The American Communication Association (ACA) began in 1993 at a very informal gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana where several noteworthy scholars were attending a major domestic communication conference. Academicians in free speech studies, computer-mediated communication, and organizational communication and behavior voiced their serious concerns about the rising membership dues and conference fee costs associated with several of the popular academic associations. And furthermore, they were highly concerned about exactly what their monies were being used for.

So, these fine budget-conscious scholars set out to incorporate the ACA. It would be a "grand thought experiment," commented former Executive Director Dr. Rita Kirk, "where thinking could easily occur outside the proverbial box."

The basic idea then was as simple as it is today: (1) create a no-dues membership communication association, (2) sponsor vibrant and timely online discussions about matters of importance to the discipline, (3) hold annual zero-budget conferences, and (4) foster the quality online publication of research benefiting the communication community.

Accordingly, at the Court of Two Sisters on Royal Street in New Orleans -- over jumbo lump crabmeat ravigote with fried green tomatoes and Abita amber beer -- these scholars embarked on a significant team mission.

That mission? To create a "new" kind of academic association, dedicated more to the thought logics of the discipline than the fripperies of organizational profit. Over the years, the ACA has held firm to that mission, relying on the goodwill and energy of scholars dedicated to the study of communication. Our history is young, but our will is strong.

Won't you join us, and be part of something great?

Past Presidents of the American Communication Association

2012-2013
Dr. Jim Parker
Austin Peay State University

2011-2012
Doug Picirillo
Management Consultant/Faculty

2010-2011
Dr. Ellen Taricani
Penn State University

2009-2010

 

2008-2009
Tugba Kalafatoglu
Tugba Kalafatoglu and Associates

2007-2008
Dr. Jon Radwan
Seton Hall University

2006-2007
Dr. Ann Rosenthal, Lt. Col., USAF(ret)
Director, Open Source Intelligence, Inc.

2005-2006
Dr. Tyrone L. Adams
The University of Louisiana, Lafayette

2004-2005
Dr. James Owen
The University of Nevada, Reno

2003-2004
Dr. Dennis White
Arkansas State University

2002-2003
Dr. Stephanie J. Coopman
San Jose State University

2001-2002
Dr. Todd Frobish
Fayetteville State University

2000-2001
Dr. Joy Hart
University of Louisville

1999-2000
Dr. Paul Barefield
University of Louisiana, Lafayette

1998-1999
Dr. Peter A. DeCaro
California State University, Stanislaus

1997-1998
Dr. Dale Herbeck
Boston College

1996-1997
Dr. Glenn Geiser-Getz
East Stroudsburg University

1995-1996
Dr. Rita Kirk
Southern Methodist University

1994-1995
Dr. Stephen A. Smith
University of Arkansas