Workshop participants engage in an interactive discussion during the morning session on Emerging Technology in Classrooms at the 2026 Adviser Workshop.
Nearly fifty high school journalism advisers and supporters of student media from across Pennsylvania spent a full day at Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications for the Pennsylvania School Press Association's second annual Adviser Workshop, a robust professional development program created in partnership with Penn State's Bellisario College of Communications.
Held on Tuesday, June 30 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 state. A highlight of the second annual workshop for many advisers was the opportunity to earn Act 48 credit for their participation.
Morning sessions introduced foundational topics central to student media today, including the First Amendment in schools, design fundamentals and emerging technologies. Penn State professor Amy Kristin Sanders shared perspectives on the legal rights of student journalists. Former student media leaders Ben Shapiro and Shreya Vaidhyanathan shared insights on what students value in advisers, based on their previous roles leading a Pennsylvania high school newspaper and on their current experience as college journalists.
Held on Tuesday, June 30 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 state. A highlight of the second annual workshop for many advisers was the opportunity to earn Act 48 credit for their participation.
Morning sessions introduced foundational topics central to student media today, including the First Amendment in schools, design fundamentals and emerging technologies. Penn State professor Amy Kristin Sanders shared perspectives on the legal rights of student journalists. Former student media leaders Ben Shapiro and Shreya Vaidhyanathan shared insights on what students value in advisers, based on their previous roles leading a Pennsylvania high school newspaper and on their current experience as college journalists.
Penn State professor Amy Kristin Sanders engages attendees during her presentation "Moving Beyond Hazelwood: Teaching Students Their First Amendment Rights."
Former student media leaders Ben Shapiro and Shreya Vaidhyanathan shared insights on what students value in advisers during their presentation "How to Hone Your Advising Skills: What Your Students Want to See in an Adviser"
“It was refreshing to speak with advisers who are dedicated to bettering their students’ publications,” Vaidhyanathan said. “Presenting to educators who were genuinely invested in my experience as a student made me so excited for the future of student journalism in Pennsylvania.”
After lunch, educators participated in a series of interactive breakout sessions on topics including how to select photography equipment, strategies for classroom management, and video journalism basics. Student Press Law Center attorney Mike Hiestand led a session on student journalists’ rights when covering protests and rallies. Each session emphasized practical tools advisers could immediately apply within their classrooms or newsrooms.
After lunch, educators participated in a series of interactive breakout sessions on topics including how to select photography equipment, strategies for classroom management, and video journalism basics. Student Press Law Center attorney Mike Hiestand led a session on student journalists’ rights when covering protests and rallies. Each session emphasized practical tools advisers could immediately apply within their classrooms or newsrooms.
Throughout the day of the workshop, several advisers participated in one-on-one critiques of their student media with PSPA board members.
The day concluded with a hands-on opportunity to explore emerging technology like AI tools, immersive apps, and virtual reality devices at a technology ‘petting zoo’ organized by Penn State. Educators were encouraged to envision the possibilities for new technology in their classrooms.
“We were excited to once again partner with Penn State to provide another opportunity for advisers to gather, network, and learn some new skills to take back to their respective newsrooms,” PSPA President Aaron Fitzpatrick said. “I hope those who were able to join us left feeling inspired and empowered and I look forward to hearing about the amazing things they’ll do with their staffs and publications as a result.”
Plans for next year’s Adviser Workshop are already in development, with details to be announced in early 2027.
“We were excited to once again partner with Penn State to provide another opportunity for advisers to gather, network, and learn some new skills to take back to their respective newsrooms,” PSPA President Aaron Fitzpatrick said. “I hope those who were able to join us left feeling inspired and empowered and I look forward to hearing about the amazing things they’ll do with their staffs and publications as a result.”
Plans for next year’s Adviser Workshop are already in development, with details to be announced in early 2027.
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