participants with faculty mentors, peer mentors, and professional networks that support academic and career development.
- Strengthen participant readiness for doctoral study through structured professional development experiences focused on research, teaching, service, networking, and graduate education preparation.
- Promote engagement with the Communication discipline by connecting participants to NCA, disciplinary resources, and opportunities for professional involvement and leadership.
- Advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) within the discipline by supporting students from underrepresented, first-generation, and diverse institutional backgrounds—including HBCUs, HSIs, AAPIs, Tribal Colleges, and smaller institutions—and working to expand pathways into doctoral education and the professoriate.
The CP3 is facilitated by the Mentorship and Leadership Council (MLC) and the NCA National Office.
- Lisa Hanasono, MLC Chair
- Rico Self, MLC Member
- Ashli Q. Stokes, MLC Member
- Muniba Saleem, MLC Member
- Diana I. Martinez, MLC Member
- Denise Polk, MLC Member
- Jennifer Fletcher, NCA Organizational Development Manager
Selected fellows commit to a two-year experience. During Year 1, participants serve as CP3 Fellows and engage in structured mentoring and professional development. During Year 2, participants transition into the Peer Mentor role, providing guidance and support to a new cohort of fellows while continuing their engagement with the CP3 community.
Throughout the program, fellows are paired with a dedicated faculty mentor and peer mentor, participate in a year-long series of virtual seminars, and receive fully funded participation in the NCA Annual Convention — including travel, lodging, and a $250 stipend for meals and incidental expenses. For a complete list of program benefits, see the Student Fellow section below.
Throughout the fellowship year, fellows participate in a series of virtual seminars designed to prepare them for doctoral study, academic success, and future faculty careers. Sessions cover topics such as applying to doctoral programs and securing funding, exploring academic career paths, building professional networks and mentorship relationships, conducting research and publishing, developing teaching skills, and engaging with NCA and disciplinary professional associations.
Virtual seminars meet on the third Thursday of each month from 2:30–4:00 p.m. ET. Fellows must be available to attend the majority of sessions on the following dates:
- February 18
- March 18
- April 15
- May 20
- August 19
- September 16
- October 21
There is no virtual programming from June to July.
Fellows participate in the NCA Annual Convention in November, providing opportunities to connect with scholars and faculty, explore graduate education and academic career pathways, and build professional networks within the Communication discipline.
Convention activities include:
- Pre-conference workshop
- Networking luncheon or reception with graduate program directors and faculty
- Attendance at selected convention panels to build scholarly identity
- December 1, 2026: Open call for participants
- December 2026 – January 2027: Application review
- Early February 2027: Applicants notified of final decision
- February 18, 2027: Orientation and program kickoff
- March 2027 – May 2027: Virtual seminars and mentoring
- August 2027 – October 2027: Virtual seminars and mentoring
- November 19–22, 2027: NCA Annual Convention (in person)
Student Fellow
Pipeline Fellows are master’s students and first-year PhD students in Communication who have demonstrated interest in pursuing a doctoral degree and a faculty career.
CP3 is designed to cultivate long-term engagement and leadership within the Communication discipline. Selected participants commit to a two-year experience. Following successful completion of the fellowship year, participants transition into the Peer Mentor role during Year 2, supporting the next cohort of fellows while continuing their own professional development and engagement within the discipline.
Applicants must complete the online application, which includes the following required documents:
- Statement of purpose outlining interest in doctoral education and the professoriate, addressing the following questions:
- What draws you to pursuing a PhD in Communication, and how does it fit into your long-term career goals?
- Describe your research interests and any experiences that have shaped them.
- What do you hope to gain from a structured, two-year mentorship experience like CP3?
- What does an academic career in Communication mean to you, and what draws you to the professoriate specifically?
- What potential hurdles do you anticipate in pursuing a PhD in Communication, and how might CP3 help you navigate them?
- Faculty letter of recommendation
- Current CV or résumé
Fellows are selected through a holistic review process that considers academic potential, demonstrated interest in doctoral education, leadership and engagement experiences, readiness for mentorship, and alignment with the mission and goals of the CP3 program.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply. Consistent with CP3’s commitment to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and access within the discipline, preference will be given to applicants from underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds and to students attending Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), including HBCUs, HSIs, AAPIs, and Tribal Colleges.
