NCA Governance and Award Committee Members
NCA seeks members to serve on a variety of governance and award selection committees. Unless otherwise indicated in a specific call below, nominations are reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments. Nominations from traditionally under-represented groups are especially encouraged as the Leadership Development Committee considers seriously NCA’s diversity and inclusion goals when identifying potential members. Self-nominations are welcome. All nominees must be current NCA members.
Required Nomination Materials
- A one-page cover letter summarizing interest and qualifications for the position. Please include a statement indicating that, if appointed, the nominee agrees to serve on the relevant committee and maintain NCA membership while serving.
- An abbreviated curriculum vitae of no more than five pages highlighting professional qualifications, with emphasis on experience that is relevant to the position.
Please submit materials electronically to nomination@natcom.org no later than October 1, 2021 as a PDF document with the name of the position or committee in the subject line of the email.
Final appointment decisions are made by the Legislative Assembly in November. All nominees will be notified of the LA votes in early December.
To learn more about specific opportunities to serve our discipline, please click on the links below.
Governance, Council and Standing Committee Positions
Two LA Director positions to serve three-year terms starting January 2022
The Legislative Assembly (LA) serves a key liaison function between the leadership and the broader membership. The strength of the Association relies in significant part on informed responses to the questions that come before the Legislative Assembly. The business at the LA meetings is legally governed by the NCA Constitution and Bylaws, and decisions are guided by the Association’s strategic plan. The Legislative Assembly shall exercise fiduciary responsibility over the affairs of NCA and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and policymaking of the Association (Bylaws Article III, Section 3).
Expectations: The Legislative Assembly meets as a body each year in tandem with NCA’s annual convention and is the principal policy making body of the Association. There is typically a full afternoon session the day before the convention begins, as well as a shorter morning session on Saturday.
Additional work is completed electronically throughout the year. Officers, directors, trustees (the LA and its EC who are listed on the IRS Form 990), key employees, substantial contributors or employees thereof, and grant selection committee members are not eligible to receive grants from NCA. General duties and responsibilities for members of the Legislative Assembly include:
- attending the Legislative Assembly meetings held during the Annual Convention and
- reviewing, deliberating, and voting in respect to Association matters as brought forth to the Legislative Assembly.
Qualifications: Nominees can be at any stage of their professional lives. LA Directors represent emerging interests and critical problems and to achieve a balanced representation of teaching levels, ethnic and minority group interests, sex, age, and academic status.
Selection Process: Nominations for each position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One Chair position to serve a one-year term starting January 2023 to chair the 2023 Nominating Committee.
One At-Large Member position appointed by the Legislative Assembly to serve a one-year term starting in January 2022 to serve on the 2022 Nominating Committee.
At least four At-Large Members selected by the Leadership Development Committee to be placed on the Association’s general election ballot in December 2021, where four will be elected to serve a one-year term starting in January 2022 for the 2022 Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee is responsible for preparing a slate for the election of the Second Vice President, the At-Large Directors of the Legislative Assembly, and the At-Large Members of the Leadership Development Committee.
Expectations: The Nominating Committee is tasked with recruiting potential nominees as well as reviewing and narrowing the slate of nominees who will eventually appear on the general ballot. The committee meets once in person for an orientation session during the Annual Convention the November before their official term starts, but most work is completed electronically in the spring and summer of their term year.
Qualifications: Nominees for chair should be members of the association with a long history of service to NCA. Nominees for At-Large positions can be at any stage of their professional lives.
Officers of the Association and members who have served on the Nominating Committee during the preceding five years shall be ineligible to serve on the Nominating Committee. This provision shall not apply to members named by regional associations represented on the Legislative Assembly or the Interest Group representatives.
Selection Process: Nominations for chair are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendation of the Leadership Development Committee is then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nominations for the at-large positions are reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. At-Large Members are selected in two different ways. First, among the pool of nominees, the Leadership Development Committee will recommend one nominee to the LA who will formally appoint this person to the committee. Second, the Leadership Development Committee will also select up to eight nominees to be placed on the general NCA election ballot where the four with the highest number of votes will be elected to serve a one-year term.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term (third year as Committee Chair) starting January 2022.
