The Georgia Communication Association (GCA) has been interested in raising educators’ and students’ awareness of communication studies, arts and education. This platform allows professionals and students to share projects, ideas, networks and more. The GCA is known to do many activities, including conferences. For the first time, Piedmont University hosted a GCA conference from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. This opportunity was due to Associate Professor of Mass Communications Melissa Jackson’s networking skills.
“I was attending a GCA conference in Augusta last year when their leaders announced they were looking for a conference site for the following year. I approached them with the idea of having it at Piedmont, and with Dr. Dennis’s support, the pieces fell into place,” said Jackson. Once GCA and Piedmont agreed, Piedmont worked to ensure the Piedmont community left a good impression. The Swanson Center was the central location for the conference.
There were panels, key speakers, film festivals and awards. Nearly 100 educators were registered for this event, which allowed them to have a place to learn and network. In addition, it gave the mass communication department opportunities as well. Students worked during the conference, helping at the welcome desk, taking photos or videos, guiding people around the campus, helping speakers and more. Students were working, and faculty helped with setting up speakers and more. The mass communication department stepped up to help GCA. “Everyone sacrificed their time and delivered! GCA leaders were so pleased with how smoothly the conference flowed, they said Piedmont had set the bar for future conferences,” said Jackson.
“This has been a great opportunity to show off Piedmont University and our mass communication department. We’re kind of tucked here in the mountains, and not many people across the state know who we are. So, I look at this as a great chance for people to come here and see this great campus and interact with our students and hopefully maybe one day teach here or send their kids here,” said Chair and Associate Professor of Mass Communications Joe Dennis.
Hosting the GCA Conference has given Piedmont university exposure to new connections. As mentioned, a film festival was also held where student films and documentaries were shown, and the winners were awarded. Some of those winners would include our very own Piedmont students. “We were also very proud of one Piedmont student, Michele Cates, who won an Award of Excellence for her short documentary, and three other documentary production students were considered semi-finalists (Maggie Bishop, Sophie Haines, and Leo Forero). “said Jackson. It was an eventful three-day conference that Piedmont got to share with GCA and represent well.
