watterson center
Ethical Leadership in Media and Digital Spaces Conference
University of Findlay invites students, faculty, staff, and professionals to attend the Ethical Leadership in Media and Digital Spaces Conference on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
conference
About the Conference
The University of Findlay’s Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership invites students, faculty, staff, and professionals from colleges and universities across the region to attend the Ethical Leadership in Media and Digital Spaces Conference on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
This one-day conference will explore the ethical challenges and leadership opportunities shaping today’s media and digital landscape. Attendees will gain insights from industry experts through engaging breakout sessions covering timely topics in journalism, communication, social media, technology, and digital leadership.
Whether you’re a student preparing for a career in media, a faculty member, or a communication professional, this conference offers valuable perspectives on navigating ethical decision-making in an increasingly digital world.
Registration details will be available soon with limited seats available. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for this engaging day of learning, discussion, and professional development.
conference
Schedule of Events
8:30-8:45 a.m. Registration
- Participants check in, receive materials, and network informally.
- Coffee, pastries, and news on the screen loop.
- Interactive Board: “Ethics in 8 Words” — attendees summarize what ethics means to them on Word Cloud.
8:45 a.m. Welcome
Welcome by Dr. Sarah Fedirka, Director of the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership and Senior Lead for Mission and Identity
Breakout sessions
9-9:45 a.m. Session 1A Every organization is a media organization
Speaker: TBD
- Topic presentation
- Case Study/Interactive Exercise
9-9:45 a.m. Session 1B Managing AI Policies in Marketing and Communication
Speaker: Sam Crist, Sr. Marketing Manager at Blue & Co.
- Topic presentation
- Case Study/Interactive Exercise
10-10:45 a.m. Session 2A Digital Storytelling: the Next Chapter in an AI world
Speaker: Alexa Maslowski, Anchor and Reporter at Spectrum News 1 Ohio
- Topic presentation
- Case Study/Interactive Exercise
10-10:45 a.m. Session 2B Strategic Communication: Persuasion vs manipulation
Speaker: Melissa Carrick, Director of Social Media at AR Marketing
- Topic presentation
- Case Study/Interactive Exercise
11-11:45 a.m. Session 3A Independent Media in today’s media landscape
Speaker: Joe Case, Marysville Matters, former Associate VP of Corporate Marketing Nationwide Insurance
- Topic presentation
- Case Study/Interactive Exercise
11-11:45 a.m. Session 3B Engaging Ethically: Digital Citizenship, Civility, and Online Ethics
Speaker: Dr.Megan Adams, Homeplace Creative
- Topic presentation
- Case Study/Interactive Exercise
12-1 p.m. Lunch/Keynote: Truth in the Age of Algorithms: Why Ethics Still Matters
- 12:15 p.m. Introduce Speaker
- 12:20-12:40 p.m. Speaker
- 12:40-1 p.m. Discussion
university of findlay
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Sarah Fedirka, Senior Lead for Mission and Identity and Director of the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership
Email: fedirka@findlay.edu
Amy Rogan, Assistant Professor of Media and Communication & Adviser to The Pulse
Email: rogan@findlay.edu
Location: 301 Davis St., Findlay, OH 45840