Minutes for November 13, 2025 board of directors meeting

Meeting Minutes

Fall 2025 Journalism Education Association Board meeting minutes

November 13, 2025 – 8 a.m., Nashville

Delta Island 3 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

I. Call to order – Val Kibler, MJE

The meeting was called to order at 8:10  a.m.

II. Roll call and determination of quorum – Cindy Horchem, CJE

ATTENDEES

Board of Directors: Valerie Kibler, MJE, president; Justin Daigle, MJE, vice president; Andrea Negri, MJE, Scholastic Press Rights director; Rachel Steil, MJE, Educational Initiatives director; Sandra Coyer, MJE, director-at-large; Shari Chumley, MJE, director-at-large and interim Mentoring Program chair; Timm Pilcher, MJE, director-at-large; and Veronica Purvis, DBA, CAE, executive director (ex-officio, nonvoting). 

Committee chairs/editor (nonvoting members): Louisa Avery, MJE, awards chair; Laura Negri, MJE, Career and Technical Education chair; Rod Satterthwaite, MJE, certification chair; Nancy Y. Smith, MJE, contests chair; Aaron Manfull, MJE, digital media chair; PJ Cabrera, MJE, Scholastic Journalism Week coordinator; and Bradley Wilson, MJE, C:JET editor. Bradley Wilson and Nancy Smith left after lunch due to other convention responsibilities.

Guests: Laura Widmer, NSPA executive director/liaison, who left after her report; Davonté Longmire, membership engagement strategist; Amber James, events and programs manager, who stayed briefly.

Recording Secretary: Cindy Horchem, CJE, JEA staff/business and projects coordinator

Note: CJE and MJE designations are in the roll call and agenda item titles, but will not be repeated each time a name is in the minutes.

III. Reading of Notice of Meeting – Horchem
The following was posted on JEA.org Oct. 8, 2025: The Journalism Education Association board of directors will meet at 8 a.m. Nov. 13, 2025, in the Delta Island 3 Room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

IV. Approval of minutes – Kibler
Timm Pilcher moved and  Sandra Coyer seconded to accept the minutes of the spring 2025 board meeting. (Passed 7-0)

V. Approval of agenda – Kibler
Andrea Negri moved and Sandra Coyer seconded to approve the agenda. Kibler noted that the NSPA report may be moved pending the arrival of Laura Widmer.
(Passed 7-0)

VI. Commendations – Kibler

1. Kristin Taylor commended by Andrea Negri for leading the Constitution Day team.
2. Tripp Robbins commended by Andrea Negri for his video series on press rights issues and for advocating for press rights every chance he gets.
3. Alicia Merrifield commended by Valerie Kibler for her work as mentoring chair.
4. Amy Sorrell commended by Valerie Kibler and Rod Satterthwaite for her five years of service as Certification Committee chair. Among the many things she accomplished: Amy led the development of digital testing to increase access, started the MJE cohort concept to help guide potential MJE candidates through their projects. and guided the committee in adding DEI questions to both the CJE and MJE tests.
5. Sarah Nichols, MJE commended by Aaron Manfull
   The JEA Digital Media Committee worked recently to reorganize and update the guides housed on the site. Sarah was an integral part of that process, helping to check links and images as well as offer some thoughts as to how the guides should be presented. Her work throughout the process was critical to helping deliver the final guides that started to get rolled out in October. Aaron Manfull and the JEA Digital Media Committee thank her for all her hard work and effort.
6. Michelle Balmeo, MJE, commended by Aaron Manfull
   The JEA Digital Media Committee worked recently to reorganize and update the guides housed on the site. Michelle was an integral part of that process, helping to check links and images as well as offer some thoughts as to how the guides should be presented. Her work throughout the process was critical to helping deliver the final guides that started to get rolled out in October. Aaron Manfull and the JEA Digital Media Committee thank her for all her hard work and effort.
7. Diana Day, CJE commended by Aaron Manfull
   The JEA Digital Media Committee worked recently to reorganize and update the guides housed on the site. Diana was an integral part of that process, helping to check links and images as well as offer some thoughts as to how the guides should be presented. Her work throughout the process was critical to helping deliver the final guides that started to get rolled out in October. Aaron Manfull and the JEA Digital Media Committee thank her for all her hard work and effort.
8. Megan Ortiz commended by Aaron Manfull
   The JEA Digital Media Committee worked recently to reorganize and update the guides housed on the site. Megan was an integral part of that process, helping to check links and images as well as offer some thoughts as to how the guides should be presented. Her work throughout the process was critical to helping deliver the final guides that started to get rolled out in October. Aaron Manfull and the JEA Digital Media Committee thank her for all her hard work and effort
9. Elisabeth Strehl commended by Aaron Manfull
   The JEA Digital Media Committee worked recently to reorganize and update the guides housed on the site. Elizabeth was an integral part of that process, helping to check links and images as well as offer some thoughts as to how the guides should be presented. Her work throughout the process was critical to helping deliver the final guides that started to get rolled out in October. Aaron Manfull and the JEA Digital Media Committee thank her for all her hard work and effort.
10. Davonté Longmire commended by Aaron Manfull
    The JEA Digital Media Committee worked recently to reorganize and update the guides housed on the site. Davonté was an integral part of that process, helping to check links and images as well as offer some thoughts as to how the guides should be presented. His work throughout the process was critical to helping deliver the final guides that started to get rolled out in October. Aaron Manfull and the JEA Digital Media Committee thank him for all her hard work and effort.

