You’re getting a college education in the art and science of journalism. Future journalists need strong leadership skills to be successful in an evolving, complex and diverse work environment. Think of the Student Leadership Institute (SLI) as a learning laboratory designed to help you build your skills and confidence to do so.
With the support of the Scripps Howard Foundation, the SLI was created to provide participants with a solid foundation on self-awareness and the skills necessary for leading and contributing to a team. We also want to arm you with the information to understand and apply SPJ’s Code of Ethics. It is a custom designed, hands-on, leadership experience developed to make even the best student members of SPJ more credible, ethical and values-based leaders.
What to expect
The SLI is like no other SPJ educational experience. It’s a weekend institute designed for a small cohort of college students to learn from expert facilitators teaching leadership concepts and skills. It’s an opportunity to get coached and mentored by some young professional journalists who are leaders in SPJ and in their workplaces. This learning laboratory has an attendance cap of 25 in a very casual location, so a highly interactive experience is guaranteed.
Schedule at a Glance
Friday, July 16
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Welcome and Getting Launched
5:30-6 p.m.
Coaching Session
6-7 p.m.
Community Dinner
7-8 p.m.
Influencing Work Culture
8-8:30 p.m.
Coaching Session: Personal and Professional Goals
Saturday, July 17
8-9 a.m.
Wellness Breakfast
9-9:45 a.m.
The Ball Machine
10-11:15 a.m.
Understanding Myself and Others: DiSC Profile
11:30 a.m.-Noon
Coaching Session: Putting DiSC into a Newsroom/Workplace Context
Noon-1 p.m.
Lunch
1-2 p.m.
Emotional Intelligence: Working to Build an Inclusive Environment
2-2:45 p.m.
Coaching Session: Understanding Blind Spots and Setting Goals
3-4:15 p.m.
Ethics: Understanding and Applying SPJ’s Four Pillars
4:30-5 p.m.
Coaching Session: How to Fight Back when People Try to Discredit You
5-6 p.m.
Community Dinner
6-7 p.m.
Building Conflict Management Skills
7:15-8 p.m.
Power Panel: So What?
8 p.m.
Firepit & Fun
Sunday, July 18
8-9 a.m.
Breakfast
9-10 a.m.
Initiating and Managing Change
10:15-10:45 a.m.
Coaching Session: Initiating and Leading Change
10:45 a.m.-Noon
SLI Next Steps
Post-SLI mentoring
Strengthening your skills and building your professional contacts after the SLI is an important part of this program. The #SPJ21 national convention plans are being developed and will be held Sept. 2-5, 2021. There will be opportunities for mentoring with young/early-career professionals. Convention plans are continually being developed to maximize your networking and learning opportunities.
Your investment: $100
With a generous grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation, the cost to you is minimal. What do you get for your $100?
Student Leadership Institute — Indianapolis, IN
– Airfare (airfare not to exceed lowest coach airfare from home location to Indianapolis)
– Seventeen hours of educational content and materials
– Ground transportation to/from Jameson Camp
– Lodging — two nights
– Meals
– Educational materials
– Coaching experiences
– Post-Institute Zoom sessions
#SPJ21 Convention
– Airfare (the grant intention is to cover travel expenses such as: airfare not to exceed lowest coach airfare from participant chapter location, ground transportation, and travel stipend)
– Lodging — two nights
– Educational materials
– Convention registration, meals
– Potential on-site activities and transportation
– Coaching experiences with young professionals in SPJ
Who is eligible?
Individuals who choose to step up, with a willingness to learn and grow as leaders, are the ideal candidates. No minimum time of membership is required, and acceptance as a program participant is contingent on current membership in SPJ.
Participants will be chosen by a committee of journalism educators and professional journalists. They will focus on your drive and passion to succeed in journalism.
Preference will be given to applicants who have at least one full year of student membership in SPJ to complete after the 2021 SLI dates. However, any student member in good standing as of the application deadline may apply.
Society of Professional Journalists
