JEA Outreach Academy

Outreach Academy is a Journalism Education Association initiative to promote diversity in the journalism teaching profession and prepare advisers to teach diverse populations.

Outreach Academy is a free, intensive seminar for new media advisers who need help teaching and advising students in journalism while dealing with issues surrounding diversity. The seminar is offered twice a year, in April and November, at each JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention.(opens in new tab)

The program is hands-on and focuses on practical information advisers need. It includes discussions of:

  • Recruiting and maintaining a diverse staff
  • Developing representative content and coverage
  • Equitable grading in a production class
  • Ethical decision making
  • Personal goal setting and resource exploration
  • Developing a support network
  • Purposeful convention planning
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Advisers are eligible to apply for the Outreach Academy if they meet both of the following criteria:

  • have five years or fewer advising experience
  • teach in schools traditionally under-represented in JEA membership, especially low-income, urban and rural schools, OR are advisers of color.

Convention information(opens in new tab)

The JEA Outreach Academy (OA) takes place on the Thursday of each JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention(opens in new tab). OA cohorts meet virtually before the convention, attend an in-person workshop and receive special benefits for one year following.

OA is offered free of cost to all who are accepted.

The next Outreach Academy will take place at the Fall 2026 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention(opens in new tab) in Orlando.

Application deadline: Sept. 18(opens in new tab)

Time & Date

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026

Cost

FREE with accepted application

Location

Orlando World Center Marriott(opens in new tab)

8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida

Room: Boston, Level 1, Convention Floor

Apply now(opens in new tab)

Join us for the next Outreach Academy!

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Academy Benefits

Participants who are accepted to the JEA Outreach Academy and attend the in-person workshop earn the following benefits, in addition to received instruction:

Complimentary Journalism Education Association membership(opens in new tab) for one year.

One-day parking voucher or reimbursement on the day of the in-person workshop.

Waived registration fee, for the participating adviser only, to the associated JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention(opens in new tab), courtesy of JEA. Must register for convention by the official early bird deadline(opens in new tab) to be eligible.