VII. Reports
Detailed reports from all board members, committee chairs and state directors are included in the fall 2025 semiannual report.

Val Kibler noted that it is budget request season and reminded board members and chairs to make notes today, because budget ideas for the 2026-2027 fiscal year are needed now.

1. National Student Media Contests – Nancy Smith, MJE

Ongoing Committee Goals:

• Create informational brochure/handbook for local committee to give to contest speakers.
• Find additional incentives for volunteers.
• Work with NSPA to “audit” volunteer list and verify participation.
• Create additional contest opportunities outside of the convention.
• Create informational brochure/handbook for local contest speakers.
• Create handout for local committee to provide to potential speakers.

Update on Goals Met:

• Evaluate current contests and revise/replace those with low participation. Several changes/additions are taking place this fall. Changes were made due to declining participation, overlapping skills with several contests and the need to add more opportunities for broadcast students. It brings the total number of contests to 50.
  • Photo Illustration has been revised and renamed Illustration. (We had 9 students last fall and 22 this fall).
  • Broadcast Anchor has been revised to focus solely on anchor presentation rather than script writing/reporting also.
  • Videography has been revised so participants will submit a reel of their best video work.
  • New broadcast contests include: Reporter Reel, Person on the Street (both online). Person on the Street entries could be good to use on JEA social media.
• The team created a contest opportunity in the fall and spring for advisers. We had 6 participants last spring but increased that to 15 participants this fall.

Tech Update:

• Continue discussion about our current systems (GrowthZone/NSMC/FMP) and how to integrate them for efficiency.
• Could other committees use our contest system for their needs? i.e. Awards
• Despite improvements, we still have regular “troubleshooting” each contest cycle. As discussions continue about how to best utilize GrowthZone, the NSMC system and FileMaker Pro, we will move to seek funding for an in-person “summit” for all parties that rely on these systems to complete tasks in a very time sensitive environment.
  Major needs include the creation of a thorough user manual and an overall 5-year plan for the software use.

Stats:

• National Student Media Contests – In Philly there were 1,328 participants. In Seattle, there were 873 participants. This fall in Nashville we have 1,670. This is the largest contest since Fall 2019 in D.C.
• Jr. High/Middle School National Media Contest – There were 243 students entered in last spring’s contest which was a decrease. The 2026 contest is open for submissions March 30-April 20 for work in yearbook, news publication, online, broadcast, graphic design and photography.
• National Journalism Quiz Bowl – Last spring, 31 teams competed in Seattle and this fall we have 52 teams registered as of now which ties the largest event since Boston 2023.

For The Board:

• Volunteers: We remain concerned about changes to volunteer incentives related to registration discounts. We rely heavily on volunteers (NSMC judges, room supervision, off-site chaperones, Quiz Bowl supervision). We are hoping the JEA/NSPA leadership will consider potential incentives for volunteers.
  *Also JEA Forum vs. Listserv
• Local Committee Help: This continues to be a problem in some locations. The local contest chairs are vital to the national team, and we need to make sure those who sign on as local volunteers are fully aware of the commitment.
• Awards Ceremony Schedule: We had discussed moving awards to Saturday for every convention. We want that to still be on the radar moving forward on event contracts.

