High school students from across the state of Kansas gather in the KU Memorial Union for the KSPA Fall Conference | Photo by Kaden Milner

The Kansas Scholastic Press Association Fall Conference brought more than 550 high school and middle school students to campus Wednesday. Ten faculty members were among 30 speakers, presenting sessions to the student journalists. In addition, three students in the journalism school also led sessions. Students were greeted at the start of the day by Dean Judith Rosenbaum-Andre and led on tours by Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator Alias Moser. Other speakers included professional journalists and high school journalism teachers.

KSPA supports student journalists and educators across the state with contests and events throughout the year, operating with KU as its homebase.

KSPA students attend the Design Principles & Strategies Workshop | Photo by Kaden Milner

Alias Moser gives KSPA Students a tour of Stauffer-Flint Hall | Photo by Kaden Milner

Dean Judith Rosenbaum-Andre gives remarks during reception.  | Photo provided by Kaden Milner

Dozens of faculty, staff and university administrators gathered at the Clarkson Gallery on Thursday for a reception honoring new JMC School Dean Judith Rosenbaum-Andre. The event began with remarks from Provost Arash Mafi, who highlighted the importance of journalism in a rapidly changing world and the School's role in training the next generation of journalists. Rosenbaum-Andre then took the podium to thank faculty and staff for their incredible work this semester. She also highlighted the School's experiential learning initiatives, new alumni advisory councils and her vision for the School's future.

Ben Vaskov (left) and Delaney Grohs (right) work on playmakers while parents and family watch in the background. | Photo by Kaden Milner

Friday's episode of Playmakers drew a special audience during Parents Weekend. About 30 parents watched the live broadcast from the control room and lobby, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how JMC students produce, direct and anchor the show. You can catch Playmakers live every Friday and watch previous episodes on YouTube.

The Playmakers crew was also at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium Saturday to cover the Jayhawks' game against Middle Tennessee. Before kickoff, Emma Noble and Mia Ramirez joined FOX NOW College Kickoff for a live pregame report, with Kolton Kennon producing the segment. The Jayhawks went on to trounce the Blue Raiders 55-0.

Kolton Kennon produces a live shot with Emma Noble (left) and Mia Ramirez (right) for FOX NOW | Photo by Cal Butcher

Marika Davis speaks with Sports Media in the 21st Century class | Photo by Elizabeth Cox

Students in JMC 330 Sports Media in the 21st Century, co-taught by Elizabeth Cox and Diego Gutierrez, welcomed Marika Davis to class Monday, Sept. 28. Davis is currently the in-game host and fan development manager for Sporting Kansas City. She shared her professional journey from her time as a student at Kansas State University to her recent experience as a stadium host for World Cup matches in Kansas City this summer. She also discussed her upcoming transition to a new role as in-game host for the NHL's Seattle Kraken, giving students insight into the opportunities and career paths available in sports media.

Winners of the Spirit Day competition pose with jerseys. | Photo by Maya Smith

As part of a lesson on fan identity, JMC 330 students turned the classroom into a sea of team colors Friday during a Spirit Day competition. Students arrived wearing apparel from favorite professional, collegiate and local teams, competing for titles recognizing the most creative fan attire and the greatest number of teams represented in a single outfit. The winning students will get to pick a team that Elizabeth Cox and Diego Gutierrez must represent for a day.

Sydney Clark poses with Advanced Sports Reporting class. | Photo by Al Wallace

Sydney Clark, a 2025 graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and sports reporter for KSNT-TV in Topeka, returned to Stauffer-Flint Hall to speak with students in Al Wallace’s Advanced Sports Reporting class. Clark shared insights from her work in television sports journalism and discussed the skills and experiences that helped launch her career. 

Ad Club members pose with speaker Katie Reynolds. | Photo by KU Ad Club

Last week, Ad Club members heard from Katie Reynolds, account coordinator at Waltz Tetrick Advertising and a proud KU Journalism alumna. Reynolds shared her career journey and offered advice on making the transition from college to the professional world, including steps students can take now to set themselves up for success after graduation. Students interested in joining Ad Club are welcome to attend the organization's next meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the Resource Center. They can also join the Ad Club GroupMe for updates and event information.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is launching its first Media Innovation Challenge, giving students the opportunity to pitch creative ideas in a "Shark Tank"-style competition. The inaugural challenge theme, Innovating Newspaper Advertising, is open to all JMC undergraduate students, regardless of major. Participants may compete individually or as part of a team for a chance to win a $400 cash prize, with team awards divided among members. Students must register by Oct. 21. Full challenge instructions will be distributed Oct. 22. Questions can be directed to Teri Finneman at teri.finneman@ku.edu. The challenge is sponsored by the Kansas and Nebraska newspaper associations.

