Page & ACEJMC Collaboration

At Page, we believe the future of the communications profession depends on the strength of the educational programs preparing the next generation of leaders.

That’s why Page continues to support the work of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), the governing body responsible for accrediting journalism, strategic communications, advertising and public relations programs around the world.

As the Page representative to the ACEJMC Council, I recently joined fellow communications leaders, educators and industry representatives to discuss the evolving needs of our profession and the important role higher education plays in preparing students for today’s communications landscape.

Several themes emerged throughout the Council’s discussions that directly reflect the realities chief communications officers and their teams are navigating every day.

Preparing Students for an AI-Enabled Future

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the communications profession, the Council emphasized the importance of ensuring students develop strong critical thinking, ethical decision-making and analytical skills alongside technical fluency.

Programs are increasingly focused on helping students understand not only how to use AI tools, but how to evaluate information, build trust and communicate responsibly in a rapidly evolving environment.

The Council also discussed the growing importance of business and financial literacy, interpersonal communication skills and cultural competence — all areas that communications leaders consistently identify as essential for long-term success.

Expanding Access Through Internships and Real-World Experience

Another key topic was the importance of internships and experiential learning opportunities, particularly paid internships.

As the profession works to build more inclusive pathways into communications careers, access to paid opportunities remains critical for many students balancing financial responsibilities while pursuing their education.

The Council also reinforced the importance of preparing students to communicate across differences — including geography, culture, politics, language and generations — as organizations continue operating in increasingly complex global environments.

Celebrating Accredited Programs and Page Community Leadership

At the recent meeting, eight universities were approved for reaccreditation in 2026, including:

• University of Minnesota
• Pennsylvania State University
• Ohio University
• University of Memphis
• Savannah State University
• University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras
• Abilene Christian University
• Washington and Lee University

We were especially proud to see several programs led by members of the Page community successfully approved for reaccreditation.

Dr. María Len-Ríos, a Page Up member and Professor & Associate Director for Faculty and Administration at the University of Minnesota, highlighted the growing demand for strategic communication education and the importance of preparing students for an evolving profession.

Dr. Denise Bortree, Dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University and Director of the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communication, continues to lead innovative work integrating AI research and emerging technologies into communications education.

A Call for Communications Leaders to Get Involved

The accreditation process depends heavily on communications professionals who volunteer their expertise to serve on accreditation review teams.

ACEJMC is currently seeking additional reviewers from the United States and globally, including professionals based in the UAE, Qatar, New Zealand, Mexico and Chile.

These review teams spend several days on campus observing classes, meeting with students and faculty, reviewing curriculum and helping ensure programs continue meeting the evolving needs of the profession.

To support this effort, ACEJMC and Page are partnering on informational and training sessions for professionals interested in serving.

If you are interested in learning more about participating, please contact Darren Phillips, Associate Director of ACEJMC, at darren.phillips@acejmc.org.

By investing in communications education today, we help strengthen the future of our profession tomorrow.

— Dr. Rochelle Ford
Chief Executive Officer, Page Society