Published on April 15, 2026 by Gunnar Sadowey  
ConferenceAI2026

Students and faculty from Samford University’s Department of Communication and Media participated in the 96th annual Southern States Communication Association (SSCA) Convention, April 8–12.

Themed “Comm-AI-nity: Conversations in the Age of Intelligence,” the conference brought together scholars and practitioners from across the region to explore communication in an increasingly AI-driven world. 

Four Samford students presented individual research papers at the conference: communication studies majors Megan Coffey and Sara Cate Murray, and journalism and mass communication majors Sophia Cabrera and Shelby Bauerkemper. Their topics ranged from family communication and attachment theory to social media’s influence on sorority recruitment and the portrayal of women in action films.

“I was incredibly proud watching our students present their work,” said Ignatius Fosu, chair of the Department of Communication and Media. “The feedback from respondents suggested their research was of graduate-level quality, and several professionals encouraged them to pursue advanced study. That speaks to both the students’ dedication and the strength of faculty mentoring within our department.” 

Faculty members also contributed to the conference through papers, panels and poster presentations. Topics included the influence of educational advertising, communication competencies in faith-based contexts, artificial intelligence in public relations education and strategies for addressing smartphone addiction. 

“Our faculty continue to model excellence in both scholarship and teaching,” Fosu said. “Their engagement at conferences like SSCA reflects our commitment to preparing students to think critically and communicate effectively in a rapidly changing world.” 

The SSCA convention is one of the leading regional communication conferences in the United States, offering opportunities for students and faculty to present research, engage with peers and contribute to ongoing academic conversations in the field. 

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Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.