University of Minnesota to Host AAJA's JCamp 2015


SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2014) - The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) announced today that the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Communication will host and sponsor JCamp 2015, a six-day multicultural journalism training program for high school students interested in pursuing journalism as a career.

JCamp will celebrate its 15th year developing the next generation of journalists in 2015. The camp will be held August 3 - 8. More than 550 students have completed the program since its launch in 2001.

"The University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communication is delighted to host AAJA's 15th annual JCamp program in Minneapolis," said Professor Albert Tims, Director of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication. "JCamp students will have full access to our state of the art facilities for hands-on training in digital reporting, writing, editing, photography and television news-gathering and production. We look forward to having JCamp's outstanding students and instructors on campus."

Forty-two high school students from diverse backgrounds across the country are selected to participate each year in the all-expenses-paid camp, sponsored by individual donors and foundations including the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Leading professional journalists act as mentors to provide hands-on training and guidance to the students. Media industry leaders are also invited to speak throughout the camp. Past speakers have included Brian Williams, NBC News lead anchor; Joie Chen, anchor of Al Jazeera America's "America Tonight" and Kevin Merida, managing editor of The Washington Post.

"We couldn't be more excited to be returning to the University of Minnesota," said Neal Justin, co-director of JCamp and TV critic at The Minneapolis Star Tribune. "The facilities and staff, led by Albert Tims, are top-notch. Since we were last there, the metro-rail system has connected to the campus, which will give us more opportunity to explore the Twin Cities. We also look forward to working with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), which will be hosting its convention there at the same time."

The application for JCamp can be found at www.aaja.org/jcamp2015. Applicants of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information:

Media Contact:
Kathy Chow
Executive Director
Asian American Journalists Association
415-346-2051, ext. 106