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.
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
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.
The JEA Outreach Academy (OA) takes place on the Thursday of each JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. 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 in Orlando.
Time & Date
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026
Cost
FREE with accepted application
Location
8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, Florida
Room: Boston, Level 1, Convention Floor
Join us for the next Outreach Academy!
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: