The Television Academy Foundation announced registration is open for its 2025 Media Educators Conference to be held Oct. 22-24 at the Television Academy Foundation in North Hollywood, California. In addition, it named 18 professors from across the country who will receive Alex Trebek Legacy Fellowships to attend the three-day event.
The annual Media Educators Conference, open to college and university media arts educators nationwide, aims to bridge the gap between academia and the television industry, ensuring that attending educators are well-equipped to teach the next generation of media professionals. Faculty attendees receive a one-year complimentary academic membership to the Television Academy. Price is $350 per person; to register visit TelevisionAcademy.com/mec/register. Registration closes Oct. 15, 2025.
Since 2021, the Foundation has offered Alex Trebek Legacy Fellowships, established by the Harry & Judy Friedman Family Foundation in honor of the late television icon and Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, which provide financial support for educators from community colleges and minority-serving institutions to attend the conference.
The 2025 Alex Trebek Fellows are: Jennifer Arin (San Francisco State University), Linda Beal (Los Angeles City College), Charles Howard (Loyola Marymount University), Trenton Judson (Jarvis Christian University), Sonali Kudva (Methodist University), Billy Oliver (Miami Dade College), Lynn Owens (Meredith College), Thomas Parham (Palm Beach Atlantic University), Melissa Pawneshing (University of Southern California), Ines Petrovic Garcia (Volunteer State Community College), Henry Puente (California State University, Fullerton), Sitara Sadler (Johnson C. Smith University), Chloe Sarbib (Montclair State University), Jeremy Shermak (Cuesta College), Shea Stephens (Baton Rouge Community College), Jeremy St. Romain (Hofstra University), Erik Werner (Tennessee State University) and Traci Williams (University of Oklahoma).
The 2025 conference will kick off with opening remarks from Television Academy Foundation Executive Director Anne Vasquez and will feature informative media-industry panels on a variety of topics including:
“The State of the Industry From the Frontlines of Entertainment Journalism” with TV features editor at The Hollywood Reporter Mikey O’Connell; and Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Cynthia Littleton.
“How Grey’s Anatomy Made Season 21 the Hottest One Yet — Literally!” Join NRDC’s “Rewrite the Future” for a behind-the-scenes look at how one of TV’s biggest shows tackled one of the world’s biggest environmental issues: extreme heat. The panel discussion will feature Grey’s Anatomy executive producer Meg Marinis; Meredith Milton, creative director, Rewrite the Future; Daniel Hinerfeld, director, Rewrite the Future; and Ellis Watamanuk, senior director of the Entertainment Lab at Rare.
“Teaching the Machine — Integrating Generative AI Into the College Media Classroom” with Roahn Hylton, music producer and composer, and moderated by Eric Shamlin, CEO of Secret Level.
“Creating Television for the Internet Generation” with Brian Flanagan, president of Mythical Entertainment, and Jacob Moncrief, chief operating officer, Mythical Entertainment.
“Unscripted Editing: Shaping the Narrative in Reality TV” with editors Charles Little II (9-1-1: Lone Star), Katherine Griffin (The Amazing Race) and Jen Roth (Deal or No Deal Island).
“Navigating Festivals — Next Steps for Emerging Creators” with Larry Laboe, co-founder and executive director, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA); Nicole Barker, programming and education manager, SeriesFest; and Imani Davis, film programmer at the American Cinematheque.
“Access: Behind the Screens — Producing With Purpose” for Littleton Road Productions, the purpose of television is to entertain, educate and empower. Join showrunner Patrick Macmanus, President Kelly Macmanus-Funke and philanthropic advisor Loli Filmeridis as they delve into the world of purpose-driven storytelling. From raising awareness around patient safety with Peacock’s Dr. Death to highlighting teen mental health on Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville and spotlighting vulnerable LGBTQ youth in the upcoming Peacock series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, panelists will explore how the series they produce can make a meaningful impact both on and off screen.
“The Future of Broadcast” with Erisa Nakano, senior executive producer of digital, Spectrum News.
“Below the Line Careers — Managing the Gig Economy” with cinematographer Sandra Valde-Hansen (The Summer I Turned Pretty); editor Philip Fowler (High Potential); and sound engineer Heidi Hoffmann (Not A Box).
“The Media Educators Conference underscores our commitment to advancing excellence in media and television studies,” said Tina Perry, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We commend the professors selected as 2025 Alex Trebek Fellows, whose contributions and dedication to teaching exemplify the highest standards of the academic community. Their work ensures that students across the nation are prepared to engage professionally and meaningfully in the ever-evolving media landscape.”
Sponsors for the 2025 Media Educators Conference include the Harry & Judy Friedman Family Foundation, NBCUniversal and the NRDC.
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For the complete press release, click here.