The Finance Committee is responsible for providing guidance and information to the Legislative Assembly on the financial affairs of the Association and shall have such other responsibilities as are established from time to time by the Legislative Assembly or Executive Committee of the Legislative Assembly.
Expectations: In addition to meeting the responsibilities of the Finance Committee, committee members serve on the Legislative Assembly and its Executive Committee (with voting rights on both bodies). As members of the Executive Committee, Finance Committee members are expected to attend two meetings in the Washington, DC area each year in February and August (travel expenses covered by NCA) as well as an Executive Committee meeting and the Legislative Assembly meeting at the NCA Annual Convention each year. Finance Committee members meet for an additional day preceding one of the DC Executive Committee meetings, and otherwise convene via conference calls and communicate electronically. Finance Committee members fulfill all standard responsibilities of non-profit Board members. All EC members are asked to contribute to the NCA Annual Fund, though there is no minimum giving level.
Qualifications: Given the complexity of the work on which the Finance Committee focuses, the committee is committed to having members with demonstrated financial experience. The committee is committed to diversity of experience and wants to ensure people at all career stages have an opportunity to participate in the association at this level.
Selection Process: To be considered for nomination, all nomination materials must be submitted to the Leadership Development Committee via the instructions in the Required Nomination Materials section above. Materials are submitted to nomination@natcom.org.
According to NCA’s Bylaws: “The Finance Directors shall be elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of three years. Terms of the Finance Directors are staggered, and one Finance Director shall be elected each year. The Leadership Development Committee will provide a slate to the Legislative Assembly for approval after consultation with the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee Chair shall be the Finance Director serving the third year of the three-year term.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions for three-year terms starting January 2022.
The Publications Council is responsible for supporting the Association’s publishing program, including recommending editors to the Legislative Assembly for the Association’s journals and filling journal editor vacancies as necessary.
Expectations: Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the council may convene via conference calls and communicates electronically.
Qualifications: Given the need to identify and recruit new editors for each of NCA’s 11 scholarly journals as these positions become vacant, as well as the desire to continuously improve the journals’ quality and operational excellence, the Publications Council will have members who enjoy high visibility in the discipline and have editorial experience.
Because the journals cover a wide range of Communication-related subjects, the Council will include members who are diverse in terms of subject expertise with a mixture of humanities and social science perspectives reflected in its composition.
Selection Process: To be considered for nomination, all nomination materials must be submitted to the Leadership Development Committee via the instructions in the Required Nomination Materials section above. Materials are submitted to nomination@natcom.org.
According to NCA’s Bylaws, “The Publications Council shall consist of a Chair and six members elected by the Legislative Assembly from a slate of candidates developed by the Leadership Development Committee. The Leadership Development Committee will consult with the Publications Council during the selection process. The Publications Council Chair and Council members shall serve for a term of three years. Terms of the members of the Publications Council shall be staggered, such that terms of two members shall expire each year.”
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position: One year as Research Council Chair-Elect beginning January 2022, followed by a three-year term as Chair beginning January 2023.
The Research Council supports and promotes disciplinary research through facilitation of professional development opportunities for communication scholars and through external advocacy efforts.
Expectations: The Chair serves as a member of the Research Council, which meets in-person three times a year, twice near Washington, DC in February and August (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. The EC will also meet vitually in June. Throughout the year, the Council convenes via conference calls and communicates electronically.
The Chair not only leads the Research Council, but also serves on the Legislative Assembly and its Executive Committee. As a member of the Executive Committee, the Research Council Chair is expected to attend three meetings in the Washington, DC area each year (travel expenses covered by NCA) as well as an Executive Committee meeting and the Legislative Assembly meeting at the NCA Annual Convention each year. The Chair fulfills all standard responsibilities of a non-profit Council member.
Qualifications: Nominees should have a strong record of research excellence.
Selection Process: Selection Process: To be considered for nomination, all nomination materials must be submitted to the Leadership Development Committee via the instructions in the Required Nomination Materials section above. Materials are submitted to nomination@natcom.org.
