Writing Competition

Purpose
The purpose of this competition is to encourage and give recognition to graduate and undergraduate-level scholarship in the discipline of Communication and to offer students the opportunity to present their work at the annual Pennsylvania Communication Association (PCA) Conference, hosted by Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA, September 26–27, 2025.

Theme: “Tracks to Transformation: Communicating in a Changing World”

2025 Graduate and Undergraduate Writing Competition

Participation

  • You must be enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program at any Pennsylvania college or university. Students who graduated within the last academic year may also participate.
  • First and Second Place cash prizes will be awarded for both categories, undergraduate and graduate, and the conference fee will be waived.
  • Awardees will present their papers in a special session at the Conference.
  • Non-winners may still be considered for presentation in other areas of the Conference.

Guidelines for Submission

  • Papers submitted to this competition should fall within any area of Communication study recognized by the National Communication Association.
  • Papers should be typed, double-spaced, and 8 to 20 pages in length. Please paginate.
  • Submit to the Google form here.
  • Be certain that your name only appears on the first page of your paper. The first page will be removed to ensure blind review.

The conference registration fee will be waived for the winners. Transportation, housing, and other meal expenses are the responsibility of the participant. Awardees are required to become members of the PCA.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: MAY 31, 2025

If you have questions about the competition or submission process, please contact:
Dr. Kimberly Flanders kflanders@francis.edu

Awards: 

First Place – $200.00

Second Place – $150.00

Third Place – $100.00

*Expenses Paid