NorthWest Communication Association

The NorthWest Communication Association is a non-profit scholarly organization which exists to unite and promote mutual educational interests to the study, criticism, research, teaching, and practice of communication. Membership is open to all persons, institutions, and organizations who promote the purpose of the Association, including humanistic, scientific, and artistic approaches to communication.

For more information about NWCA, contact one of our officers (listed on the left). Feel free to read our bylaws for a better understanding of how we govern ourselves.

The Association Newsletter

The January Newsletter is available for download! Please click here for the latest NWComm information, including your 2008 Conference registration form!

UPDATE 2008 Annual Conference UPDATE

We eagerly await seeing you at the conference! We have a rich, full program with a lot of exciting things going on.

Also note, starting with this year's conference, we will no longer be offering the Lake Cruise.

About the Conference

The North West Communication Association is held annually in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, at the beautiful Coeur D'Alene Resort. Watch for our Call for Participation. To stay informed all year long, subscribe to our Conference Announcement Email List.

Student Participation

Our organization has a strong commitment to student members, and we encourage the participation of undergraduate and graduate students at our conference, along with faculty and professionals. The organization especially prides itself on offering a friendly, supportive atmosphere for first-time presenters at all levels. Each year, conference submissions are competitively reviewed, and awards are presented to the outstanding submissions from graduate and undergraduate students. Faculty provide mentoring and helpful responses to panels of students, as well as presenting their own papers and panels. The mentoring of young scholars, and the availability of a committed scholarly environment, is an important feature of this organization.

Goals

The NorthWest Communication Association is a regional association, affiliated with the National [US] Communication Association (NCA). At our annual conference, NWCA provides an opportunity for professional exchange among members, both through scholarly presentations and through informal gatherings. Membership in and service to the NWCA also provides opportunities for professional growth and shared understanding of communication as both process and practice. Most important, NWCA provides its members with opportunities to work together to strengthen the profession through teaching, research, and engagement with the community. The collegiality and intimacy of our annual conference make it a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for members new and old.

History and Traditions

Founded in 1976, NWCA represents more than 150 members in eight US states and three Canadian provinces, including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington. The NWCA has a proud tradition of supporting and encouraging scholarship, nurturing teaching excellence, and promoting service to the profession. NWCA is the only communication association to recognize contributions to human rights and freedom of expression through our Human Rights Award.

Professor Susan Owen's 2005 Keynote Address is online.