According to NCA Bylaws, "The Chairs of the Publications Council, Research Council, Teaching and Learning Council, and IDEA Council shall each be elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of three years. The Leadership Development Committee will provide a slate to the Legislative Assembly for approval.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions for three-year terms starting January 2022.
The Research Council is responsible for supporting the creation and dissemination of knowledge about communication.
Expectations: Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the council may convene via conference calls and communicates electronically.
Qualifications: As the Research Council is committed to diversity of experience and intellectual pursuit, the Council typically includes representatives from the broad range of research methodologies in the Communication discipline. Nominees should have a strong record of research excellence.
Selection Process: To be considered for nomination, all nomination materials must be submitted to the Leadership Development Committee via the instructions in the Required Nomination Materials section above. Materials are submitted to nomination@natcom.org.
According to NCA’s Bylaws, “The Research Council shall consist of a Chair and six members elected by the Legislative Assembly from a slate of candidates developed by the Leadership Development Committee. The Leadership Development Committee will consult with the Research Council during the selection process. The Research Council Chair and Council members shall serve for a term of three years. Terms of the members of the Research Council shall be staggered, such that terms of two members shall expire each year.”
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions for three-year terms starting January 2022.
The Teaching and Learning Council is responsible for supporting disciplinary pedagogy by professional development opportunities for communication educators and sharing communication pedagogy beyond the discipline.
Expectations: Council members meet in-person twice each year, once near Washington, DC in February (travel expenses covered by NCA) and once during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the Council convenes via conference calls and communicates electronically.
Qualifications: The Teaching and Learning Council seeks members who are interested primarily in working towards the mission of the council. To that end, the Council typically includes individuals with a demonstrated background and interest in communication and instruction, including an understanding of research in teaching and learning and a commitment to learner-centered pedagogy and a strong record of teaching.
The Council includes members from all educational sections, including community colleges, elementary/secondary education, and diversity of higher education institutions.
Selection Process: To be considered for nomination, all materials must first be submitted to the Leadership Development Committee via the instructions in the Required Nomination Materials section above. Materials are submitted to nomination@natcom.org.
According to NCA Bylaws, "The Teaching and Learning Council shall consist of a Chair and six members elected by the Legislative Assembly from a slate of candidates developed by the Leadership Development Committee. The Leadership Development Committee will consult with the Teaching and Learning Council during the selection process. The Teaching and Learning Council Chair and Council members shall serve for a term of three years. Terms of the members of the Teaching and Learning Council shall be staggered, such that terms of two members shall expire each year.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions to serve three-year terms starting January 2022
The Resolutions Committee is responsible for reviewing the proposed public statements and providing related recommendations to the Legislative Assembly.
Expectations: The Resolutions Committee receives, reviews, edits, and recommends action on public statements brought for consideration before the Legislative Assembly. The Committee convenes via conference calls and communicates electronically.
Selection Process: Nominations for each position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Qualifications: The committee seeks to keep a balance of representation of members from various institution types, career stages, and geographic locations. The Leadership Development Committee also considers seriously NCA’s diversity and inclusion goals when identifying potential members.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions to serve three-year terms starting January 2022.
The Convention Committee is responsible for providing recommendations on issues related to convention locations.
Expectations: Working the NCA National Office convention staff, the committee meets in person once each year during the NCA Annual Convention. Throughout the year, the committee may communicate via electronic means.
The committee is comprised of a Chair and five members elected by the Legislative Assembly from a slate of candidates develop by the Leadership Development Committee. The Chair shall be selected from among the first- and second-year members of the committee to serve a term of one year.
Qualifications: The committee seeks to keep a balance of representation of members from various institution types, career stages, and geographic locations. The Leadership Development Committee also considers seriously NCA’s diversity and inclusion goals when identifying potential members.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Award Selection Committee Positions
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Bernard J. Brommel Award for Outstanding Scholarship or Distinguished Service in Family Communication recognizes outstanding scholarship or distinguished service in family communication. The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the area of family communication. This contribution may include research published in scholarly publications or leadership in instructional areas. Scholarship is broadly defined to include the spectrum of scholarly writing found in articles published in any journal or by members publishing in major research journals sponsored by other associations or organizations, or in book or monograph form.
