Department of Communication hosts JCAMP 2018

The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) announced a partnership with Wayne State University Department of Communication, part of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, 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.

Forty-two diverse high school students will be selected to participate in JCamp July 30 - August 4, 2018 as the program celebrates its 18th year. Over 700 students have completed JCamp since it was launched in 2001.

"Wayne State University is thrilled to host the Asian American Journalists Association's JCamp," said Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts Dean Matthew Seeger, Ph.D. "Detroit is a great journalism town and our programs, including the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity, have been leaders in promoting diversity and ethics in the profession. These values as well as the larger journalism profession have never been more important. We are excited to introduce students to the rich cultural traditions of Detroit and show how journalistic storytelling has helped this great industrial city create a vibrant future."

Past JCamp speakers have included Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC's "Today Show;" Arthur Suzlberger, Jr., former publisher of The New York Times; Chuck Todd, host of "Meet the Press;" and the late Gwen Ifill, host of "Washington Week" and "PBS NewsHour."

Arelis Hernandez, reporter at The Washington Post and 2004 graduate of JCamp, will return as the program's director.

"Wayne State University presents the perfect blend of experiences for our budding journalists," Hernandez said. "Detroit is fertile ground for vivid storytelling, experiential learning and exposure to all the complex urban and social justice issues that challenge our nation's journalists to do their best work. Having an institution such as Wayne State partner with JCamp guarantees our participants will be ensconced in the best our industry has to offer. We can't thank the university enough for joining us in this endeavor."

"We're excited and grateful to be hosting our 18th JCamp at Wayne State University's Department of Communication in Detroit," said Yvonne Leow, AAJA National President. "It's an incredible opportunity for our students to be reporting in Michigan in an important midterm election year."

Students' expenses are paid thanks to generous donations from foundations including the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Dow Jones Foundation, as well as individual and corporate sponsors.

More information about JCamp 2018 is available at www.aaja.org/jcamp2018. Students of all ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For more information about Wayne State's Department of Communication, visit comm.wayne.edu or connect on Twitter.