Leadership

The Communication Studies Article of the Year Award Committee is charged with reviewing articles published in Communication Studies for the calendar year prior to the CSCA convention and selecting one article that is deemed by the committee to be the best article of the year.

2025-2026 Committee Members: 

Chair: Elizabeth Hintz, University of Connecticut
Vice-Chair: Brooke Wolfe, Michigan State University
Xiaoxia Cao, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Jess Dominguez, University of Kentucky
Toqa Hassan, Purdue University Northwest
Eddah Mutua, St. Cloud State University
Sydney O'Shay, Utah State University
Rikki Roscoe, University of Kansas
Xavier Scruggs, Wake Forest University

The Equity & Inclusion Committee is charged with reviewing CSCA policies and practices to identify any action that might disadvantage particular groups of members or limit their participation, particularly BIPOC members.

2025-2026 Committee Members: 

Chair: Elizabeth (Ela) Lozano, Loyola University Chicago 
Vice-Chair: Stephanie Rollie Rodriguez, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Blessing Ekene Okafor, Illinois State University
Danielle Stern, Christopher Newport University
Mary Kiura, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Kendal Lyssy, University of Missouri

The Finance Committee is charged with overseeing the financial health of the Association. The committee is responsible for monitoring the operating expenses, the investments, and the income generated by the Association.

2025-2026 Committee Members:

Chair: Patric Spence, University of Central Florida
Ahmet Atay, College of Wooster
Justin Rudnick, Minnesota State University-Mankato
Katherine Denker, Ball State University
Benjamin Myers, University of Toledo
Jeffrey T. Child, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Nicholas T. Tatum, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Debra J. Ford, Creighton University (CSCA Executive Director, ex officio)

The Kay Award Committee is charged with selecting the recipient of the Kay Award for Community Engagement and Applied Communication Scholarship. The Kay Award recognizes communication scholars (dyads and groups/teams are not eligible) who have received notable records of success in applying their work to confront issues of social injustice, inequality, intolerance, and prejudice. The award, thus, recognizes and celebrates a significant body of engaged, applied, and/or activist communication scholarship.

2025-2026 Committee Members:

Chair: Amy Aldridge, Middle Tennessee State University
Vice-Chair: Natalie Pennington, Colorado State University
Karla Hunter, South Dakota State University
Debbie Dougherty, University of Missouri
Robert S. Littlefield, University of Central Florida

The Pearson and Nelson Award Committee is charged with selecting the recipient of the Pearson and Nelson Outstanding New Teacher Award. The Pearson and Nelson Award recognizes individuals early in their professional career who are showing distinction as teachers.

2025-2026 Committee Members:

Chair: Nichole Egbert, Kent State University
Vice-Chair: Hsin-I (Sydney) Yueh, University of Missouri
Joe Watson, Baker University
Donna Pawlowski, Bemidji State University
Lance Lippert, Illinois State University

The CSCA staff oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. With the exception of the Member Services Associate who is contracted by the organization, all staff members generously volunteer their time and expertise.

2025-2026 Staff Members: 

Debra J. Ford, Creighton University (Executive Director)
Joy Daggs, Northwest Missouri State University (Exhibits Hall Manager)
Patric Spence, University of Central Florida (Journal Manager)
Sara Baker Bailey, Southern Connecticut State University (Creative Director)
Lindsey Thomas, Illinois State University (Technical Director)

Kathie Cesa, KOC Member Services (Contracted Member Services Associate)