MCA's 42nd Annual Conference

 

Academic and industry communication professionals have similar interests, yet bridging synergies between each sector is often challenging. This conference highlights the opportunities for members of each group to gather and discuss communication—pedagogy, policies and plans—for all aspects of the profession. Our theme, “It’s Time to Talk: Where Academia and Industry Connect,” aims to explore collaborative aspects of communication for academics, students and the industry such as curriculum alignment, student workforce preparation and the application of research to industry. Ideal for students, faculty, and media and communication industry professionals, the conference will connect and inspire discussions on academic and industry practices, media literacy, cultural storytelling, increasing technological influence, and the inherent human desire to connect across all segments of society.

 

Join us for an online pre-conference on Thursday, March 4th which will feature workshops and online seminars on Artificial Intelligence in the academy and in various industries. The pre-conference will also feature this year's top research paper honorees, who will share their scholarship.

 

On Friday, March 5th an in-person conference will feature a student-centered day and will focus on scholarly panel presentations, poster sessions, and a two-year college and university fair for students currently enrolled in a communications program at a two-year community college. An early evening Student Mixer will also be held along with a Guest Speaker Presentation related to the conference theme and the MCA Opening Reception and Networking Dinner Buffett.

 

The in-person conference on Saturday, March 6th at Bowie State University, will explore how human communication within the academy, the workplace, and beyond is situated with the tension of new perspectives and approaches. Submissions related to the conference theme are encouraged, especially those which focus on the collaborative aspects of communication for academics and professionals including curriculum alignment with professional practice, student workforce preparation and the application of research to industry. 

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Call for Proposals Deadlines

 

• Friday, December 18, 2026: Faculty & Professionals 

• Monday, December 21, 2026: Students

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Proposal Types and Formats

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1. MCA Scholarship Presentation (10–15 minutes)

 

Individual paper presentations are research-based and explore communication scholarship, theories, and concepts. Your study can break new ground or reconsider existing arguments on communication topics. This submission type is for faculty, staff, and graduate students.

To Submit: By Friday, December 18, 2026, submit online: name, organization affiliation, position title, email address, brief biography (≤100 words), presentation title, and abstract (≤250 words).

 

2. MCA G.I.F.T.S. (Great Ideas for Teaching Students) Presentations (10–15 minutes)

 

G.I.F.T.S. should be classroom-tested activities, assignments, projects, simulations, or departmental initiatives (competitions, festivals, etc.) that address a communication theory, concept, skill, or learning objective. Open to teachers at all levels.
 

To Submit: By Friday, December 18, 2026, submit online: name, organization affiliation, position title, email address, brief biography (≤100 words), G.I.F.T.S. title, and project summary (≤250 words).

 

3. MCA Professional Development Panel (5 minutes + Q&A)

 

Colleagues in any communication-related career area are invited to share insights supporting students, recent alumni, and emerging professionals. Each panelist has five minutes to discuss their career overview and advice before Q&A.
 

To Submit: By Friday, December 18, 2026, submit online: name, organization affiliation, position title, email address, brief biography (≤100 words), and key career lessons (≤250 words).

 

 

4. MCA Student Posters (5-8 minutes)

The MCA Student Poster session offers a dynamic and interactive forum for undergraduate and graduate students to share their research with a diverse audience of academics and professionals. This is an excellent opportunity to receive feedback, network, and present your work in a visually engaging format during the Friday evening reception. Posters can feature completed research or projects-in-progress.

 

To Submit: By Monday December 21, 2026, submit online: name, organization affiliation, email address, year in school, major(s)/minor(s), presentation title, and summary (≤100 words).

 

5. MCA Conversation Corners 

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Conversation Corners create space for meaningful dialogue of pressing questions at the intersection of academia and industry. These facilitated sessions bring together faculty, students and communication professionals to exchange perspectives, share challenges, and explore solutions in an interactive roundtable format. Unlike traditional presentations, Conversation Corners prioritize peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem solving.

 

2027 Conversation Corner Topics:

 

• AI in the Classroom & Workplace: What Students Need to Know Now: Questions for this segment include: How should we prepare students to work alongside AI tools? What skills remain uniquely human? Join colleagues from academia and industry to discuss curriculum integration, ethical considerations, and workforce expectations in an AI-augmented world. 

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• From Classroom to Career: What Does "Ready" Really Mean?: In this session, topics to be explored include: Students think they're ready, what do employers and industry experts say about student readiness? Caught in the Middle: How can faculty bridge the existing gap to ensure that their students are workforce "ready" upon graduation? How can academia and Industry work together to better align their collective efforts?  

 

Format: Each Conversation Corner will be facilitated by an MCA board member who will frame 2-3 discussion prompts and guide the dialogue. Panelists and participants will discuss their expertise, experiences, and questions as part of a collaborative conversation. 

Conference Registration Rates

• Member Early Bird Registration (on or before 1/29/27): $70
• Member Registration (after 1/29/27): $75
• Nonmember Registration: $100
• Student Member Early Bird Registration (on or before 1/29/27): $35
• Student Member Registration (after 1/29/27): $40
• Student Nonmember Registration: $50

Membership Options

Individual Memberships
• $30 Full-time Faculty/Staff
• $20 Part-time Faculty/Staff
• $10 Student

Institutional Memberships
• $125 Institutional Membership (includes membership for five people and institutional logo on conference materials)

Membership Benefits

• Access to the MCA affinity network
• Professional and academic networking across Maryland
• Subscription to the MCA newsletter
• Eligibility for leadership roles and voting rights
• Access to professional development opportunities

 

About Us

The Maryland Communication Association is a collective of communication educators, students, and professionals who are active teachers, trainers, researchers, authors, practitioners, and leaders. Founded in 1973 as the Maryland Communication Cooperative, MCA has played a key role in developing statewide communication competency standards and supporting articulation agreements in Maryland higher education.

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