BEA2025: Full Schedule

BEA2025
Welcome to the BEA2025 convention program! All BEA sessions and events take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall, 3rd floor.

To create a schedule, please Log In or Sign Up on the upper right corner of the screen. Users can create their own profile and build schedules. Please use the menu on the right side of the page to search and filter for sessions by Interest Division, Session Type, Student Interest or Special Event - and then add them to your schedule.
Keep checking back for event registration, speaker announcements, and more details. Need answers ASAP? Reach out to our event planning team at help@BEAweb.org for info and more.

Keep checking back for event registration, speaker announcements, and more details. Need answers ASAP? Reach out to our event planning team at help@BEAweb.org for info and more.

11:30am PDT

Let's Talk About It

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W301

Everyone dreads it, having challenging discussions as administrative leaders with co-workers. However, no one escapes unscathed. This panel shares communication strategies and practices for navigating conversations with difficult faculty and staff and when the answer has to be “no.” What’s on your list of what to do and not do?
Moderator: Pat F. Sanders, University North Alabama
Panelists: Kim Fox, American University in Cairo
Jennifer Bailey Woodard, Middle Tennessee State University
Pat F. Sanders, University North Alabama

Moderators

Pat Sanders

Department Chair/Professor/DEI Director, University North Alabama

Hello! I am Chair for the Department of Communication. In addition, I am the Director for Intercultural and Engagement Initiatives in the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Alabama. I also serve as the District 2 Representative for BEA. I love meeting... Read More →

Speakers

Jennifer Bailey Woodard

Assistant Dean, Middle Tennessee State University

Dr. Jennifer Bailey Woodard, who was trained and educated in journalism as an undergraduate at MTSU, joined the faculty of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media after graduating from the University of Georgia with an M.A. in mass communication. She received her Ph.D. at Indiana... Read More →

Kim Fox

Professor of Practice, American University in Cairo

The first and only double BEA Best of Festival Winner in the same year; podcaster (Ehky Ya Masr Podcast) and executor of the podcasting trifecta: teaching, researching and producing podcasts.https://soundcloud.com/ehkyyamasrFounder and organizer of PodFest Cairo, Egypt and Africa's... Read More →

Saturday April 5, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W301

Multicultural Studies, Skills/Practice | Gender & Sexuality, Skills/Practice | BEA, Skills/Practice

9:00am PDT

Growing International Presence with BEA Latin America

Sunday April 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

W305

Join us for an enlightening panel that unveils the secrets to improving your media program on the global stage with BEA Latin America. Since its inception in 2019, BEA Latin America has hosted transformative conferences in vibrant cities like Merida, Mexico; Bogota, Colombia; and Quito, Ecuador. This session promises to equip you with practical strategies to expand your media program's reach, ensuring international publications, presentations, and funding opportunities. Don't miss this chance to gain invaluable insights and actionable ideas that will propel your broadcast program to new heights!
Moderator: Jose Soto, DePaul University
Panelists: Tony R. DeMars, Lamar University; Jose Soto, DePaul University; Jesus Ayala, California State University - Long Beach; Teresa C. Puente, California State University - Long Beach

Moderators

Jose Soto

Speakers

Tony DeMars

Professor, Department of Communication and Media, Lamar University

BEA Past President. Previous service with BEA includes past convention program chair, elected positions in multiple interest divisions, leadership roles in the Festival of Media Arts, District 5 Board Representative, and Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Radio and Audio Media.

Jesus Ayala

Professor of Journalism and Director, Beach TV News, California State University - Long Beach

Jesús Ayala is one of the most distinguished and decorated broadcast journalism professors in the country and brings over 20 years of professional journalism experience into the classroom. As a veteran news producer, Ayala has won 5 national Emmys and 7 Edward R. Murrow awards. Prior... Read More →

Teresa Puente

Sunday April 6, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W305

International, Skills/Practice | Multicultural Studies, Skills/Practice | BEA, Skills/Practice

11:30am PDT

Challenges and Triumphs of Black Women in Media: Personal Journeys and Professional Insights

Monday April 7, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W308

This panel brings together accomplished Black women who have navigated the complex media industry to share their personal and professional experiences. From overcoming barriers to representation and inclusion, to achieving groundbreaking successes, the panelists will offer insights into what it means to be a Black woman in media today. Through storytelling, reflection, and practical advice, they will discuss their challenges, triumphs and how their identities have shaped their careers. Attendees will gain a richer understanding of the unique journeys of Black women in media, as well as inspiration and strategies for advancing in the field.
Moderator: Kim Fox, American University in Cairo
Panelists: Traci Easley Williams, University of Oklahoma; Shari Okeke, Toronto Metropolitan University; Dorothy Bland, University of North Texas; Enid Patricia Wells, Kennedy-King College; Chetachi Egwu, University of Maryland Univ. College

Moderators

Kim Fox

Professor of Practice, American University in Cairo

Speakers

Traci Williams

Senior Lecturer, University of Oklahoma

Traci Easley Williams has over 25 years of immersive experience in higher education, specializing in film/television production, scriptwriting, visual media, and Africana studies. Kent State University (KSU), is where she embarked on her teaching career and eventually rose to the... Read More →

Shari Okeke

Toronto Metropolitan University

Dorothy Bland

Professor, University of North Texas

Dorothy M. Bland, Ph.D., is a journalism professor at the University of North Texas Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. In 2019, she was honored as one of the top 35 women in higher education by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine. During her tenure as a journalism... Read More →

Chetachi Egwu

co-founder, University of Maryland Univ. College

All things communication, academic, writing, film/media, production, fashion and journalism!

Enid Wells

Monday April 7, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W308

Multicultural Studies, Skills/Practice | Gender & Sexuality, Skills/Practice | BEA, Skills/Practice