Upcoming JEA Contest Deadlines (Tentative):
*All Deadlines are 1 p.m. CDT

Spring 2026 Minneapolis (April 16-18)
NSMC Registration Opens / Prompts Available: Monday, Feb. 16
NSMC Registration Closes/Online Submissions Due: Tuesday, March 24

Spring 2026 Jr. High/Middle School National Media Contest
Registration Opens Monday, March 30
Entries Due Wednesday, April 22

Spring 2026 Adviser Photo Contest
Submissions Open / Prompt Available: Monday, May 18
Entries Due: Friday, May 29

2. C:JET – Bradley Wilson, MJE

• Bradley Wilson presented a report that he and Davonté Longmire created regarding C:JET magazine and its ad sales.
• C:JET is the only magazine that has an academic arm for peer-reviewed articles.
• Started including advertising in 1999. It has ebbed and flowed.
• Longmire distributed copies of the updated Advertising Guide and the Summer Workshop Ad flyer.
• Timm Pilcher said the incentive is to keep journalism alive. He asked if partnering with state associations for JEA ad packages had been considered.
• Veronica Purvis mentioned the need for competitive analysis.
• Wilson said a decision needs to be made about whether GrowthZone or a spreadsheet system will be used to track prospects, contacts and ad sales.
• Kibler said that she wants to have a line by line list of advertisers reported to the board, and noted that more ad sales will help with the budget. She also said she wants advertising sales goals set and for the prospect list to be updated. She said there needs to be a plan with goals reported to the board regularly so that the board can help and that the reporting needs to be more regular with clear financial information provided.

Break: 9:43 a.m. – 10-minute break

3. Certification – Rod Satterthwaite, MJE

• Satterthwaite noted it had been 13 years since he was last a part of formal leadership at a JEA board meeting.
• He said that the numbers for CJE and MJE recipients and renewals are good. Former certification chair Amy Sorrell has stayed on as MJE project coordinator to help guide MJE candidates through the process.
• The committee is adding artificial intelligence questions on the tests.
• He said that applicants could use AI on projects, but not for narrative. He also asked about a JEA statement on artificial intelligence.
• Satterthwaite said he will start tracking data at the certification sessions offered at conventions.
• Members noted the importance of communicating the value of certification to nonmembers. Andrea Negri said that having her MJE benefited her in CTE qualifications in Texas. Rachel Steil said that in Minnesota her MJE helped qualify her for CTE and dual credit teaching.
• It was noted that leaders need to look for ways to strengthen applications for awards, CJE/MJE and service to JEA.
• PJ Cabrera added that he would like to see an advocacy arm to JEA.

Amber James came in with the KSU student workers for introductions: 10:20-10:30 a.m.

Continuing the discussion:

• Shari Chumley noted the value of curriculum, community and conventions. Her state association in Mississippi pays the JEA dues for its members. When asked about the value add that the state association sees, she said the travel is an attraction to Mississippi advisers because students  often will become and/or stay involved with cocurricular activities that involve trips, such as band and vocal music. JEA membership enables journalism advisers to promote convention trips as added incentive for students to participate in their programs.

4. Semiannual report for the board – Justin Daigle, MJE

Justin Daigle reviewed a summary of items that state directors included in the “For the board” section of their semiannual reports. Daigle categorized the comments and shared the document, providing time for board and committee members to review it and sign up for follow up. Their responses can be recorded in the document as well.

5. Diversity – Sandra Coyer, MJE

Sandra Coyer presented this slideshow to the board with the JEA DEI Report. 

• Her report included a proposed update to the JEA commitment to diversity statement. See New Business below for motion.
• Satterthwaite reminded the board that the certification committee had added DEI questions to the CJE/MJE tests.

6. Conventions and Headquarters – Veronica Purvis

Veronica Purvis provided an overview, which included:

• Vision and strategic priorities for JEA to excel toward organizational excellence
  • Membership development
  • Program growth
  • Sustainability
• Purvis welcomed the three new board members who started their positions May 1 to their first board meeting (Chumley, Pilcher, Steil).
• The annual election process is underway.
  
