2022 KSU Regional Conference

8:30-9 a.m.

We will not be distributing paper programs for this event, both to save paper and to give attendees the most up-to-date schedule of events. Come join us on the second floor of the K-State Union in the the ballroom at Kansas State University (918 N M.L.K. Jr. Dr, Manhattan, KS 66506).

9:00-9:20 a.m.

Our local host is KSPA past-president Kristy Nyp, the adviser at Manhattan High School. Nyp will provide an overview of the day and preview upcoming events on the KSPA calendar. Steve Smethers of Kansas State University will also welcome students and teachers. 

9:25-10:10 a.m.

“Starting a Podcast for your School Publication” 

Cottonwood Room

Brendan Praeger is the publications adviser at Wabaunsee High School. 

“Sport Journalism”

Ballroom 

A 25-year veteran of local television news, Smith is an Emmy award winning journalist who has traveled the country as a sports broadcaster. As News Director he oversees the student television news productions from Dole Hall. Professor Smith is also involved with the Education Abroad program, teaching a digital storytelling class in the KSU in Italy summer session.

“On-Site Critiques” 

Room 204 

This room is reserved for On-Site Critiques (see schedule below) and for advisers to meet, if needed.

“Reducing Wordiness”

Learn how to minimize words while maximizing space in your publication. Writing concisely and in the active voice sharpens your writing skills that readers (and your teachers back at school) will appreciate.

Room 206 

David Levy is the director of the Collegian Media Group at Kansas State University. He advises the Collegian newspaper, Royal Purple Yearbook and Manhappenin’ magazine – all national award-winning publications.

“From Persuasive Essay to Opinion Column”

Not all students feel prepared to take on topics on the opinion page of their publication, but students at all levels are assigned persuasive writing in English classes. This session, led by an award-winning high school journalist with a background in AP English classes, connects persuasive essays to opinion columns and shows novice writers how they can make the leap to making their case on the opinion page.

Room 207

Kris Long, a senior, is the Editor-in-Chief and front page news designer of The Mentor, the weekly newspaper at Manhattan High, where he covers beats like administration, soccer, wrestling, AFS and more. He also generates content for MHSMentor.com, Manhattan Mention podcast and Blue M yearbook as part of the MHS Student Media converged staff. Previously he served as page editor for sports and for opinions, where he wrote the staff editorial for each edition. As a teachers aid in the Digital Media pathway, he coached new writers in the 21st Century Journalism class on writing, especially focusing on opinion writing.

10:20–11 a.m.

“Creating a photojournalism portfolio”

This session is a beginners guide to building a photography portfolio. We will walk through what each person needs in their portfolio and what a client or employer may be looking for. While this is tailored for photography, writers, designers and videographers are welcome to join to get an idea for themselves.

Cottonwood Room

Madeline Emerson is a student at Kansas State University and has completed my Journalism Mass Communications degree. She is student teaching at Manhattan High School to finish up her Secondary Education – Journalism degree. She as a passion for photography and helping people achieve their goals.

“Action Photography”

Learn how to fully cover sporting events for yearbook or newspaper. Master the rules that contribute to successful sports photographs, as well as where to stand for the most common sports covered by high school media. Equipment is a common challenge for students, so come discover what is essential for capturing storytelling sports images.

Ballroom 

“On-Site Critiques” 

Room 204 

This room is reserved for On-Site Critiques (see schedule below) and for advisers to meet, if needed.

“Media Law”

Room 206 

Nikhil Moro, an associate professor at the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, is an expert in media law with a national reputation in internet law and emerging technologies. His research has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including First Amendment Studies, Journal of Internet Law, and Journal of Media Law & Ethics.

“AJ’s Adventures in Journalism”

I’m a journalist today because a teacher got me interested in the idea of writing about things for a living. I’ll talk about the lessons I’ve learned since I began at age 16, what inspires me, and share some neat stories from my adventures.

Room 207 

AJ Dome has been a journalist since age 16 with experience in radio, TV, and now print. In that time I’ve done some cool stuff, like chase storms, interview celebrities, and maybe win an award or two.

“Working in Social Media and the NEW Social Media Management Certificate at K-State”

Today, there is increasing demand for professionals with skills in social media and digital content creation. The role of social media manager and jobs in social media are expected to grow by 8% by 2028 – faster than the average expected rate for all occupations. Additionally, a recent study from LinkedIn shows social media manager as one of the fastest growing jobs on the platform. This workshop will walk you through the different ways you can work in social media and give you a sneak peek at the new undergraduate certificate in Social Media Management at K-State, designed for all majors seeking to expand and enhance their knowledge and skills in social media strategies and best practices, daily management, and content creation.

