Scripps Institute teaches journalism entrepreneurship to educators

Twelve professors from journalism schools across the country will come to Arizona State University in January to learn how to teach entrepreneurship at the third annual Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute.

Educators will be chosen from a pool of nationwide applicants to participate in an all-expenses-paid, weeklong institute at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In the span of five days, they will hear from experts and learn strategies for introducing entrepreneurship into their journalism classrooms and curricula.

The institute is led by Dan Gillmor, founder of the Knight Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship at Cronkite. He is accompanied by guest speakers, including successful digital entrepreneurs and investors.

“Attending the Scripps Howard Journalism and Entrepreneurship Institute was an invaluable experience,” said 2013 participant Nsenga Burton, chairwoman of the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Goucher College. “Overall, it was an exciting, motivational experience that helped to further develop course design related to this subject area.”

The five-day program is made possible by a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation. Established in 1962, the Scripps Howard Foundation is the corporate philanthropy of The E.W. Scripps Company, a 135-year-old media company with newspapers and TV stations in more than 30 markets, and an array of digital products and services. The Foundation is dedicated to excellence in journalism and is a leader in industry efforts in journalism education, scholarships, internships, literacy, minority recruitment/development and First Amendment causes.

"We couldn't be more thrilled with the evolution of this institute,” said Mike Philipps, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation. “Those who have attended tell us it is bringing a new spirit of innovation to their campuses. We have every confidence the third annual event will raise the level of achievement even higher."

Christopher Callahan, dean of the Cronkite School, said the Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute already has had a major impact on journalism education.

"Thanks to the vision of the Scripps Howard Foundation, there are now entrepreneurship courses embedded within journalism programs around the country," he said. "The Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute gives professors the strategies and tactics to conceptualize, create and deliver powerful courses in this increasingly important area."

The third annual Scripps Howard Journalism Entrepreneurship Institute will be held Jan. 5-9. Training, transportation, lodging, materials and meals are provided to participants at no cost.

To learn how to apply to the institute, go to http://cronkite.asu.edu/scrippsinstitute.