By: Bret McCargo
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)– The Lemke journalism project is seeing a record high attendance this semester.
The program is provided by the University of Arkansas, and gives local high school students hands-on experience with different forms of journalism. The workshop is a free program that meets six saturdays in the spring semester to acquaint nearby high schoolers with the U of A’s journalism program University of Arkansas journalism teachers, students and employees that work in various forms of media are featured at the program to offer high school students advice, tips and a rundown of what they do in the world of journalism.
University of Arkansas instructor, Gina Shelton organizes the Lemke Journalism Project and explains the growth in popularity with the program. Instructor Shelton says she thinks LJP’s elevation in enrollment stems from young students’ interest in the field journalism has grown. “I think our booming enrollment may have something to do with the increase in interest. A journalism degree from the University of Arkansas is an excellent value,” Shelton says.
Instructor Shelton says she spent a lot of time to bring awareness to the program. “We’ve expanded our recruitment and spent a lot of time talking to high school classes. Several LJP graduates help with outreach, and I think that makes a big difference.” Shelton says.
Current UA students share what the program meant to them. Some of them describe it as life-changing.” Mrs Shelton says.
With the workshop seeing higher than usual high school students Professor Shelton expressed that organizing a six week program can be difficult at times with the new size of all the sessions. “It’s more challenging with a larger group, that means finding more guest speakers and mentors. Thankfully we have a lot of support. So far about 30 current students have volunteered as mentors,” Instructor Shelton says. University of Arkansas students that volunteer help with various tasks such as escorting the high schoolers around campus and sharing their experience with the journalism department.
With the attendance predicted to climb further in the future, Professor Shelton discussed some possibly limiting the growth of the journalism workshop. “We may have to limit the growth in LJP because we have a limited amount of space and resources. I’d say this year we are at the max.” Instructor Shelton says.
Shelton says she enjoys seeing the students’ expressions when they see that they are capable of being a journalist.