The KU School of Journalism has hired Jeff Browne, an adjunct professor at the Colorado State University Department of Journalism and Technical Communication, as the new director of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA). He also will serve as a lecturer in the School.

Browne will assist with the School of Journalism’s nationally-known high school journalism summer camp, the Kansas Journalism Institute. He will begin his teaching duties in August. 

“Jeff brings experience and enthusiasm to this role,” Journalism Dean Ann Brill said. “His collegiate teaching experience in new media also will be an asset to the School.”

The current KSPA director for the School, John Hudnall, is stepping down this June from the position he has held for 19 years to continue teaching in the School of Journalism.

“Jeff will be a wonderful addition to the School,” John Hudnall, current KSPA director, said. “He is highly respected and I’m confident he will serve KSPA and the School of Journalism very well.”

Browne teaches classes in online journalism and in professional/technical writing at Colorado State University. In addition, he advises journalism students in the Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation in new media and sports journalism.

He also has extensive experience in scholastic journalism, having served as executive director of the Colorado High School Press Association, director of student media and student media editorial adviser, all at Colorado State University. He also has worked as a sports reporter, columnist and copy editor at newspapers in Florida.

"I am thrilled to be joining the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and I am honored to do so in the wake of John Hudnall's distinguished career as the KSPA Director,” Jeff Browne said. “Working with the young journalists at KU and at high schools throughout the state is a challenge I relish."

KSPA is a non-profit organization composed of Kansas high school and junior high school journalism teachers and their students. This organization is committed to excellence in journalism at all levels and focuses on providing journalism education leadership for Kansas teachers and students. KSPA operates contests, conferences and scheduled activities throughout the academic year.

Sponsored by the KU School of Journalism, the Kansas Journalism Institute (KJI) is one of the nation's best-known summer journalism programs. Each year, it draws about 200 participants from a dozen or more states to the University of Kansas campus.

For more information, contact Jennifer Kinnard, communications coordinator, KU School of Journalism, at 785-864-7644 or jkinnard@ku.edu.