This award can also be given to someone who has made an outstanding contribution over a period of years to Family Communication through leadership, teaching, or promoting the area of Family Communication at the local, regional, or national level. The award also can be given to someone who combines both scholarly contributions with instructional leadership.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee Chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the Selection Committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The Selection Committee works electronically from January to August.
A member will be appointed for a three-year term and will serve as Committee Chair during the third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should be at the mid-career stage or beyond and focused on teaching/researching in family communication.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions, two members for three-year terms, starting January 2022.
The Diamond Anniversary Book Award honors the most outstanding scholarly book published during the previous year. Only books published in the preceding year (2019) will be eligible for the award. The Selection Committee evaluates books for the generation of research judged to be critical to the discipline of communication; dedication to excellence in the conception and method guiding the analysis; the presentation of findings which generate new insights and understandings regarding communication; and explicit sensitivity to the potential uses and value of the analysis for others in areas such as research, teaching, and application.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee Chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the Selection Committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The Selection Committee works electronically from January to August.
The Selection Committee is comprised of six members. Two members will be appointed for a three-year term that begins in January 2022. The Leadership Development Committee will select the chair from among the second-year members to chair the committee in their third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should have a record of research excellence.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The NCA Distinguished Scholar Award was created in 1991 to recognize NCA members for a lifetime of scholarly achievement in the study of communication. Recipients are selected to reflect excellence within the communication profession.
A distinguished research career is operationally defined as a person who has at least 20 complete years of scholarly contributions since their Ph.D. was awarded. Breadth and quantity should be considered in the selection process, but it should not in any way override considerations of depth and quality. The Distinguished Scholar selection process should reflect NCA’s mission statement with regard to those honored: “NCA supports inclusiveness and diversity among our faculties, within our membership, in the workplace, and in the classroom; NCA supports and promotes policies that fairly encourage this diversity and inclusion.” No more than five Distinguished Scholars will be named each year; one award each year may be posthumous.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to help ensure full dissemination beyond the open call circulated by NCA’s Executive Director. In alignment with NCA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Executive Director will disseminate the annual call to the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of all six NCA caucuses. Additionally, Committee members are required to review, evaluate, deliberate, and select the recipients as prescribed by the award guidelines. Committee Chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the Selection Committee and ensuring all deadlines are met.
A member will be appointed for a three-year term and will serve as Committee Chair during the third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should be at senior stages in their professional careers with an established record of service to NCA.
Selection Process: Nominations for the committee are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Donald P. Cushman Memorial Award was created to honor Dr. Cushman, an influential figure in the field of communication. The award is designed to recognize Cushman’s mentorship of students, which centered around excellence in scholarship, as well as students’ socialization as scholars in the communication discipline. The award honors the top-ranked student-authored paper from all NCA Interest Groups that competitively rank papers for programming at the NCA Annual Convention.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
Members will be appointed to serve three-year terms. The Leadership Development Committee will select the chair from among the second-year members to chair the committee in their third year.
Qualifications: Nominees must hold a doctoral degree, have faculty status, and be able to demonstrate relevant experience in evaluating advanced student scholarship.
Selection Process: Nominations for each position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Franklyn S. Haiman Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Freedom of Expression honors outstanding published research on freedom of expression. The content criteria to be used for the award selection procedures include the vitality and importance of the subject; the calculated impact of the study upon its audience; the quality of composition; and the enduring value of the scholarship.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
A member will be appointed for a three-year term and will serve as committee chair during the third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should be engaged in teaching/research in freedom of expression. The editor of Communication and Democracy, formerly First Amendment Studies, is ineligible to serve on the Selection Committee during their term as editor.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Gerald M. Phillips Award for Distinguished Applied Communication Scholarship honors the author of a body of published research and creative scholarship in applied communication. The body of scholarship recognized by the award is broadly defined to include the spectrum of scholarship expressed by the Journal of Applied Communication Research, but only as a model for defining the scope of the award. The body of scholarship recognized by the award may be published in any journal, book, or monograph, or published in other than print media, such as but not limited to film, video tape, audio tape, or radio.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
A member will be appointed for a three-year term and will serve as Committee Chair during the third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should be engaged in teaching/research in applied communication.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Three positions to serve two-year terms starting January 2022.
