Behind the byline
Behind the byline is a monthly meeting series focused on the topics most important to scholastic journalism. NSPA also hosts informational webinars called Town Halls.
Upcoming events
Information about upcoming Behind the byline sessions will be added as it becomes available. All Behind the byline sessions will be at 7 p.m. CT.
Sept. 29 | Election coverage
Join former Scripps News anchor Maritsa Georgiou and Berkshire Eagle reporter Talia Lissauer for a discussion of how to best cover elections as a campus news organization.
Join the Zoom
Oct. 27 | Interviewing
Brush up interviewing skills and review best practices to make your interviews worth the time.
Nov. 10 | Open records requests with SPLC
Cover the basics of open records requests with the Student Press Law Center, or SPLC.
Dec. 9 | Recruitment
We will share recruitment strategies to help you get ready to recruit next year’s staff.
Jan. 19 | Finding ideas and inspiration
Hear from experts on how they find ideas and inspiration from other media.
Feb. 23 | Student Press Law Center
Come hear from SPLC experts on a to be determined topic.
March 23 | Photo basics
Train in new photographers with this photo basics session.
April 27 | Preparing leaders for next year
Get ready for the 2026-27 school year by learning how to prepare leaders for the upcoming year.
Archive
In 2026 the Pacemaker Master Class series was renamed Behind the byline.
Dec. 10, 2025
Showcasing the NSPA Design and NSPA Photo of the Year Winners
with associate director Gary Lundgren
VIEW THE CLASS
Passcode: DeYRZP&0
Dec. 2, 2025
Empowering Student Storytellers with PBS News Student Reporting Labs
with PBS News SRL Ambassador Trina Moore
VIEW THE CLASS
Passcode: uSPL^01O
Oct. 24, 2023
Pacemaker Master Class / Artificial Intelligence: Legal and Ethical Risks
with Jonathan Gaston-Falk, Student Press Law Center
MORE INFO & VIEW THE CLASS
Sept. 13, 2022
Pacemaker Master Class: Reporting & Writing
with Jim Streisel
MORE INFO
Sept. 27, 2022
Pacemaker Master Class: Editorial Leadership
with Mitch Eden
MORE INFO
Sept. 22, 2022
Pacemaker Master Class: Design/Redesign
for newspapers & news magazines
with Michael Reeves
MORE INFO
Sept. 15, 2022
Pacemaker Master Class:
Your college essay — your chance to sell yourself
with David Knight
MORE INFO
Sept. 14, 2022
Pacemaker Master Class: Digital Media Planning
with Chris Snider
MORE INFO
Sept. 14 & 16, 2020
Town Halls: Editorial Leadership
Sept. 14 / yearbook
Sept. 16 / broadcast, newspaper/newsmagazine and online
MORE INFO
May 27, 2020
Pacemaker Master Class: Yearbook Pacemakers: The Best of the Best
WATCH
RESOURCES: Slideshows & insights from judges
