Dr. Lillie Fears, professor of multimedia journalism production, has assumed responsibilities as the new president of the Southwest Education Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. One of her final duties as vice president was planning, chairing and hosting the Southwest Symposium, which was held at the ASU Mid-South campus in West Memphis. Faculty and students from institutions in an eight-state region presented their work during the symposium.

Dr. Justin Castro, assistant professor of Latin American history, and co-author José Luis Ortiz Garza addressed the 13th annual Congreso Latinoamericano de Investigadores de la Comunicación (Latin American Conference of Communications Scholars) in Mexico City. Their presentation argued that the Adolfo de la Huerta Rebellion in 1923-24 was a critical moment in Mexican media and democracy, causing a shift from more open to more authoritarian practices. Proceedings are online.

Dr. Amy Shollenbarger, assistant professor of communication disorders and interim department chair, and graduate student Amber Lindley presented Lindley's thesis research at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association conference in Philadelphia. The research was on the use of mindfulness meditation as a therapy technique with adults who stutter.  Results were positive, showing participants experienced fewer moments of stuttering, less anxiety and improved quality of life with communication.

Michael J. Gray, instructor in communication studies, is now directing the Debate and Forensics Team, which has returned to a more competitive parliamentary debate-focused travel schedule. The team competed in three tournaments during the fall and won awards at all three, including the most recent at the LSU-Shreveport Red River Swing Tournament. Reagan Williams won the varsity semi-finalist trophy and won the second speaker award in individual international public debate.