UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Nearly three dozen high school journalism and media advisers from across Pennsylvania spent a full day at Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications for the Pennsylvania School Press Association's inaugural Adviser Workshop, a hands-on professional development program created in partnership with Penn State's Bellisario College of Communications.
Held July 22 in the state-of-the-art Bellisario Media Center, the workshop brought advisers of student newspapers, yearbooks, broadcast programs and media-focused classes together for targeted sessions designed to strengthen scholastic journalism programs across the commonwealth.
Morning sessions introduced foundational topics central to student media today, including the First Amendment in schools, social media strategy for publications and essential design principles for print and digital storytelling.
In the afternoon, educators participated in a series of interactive breakout sessions such as Photojournalism for Everyone, Barebones Broadcast, Yearbook Design Essentials and Newspaper Staff Engagement. Each session emphasized practical tools advisers could immediately apply within their classrooms or newsrooms.
The day concluded with an adviser roundtable, where educators representing schools of all sizes shared challenges, best practices and program-building strategies. Participants praised the opportunity to connect with peers, noting the value of a statewide professional community for advisers.
Strong Response From Attendees
Thirty advisers registered for the workshop, with overwhelmingly positive feedback reported in post-event surveys. Attendees rated the workshop “excellent” overall and indicated they were “very likely” to recommend it to colleagues. Sessions focused on social media, student engagement and the First Amendment received especially strong responses.
Looking Ahead
Plans for next year’s Adviser Workshop are already in development, with details to be announced in early 2026.
Held July 22 in the state-of-the-art Bellisario Media Center, the workshop brought advisers of student newspapers, yearbooks, broadcast programs and media-focused classes together for targeted sessions designed to strengthen scholastic journalism programs across the commonwealth.
Morning sessions introduced foundational topics central to student media today, including the First Amendment in schools, social media strategy for publications and essential design principles for print and digital storytelling.
In the afternoon, educators participated in a series of interactive breakout sessions such as Photojournalism for Everyone, Barebones Broadcast, Yearbook Design Essentials and Newspaper Staff Engagement. Each session emphasized practical tools advisers could immediately apply within their classrooms or newsrooms.
The day concluded with an adviser roundtable, where educators representing schools of all sizes shared challenges, best practices and program-building strategies. Participants praised the opportunity to connect with peers, noting the value of a statewide professional community for advisers.
Strong Response From Attendees
Thirty advisers registered for the workshop, with overwhelmingly positive feedback reported in post-event surveys. Attendees rated the workshop “excellent” overall and indicated they were “very likely” to recommend it to colleagues. Sessions focused on social media, student engagement and the First Amendment received especially strong responses.
Looking Ahead
Plans for next year’s Adviser Workshop are already in development, with details to be announced in early 2026.
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