The Golden Anniversary Monograph Award honors the most outstanding scholarly monograph published during the previous calendar year in any of the areas of the speech communication arts and sciences.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
Three members will be appointed for two-year terms. The Leadership Development Committee recommends to the Legislative Assembly a Chair from the three members serving in their second year.
Qualifications: Nominees should have a record of research excellence in any area of Speech Communication Arts and Sciences.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Interpretation/Performance Studies Committee selects the recipients of the Leslie Irene Coger Award for Distinguished Performance and the Lilla A. Heston Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Interpretation and Performance Studies.
The Leslie Irene Coger Award recognizes NCA members with outstanding careers in performance. The award is given for a body of performance or an outstanding career in performance. It may, in exceptional cases, be given to performers of a single or a smaller body of performance.
The Lilla A. Heston Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Interpretation and Performance Studies recognizes NCA members who have published research and creative scholarship in interpretation and performance.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
Qualifications: Nominees should be substantially engaged in interpretation and performance.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions to serve two-year terms starting January 2022.
The Mark L. Knapp Award in Interpersonal Communication recognizes career contributions to the study of interpersonal communication. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant scholarly contributions to the study of interaction and/or relational processes. Honorees will have also contributed to the quality of interpersonal communication through active involvement in the discipline, significant mentoring of students, and/or public service focused on interpersonal communication.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
Two members will be appointed for two-year terms.
Qualifications: Nominees should be recognized leaders in the study of Interpersonal Communication and well-acquainted with the broad scope of scholarship in the area.
Selection Process: Nominations for each position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee, with the advice of the Interpersonal Communication Division Immediate Past Chair. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Marsha Houston Award was created in 2020 to recognize mid-level career woman scholars whose scholarship and research, teaching, service and advocacy to academe and their local communities (especially as it pertains to activism) embodies critically examining social justice issues, diversity/inclusion, and equity. Diversity would include any focus on marginalized or un(der)represented populations and initiative to problem solved improve local, regional, national, or global community.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to help ensure full dissemination beyond the open call circulated by NCA’s National Office. Committee members are required to review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a recipient as prescribed by the award guidelines. The committee chair is responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met.
Qualifications: Nominees must be members of NCA.
Selection Committee Nomination Process: Nominations for the committee are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are forwarded to the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
Orlando L. Taylor was the first African American to serve as president of NCA. The award recognizes a scholar whose body of scholarship demonstrates a sustained commitment to the study of African American and/or African Diaspora communication and culture.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for circulating the award nomination call to as wide a network of colleagues as possible. Additionally, Committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee Chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the Selection Committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The Selection Committee works electronically from January to August.
One member will be selected for a one-year term starting in January 2020 and will serve as Chair in their third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should be at any stage of their professional career and have experience in Africana Communication research, culture, and teaching.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Three positions to serve one-year terms starting January 2022.
The Professional Service Awards Committee selects the recipients of the Robert J. Kibler Memorial Award and the Samuel L. Becker Distinguished Service Award. Both awards honor members who have demonstrated excellence, commitment, and service to the Association and the discipline.
The Robert J. Kibler Memorial Award honors those who have epitomized the qualities of Robert Kibler’s professional and personal life, including dedication to excellence, commitment to the profession, concern for others, a vision of what could be, acceptance of diversity, and forthrightness.
The Samuel L. Becker Distinguished Service Award honors a person who has made the greatest contribution to the Association and the profession during her or his career. The contributions may be in research, teaching, or service. In most cases, the selected honorees have made outstanding contributions in all three areas.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
Three members are appointed for one-year terms. The Committee Chair will be nominated by the Leadership Development Committee from among the three selected Committee members.
Qualifications: Nominees should be at senior stages in their professional lives with long service to NCA.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Rhetorical Scholarship Selection Committee selects the recipients of the Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar Award, the James A. Winans-Herbert A. Wichelns Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Rhetoric and Public Address, and the Karl. R. Wallace Memorial Award.
