October 2026

Don’t Miss These Sessions

During the convention, NCA and NCA Councils host special sessions that highlight the theme “Move/ments” and receptions that lead to creating and rekindling connections.

Wednesday, Nov. 18

• Day of Service: Assembling Backpacks for New Orleans Youth
  3 p.m. In partnership with Network New Orleans, attendees will assemble backpacks filled with essential school supplies for underprivileged children in the local community.

Thursday, Nov. 19

• Move/Ments within Immigration Advocacy in the Greater New Orleans Area
  8 a.m. In bringing immigrant-focused organizations to the convention we hope that conversations take place and collaborations can be made in this community of communication scholars and practitioners.
  
• Opening Session
  9:30 a.m. In partnership with the New Orleans-based Ashé Cultural Arts Center, the session will bflend caucus oral histories and origin stories with drumming performances, community singing, spoken-word poetry and performance vignettes that derive from the cultural tapestries of New Orleans.
  
• Townhall on AI Community Practices and Association Recommendations: Next Steps in Our AI Move/Ment
  1 p.m. The NCA Task Force on Association AI practices invites next steps that are more focused, more directed toward field-level recommendations, guideline clarity, knowledge sharing networks and events and specific ways to expand the relevance of communication scholarship and instruction nationally around AI.
  
• Communication Pedagogy Grant Recipient Presentation
  5:30 p.m. The Teaching and Learning Council invites members to learn about the progress and findings of the 2026 Communication Pedagogy Grant projects. 
  
• Welcome Reception
  7 p.m. Celebrate the start of convention with a second line parade to the Welcome Reception at the Sazerac House.

Friday, Nov. 20

• Teachers on Teaching: Mentorship from Award-Winning Teachers
  1 p.m. Join the Teaching and Learning Council and NCA Teaching Award winners for dynamic and engaging conversations with accomplished teachers.
  
• Transforming Lives Through Communication: Listening Session for NCA’s Next Strategic Plan (Session A)
  4 p.m. Your insights will directly inform NCA’s incoming Strategic Planning Task Force as they begin their work. Come ready to share, listen and imagine what’s possible.
  
• International Scholars Reception
  7 p.m. Whether you’re traveling from abroad or simply passionate about international perspectives in communication, this is your space to meet colleagues, share ideas and build lasting professional relationships across borders.

Saturday, Nov. 21

• NCA’s Mentorship and Leadership Movement: Five Years On
  11 a.m. This panel discusses what the NCA Mentorship and Leadership Task Force has accomplished so far, the condition of the pathway before us, and immediate plans for developing mentorship and leadership.
  
• Transforming Lives Through Communication: Listening Session for NCA’s Next Strategic Plan (Session B)
  1 p.m. Your insights will directly inform NCA’s incoming Strategic Planning Task Force as they begin their work. Come ready to share, listen, and imagine what’s possible.
  
• Inter-Caucus JAAAAMMMMMM! Brainstorm and Create Mentoring Connections
  2:30 p.m. We are celebrating our collective move/ments of radical survival and refusal — particularly in a moment of great precarity.
  
• Presidents’ Reception
  9 p.m. Celebrate the communication community with NCA President Tina Harris at this special reception. All are welcome to join for an evening of networking, reflection on our collective work and meaningful dialogue with colleagues from across the discipline.

NCA seeks editors for four scholarly journals

The NCA Publications Council is accepting nominations and self-nominations for editors of four journals: “Communication and Democracy,” “Communication Monographs,” “Communication Teacher and Communication” and “Critical/Cultural Studies.”

Journal editors occupy vital leadership positions in the discipline, setting high standards for scholarly inquiry and academic integrity.

Applications are due Jan. 31.

NCA takes steps to expand and diversify the professoriate

The Communication PhD Pipeline Program (CP3) is officially joining NCA to prepare emerging scholars for doctoral study through dedicated faculty mentorship and professional development.

Whether you are an aspiring scholar preparing for doctoral study or an experienced mentor ready to guide the next generation, we invite you to join CP3.

Applications are due Dec. 1.

Host proposals open for 2027 Institute for Faculty Development

The NCA Institute for Faculty Development supports undergraduate faculty in communication pedagogy and the scholarship of teaching and learning, including ongoing changes and issues in communication theory and research.

The host institution for the 2027 institute will receive $10,000, subject to approval by the NCA Legislative Assembly.

Proposals are due Dec. 10.

Join the Oct. 30 virtual session on publishing politically charged work

Navigating academic publishing can be difficult, especially when research engages politically sensitive or charged topics.

Scholars share will practical guidance, candid reflections and strategic advice for every stage of the publishing process.

October ‘Amplified’ article features how communication pedagogy transforms global service-learning abroad

For this edition, NCA Amplified highlights a study published in “Communication Education” by Mark J. Congdon and Annie Johnson of Sacred Heart University.

In this qualitative project, students described insights about listening to local partners, the power dynamics of language and the effects of systemic racial inequality on local life. Some students continued to apply concepts they had learned in the global service-learning course 18 months later.

NCA announces candidate slate for 2026 election

Meet the candidates running for leadership positions in the 2026 NCA election. The Nominating Committee and Leadership Development Committee have selected candidates for leadership roles beginning in 2027.

Benjamin R. Warner of the University of Missouri and Patrick G. Wheaton of Georgia Southern University are running for second vice president.

Voting runs from Dec. 2 to Dec. 31. All active individual NCA members are eligible to vote.

NCA moves from listservs to NCA Communities on Nov. 1

Interest Group communication is getting an upgrade. NCA Communities, the new platform designed for member networking and collaboration, is now live.

NCA is sunsetting its legacy email listservs on Nov. 1. Group administrators are communicating transition details and timelines directly to members.