  • Purvis thanked Kelly Furnas for his work as elections chair, which included introducing ranked voting to the organization.
  • Michelle Balmeo has taken over as elections chair.
  • Voting will be Feb. 23-March 4.
  • To be eligible to vote, members must have a paid, active membership on Jan. 15, 2026.

Purvis shared the financial report.

• Purvis reported from July through September 2025, the first quarter of the current fiscal year, revenue was $251,646, primarily from programs and memberships. Expenses during the quarter were $190,911, primarily for programs and administration.
• The investment portfolio is still very balanced.
• The audit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year recently concluded. Revenue was $941,256 and expenses were $1,105,802 for a net of negative $164,546. Liabilities were $100,114 plus equity.
• The board needs to vote to approve the 990 to finalize the audit. See New Business below for the motion.

Break for NSPA report at 11:40 a.m.

7. NSPA report — Laura Widmer and Jon Erickson

Laura Widmer reported that the number of attendees for the Nashville convention was nearing 5,300 with close to 5,100 of those paid. Attendance is the highest it has been since COVID.

She introduced Jon Erickson, the new Exhibitor and Sponsor Relations Manager for NSPA.

• Erickson reported that year over year, fall 2024 revenue was $118,000 and he set a big goal for fall 2025 of a 20 percent increase to $142,000. The actual was $158,000, a 34 percent increase.
  • There are 59 exhibitors, three shy of Washington, D.C., in 2019.
  • In addition, there are three new advertisers.
  • Exhibitors include 36 colleges and universities and 13 brand new exhibitors. Those include the University of Miami and Pictavo, which is part of what he is calling the Elite 8 — exhibitors with more than two or three booths.
  • CADY is an organization that is massively growing with its Lifetouch merger. CADY brought its mobile photo studio, a semi trailer.
  • He noted that it was Widmer’s idea to call it a Trade Show and College Fair, which he believed contributed to the growth.
• Widmer said that Erickson is working with both the NHSJC and NSPA’s college conventions. She said his communication has been outstanding and that the trade show looks fabulous.
• JEA and NSPA leaders are headed to Orlando Dec. 11-13 for the preconvention visit for the fall 2026 NHSJC. It will be at the Marriott World Center. She said the meeting space is great and that there will be a free pool party for students.
• For Nashville, there are five overflow hotels, and Widmer is checking into reports of charges for rollaways and air mattresses.
• In Minnesota spring 2026, all convention activities will be in the convention center. Five hotels close to the convention center will be used to house attendees.
  

Lunch: Following a group photo of board and committee members, the group went to lunch from 12:03 to 1:05 p.m. After lunch, Wilson, Smith and Longmire left due to other convention responsibilities.

6. Veronica Purvis, DBA, CAE – report continued

Veronica Purvis provided an overview, which included:

• Working to introduce JEA Giving Days. Soft launching it in this fiscal year. Would like to grow it in the future and try to get matching donations.
  
  • Constitution Day in September
  • Scholastic Journalism Week in February
  • World Press Freedom Day in May

Also continuing to promote Giving Tuesday in December
Administration/Operations

• One-time merit bonuses were introduced by Kansas State University
• New performance management program and timekeeping system launched at K-State affecting all JEA staff.
• Future plans at K-State include new construction over JEA HQ space. She will be working with KSU on this. It will happen in the next couple of years.

Staffing Updates

• One-year anniversary for new staff, Amber James and Davonté Longmire
  
  • A new management tool replaced the expiring contract with Event Mobi. James researched several options and implemented Dryfta. In addition to the mobile app, it helped streamline speaker management for the convention as well.
  • Longmire is auditing communication tools and content.
    
    • New brand style guide
    • New marketing/Communications plan
• Team building, planning and feedback year round — mini-retreats
• Infrastructure is improving
• Move to the Forum – Nov. 22. The Listserv will be disabled at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 21.
• Start to introduce the mobile app that is part of the membership management system in December.
• Updated member newsletter / making it more member centric. The look has been refreshed. The content will continue to develop over the coming months.

