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.
Campus Chapters
National Broadcasting Society (NBS)
The purpose of NBS is to enhance the development of college and university students, and entry-level professionals, involved in electronic media. For more information, contact Ms. Ginger Blackstone
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
Made up of more than 10,000 students and advisors, PRSSA is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. It seeks to advance the public relations profession by nurturing generations of future professionals. It advocates rigorous academic standards for public relations education, the highest ethical principles and diversity in the profession. For more information, contact Mrs. Katherine Ramirez or Dr. Jack Shock
Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
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 newsgathering and reporting. For more information, contact Dr. Dutch Hoggatt.
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Founded in 1909, 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, contact Dr. Jim Miller.
Faculty and Staff Affiliations
In addition to the organizations listed above, the faculty of the communication department are affiliated with the following professional associations.
Arkansas Broadcasters Association (ABA)
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC)
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
Kappa Tau Alpha (National society for recognition of scholarship in mass communication)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
Southeastern Journalism Conference (SEJC)
