The National Scholastic Press Association board of directors has named Diana Mitsu Klos as its executive director. The appointment is effective immediately, and she will be full-time director as of Nov. 1.
Ms. Klos, a media education and nonprofits consultant based in northern Virginia, was a senior staff member at the American Society of News Editors from 1996 to 2012. At ASNE, she developed and secured grant funding for the High School Journalism Institute and the education and online hosting services hsj.org and my.hsj.org. Previously she was staff writer, city editor and managing editor at daily newspapers in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York. She also has served on the board of NSPA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from City College of New York.
The first woman executive director of NSPA in its 92-year history, Ms. Klos will lead a national organization that supports scholastic journalism at middle school, high school and college levels. The association provides journalism education services to students, teachers, media advisers and others throughout the United States.
NSPA Board President Al Tims said of Ms. Klos’ appointment: “We are delighted to have found a journalism leader of Diana’s national stature to lead our organization. This is a time of dynamic change for journalism organizations of all kinds. Diana is the right person to help us reach and serve ever more young journalists and their advisers, throughout the nation.”
In addition to its original mission, dating back to 1921, of serving high school journalism, NSPA’s Associated Collegiate Press division serves college, university, and professional and technical school media. Student media in its headquarters state are organized under the Minnesota High School Press Association.
NSPA and its divisions operate eight conventions and workshops each year. The association also conducts contest and critique programs that define the highest standards of scholastic and college journalism and recognize those who meet them. NSPA also is a leading advocate for First Amendment and free press issues as they pertain to school journalism.
In serving scholastic and college journalism, NSPA works very closely with two partner organizations: the Journalism Education Association based in Manhattan, Kan., and College Media Association, based in Nashville, Tenn.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., NSPA has long and close ties to the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.