The 2024 NCA Institute for Faculty Development (IFFD), formerly known as the "Hope Conference," will be held July 15-19 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. The general purpose of the IFFD is to stay abreast of ongoing changes and issues in communication theory and research, with an eye to enriching instructional insights and practices. This five-day conference offers participants an opportunity to network with fellow undergraduate scholar-teachers and learn from and with leading scholars in the field.
This year's Scholar-in-Residence is Dr. Andre Johnson, whose focus is Rhetoric, Race, and Religion. Planned workshop topics include toxic interpersonal relationships, communication ethics in the workplace, research methods, community engagement, Kenneth Burke, Andy Warhol and the communication ethics of branding, political communication, generative AI, alternative perceptions and conceptions of sound, integrated marketing communication, and more.
As many as 50-60 participants are chosen through a competitive application process. Attendees must be current NCA members. To register, please complete the IFFD Registration Form. Attendees should assume that they will need to pay for their own travel to the Institute, room, and board and those expenses not paid for by the host institution, about which attendees will be informed. On-campus room and board for all participants has been arranged and will cost about $700. The application deadline will be 11:59 p.m., May 30. Application requirements and procedures will be announced soon. Questions regarding the IFFD may be directed to Dr. Janie Harden Fritz or Dr. Katherine S. Thweatt.