Selected finalists may be invited to submit a short video responding to additional application questions as part of the selection process.
Applicants should be prepared to commit to both years of program participation.
Year 1 (Fellow): February 2027 – November 2027
Year 2 (Peer Mentor): February 2028 – November 2028
Selected fellows participate in a fully supported two-year fellowship and mentorship experience designed to strengthen preparation for doctoral study and future academic careers.
Fellows receive structured mentorship, professional development, and full financial support to ensure meaningful engagement in all program components, including the NCA Annual Convention.
Benefits include:
- A faculty mentor for individualized guidance in doctoral preparation, research development, and academic career planning
- A peer mentor (current PhD student) offering near-peer insight into graduate school experiences and expectations
- Access to a year-long series of virtual seminars and workshops focused on graduate applications, research development, academic writing, and navigating academic pathways
- A complimentary one-year NCA Student Membership
- Complimentary registration for the NCA Annual Convention
- Fully funded participation in the NCA Annual Convention, including round-trip travel, hotel accommodations, and a $250 stipend to support meals and incidental expenses
- A CP3 networking luncheon or reception during the Annual Convention, bringing together fellows, mentors, and program leaders
- CP3 cohort recognition items, including a commemorative quarter-zip pullover, recognition pin, and certificate of completion upon successful program participation
Peer Mentors
Peer Mentors are former CP3 Fellows who have successfully completed the first year of the program and continue their involvement by supporting a new cohort of fellows. Peer mentors play a critical role in making the doctoral pathway more accessible, relatable, and transparent.
- Maintain regular communication with assigned fellow
- Share practical insight into doctoral student life and graduate school experiences
- Support fellows in building confidence and navigating academic spaces
- Offer encouragement, accountability, and informal guidance throughout the program year
- Participate in program check-ins as required
- Attend virtual seminars and scheduled programming as available
Peer mentors gain valuable leadership and mentorship experience while supporting the next generation of communication scholars.
The role also provides opportunities to strengthen professional communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills while expanding engagement within NCA.
Benefits include:
- $200 stipend
- An additional $200 travel stipend, available if attending the NCA Annual Convention in person (convention attendance is optional for Peer Mentors)
- Complimentary one-year NCA student membership
- A formal certificate of mentorship recognizing completed service, suitable for CVs, teaching portfolios, or job market materials
- Named recognition at the CP3 networking luncheon or reception during the Annual Convention
- Professional mentorship and leadership experience
- Opportunities to connect with faculty mentors, fellows, and graduate students across institutions
- Opportunity to serve in a designated volunteer role at the NCA Annual Convention to gain professional experience and engagement within the association
Faculty Mentor
Faculty Mentors are NCA members who hold a PhD and currently serve in a faculty position at an accredited college or university. Faculty Mentors are paired with a fellow for the duration of the program year and play a central role in helping fellows understand doctoral education, research expectations, and academic career trajectories.
By serving as a mentor, faculty members contribute to shaping the next generation of communication scholars while supporting broader disciplinary efforts related to mentorship, access, and professional development.
Applicants must complete the online application, which includes short-answer questions about their interest in mentoring, relevant experience, and areas of expertise. Applicants must also submit a current CV of no more than five pages.
Faculty mentors are selected based on alignment with program goals, mentoring interests, professional experience, and program needs.
February 2027 – December 2027
No programming June – July
Expectations and Responsibilities
- Maintain regular communication with an assigned fellow throughout the program year
- Provide guidance on PhD applications, research development, and academic career planning
- Share insight into doctoral education, academic culture, professional expectations, and career pathways within the communication discipline
- Participate in program check-ins coordinated by program leadership
- Attend relevant program events, including the NCA Annual Convention, when possible
Faculty mentors contribute to a national mentorship and pipeline initiative while building connections with emerging scholars and colleagues across the discipline. Participation also provides meaningful mentorship and leadership experience that may support service, annual review, promotion, or tenure portfolios.
Benefits include:
- Formal recognition as a CP3 Faculty Mentor through NCA
- Letter acknowledging participation and national service contributions
- Optional institutional support letter from NCA to assist with requesting professional development or travel funding
- Opportunities to expand mentoring and professional networks across the discipline
- Engagement in a national initiative focused on mentorship, access, and pipeline development
- Invitation to CP3 networking and recognition events during the NCA Annual Convention
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