Students interested in international reporting are encouraged to apply for the 2027 Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards.The program awards either a $3,000 scholarship to support an independent international reporting project or a $4,000 fellowship to support time working in a news organization’s international bureau. Eligible juniors, seniors and graduate students have until Nov. 15 to apply. More information is available on the Overseas Press Club Foundation website.

RJI Student Innovation Competition finalists: (left to right) Noorah Abdeljawad, Trey Myers, Lucas Gomez | Photo by Kaden Milner

A team of three JMC students from Sarah Cavanah’s Media Management class has advanced to the finals of the 20th Reynolds Journalism Institute Student Innovation Competition. Noorah Abdeljawad, Lucas Gomez and Trey Myers were selected as one of 10 finalist teams nationwide. The competition challenges students to partner with a news organization to develop and market a merchandise product. The KU team chose the student-run Eudora Times and will create a ceramic mug featuring an illustrated map of Eudora. They also plan to partner with local businesses to sell the mugs alongside recipes contributed by Eudora students in culinary classes. Winners will be announced in early December, with prizes of $10,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place.

Doctoral student Javiera Rossel attends Fulbright Seminar in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Photo provided by Javiera Rossel

Doctoral student Javiera Rossel was one of 150 Fulbright scholars selected to participate in a Fulbright Seminar in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, representing the University of Kansas and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She was one of three Fulbright scholars from KU, joining participants from more than 55 nationalities and universities across the U.S. The seminar focused on exploring American history ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, deepening participants’ understanding of U.S. history and culture and strengthening the Fulbright community through academic, professional, and cultural exchange.

Ritz Dasgupta received the Midwest Travel Journalists Association’s Spotlight Award in September.

Cuyler Dunn is a staff reporter for the Lawrence Times.

David Stewart Is senior staff software engineer at Aurora.

The Fall Career Fair is set for Thursday, Oct. 8. Twenty-three organizations will be in Stauffer-Flint Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to connect with University of Kansas students to share opportunities in internships, jobs, graduate school and fellowship programs. Students from all majors and concentrations are welcome. Students are encouraged to dress as they would for a job interview and bring at least 10 resumes. A professional photographer will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Resource Center to take headshots for students’ LinkedIn profiles, websites or portfolios. Faculty and staff are also invited to get an updated headshot. For more on the fair and to see a list of participants, go to the career fair webpage. 

Students are invited to Language Night from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 27 in Watson Library's 3 West. The event will feature spooky stories, treats and opportunities to learn phrases from nearly 20 languages, including Hungarian, Arabic and Sindhi. Follow the event's Instagram page for spooky stories and updates leading up to the event.

October means Movetober is back. Hosted by KU Wellness, the monthlong challenge encourages faculty and staff to build healthy movement habits by setting a personal movement goal and tracking progress throughout October. Participants can choose from several pathways, including Move More, Move Often, Move Strong, Move Outside and Move Together, making it easy to find an option that fits any lifestyle or activity level. Participants may join individually or as part of a team of three to six people and will have opportunities throughout the month to earn prizes, connect with colleagues and be recognized for their progress and participation. Learn more and register on the Movetober website.

Jobs

Internships and student jobs

JMC alumnus Griffin Hughes, producer at Altitude TV, was a recent Cheers to Careers podcast guest.

• Oct. 8: Career Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Stauffer-Flint Hall

• Oct. 17-20: Fall Break

• Oct. 23: Faculty and Staff meeting, 1-2:30 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Oct. 23: Concur Travel Training, 2:45-4:00 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Nov. 4: Student Success Series - Budgeting 101, noon-12:50 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Nov. 10: Donuts with the Dean, 9-10 a.m., Stauffer-Flint Lobby

• Nov. 12: Staff meeting, 10-11:00 a.m., Clarkson Gallery Conference Room

• Nov. 20: Faculty and Staff meeting, 1-2:30 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

• Dec. 10: Last day of classes

• Dec. 11: Stop Day

• Dec. 11: Faculty and Staff meeting, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Clarkson Gallery

• Dec. 14-18: Finals Week

• Dec. 28:  Grade submission deadline, 11:59 p.m.

Next Monday Memo

• October 12

William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications
journalism.ku.edu

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.

© The University of Kansas. 2025.