2025 ICA Conference Program

All panels are on the third floor of Lang Hall at UNI.

To register for the conference and/or renew your ICA membership, click this link. The deadline to register for the conference without a late fee is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

Friday, Sept. 26:

  • 8-8:30 a.m.: Registration and coffee/pastries in the Interpreter’s Theatre Alley.

  • 9-10:15 a.m.: Session Block A

    • Rolling Back DEI in Higher Education: Impacts on Communication in the Classroom (LANG 308)

      • Chair: Aimee Langager, DMACC-Urban

      • Panelists: Maggie La Ware, Iowa State; Amy McCoy, Drake; Teresa Morales, Wayne State (Neb.); Jennifer Hough, South Dakota; Chase Aunspach, DMACC; Brian Pattie, Buena Vista; Jeffrey Brand, UNI

    • Effective Communication Instruction for the Future (LANG 311)

      • Chair: Dale Cypher, UNI

      • Panelists: Maria Hanna, Augustana College; Eric Upmeyer, Vinton-Shellsburg HS; Danielle McGeough, UNI; Gayle Pohl, UNI

    • Transforming From Within (LANG 345)

      • Chair: NiCole Denler, Upper Iowa

      • Panelists: Luke Hanson, Upper Iowa; Hayden Sathe, Upper Iowa; Maddy Wolf, Upper Iowa; Ava Privet, Upper Iowa

    • Being Present to Prepare for Our Future; How Presentation-Based Assignments Can Overcome Boundaries Created by AI (LANG 346)

      • Chair and Panelist: Ryan McGeough, UNI

      • Panelists: Anthony Peavy, ISU; Ryan Courtney, Hawkeye Community College; Sade Barfield, UNI; Rachel Murdock, DMACC

  • 10:30-11:45 a.m.: Session Block B

    • Navigating the Unknown: The Push to Innovate (LANG 308)

      • Panelists: Jim Baumann, St. Ambrose; Brett Billman, St. Ambrose; Marianne Fenn, St. Ambrose

    • Identity and Adapting Relational Communication Activities in the Classroom (LANG 311)

      • Chair and Panelist: Jenn Supple, Dubuque

      • Panelists: Michelle Grace, Dubuque; Sue Ann Marino, Dubuque

    • Transcending Boundaries in Education and Strategies for the Future (LANG 345)

      • Chair: Melissa Beall, Emeritus, UNI

      • Panelists: TBD

    • Dealing With Difficulties in Communication: Best Practices in Communicating Purpose and Leadership in Journalism, Public Relations, and Organizational Structure

      • Chair and Panelist: Kyle J. Miller, Northwest Missouri State

      • Panelists: Joy Daggs, Northwest Missouri State; Lori Costello, South Dakota; Gayle Pohl, UNI

  • Noon-2:15 p.m.: Business Meeting and Awards Luncheon (Maucker Union)

    • Luncheon Speaker: Cassi Price, President, Forbin

    • Awards Presentations:

      • Citation Award: Dr. Joy Daggs, Northwest Missouri State

      • Outstanding Adjunct Award: Ruth Ann Gaines, DMACC

  • 2:30-3:45 p.m.: Session Block C

    • Transcending Boundaries in our Communities and Strategies for the Future (LANG 308)

      • Chair: Marilyn Shaw, Emeritus, UNI

      • Panelists: Aaron Hawbacker, Cedar Falls City Council; Molly Kahler, Bar Winslow - Cedar Falls; Ben Hagerty, Content Creator - Film and Music; Jennifer Shaw, Cedar Circle Mental Health and Wellness; Matt Ford, Rich Heritage Cedar Rapids Community Theatre; Kristen Henry, Schofield Spine and Motion - Cedar Falls; Russ Fagle, Analog and Digital Creator; Kristin Tieg Torress, Wartburg; Greg Holt, Cedar Falls Community Theatre

    • Research Presentations (LANG 311):

      • ECOWAS’ Response in the Wake of Military Coups in Sahel West Africa: An Analysis of Communication Gaps and Missed Public Relations Opportunities

        • Presenter: Chris W. Ogbondah, Emeritus, UNI

      • Strategic Communications: Panacea for Effective Internal Security Operations in Nigeria

        • Presenter: Abdullahi Saleh Bashir, University of Abuja (Nigeria)

    • Transcending Academic Boundaries: Engaging Communication Studies in Organizational Outreach and Institutional Change (LANG 345)

      • Panelists: Lori Costello, South Dakota; NiCole Dennler, Upper Iowa

    • G. JON HALL ONLINE GIFT FORUM: How to use AI in research? (LANG 346)

      • Chair: Tom Hall, UNI

      • Panelist: Amy McCoy, Drake

  • 4-5:30 p.m.: The Cedar Valley Improvisors: Gorilla Theater (show in Interpreter’s Theatre — 040 Lang Hall)

  • 6 p.m.: Bar Crawl - Drinks and Appetizers on Main Street (meet in the Hampton Inn lobby)

  • 7:30 p.m.: ICA Social — Shelly O’Shea’s (third floor): 401 Main St. in Cedar Falls

Saturday, Sept. 27:

  • 8 a.m.: Registration and coffee in the Interpreter’s Theatre area in Lang Hall.

  • 9-10:15 a.m.: Session Block D

    • DEI and the Value of Higher Education (LANG 308)

      • Moderator: Joshua Young, Divine Word

    • Effective Strategies for Trauma-Informed Teaching and Learning (LANG 311)

      • Chair and Panelist: Nicole Salo, ISU/DMACC

      • Panelists: Erin Todey, ISU/DMACC; Rebecca Wells, ISU; Leah Kain, ISU; Corinna Most, ISU; Elizabeth Helmick, ISU

    • Creating a Professional Development Opportunity with the Inaugural ICA Book Club (LANG 345)

      • Chair: Joy Daggs, Northwest Missouri State

      • Panelists: Chase Aunspach, DMACC-Urban; NiCole Dennler, Upper Iowa; Bryan Kampbell, Buena Vista; Aimee Langager, DMACC-Urban; Allyn Lueders, Wayne State (Neb.)

  • 10:30-11:45 a.m.: Session Block E

    • Research Presentations (LANG 345)

      • Considering Constitutional Psychology

        • Presenter: Amy McCoy, Drake

      • Gen AI and Constitution Psychology When Teaching

        • Presenter: Stacey Passalacqua, Northwest Missouri State

    • From Student to Graduate: Preparing Our Students for Post-Graduation Work Through Profession-Based Experiences

      • Chair: Jenn Supple, Dubuque

      • Panelists: Kyle J. Miller, Northwest Missouri State; Joy Daggs, Northwest Missouri State; Lori Costello, South Dakota; Allyn Lueders, Wayne State (Neb.)

    • Westphal Paper Presentations (LANG 365)

  • Noon: Balloon Send-Off; End of ICA Convention! (Outside Lang Hall)

    • Sponsor: University of Northern Iowa Department of Communication & Media