This conference is comprised of deans and professors of communication studies at the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. They meet annually at one of the AJCU institutions to discuss new academic initiatives and possible collaboration.

 

Chair: Dr. Don Heider, Loyola University Chicago
Phone: (312) 915-6548
E-mail: dheider@luc.edu

 

 

Location: Loyola University Chicago
Dates: July, 2012

 

Communication and journalism faculty from 11 Jesuit universities, as well as several special programs, met at the annual AJCU Communication Conference, held at Creighton University from July 20-23, where they discussed how their Jesuit mission affects their teaching, research and service. Among other issues, participants discussed possible ways of collaborating to assist Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) through developing distance learning programs aimed at refugees.

 

Conference highlights included a keynote address by Rev. Paul Soukup S.J. of Santa Clara University’s Communication Department, called “What’s Catholic About Communication?” There were also discussions of Ignatian leadership styles and their impact on departments and faculty, as well as presentations on off-campus/study abroad/backpack journalism programs sponsored by various schools.

 

As always, participants had the opportunity to present their research, examples of their creative work and innovative educational programs. They also toured the photo studio of Rev. Don Doll S.J., Creighton’s internationally recognized professor of photojournalism. About 30 people were expected to attend.

 

“A year ago, participants asked for more focus on how our Jesuit mission affects our lives as faculty at Jesuit journalism/communication departments,” said Dr. Eileen Wirth of Creighton, co-chair. “We hope they leave us with a greater sense of how our Jesuit identity should impact everything we do with some practical ideas about how to accomplish this. I am especially excited about the possibility of developing a collaborative curriculum to assist JRS."