Conventions

• Purvis showed the convention numbers
• Minneapolis spring 2026 site visit a few months ago – April 16-18
• Orlando fall 2026 site visit in December

Advisers Institute

• Evolved since 1947
• Valuable professional development for teachers only
• Always a net negative in terms of financials
• In AI 2025, sold a new sponsorship to Penn State
• Will be rethinking the format and planning to bring something back

Partnerships/Other Initiatives

• NAMLE
• University of Maryland J-Day conference – April 4, 2025
• JEA/NSPA steering committee
• Advocacy
• SPLC’s 50th anniversary – Purvis attended the closing celebration in October

Thanks to board and committee chairs for donating time and resources and for their leadership.

More details are included in Purvis’s portion of the semiannual report.

8. Elections — Val Kibler reported for Michelle Balmeo, MJE
One person running for director at large, two for SPRC director
The floor will be opened at the General Membership Meeting Friday.

9. CTE committee – Laura Negri, MJE

• Major increase in numbers taking CTE test at Nashville
  
• Going to consider trying to offer a “bring your own device” option and reduce the number of computers owned by JEA.
  
• Represent JEA at conferences is in the job description … should that stay in or be changed. Instead, maybe have a person who is a liaison from other organizations, such as FBLA, Skills USA, etc.

10. Mentoring report – Shari Chumley, MJE

• Chumley said several points from her report had already been given in discussion of other areas.

Membership: Since the last report, we added 12 new mentors; yet, mentor numbers have dropped from 102 to 95 mentors in 33 states and three foreign countries (Spain, England and Guatemala) who are mentoring 182 new journalism teachers in four cohorts including 46 in the 2025-2027 Fall Cohort and four (to date) waiting to start in the 2026-2028 Spring Cohort. Many of these mentees are working with mentors outside their home state. The mentor numbers dropped due to several factors including multiple retirements and a lack of certification or JEA membership renewal.
Our committee includes Shari Chumley, MJE (Mississippi); Mark Webber, CJE (Texas); Michelle Evenson, MJE (California); and Deb Porterfield, CJE (New York).

Goals:

• Continue to increase the number of mentors in each state (specifically Texas and California). Justin Daigle has been working with state directors to find members and invite them to consider mentoring and to participate in the mentor training available online. Individuals who want a mentor can fill out this form to participate in the spring 2026 cohort of mentees. We currently have four new mentees as of this report that are waiting for mentor pairings.
• Continue to increase the number of states that are included in the mentoring program, finding a way to get mentors from the 17 missing states.
• Continue to utilize funds from the Skyline Foundation grant to have participation of mentors take their second-year mentees to attend either the fall or spring convention. We have 10 mentors/17 mentees signed up to go to the Nashville convention
• Continue to seek grant funding: We seek Skyline Foundation (formerly Yellow Chair Foundation) grants to cover many of the expenses incurred by this program.
• Retain new teachers: Although we have seen several mentees leave the profession, we are excited to add 46 new mentees to this fall cohort. Each semester our mentors provide us data on our program, and these findings from our mentors help us keep the mentoring program fresh for the mentees.

Happenings: Alicia Merrifield took a job outside the classroom and stepped down from the chair of the mentoring program committee. Shari Chumley stepped into that role as interim chair.

The mentor committee meets virtually to build on our current program and to revise any program elements that become outdated. We also spend time discussing communication strategies to assist both mentors and mentees. We debriefed several new mentors after their online training and before they started to mentor individuals. This gives the committee feedback to revise training and to update new mentors on additional things they need to know.

Last spring we updated the training module through Participate to reflect current best practices and a more virtual understanding of both journalism and the mentoring process. In addition we created a new sign up form and began to streamline the information pipeline for both the mentoring committee and the JEA offices.

In addition to updating the training, we also reinforced the protocol for being a part of the program. For mentors to be in good standing they must:

• Be a veteran journalism adviser.
• Complete the training in Participate in a timely manner
• Hold a current JEA certification, CJE or MJE, Link to certification here
• Have at least one mentee each semester (Each mentor can take up to two sabbatical semesters during their time of mentoring. Talk to the Mentoring Committee Chairperson for more information.)
• Respond/reach out to your mentee(s) at least once per month.
• Complete the mentor report form at the end of each semester for each mentee.
• To receive free travel/hotel to a national convention, mentors must travel with their second-year mentees, agree to judge an onsite competition and lead at least one session during the convention. Mentors may only have travel paid to ONE convention per year.
• During the optional third year, mentors can assist their mentees with the JEA certification process in the hopes that they will want to become mentors.

