Join us for IHSPA’s 2025 Winter Thaw on Friday, February 21st at Drake University! The Winter Thaw is a free one-day professional development day for advisers and students. It gives an opportunity to advisers to connect with each other and hear from speakers about various topics. Students have a separate day of programming that they can attend.
Winter Thaw Details:
- Date: Friday, February 21st from 9am – 2pm
- Location: Meredith Hall, Drake University
- Lunch: Hubbell Dining Hall, $9 per person, cash & card accepted
- Event Cost: FREE
- Adviser RSVP: Please RSVP here
- Student RSVP: Please RSVP students here
Adviser Sessions:
Details will be announced in the coming weeks!
Student Sessions:
This day-long conference features breakout sessions for high school students interested in journalism or communications. Topics will include writing, design, podcasting, video production and more.
- 9:15 a.m. – Opening
- 9:40 a.m. – Breakout session 1
- 10:30 a.m. – Breakout sessions 2
- 11:20 a.m. – Breakout session 3
- Noon – Lunch
- 1 p.m. – Breakout session 4
- 1:45 – Wrap-up
Optional: Students can choose from three intensive tracks for those interested in studying these topics in college. These will be limited to 15 students per track.
- Option 1: Sports. Professors Dave Lubbers and Sandy Henry will lead this track that focuses on sports production.
- Option 2: Political communication. Professors Jennifer Konfrst and Amy McCoy will lead this track that focuses on the combination of journalism, public relations and politics.
- Option 3: Writing. Professors Jen Wilson and Jeff Inman will lead this track that focuses on creating content for branded media and media brands.
If your students don’t sign up for a specialized track, they will attend the General Track sessions. There are no limits on this session.
Questions?
Please direct questions about the student experiences to Chris Snider ([email protected])
Please direct questions about the adviser experience to Michelle Sillman
([email protected]) and Erin Goss ([email protected])
