Pinnacle Awards | Adviser Awards | Convention | Confabs | Member Training
The 2026 Pinnacle Awards deadline is fast approaching! Entries will be accepted via BetterBNC until midnight ET Wednesday, June 17. Finalists will be announced in August, and winners will be announced at the CMA/ACP joint National College Media Convention Nov. 4-7 at the Westin Kansas City Crown Center.
The Pinnacle College Media Awards are a national contest, recognizing excellence in student-produced college media. The contest honors overall excellence in student work on college newspapers, websites, magazines, yearbooks, radio and television stations, produced during an academic year.
Complete information regarding categories, rules and instructions, and entry guidelines can be found here.
CMA is also looking for member volunteers to help judge this year’s Pinnacle Awards. If you are interested and available to judge, email [email protected].
Nominations are now being accepted for CMA’s annual Adviser Awards. Distinguished Adviser awards honor accomplished CMA members with five or more years of experience in college media advising. Emerging Adviser awards recognize the outstanding work of CMA members with fewer than five years of advising experience.
CMA members may also submit nominations for various special honors for service and outstanding achievements.
The adviser award nominations deadline is Friday, May 29. Nominate yourself or another member adviser here.
In case you missed it, registration is now open for the National College Media Convention Nov. 4-7 in Kansas City, Missouri! Make plans now to join us for the largest gathering of collegiate journalists, media students and their advisers! You can save with early bird prices through Oct. 13:
Student/Adviser Member: $175
Student non-member: $225
Nonmember Adviser/Attendee: $295
Register for Convention
The convention will be hosted at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Attendees can reserve discounted rooms at $215 per night for up to quad occupancy. (About $262, including taxes and fees.) Rooms are subject to availability and must be booked before Oct. 16 to receive the discounted rate. One person may reserve up to 10 rooms at a time.
Reserve Your Hotel Rooms
If you have an idea for a convention session, please submit a proposal! Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis with selections based on relevance, originality and impact. Chosen sessions will be announced when the full program is finalized.
Submit a Session
 |
 |
| Ann Tropea | Laura Schraven |
“Preflight Like a Pro: Getting Your Publication to the Printer on Time”
5 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 17
Cost: FREE
Between “final draft” and “ready for print” is where even the best publications can fall apart. In this session, Ann Tropea and Laura Schraven bring complementary editorial and design perspectives to the essential process of preflighting to ensure publications are technically sound, visually consistent and truly press-ready. Drawing on experience leading print magazines, advising student media, and overseeing large-scale design and production operations, they break down the most common (and costly) mistakes in fonts, images, color, and layout, and how to catch them before files reach the printer.
Participants will gain a clear, repeatable workflow and practical tools to streamline production, reduce errors, and collaborate effectively across editorial, design, and marketing teams. Perfect for editors, designers and anyone responsible for moving publications from screen to page.
ANN TROPEA is an editorial leader and media strategist with extensive experience in print and digital publishing. She currently serves as assistant director for engaged media at UMBC, where she leads student-run media organizations and mentors emerging journalists. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of Seapower Magazine, overseeing editorial strategy, production workflows and advertising integration for a national print publication. Her background includes managing global editorial teams, producing high-volume content and optimizing workflows from concept to final output. With deep expertise in editing, design coordination and production standards, Ann brings a practical, detail-oriented approach to preparing publications for print.
LAURA SCHRAVEN is the director of student affairs communications and marketing at UMBC, overseeing communications, marketing and technology for the Division of Student Affairs. Her department includes commonvision, a student-driven creative center providing hands-on, applied learning experiences in design and production. She also serves as staff adviser for The UMBC Review, a peer-reviewed undergraduate academic journal. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management, and an MBA, along with certifications in information design, information architecture, and public relations.
Register for June Confab
CMA Confabs are monthly virtual sessions open to all CMA members. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Confabs are held on the third Wednesday of each month (excluding convention months.) Speakers and topics are subject to change. Follow event links to sign up and access the latest details. You can renew your membership or join CMA as part of registering for confabs.
Did you know CMA members can access Confab recordings online for a limited time following each event? Recent Confab recordings are available in the members-only section of the CMA website, along with the Adviser Handbook and other helpful resources.
CMA will host New Adviser Training from 1 to 5 p.m. ET July 13-14 online. Cost is $250 for members and $500 for non-members. Conceived with the needs of new advisers in mind, this training includes expert-led sessions on critical topics such as media law, business development, policy and student training, as well as unparalleled networking opportunities. The track also offers veteran advisers opportunities to refresh their skills and share their expertise with new advisers.
New Adviser Training is presented four times a year: in person at the fall and spring national conventions and live online in January and July. Click here for a detailed list of New Adviser Training courses included.
