Hello, I am Jennifer Meadows and I would like to be the BEA 2018 Convention Chair.
Here’s a little background on me. I’m the Chair of the Communication Design Department at California State University, Chico. We have programs in Media Arts, Graphic Design and Mass Communication.
My first BEA experience was in 1990 (in Atlanta!) when I was a graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill and my class’ paper won the research division open competition. I continued participating all throughout my doctoral program at Texas and then throughout my career at Chico State. The opportunities to present my work on panels and in paper competitions contributed greatly to my development as a scholar and I will be forever grateful to BEA. I also have met many wonderful colleagues through my work at BEA.
As for my leadership experience at BEA, I have been involved in the Gender Issues Division for many years, chairing the division twice and holding every other office too! I also facilitated the name change to Gender and Sexuality to better represent the scope of the division’s work and interests.
I am currently serving on the ad-hoc BEA Diversity Committee. Diversity and inclusion within BEA is very important to me and to the organization. Several new initiatives are being developed specifically around diversity for the Convention including a Diversity Keynote and paper award. I am very proud of the work of the Diversity Committee and hope to continue that work as Convention Chair if elected.
I have greatly benefited from my participation in the BEA convention for many years, and now I would like to play a major role in this important event. I have experience putting on film festivals and in project management – skills useful for the Convention Chair. I have also worked with BEA and Division Leadership over the years and am familiar with the policies, political sensitivities and convention logistical challenges.
It would be an honor to serve as the BEA 2018 Convention Chair. Thank you for your consideration.
