Special Events | Board Meeting | Confabs | Member Training | Adviser Awards | Pinnacle Awards
Would you like to get more involved with CMA? Volunteer with us by joining a committee and helping advance our mission! Committees offer a great opportunity to share your skills, connect with fellow members and make a meaningful impact throughout the year. Complete this form to indicate your interest, and we will follow up with available opportunities. Committee descriptions are included on the form.
With the Pinnacles deadline approaching, the Education and Contests committees are joining forces to host a Virtual Happy Hour to answer all your Pinnacles-related questions. This informal gathering is set for 5 p.m. ET Monday, June 8.
Join Pinnacles co-chair Greg Belliveau, Contests Committee chair Shawn Isaacs and incoming president-elect Matt Bird-Meyer to learn more about the Pinnacles process.
Register for Virtual Happy Hour
Minutes from the April 21 Board of Directors meeting were approved Thursday and are now posted on the CMA website. Members may go here to review the organization’s meeting minutes at any time.
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| Crystal Howard | Billy Ferris |
"Building a Successful Student-Led TV Station"
5 p.m. ET Wednesday, May 20
Cost: FREE
The conversation will focus on TV newsroom structure, defining roles, and creating sustainable and resourceful workflows for producing consistent student-led content. We will discuss staff structure, best practices for meetings and content creation, equipment and software options, payroll structures, collaboration opportunities, and more.
Presented by Crystal Howard, University of Texas at El Paso, and Billy Ferris, Auburn University
BILLY FERRIS is the assistant director of Student Media at Auburn University. The student-run media outlets he oversees are The Auburn Plainsman (Newspaper), The Auburn Circle (Literary & Arts Magazine), Eagle Eye TV (TV Station), The Glomerata (Yearbook) and WEGL 91.1FM (Radio Station). Billy oversees the strategic direction of Student Media at Auburn while supervising a staff of three full-time professionals. He also serves as the primary advisor to The Auburn Plainsman and Eagle Eye TV. Billy has been a part of Auburn Student Media since 2015. Before that, Billy has been an instructor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Auburn University.
CRYSTAL HOWARD is the assistant director of Student Media & Publications at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she oversees The Prospector and Minero Magazine. She brings over a decade of experience in media and communications. A former TV reporter and assistant director of student media at Georgia Southern University, she now brings her industry experience into student affairs, mentoring the next generation of journalists through hands-on storytelling and multimedia production. Her work centers on leadership development, ethical journalism, and helping students find their voice and see themselves as professionals in the media industry. Outside of work, she’s a runner, proud mom, and firm believer that storytelling isn’t just a skill, it’s a tool for confidence, voice, and impact.
Register for the May Confab
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| Ana Tropea | Laura Schraven |
“Preflight Like a Pro: Getting Your Publication to the Printer on Time”
5 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 17
Cost: FREE
Between “final draft” and “ready for print” is where even the best publications can fall apart. In this session, Ann Tropea and Laura Schraven bring complementary editorial and design perspectives to the essential process of preflighting to ensure publications are technically sound, visually consistent and truly press-ready. Drawing on experience leading print magazines, advising student media, and overseeing large-scale design and production operations, they break down the most common (and costly) mistakes in fonts, images, color, and layout, and how to catch them before files reach the printer.
Participants will gain a clear, repeatable workflow and practical tools to streamline production, reduce errors, and collaborate effectively across editorial, design, and marketing teams. Perfect for editors, designers and anyone responsible for moving publications from screen to page.
ANN TROPEA is an editorial leader and media strategist with extensive experience in print and digital publishing. She currently serves as assistant director for engaged media at UMBC, where she leads student-run media organizations and mentors emerging journalists. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of Seapower Magazine, overseeing editorial strategy, production workflows and advertising integration for a national print publication. Her background includes managing global editorial teams, producing high-volume content and optimizing workflows from concept to final output. With deep expertise in editing, design coordination and production standards, Ann brings a practical, detail-oriented approach to preparing publications for print.
LAURA SCHRAVEN is the director of student affairs communications and marketing at UMBC, overseeing communications, marketing and technology for the Division of Student Affairs. Her department includes commonvision, a student-driven creative center providing hands-on, applied learning experiences in design and production. She also serves as staff adviser for The UMBC Review, a peer-reviewed undergraduate academic journal. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management, and an MBA, along with certifications in information design, information architecture, and public relations.
Register for the June Confab
Did you know CMA members can access Confab recordings online for a limited time following each event? Recent Confab recordings are available in the members-only section of the CMA website, along with the Adviser Handbook and other helpful resources.
CMA will host New Adviser Training from 1 to 5 p.m. ET July 13-14 online. Cost is $250 for members and $500 for non-members. Conceived with the needs of new advisers in mind, this training includes expert-led sessions on critical topics such as media law, business development, policy and student training, as well as unparalleled networking opportunities. The track also offers veteran advisers opportunities to refresh their skills and share their expertise with new advisers.
New Adviser Training is presented four times a year: in person at the fall and spring national conventions and live online in January and July. Click here for a detailed list of New Adviser Training courses included.
Register For July New Adviser Training
Nominations are now being accepted for CMA’s annual Adviser Awards. Distinguished Adviser awards honor accomplished CMA members with five or more years of experience in college media advising. Emerging Adviser awards recognize the outstanding work of CMA members with fewer than five years of advising experience.
CMA members may also submit nominations for various special honors for service and outstanding achievements.
The adviser award nominations deadline is Friday, May 29. Nominate yourself or another member adviser here.
The 2026 Pinnacle Awards are now open, and entries will be accepted via BetterBNC until midnight ET Wednesday, June 17. Finalists will be announced in August, and winners will be announced at the CMA/ACP joint Fall National Convention Nov. 4-7 at the Westin Kansas City Crown Center.
The Pinnacle College Media Awards are a national contest, recognizing excellence in student-produced college media. The contest honors overall excellence in student work on college newspapers, websites, magazines, yearbooks, radio and television stations, produced during an academic year.
Complete information regarding categories, rules and instructions, and entry guidelines can be found here.
CMA is also looking for member volunteers to help judge this year’s Pinnacle Awards. If you are interested and available to judge, email [email protected].
