Widmer

ACCOMPLISHED FORMER COLLEGIATE ADVISER GUIDES NSPA/ACP THROUGH ITS 100TH YEAR, UNPRECIDENTED PANDEMIC CHALLENGE.

IT

WAS A MOVE THAT MADE SENSE.

In 2015, Laura Widmer became the associate director and then the executive director of the National Scholastic Press Association and Associated Collegiate Press.

“When I was a collegiate adviser, I always thought if I ever wanted to make a career change, NSPA/ACP would provide me the best of both worlds — scholastic journalism and teaching.

“I was right,” she said. “I love it.”

During the seven years she has been executive director, Widmer cites four areas as the organization’s biggest achievements —

Expanding the visibility of the organization, with a genuine interest in listening to members.

Extending resources available to members, including Pacemaker Master Classes and town hall meetings.

Updating Pacemaker judging and extending transparency.

Renewing the ACP partnership with the College Media Association, a group Widmer served as president, from 1991-93, when she was publications adviser at Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville.

Widmer brought a multitude of journalistic experiences with her to this position. She advised middle school and high school yearbooks and a high school newspaper, as well as collegiate magazine, online magazine, newspaper, online newspaper, yearbook and DVD yearbook. Additionally, she has owned her own newspaper.

“That gave me even more insight into the array of tools today’s journalists must possess,” she said

As production processes and delivery have changed over the years, Widmer has noted one constant.

“Good storytelling is still good storytelling. Technology has made research easier and faster. Sure, you may have additional ways to tell the story — audio, video, elaborate infographics and words, but it’s all about informing our readers and listeners,” she said.

Widmer has received numerous awards and recognitions, including NSPA’s Pioneer Award and induction into the Hall of Fame of CMA and of the Missouri College Media Association. She lists among her biggest personal achievements the team and advisory committees now in place leading NSPA/ACP.

Planning and implementing journalism conventions for both NSPA and ACP is a significant part of Widmer’s job as executive director. Her attendance at conventions has played a role in her convention management today.

“My first convention was in New Orleans in 1977. I learned traveling with friends can be so rewarding. We saw everything about New Orleans,” she said.

“My first convention as a high school adviser was in Kansas City in

1981. My first convention as a college adviser was in Chicago in 1983.”

As those conventions have continued to be a part of her life, Widmer has enjoyed the opportunity to connect with several prestigious and wellknown journalists of the time.

“At an ACP convention, Bob Woodward spoke to a standing-room only crowd. Afterwards, he spent two hours holding court with collegiate journalists. What an amazing opportunity for those students. He was so giving, and he was so impressed with the great conversations he had with them,” Widmer said.

While dealing with the COVID-19 and its effects on schools and journalism programs across the country, Widmer and her crew, along with the help of advisers from across the nation, have worked with convention partners Journalism Education Association and CMA to give staffs an online convention experience — and the components that have informed and inspired student journalists through the years.

Widmer noted those virtual conventions as the biggest challenge of her time as director.

As NSPA/ACP celebrates its 100th anniversary, Widmer gives credit to the organization’s past leaders.

“There have been many executive directors who were visionaries and transformed both organizations over the years,” Widmer said. “NSPA and ACP have evolved from awards organizations to true scholastic press organizations. We provide awards, education and additional services to our members.

“NSPA and ACP are the home of the Pacemaker. It’s the Pacemaker that gives us our identity. If you earned a Pacemaker, your media outlet is one of the best in the country.”