The Ehninger award honors distinguished scholars who have executed research programs in rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, or public address studies.
The Winans-Wichelns award honors Rhetorical and Public Address scholarship that has been published by NCA members in the previous year based on copyright date.
The Wallace award is given to foster and promote philosophical, historical, or critical scholarship in rhetoric and public discourse.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
Qualifications: Nominees should be substantially engaged in rhetorical studies or public address. .
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Stephen E. Lucas Debut Publication Award honors new scholars in the communication discipline who have published their first scholarly book or monograph. Honored scholars are selected on the basis of the highest standards of academic rigor. Submissions address any area of communication research and may employ any methodology. Submissions are judged on their ability to open new fields of research for the discipline, for their potential to influence research in a particular area of the discipline, and/or for their potential to become standard reading for scholars in the discipline.
Expectations: Committee members are responsible for disseminating the award nomination call to ensure full dissemination. Additionally, committee members review, evaluate, deliberate, and select a winner as prescribed by the individual award guidelines. Committee chairs are responsible for coordinating the work of the selection committee and ensuring all deadlines are met. The selection committee works electronically from January to August.
One member will be appointed for a three-year term and will serve as Committee Chair during the third year.
Qualifications: Nominees should have a record of research excellence and represent a diversity of scholarly methods and substantive interest.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Other Committee Positions
One position for a member to serve a four-year term starting January 2022.
The Committee on International Discussion and Debate promotes international understanding and the practice of communication through discussion and debates between students from the United States and other nations. The program seeks to broaden the scope of international educational and cultural exchanges by providing a channel for the exchange of ideas and attitudes among students and young people in America and throughout the world; make possible informal meetings among students, college and university personnel, and the general citizenry of participating countries; facilitate the exchange of information and ideas about the educational systems of the countries involved; reinforce the importance of dialogue as a preferred means for resolving international and intercultural differences; maintain and enhance the ties between the National Communication Association and forensics organizations, forensics programs, and their sponsoring academic departments throughout the United States; and provide opportunities to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the discipline of communication both in other nations and in the United States.
Qualifications: Four members represent the wide range of debate, dialogue, and public discussions. Attention will be paid to those with interest and experiences in debate, public address, public deliberation, and/or intercultural communication. Each member serves a four-year term and typically chairs in their third year. Most of the work of this committee is done electronically throughout the year.
Selection Process: Nominations for the position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The Leadership Development Committee will then make a recommendation to the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments. Please see above for detailed instructions on how to submit formal nominations for this position.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
Two positions to serve three-year terms beginning January 2022.
The purpose of the Doctoral Education Committee is to promote the highest standards of Communication scholarship through excellence in doctoral education. The Committee works in collaboration with the Research Council, Teaching and Learning Council and other Association bodies as appropriate.
Expectations: The Committee convenes once a year in person during the Annual Convention. Most other work is done by electronic means throughout the year.
Qualifications: Nominees should have a history of service to their department/institution. Members are selected with the intent of maintaining a Committee that is representative of doctoral programs geographically, intellectually, and in other appropriate ways.
Selection Process: Nominations for each position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.
One position to serve a three-year term starting January 2022.
The Leathers Memorial Fund is a grant selection committee that reviews funding requests for projects to support Communication scholarship in Eastern Europe and funded by the Dale G. Leathers Memorial Fund to Promote Communication Studies in Emerging Democracies. For more information, visit www.natcom.org/LeathersFund/.
Expectations: Committee members are charged with devising general criteria for judging proposals, for selecting the designees of the fund, and for establishing any priorities for operationalizing the purposes of the Fund, intended to support communication scholarship in Eastern Europe. All the work of the Committee is done electronically. Members serve three-year terms.
Qualifications: Nominees should have an interest in promoting Communication teaching and research in Eastern Europe.
Selection Process: Nominations for each position are first reviewed by the NCA Leadership Development Committee. The recommendations of the Leadership Development Committee are then considered by the Legislative Assembly, which formally approves appointments.
Nomination Materials: Submit all materials as described in the “Required Nomination Materials” section above by October 1.