The National Communication Association (NCA) will host its 111th Annual Convention from November 20–23, 2025, near Denver, Colorado, with pre-conference sessions on November 19. The theme is “Communicate to Elevate,” and organizers expect over 4,000 scholars, educators, and professionals from around the world to attend research presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

The Rutgers School of Communication and Information (SC&I) will have a strong presence, with over 30 faculty members and graduate students presenting their work.

Spotlighted Scholars

Gerald M. Phillips Award for Distinguished Applied Communication Scholarship

Distinguished Professor of Communication Kathryn Greene
NCA recognized Greene for sustained, field-shaping applied research on disclosure/privacy management, health decision-making, and the theory of active involvement (including REAL media programs used by 4-H and D.A.R.E.).

Top Faculty Paper — Applied Communication Division

Associate Professor of Communication DaJung (DJ) Woo and Tsu-Yi Chien MCM'25
“When Resource Dependency Discourse Dominates Interorganizational Collaboration: A Case Study of a Statewide Effort to End Homelessness."

Top Paper — Family Communication Division

Communication doctoral student Jorlanditha Austin, Deborah Yoon, Ph.D'22, et al.

"Identity-based Culture Groups: Discursive Development of Culture Through Identity Anchors for Adopted Individuals"

Top Paper — Human Communication and Technology Division

Associate Professor of Communication Lisa Mikesell, Associate Professor of Communication Matthew Matsaganis, et al.

"Patient and Primary Care Clinician Perceptions of How Patient Portals Shape Patient-Clinician Communication: An Interview Study Sampling from Clinic Sites Serving Diverse Communities"

Top Paper – Organizational Communication Division

Organization Communication doctoral student Mingwei Shen, Professor of Communication Matthew Weber

"The Role of Institutional Imprinting and Organizational Legitimacy: A Study on Multinational Organizations through Digital Media"

Top Student Paper — Feminist and Gender Studies Division

Media Studies doctoral student Bahareh Badiei

"From Visibility as Spectacle to Visibility for Survival: Mediating and Remediating Iranian Feminist Resistance in Digital Platforms"

Top Paper – Latina/o Communication Studies Division and La Raza Caucus (NCA)

Media Studies doctoral student Luis Contreras
“Communicate to Elevate: Recognizing the Digital Expertise of Eldest Latina Daughters”

Top Papers Leadership – Communication Anxiety and Apprehension Division (NCA)
Associate Teaching Professor of Communication Nikolaos Linardopoulos chairs the division's Top Papers session.

SC&I Presenters at NCA 2025

Faculty
Galina Bolden (Professor of Communication); Marya Doerfel (Chair and Professor of Communication); J. Sophia Fu (Associate Professor of Communication); Kathryn Greene (Distinguished Professor of Communication); Shawnika Hull (Associate Professor of Communication); Nikolaos Linardopoulos (Associate Teaching Professor of Communication and Public Speaking Course Coordinator); Matthew Matsaganis (Associate Professor of Communication); Lisa Mikesell (Associate Professor of Communication); Kristina Scharp (Associate Professor of Communication); Sarah Shugars (Assistant Professor of Communication); Jennifer Theiss (Professor of Communication); Maria Venetis (Professor of Communication); Celeste Wagner (Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Studies); Matthew Weber (Professor of Communication); Corinne Weinstein, Ph.D.'25, and DaJung (DJ) Woo (Associate Professor of Communication).

Doctoral Students
Rachel Acosta; Jorlanditha Austin; Bahareh Badiei; Elizabeth (Liesl) Broadbridge; Luis Contreras; Heather Davenport; Salvador Guzmán-Villegas; Afrooz Mosallaei; Haley Nolan-Cody; M.J. Salas; Mingwei Shen; Aleksandr Shirokov; Sabrina Singh; Wenzhe Xu, and Yi Zhao.

For a complete schedule of SC&I presenters, view our PDF or the searchable NCA conference program.

About the National Communication Association

Founded in 1914, NCA promotes the study of communication across humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry and supports members’ professional interests in research and education.

About Rutgers School of Communication and Information

Rutgers School of Communication and Information is home to the Communication Department, Journalism and Media Studies Department, and Library and Information Science Department, as well as a nationally recognized Ph.D. program in Communication, Information, and Media.