Jayhawk Media Workshop Courses

Ready, Set, Workshop!

We are excited to introduce you to the courses for the 2025 Jayhawk Media Workshop at the University of Kansas. Students can select one course from the following topics and instructors. That “course” will be the majority of the learning for the week.

However, there will be some team work with other “courses,” students will gather as an entire camp each day and meals will be at common times. So, don’t worry about seeing friends from your school who are enrolled in other courses. You will get the chance to spend lots of fun time together during the workshop!

Multimedia Storytelling with Megan Palmer

For the student who is ready to try every possible form of storytelling, we offer this class. Video? Yes. Writing? Yes. Social media? Yes. Photography? Yes. If you want to return to your staff as an invaluable journalist who says “yes” to every kind of assignment, this course is for you.

Designing Amazing Stuff with Amy Morgan

Your audience hungers for design that is wonderfully designed, from illustrations to typography, from color choices to special effects. This software-intensive class will help you blend those graphic design skills with storytelling that will blow your audience away!

Yearbook Theme & Planning with Becky Tate and Susan Massy

The endless possibilities of starting a new yearbook are in front of you — and this week of planning will shape your book into something extraordinary. Make goals for your staff and choose the direction for your yearbook next year while getting expert feedback and coaching.

Leading a Publication with Kathy Habiger

This class will help any leader of a student publication become a stronger leader for next year. Whether you are leading a student news website, newspaper or magazine, or yearbook, being an editor means inspiring your staff to do great work. This course will show you how.

Writing & Editing with Barb Tholen

Students will learn the entire writing process for journalists: from pitching to interviewing, from writing to editing. This course will strengthen your ability to report on vital issues and write stories that speak to your readers.

Advising with Julia Walker

This class guides high school students through the intricacies of yearbook journalism, focusing on creating vibrant and original yearbook pages. Her instruction encompasses the entire storytelling process, from crafting compelling narratives to designing engaging layouts. Students under her mentorship gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like InDesign software, enhancing their skills in both design and copywriting. Additionally, Walker emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership, encouraging student leaders to understand and support their team members effectively.

Photographic Awesomeness with Heather Springer

Students will learn how to use digital cameras to capture storytelling moments, whether from portraits, action photography or events. Unleash the technical side of photography too — we will cover camera settings and software that will supercharge your images.