Governing Board Nominees

Below are the Coaches that have been nominated for the award for the 2024/2025 season:
 
Abbey Barnes (University of Tennessee-Knoxville) - Nominated by Megan Smith (Louisiana Tech University)

Jordan Compton (University of Central Missouri)- Nominated by Jack Rogers (University of Central Missouri)
It gives me tremendous pleasure to offer this endorsement of Jordan Compton’s candidacy for the Governing Board of the International Public Debate Association. I have known Jordan for well over a decade as a fellow coach, tabroom supervisor, and friend. Jordan took over as the Director of Forensics at the University of Central Missouri upon my retirement. I am firmly convinced that he would be an excellent addition to the Governing Board. He is pedagogically committed to all that the organization stands for yet flexible and progressive in his thinking. He is fair and open-minded, quick to listen, and able to work with people. His addition would not only expand representation into the Midwest, but I believe offer a mature experienced voice to the Board’s deliberations. I think his greatest quality is his accessibility. He is very approachable and willing to intelligently discuss suggestions from the membership. His experience in both IPDA and other formats of debate gives him a broad perspective of what makes the IPDA unique and valuable to our students. I hope you will join me in supporting his candidacy with your vote.

AJ Edwards (LSU-Shreveport)- Nominated by Joe Ganakos (Lee College)
I've had the pleasure of serving on the IPDA Governing Board for the much of the last decade. His dedication to this organization is a testament to what makes the IPDA special ... and AJ has proven this time and again as a competitor, as a coach, and as a leader within the IPDA. Coach Edwards has been a national champion as a competitor; he has coached national champions and taken students into competition at prestigious events like the Madison Cup and the Montgomery Cup; he has been named a Bennett Strange Coach of the Year; and it should be noted that he has previously served with distinction as the Governing Board Chair.

AJ brings a student-centric approach to his service on the IPDA Governing Board, and this focus is something that helps the Governing Board remember our core mission: to help create a community of excellence for students of every skill level. I cannot offer any superlatives that does justice to AJ's value to this organization.  Without caveat or limitation, AJ is deserving of another term serving the International Public Debate Associaton as a member of its Governing Board.

Janice Ralya (Jefferson State Community College)- Nominated by Bob Alexander (Bossier City Community College)
Janice Ralya has been a steadfast and influential leader in intercollegiate forensics and debate for years. Her quiet strength and unwavering guidance have shaped students who not only excel in competition, but some also carry forward her legacy by becoming educators themselves. With extensive experience coaching various speech and debate formats at Jefferson State Community College, Janice brings both expertise and a forward-thinking vision that would greatly benefit our organization. Her dedication to cultivating skilled, confident students—coupled with her deep empathy—makes her an exceptional choice to help lead us into the future. It is with great honor that I nominate Janice Ralya for the IPDA Governing Board.