Collegian Media Group director Spencer O’Daniel has been selected as a faculty instructor for the Associated Collegiate Press Media Mega Workshop in Minneapolis, July 23-26.
With a century of programming, initiatives and contests under their belt, ACP is the nation’s largest organization of collegiate journalists and collegiate-journalism advisers. ACP advances journalism and media “as a vital cultural force by connecting advisers, students and professionals through national events and competitions.” The organization defines global standards and ethical practices and “establishes criteria for journalism education that meet the needs of the profession.
The Mega Workshop in July brings together top journalism educators and industry professionals from around the country on important track tropics to build the skills of collegiate journalists before their publication year begins the next month.
For O’Daniel, it was quite a surprise to join some of his mentors and other journalism advisers who lead several of the best college media outlets in the country.
“I was actually planning on attending with CMG staffers this summer to better my own instruction and provide the opportunity to our key leaders to pick up some new ideas for next year,” said O’Daniel. “Teaching at this workshop was a career goal down the line that I hoped would happen at some point. To be selected as a faculty member and work with some of the best college journalists in Minneapolis is pretty surreal as I go into my 15th year advising student media in August.”
Returning Collegian design editor Lilly Crist, who has led the design efforts of more than 40 Collegian weekly papers, is excited to learn new design strategies in addition to bonding with her fellow editors at the workshop.
“I wanted to attend this workshop because I am always looking for ways we can improve the design and readability of our paper,” said Crist. “Newspaper design is more of a niche design field so anytime I can get feedback and learn from professionals in the field I always try to take advantage of those opportunities. I’m also looking forward to getting to know some of next year’s editors better!”
For incoming Collegian editor-in-chief Greta Klein, she believes the summer investment towards instruction will prove dividends for next year’s Collegian staff.
“I wanted to attend this workshop because of the opportunity it will provide. Since it’s the best college workshop during the summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn and absorb new tactics and ideas that I can apply to my team next year,” said Klein.
“I think it’s vital to take advantage of resources like workshops because they allow me to refine my leadership skills and collaborate with fellow collegiate journalists to tackle shared challenges and brainstorm fresh ideas. Without the opportunities that workshops bring, individual and team growth cannot be attained.”
Leave a Reply