Are you a communications or business professional looking to keep up-to-date with the latest skills? Join us for the one-day SJMC Refresh event at Drake University on Sept. 29 designed specifically for professionals just like you. Sign up here.

Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication professors will be presenting classes on topics ranging from hands-on content creation to corporate strategy. The chair of Drake’s Artificial Intelligence department will join to share ideas and answer questions about using AI in your work.

You’ll also get a first look at the newly re-opened Meredith Hall.

This event is open to the public (no need to be a Drake University grad).

SJMC professors will be presenting classes throughout the day in two different tracks.

Whether you’re looking to improve your skills, build more meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues, or develop a more effective marketing strategy, our workshop has something for everyone. You’ll also have the opportunity to network with other professionals in your field, share insights and experiences, and build valuable connections.

A portion of proceeds will go toward scholarships for SJMC students.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Snider at chris.snider@drake.edu.

Tentative schedule:

9-9:20 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions

9:30-10:30 a.m. – Breakout 1

  • De-creasing Crises: Contemporary Crisis Planning and Crisis Communication • Eric Kwame Adae, Ph.D., assistant professor
  • Talking CRAP: Improving Visual Communication in Designs and Documents • Sandy Henry, professor

10:30-11 a.m. – Meredith Hall tours

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Breakout 2

  • How to Make Videos People Want to Watch • Chris Snider, Assistant Professor
  • Freelance now: Pitch and Publish in Your Dream Publication • Jennifer Wilson, Fisher-Stelter Chair of Magazine Journalism

Noon-1 – lunch break

1-2 p.m. – Breakout 3

  • Advocating for Change: Building a Strategy for Success • Jennifer Konfrst, APR, associate professor
  • Using AI in Video Production • Lakshmi Tirumala, assistant professor

2-2:30 p.m. – Networking break 

2:30-3:30 p.m. – Breakout 4

  • Student panel: How students are Using Social Media and Technology – moderated by Kelly Bruhn
  • Adding AI to your Work Pipeline • Chris Porter, Ph.D., Associate Professor and chair of Drake’s AI department