For mentees to be in good standing they must:

• Be a current member of JEA
• Be advising for 5 or fewer years (you may have taught longer, but mentees should only have advised a journalism program for 5 or fewer years.)
• Complete the Mentee Profile form
• Respond/reach out to the mentor at least once per month
• To receive free travel/hotel to a national convention in the second year, mentors must travel with their mentees, agree to judge an onsite competition and lead at least one session during the convention.

Mentee membership used to be granted gratis at the beginning of the mentoring cohort. However, a number of people would sign up, be assigned to a mentor, but then not participate. It was difficult to track who was using the free membership and who was wasting it. It was decided that we would require new mentees to be members of JEA. The free membership will be awarded on a yearly basis after the first year upon completion of the mentor reports each year. This has caused a slight decrease in program numbers, but has increased membership for JEA. We believe numbers will go back up as interest increases.

In addition, we added a new member, Deb Porterfield, CJE (New York), to the Mentoring Committee. We are really excited to work with her.

Commendations: Alicia Merrifield, MJE (Texas). Merrifield has been a mentor since 2020, on the mentor committee since 2022 and served as chair for the past three years. In her time as chair, she spearheaded the growth of the program in both numbers and effectiveness. She has a passion for mentoring and keeping teachers in the classroom. It is in no small part thanks to her work that the program is thriving. She worked tirelessly to make the program a community of like-minded advisers who may not have support on their own campuses.

DEI: The JEA Mentoring Program supports mentees across the country and internationally in high poverty areas. Many of the mentees are from various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Mentors support mentees as they engage in DEI at their respective schools.

The committee is looking at ways to intentionally include discussions of DEI in the updated Participate Training course in order to help new mentors find ways to look at the identity and environment of their own programs along with the programs of their mentees.

The committee is marketing the program using diverse mentor/mentee statements and working to ensure that our literature and message make room for all voices to see themselves reflected in our program.

The mentee application has questions regarding ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds to help with the mentoring pairing process, as well as to help in our board reports.

As the committee has looked at our practices and processes, we have seen several ways that we can improve, including using more diversity in our marketing and literature and highlighting members and their accomplishments.

For the Board: We continue to request support through JEA to apply for the Skyline Foundation grant funding. We thank the board for supporting us financially through the budget process.

We also appreciate how the board has backed this program in process and practice. As a committee, we believe that one of the best ways we can help with the continuation and growth of our profession is to support and mentor new advisers. We thank the JEA board for sharing this vision and mission and making it a priority within the organization. As we look to the future of scholastic journalism, we need a strong, knowledgeable, diversified group of teachers/advisers who can take us into the next era. That is the mission of the mentoring program.

HISTORY: Since 2015, earliest records I could find, we have had 837 mentoring pairs.
Nine mentors have worked with more than 10 mentees each.

• Mary Patrick, 28
• Laura Hayden, 15
• Mark Webber, 14
• Katie Fernandez, 11
• Andrea Chavers, 10
• Jane Blystone, 10
• Brenda Gorsuch, 10
• Vicki McCash Brennan, 10
• Katherine Patrick, 10

VII. New Business

A. Approval of 990
Andrea Negri moved and Rachel seconded to accept the 990.
(Passed 7-0)

 B. Updated commitment to diversity
Sandra Coyer moved and  Andrea Negri seconded to approve the updated commitment to diversity.
(Passed 7-0)

IX. Adjournment
Shari Chumley moved and Timm Pilcher seconded to adjourn.
(Passed 7-0)

Val Kibler adjourned the meeting at 2:38 p.m.

X. JEA Power Hour

The board members and the executive director continued with a Power Hour work session until 3 p.m.

======================
A convention follow-up board meeting will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 2025, in Delta Ballroom B, immediately following the Adviser Luncheon.

The next formal meeting of the board will be a virtual meeting from 5 to 8 p.m. March 23 and 5 to 8 p.m. March 24, 2026.