The 2026 AEJMC Southeast Colloquium took place from March 12 to 14 at the University of Tampa. Attendees were from 68 universities and institutions, with 172 scholars presenting their work. Day one started with a keynote session by Mark Katches, editor of the Tampa Bay Times. A welcome reception followed, featuring speeches by Dr. Sohana Nasrin, the director of the Colloquium and The Minaret’s faculty advisor, as well as Dr. David Gudelunas, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, and chair of the Department of Communication, Dr. Stephanie Tripp. 

In early March, New York City had perfect sweater weather, with temperatures in the 40- to 60-degree range and occasional rain. Within walking distance of all the major tourist attractions is Times Square, where numerous I Love NYC stores and Ellen’s Stardust Diner are. On Broadway, two currently running shows are The Great Gatsby at The Broadway Theatre and Death Becomes Her at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. By the Rockefeller Center is the LEGO Store New York on Fifth Avenue and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Radio City Music Hall and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at NBC Studios are also nearby. In Midtown Manhattan is the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), featuring artwork by Picasso, Andy Warhol, Archibald John Motley Jr., and Vincent van Gogh, such as The Starry Night.

From March fourth to seventh, the 2026 College Media Association (CMA) Convention was hosted in New York City at the New York Marriott Marquis. Attendees were from journalism departments at universities across the country. The convention featured sessions hosted by professional journalists from The New York Times, university newspaper faculty advisors and student editors. On day two, a documentary screening of Steal This Story Please! was held with journalist Amy Goodman from Democracy Now! Attendees also participated in media tours across the city, such as Spectrum News NY1 and SiriusXM.

The 2026 Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnival runs Feb. 7 to April. 4 at Universal Studios. Catch beads thrown from colorful floats, watch one of the live stage performances like the Queen of Drag RuPaul and eat specialty foods around the park.

Universal Islands of Adventure is the second park in the Universal Orlando Resort, opening in 1999 with lands Marvel Super Hero Island and Suess Landing. They introduced a new era of theme park immersion in 2010 with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade. Continuing to expand with fan favorite attractions, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in 2019, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster in 2021.

For over 99 years, the Tampa Theatre has been a staple in the Tampa community, being a Tampa City Landmark since 1988. From the historic 1,238-seat Duncan Auditorium to the newly added 43-seat John T. Taylor Screening Room, content of all types is waiting to be enjoyed. Less than a 20-minute walk from campus, UTampa students can enjoy the many wonders of a theater full of history. With more than 120,000 yearly guests and almost 1,000 events a year, the Tampa Theatre has something for everyone.

Every fall, from early August through the weekend after Halloween, Universal Orlando transforms into a realm of terror for its world-famous Halloween Horror Nights (HHN). This after-hours spectacle features 10 haunted houses, eerie scare zones, electrifying street experiences, and the high-energy show Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay. Now celebrating 34 years of fear, HHN has become a beloved fall tradition, especially among students, with the University of Tampa’s Student Productions hosting an annual trip that lets thrill-seekers experience the screams, scares, and excitement firsthand.