07/21/2026

2027 ECA Convention Community College Interest Group Call for Submissions

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Community College Interest Group
Theme: “Full Circle”

118th Eastern Communication Association Annual Convention

Hyatt Regency, Reston, VA | March 30–April 4, 2027

Submission Deadline: October 29, 2026, 11:59 pm

Submit Here.

For the first time in 16 years, the Commonwealth of Virginia will host the ECA Annual Convention. The 2027 convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Fairfax County — an area where discourse shapes national dialogue, diverse communities converge, and history unfolds. The theme, "Full Circle," invites reflection on cyclical ideas, relationships, and professional journeys

At ECA this year, we were energized by everyone’s sustained commitment to fostering and enriching the community colleges’ role in providing a safe, inclusive, and successful education for all. We look forward to another enlightening and energizing gathering next spring in beautiful Reston, VA, and the Community College Interest Group is calling on all of you to share your thoughtful panel, paper, and round table submissions in alignment with this year’s “full circle” theme.

Suggested Theme Prompts

• In what ways do community college students embody the full circle journey — from first-generation learner to transfer student, professional, or returning adult?
• How can community college communication programs revisit and reinvigorate their foundational missions of access, equity, and open education?
• What does it mean for community college communication faculty to serve students across life stages and career transitions as they navigate full circles?
• How can community college programs reconnect with their communities and serve as bridges between academic communication study and civic engagement? 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETED PAPERS  

Papers should be a maximum of 25 double-spaced pages, not including references and appendices, and typed in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Times New Roman font is preferred. Papers should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 7th edition. The main document must be blind. DO NOT include any identifying author(s), institution(s), or contact information. Be sure to inspect the document and remove ALL personal information from the document properties - including file names.  

When submitting, complete the following Attendee Interactive fields:  

• Title  
• Author/s  
• Abstract  
• Categories: Indicate if student and/or debut paper
• Additional Information
• Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling. 
• Documents: Upload Main Document (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.) 
  

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR PANEL PROPOSALS  

Panel proposals should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 7th edition. The document/s must be blind. DO NOT include any identifying author(s), institution(s), or contact information. Be sure to inspect the document and remove ALL personal information from the document properties - including file names.  

When submitting, the following Attendee Interactive fields must be completed:  

• Title  
• Chair/Respondents  
• Abstracts: Add individual presentation titles, descriptions, and presenters
• Panel Description  
• Rationale  
• Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)  
• In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this panel if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
• Additional Information:
• Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS  

Round table discussion proposals should be written in accordance with the University of Chicago Manual of Style or APA 7th edition. Upload supporting documents that include the purpose of the Round Table, an agenda for the Round Table, and an invitation for audience participation in the Round Table. The request for audience participation should be included in the 100-word description. The document/s must be blind. DO NOT include any identifying author/s, institution/s, or contact information. Be sure to inspect the document and remove ALL personal information from the document properties - including file names.  

When submitting, the following Attendee Interactive fields must be completed:  

• Title  
• Participants: Enter Chair and Featured Expert/s information  
• Round Table Description (100 words or less)  
• Rationale  
• Documents: Upload any relevant documents. (Must be BLIND. Accepted file types are Word and PDF.)  
• In the document, please include the following statement of professional responsibility: In submitting the attached proposal, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present if it is accepted and programmed. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.
  
  
• Additional Information:
• Scheduling & Special Requests: Please identify any accommodations associated with physical or religious needs that may impact scheduling.  
• Target Audience: Describe the intended audience, including who would most benefit from attending
  
  

All submissions must include the following Statement of Professional Responsibility:
In submitting the attached paper or proposal, I/We recognize that an accepted paper, panel, or poster is considered a professional responsibility. If this submission is accepted and programmed, I/We agree to register for the ECA convention, pay fees, and present the work. I/We understand that presenters with last-minute emergencies should take all possible measures to arrange an alternate presenter and communicate their plans to both the Interest Group Planner and ECA VP.  

Technology & A/V Availability

• Submitters will be asked if they would like a room equipped with a projector, screen, sound, wireless mouse and slide advancer, and Wi-Fi
• Presenters must supply their own laptop
• Google Slides and PowerPoint templates with the Full Circle theme available on the ECA convention website

Submit Here.

Questions? Contact Community College Interest Group Planner:

Laura O'Connell, Nassau Community College — laura.oconnell@ncc.edu

Acceptance Notifications: January 2027