Communication Organizations

Arts and Sciences

Communication

Join professional organizations

The Department of Communication sponsors chapters of several professional organizations that students may choose to join. Membership in these national organizations provides students with additional educational resources and networking opportunities with industry professionals.

Joining these associations usually requires paying dues to the national and local chapters, but those costs together are typically $50 or less. Students may also have to pay, at least in part, to attend the organizations' meetings and conferences.

The following is a list of professional organizations that have campus chapters within the Department of Communication.

The Broadcast Education Association is the premier international academic media organization for educators, students and professionals. The association’s publications, annual convention, web-based programs and regional district activities provide opportunities for juried production competition and presentation of current scholarly research related to aspects of the electronic media. These areas include media audiences, economics, law and policy, regulation, news, management, aesthetics, social effects, history, and criticism, among others.

Contact Dutch Hoggatt - dhoggatt@harding.edu - Box 10765

Organized debate has existed at Harding in some form since the beginning of the university. The Debate Club participates in the International Public Debate Association style of one-on-one extemporaneous debate. All are welcome to join the club, regardless of the amount of experience they have had in debate. Select members of the Debate Club will be chosen for the Debate Team, which travels at the university's expense to compete in several debate tournaments each year.

Contact Jared Dockery - jndockery@harding.edu - Box 10765

The Harding Film Studies Association (the "Classic Film Club") meets to view movies and discuss themes and cinematic techniques in classic films. In 1992, senior history major Rick Fought and English major Richard Bankhead organized the group and became the club's first president and vice president. All film fans are welcome at showings and discussion sessions.

Contact Charles Bane - cbane@harding.edu - Box 10765
Heath Carpenter - hcarpent@harding.edu - Box 12248

The Integrated Marketing Communication Organization (IMCO) is focused on providing experiences through projects, fundraisers, conferences, professional trips and community service that will enhance marketing communication skills. This student-led organization is open to all connected majors.

Contact Lori Sloan - lsloan@harding.edu - Box 10765

The Public Relations Organization (PRO) is a student-run organization open to all majors. Activities include professional days, where the club will meet with communication professionals either on campus or around the state of Arkansas; host professional development seminars that focus on topics ranging from interview skills, to resume building, to digital portfolios; fundraising; and work with local organizations.

Contact April Fatula - afatula@harding.edu - Box 10812

RTDNA is the world's largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession, consisting of more than 3,000 news directors, news associates, educators and students. Founded as a grassroots organization in 1946, the association is dedicated to setting standards for news gathering and reporting. For more information go to www.rtdna.org.

Contact Ginger Blackstone - gblackstone@harding.edu - Box 10765

Founded in 1909, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is one of the oldest organizations representing journalists and journalism students. The organization, which boasts about 9,000 members, is dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. For more information go to www.spj.org.

Contact Jim Miller - jemiller@harding.edu - Box 10765

Communication Organizations

Join professional organizations

Faculty and Staff Affiliations