Deadline

May 15, 2025

Past winners

View past winners list

The Broadcast Adviser of the Year program is designed to honor outstanding secondary advisers and their exemplary work from the previous year, as well as throughout their careers. Applicants must be a member of the Journalism Education Association to be eligible for this award. Announcement of winners will be made in September. Winners will be recognized at the Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention where the Broadcast Adviser of the Year will speak.

Entry Criteria

APPLY ONLINE NOW

The committee seeks those with at least three years’ experience. The nominee must complete the application and submit:

  • up to five letters of support (PDF)
  • an updated resume (PDF)
  • a high-quality color headshot and an action photo of adviser working with students, each 200 ppi in JPG form
  • up to five links to segments or shows students have produced in the current academic year.

 

How to Apply

The online application form, which will open on or around Jan. 15, should be filled out here by May 15. Applicants will be able to upload their letters of support, resume and photos within the form. The form can completed in multiple sessions.

Once the online application has been submitted, applicants should receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email to your inbox or spam folder, please email us to verify your submission was received as there may have been an error.

 

Judging Criteria

An advisory panel will review the applications. It will weigh each teacher’s service in local, state or national organizations, service to JEA, personal awards, quality of the student work, their philosophy and approach to student press rights and ethics.

Applicants are also asked to identify an issue they would like to address as Broadcast Adviser of the Year.

Points will be awarded, and the top advisers will be named Broadcast Adviser of the Year, Distinguished Broadcast Adviser or Special Recognition Broadcast Adviser. Award notifications will be made in September.

All winners will be recognized at the adviser luncheon on Saturday of the Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention.

Award Recognition

The Broadcast Adviser of the Year receives:

  • an award plaque
  • a BAOY pin
  • a $500 award for the winner’s school to be used for the broadcast classroom or to fund student scholarships to summer workshops
  • a $1,000 personal prize
  • an invitation to speak at the adviser recognition luncheon on Saturday of the Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention, which includes two complimentary meal tickets for the winner and a guest
  • roundtrip airfare and up to three nights paid lodging for the fall convention where he or she receives the award (note that convention registration is not covered, if the winner wishes to attend events beyond the luncheon)
  • a monthly column space on JEADigitalMedia.org (optional)

Each Distinguished Broadcast Adviser receives:

  • an award plaque
  • a $500 award for the winner’s school to be used for the broadcast classroom or to fund student scholarships to summer workshops
  • one complimentary meal ticket to the adviser recognition luncheon on Saturday of the Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention where he or she will receive the award (note that travel, lodging and convention registration are not covered)
  • a quarterly column space on JEADigitalMedia.org (optional)

Each Special Recognition Broadcast Adviser receives:

  • an award plaque
  • one complimentary meal ticket to the adviser recognition luncheon on Saturday of the Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention where he or she will receive the award (note that travel, lodging and convention registration are not covered)
  • a quarterly column space on JEADigitalMedia.org (optional)

More Awards

Candace and John Bowen Adviser First Amendment Leadership Award

Deadline: July 15, 2025
This annual award will go to a JEA member whose work has actively supported, defended and fought for student journalists and their advisers on the local, state or national level.
Learn More

Rising Star Award

Deadline: July 15, 2025
Rising Star trophies are given to advisers who are in their first five years of advising a media program and have shown great dedication to scholastic journalism and have had success advising at least one media program.
Learn More

Medal of Merit Award

Deadline: July 15, 2025
Medals of Merit are given to JEA members who have made significant contributions to scholastic journalism.
Learn More