By Olivia Chalmers |ContributorMembers of two of Augusta University's student media operations plan to attend the College Media Association fall convention in Louisville, Ky., after they had a blast at the spring conference in New York.In early March, students and professors from Pamplin College traveled to the Spring CMA in New York City. Dr. David Bulla, Dr. Debra van Tuyll and Professor Todd Bennett accompanied five students to the conference, which was held at the Marriot Marquis in Times Square. At the hotel, the students and teachers attended many educational sessions on different media topics. Madison Brown, a freshman pursuing a double major in English and communication, was one of the five students who attended the convention.“The conference was over literally everything you can think of involving journalism," Brown said." There were talks about censorship, sports writing, studying abroad, budgeting a newspaper and so many other things."Because of the success of this conference, Professor van Tuyll plans to take students back to CMA, this time for the Oct. 25-28 conference in Louisville.Attendees in New York were given a list of topics and had the freedom to choose which sessions they wanted to join. Brown said that one of her favorite session she attended discussed censorship in the media. Another well-liked session involved different ways to report sensitive topics such as race issues, sexual misconduct and political views.“It was a really eye-opening experience to see how other students do things in journalism,” said Brown, who became editor in chief of the Bell Ringer in May.For example, a media team from a different school printed their newspaper entirely in 3D and provided all of the students with 3D glasses in order to read it.Other attendees included Phoenix editor in chief Elizabeth Hundt and staff writer Tyler Strong. Joining Brown from the Bell Ringer staff were Leeroy Francis and Rachel Shomer, who served as co-editor in chief of the newspaper in the spring.CMA holds two conventions per year. The CMA website states that volunteer advisers from across the United States come together to help media students and professionals improve on their writing skills through education, research and resources.CMA also strongly promotes the concept of community. It encourages attendees to network and create as many contacts as they can during these conferences. According to the CMA website, communication students and professors can stay informed on breaking news and collegiate media across the nation, as well as seek advice on their own work.“I met a lot of amazing professors and people in journalism that offered to help me in the future if I ever need anything,” Brown said.AU attendees’ time was not all work and no play. While in the Big Apple, they had free time away from the conference. According to Brown, some students tried local restaurants while others chose to explore unique New York stores and kiosks.“My favorite part of visiting New York was the food! I had some of the best meals of my life there. Even the tap water tastes fresher,” Brown said.Brown concluded that it is an excellent opportunity for writers to improve their skills and expand their network to a national level. She encouraged students who want to work for student media in the fall to consider going on the trip to Louisville.CMA’s website (CMA) provides useful information on their organization, collegiate media and any upcoming events.