Central Graduates Present Research at Iowa Communication Association Conference
Pella, IA (10/15/2026) — Central College graduates from the Class of 2026 presented award-winning research at the annual Iowa Communication Association Conference at Divine Word College, located in Epworth, Iowa, in September.
Macy Beermann Harper, Keilah Brewer, Cassie Elliott and Angelina Hemphill presented their research paper, "The Role of Social Media in Digital and Verbal Communication." It won first place in the ICA's Westphal Student Paper Competition. Their study found "that social media does not necessarily diminish communication; rather, it transforms communication by creating new digital language practices, reshaping literacy skills and changing communication patterns."
The project was completed as part of their coursework in the communication studies course, "Digital Media Discourses," taught by Shelley Bradfield, professor of communication studies. The students' study also will be published in the Iowa Journal of Communication.
"It is a real honor for these students to have their research recognized at a regional conference and in an award-winning state journal, especially since they competed with submissions from graduate students," Bradfield says. "I am just delighted that they have been rewarded for their hard work developing research and writing skills that they can leverage in their new careers."
Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Ranked the No. 2 Best Value College in Iowa by Niche.com, Central offers a learning environment with supportive educators committed to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
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From left to right, Keilah Brewer, Cassie Elliott and Angelina Hemphill, Class of 2026, present their research at the 2026 ICA Conference (not pictured: Macy Beermann Harper, Class of 2026).