AAJA Announces Temple University as Host of JCamp 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - December 15, 2016) - The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) will partner with Temple University's School of Media and Communication (SMC) in Philadelphia, PA as the host of AAJA's signature student program JCamp, a six-day multicultural journalism training program for high school students interested in pursuing journalism as a career.

JCamp will celebrate its 17th year in 2017, held July 22 - 27 and coinciding with AAJA's 27th annual national convention July 26 - 29 in Philadelphia. Over 650 students have completed JCamp since the program was launched in 2001.

"Over the years I have watched AAJA grow into an energetic teaching organization," said Arlene Morgan, assistant dean for external affairs at the School of Media and Communication. "The camp SMC is hosting at Temple during the convention next summer is a strong example of what every journalism organization should be doing to grow the next generation of young people who will represent the diversity that is the United States. I am proud that Temple could offer its support."

Each year, AAJA selects 42 high school students from diverse backgrounds to participate. Professional journalists at the top of their field volunteer to mentor and speak at JCamp. Past speakers have included Kevin Merida, senior vice president of ESPN and editor-in-chief of "The Undefeated;" Joie Chen, Emmy award-winning journalist and former anchor of Al Jazeera America's "America Tonight;" and the late Gwen Ifill, host of "Washington Week" and "PBS NewsHour." Students' expenses are paid thanks to generous donations from foundations including the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Arelis Hernandez, reporter at The Washington Post and 2004 graduate of JCamp, will return as the program's director. "We are excited to be able to partner with Temple University SMC to bring JCamp 2017 to the city of brotherly love," said Hernandez. "We can't think of a better place for student journalists to learn than at a distinguished school that counts among its alumni Pulitzer Prize winners and some of the best journalists of our time. JCampers can expect a one-of-a-kind experience this summer."

"We cannot be more thrilled and grateful to have Temple University SMC, one of the top journalism schools in the country, to host JCamp in Philadelphia this year," said Yvonne Leow, AAJA vice president of journalism programs and national president-elect. "Our students have so much to gain from Temple's state of the art facilities and their academic leadership in local news innovation."

The application for JCamp 2017 is available at www.aaja.org/jcamp2017. Students of all ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.