Room 209 

Jana Thomas has spent nearly 20 years in marketing, advertising, and communications working with brands such as Best Buy, FASTSIGNS, Cinergy Entertainment, Datasat Digital Entertainment, GTM Sportswear, Penske Truck Rental, DIRECTV, IMAX, and more. She owns a social media consulting company specializing in social media strategy and campaign development and is also a professor of practice at Kansas State University teaching courses in social media strategy, introduction to advertising, campaigns, and media audiences. Jana earned her master’s degree in strategic communications from K-State and conducts research in the areas of media use among adolescents ages 13 – 18 years, digital citizenship, and social media manager well-being.

11:10–11:50 p.m.

“Take better photos. Period.”

Elevate your photography by learning the tools of the trade. Find out how to take better photos using common photography rules, and always look for the defining moment. This session is for beginners and advanced photographers.

Ballroom 

Kelly Glasscock, CJE, is executive director of the Journalism Education Association and assistant professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas State University. He teaches photojournalism and Mass Communication in Society in the journalism sequence in the Miller School. He also has worked as a professional photojournalist with work published in Sports Illustrated, Time magazine and USA Today.

“On-Site Critiques” 

Room 204 

This room is reserved for On-Site Critiques (see schedule below) and for advisers to meet, if needed.

“Leadership Roundtable”

Join adviser Kim Warren and former high school editors Lizzy Franco and Kaylee Warren as we brainstorm ways solve problems that may happen on publications staffs. We want interaction from you so bring your staff situations to this session. We will discuss staff motivation, staff meetings and any situations that the student journalists want to discuss. College students Franco and Warren can also talk about their experiences working for student pulications, K-State HD and athletics at K-State.

Room 206 

Kim Warren is the yearbook and newspaper adviser at Salina High School South where she has taught for 20+ years. Warren is presently a member of KSPA Board of Directors

“Learning how to make Lightroom work for you”

Take a tour of Lightroom and learn how it might be more powerful than you think . . . perhaps even becoming your go-to photo software. Please bring a laptop loaded with Lightroom if you are able. 

Room 207

Huyen Nguyen (Ph.D., Ohio University) joined the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications in the fall of 2018 as an instructor and has since taught data journalism, newspaper design, photo editing, and content management systems. Nguyen participated in the news industry in 2006 after graduating from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Saigon, Vietnam. She earned her doctoral degree in Journalism and Mass Communications in 2020.

“A Tour of the Studio”

NOTE: this session will last for both session Three and session Four. Andrew Smith will open up the studio at Dole Hall for a “broadcasting performance tour” session, where we will have the green screen on to try weather, let kids be the anchor and read the prompter, etc. and I can give other performance tips.

Meet outside the main ballroom before a walk to Dole Hall

A 25-year veteran of local television news, Smith is an Emmy award winning journalist who has traveled the country as a sports broadcaster. As News Director he oversees the student television news productions from Dole Hall. Professor Smith is also involved with the Education Abroad program, teaching a digital storytelling class in the KSU in Italy summer session.

noon–12:40 p.m.

“Telling Stories With Photography”

What is photojournalism? How does it differ from other forms of photography? What are some things that make for good photojournalism? How should a photojournalist approach their job?

Ballroom 

Lucas Boland is a staff photojournalist at The Mercury in Manhattan, KS. He’s been taking photos seriously for over 7 years, from adventure and landscapes to portraits and photojournalism. He loves photography, because he loves stories, because he loves people.

“On-Site Critiques” 

Room 204 

This room is reserved for On-Site Critiques (see schedule below) and for advisers to meet, if needed.

“Details, Deadlines and Delivery: Mid-Year Book”

You’ve developed a theme, designed mods, created photos and stories, and your yearbook is happening. What’s the priority at this time of year? The devil is in the details, deadlines and delivery preparations in the third and fourth quarters. We will talk about fine-tuning pages, pressing on to the final deadlines to get your book in time, and how to plan the perfect delivery event. Bring your questions and your best ideas to share in an interactive discussion about yearbook through the winter.

Room 206

Kristy Nyp is the adviser of Manhattan High’s MHS Student Media program, which encompasses yearbook, newspaper, website, podcast, video production and livestream publications. In her 15th year in education she teaches Digital Media and college public speaking, as well as being involved in the Career and Technical Education department at MHS. She has been a member of the KSPA Board of Directors for nine years and currently serves as the past president. Nyp has judged journalism contests across the country and has been on the faculty of KSU’s Flint Hills Publications Workshop for three years.

Continued from session three: “A Tour of the Studio”

NOTE: this session will last for both session Three and session Four. Andrew Smith will open up the studio at Dole Hall for a “broadcasting performance tour” session, where we will have the green screen on to try weather, let kids be the anchor and read the prompter, etc. and I can give other performance tips.

Meet outside the main ballroom before a walk to Dole Hall

A 25-year veteran of local television news, Smith is an Emmy award winning journalist who has traveled the country as a sports broadcaster. As News Director he oversees the student television news productions from Dole Hall. Professor Smith is also involved with the Education Abroad program, teaching a digital storytelling class in the KSU in Italy summer session.