Jordan Atkinson elected to leadership role in professional communication association

Jordan Atkinson, associate professor of the practice and director of the Organizational Communication Graduate Programs, has been named vice president elect-select of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA). 

ECA is the oldest professional communication association in the United States. As a service-oriented organization it focuses on research, criticism, communication theory, and excellence in teaching.
 
Atkinson has a long history with the ECA and feels he grew up in the organization. 

“It has been my academic home since I started graduate school at West Virginia University and first presented research at these conferences,” he said. “ECA is a fantastic community of scholars and the friendships and connections I have built have been personally and professionally fulfilling.”

This new role marks a four-year commitment for Atkinson, who becomes first vice president elect this spring, first vice president in 2024, president in 2025, and immediate past president in 2026. In 2025, Atkinson will be responsible for planning the annual conference in Buffalo, N.Y., which will draw several hundred attendees from across the country.

“Planning a conference this size is a huge undertaking,” Atkinson explained. “It involves assembling a leadership team, managing a large budget, scheduling panels and activities, acquiring sponsorships, and other logistics to ensure a successful conference.”

Atkinson has already set personal goals for his time in ECA leadership. 

“During my tenure, I hope to increase access to ECA members throughout the year by offering virtual professional development sessions, creating a space on the ECA website for teaching resources, and providing innovative opportunities for networking and connection at the ECA conference.

“I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to serve ECA in this leadership role and I look forward to representing KU Edwards Campus well in it,” Atkinson said.

Learn more about the Organizational Communications Graduate Programs