Ball State’s 2025 journalism, media and communications conference for middle and high school students and teachers is set. Mark your calendars for this year’s conference: Friday, April 25, 2025!

JDay+/CCIM+

Learn from leading industry, media and communication professionals.

Students attended Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden’s session on photojournalism at JDay+/CCIM+ 2022. Dr. Smith-Rodden was a professional visual journalist for more than 25 years before joining Ball State’s faculty.

2025 KEYNOTE & FEATURED SPEAKERS

JDay+/CCIM+

Conference Sponsors

Special thanks to our sponsors who make it possible for us to bring in an amazing lineup of speakers, provide scholarships and supply other services and resources making this a premier educational conference!

Invest in your team.

Students from Logansport High School’s yearbook team collaborate during a session on “Sensational Yearbook Sections” taught by seasoned yearbook advisor Tim Cleland.

JDay+/CCIM+ sessions are designed to encourage teams to collaborate and grow together while improving their publication.

Event FAQ’s

Friday, April 25, 2025

  • On Friday, April 25, 2025, CCIM Outreach will host our 70th annual JDay+ / CCIM+ Conference for middle and high school students and Teachers. This historic conference provides learning and professional development opportunities across all journalism, media, technology and communications areas.

  • If you’re a middle or high school student or teacher with an interest in digital media technology, communication, video/audio production, journalistic writing & reporting, media design, yearbook journalism, social media engagement, and other emerging communication fields, this event is for you!

  • Students and teachers will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts, college professors, and award-winning secondary media teachers in real-time with our in-person and interactive workshop sessions. If you’re looking to improve your school’s student media programs, learn about communication careers, team-build, or just get a better handle on your personal communication and technology skills, you have a lot to gain from attending this annual one-day conference

  • REGISTRATION for this one-day conference is $20 per student. Teachers and chaperones attend free with paid student attendees. Teachers are encouraged to register for this conference as a school field trip and pay by school credit card or P.O. However, parents/guardians may register and bring their student if their school is not attending or if they do not participate in a school program or class that is attending.

  • Students are encouraged to bring their own sack lunch or purchase food in one of our campus dining facilities.

  • We have a limited number of scholarships available for school groups that demonstrate need. This will be reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The awarded amount will be credited toward the total school registration. To apply, please write a 1-2 page narrative explaining the financial challenges your school or students face and how a scholarship to attend this event would benefit your students. Email your narrative to ccimoutreach@bsu.edu and use “JDay+/CCIM+ Scholarship” in the subject line.

  • Ball State University Hotel
    L.A. Pittenger Student Center
    765-285-1555

    Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center
    601 S High St
    Muncie, IN 47305
    765-287-8550

    Hampton Inn & Suites
    4220 W Bethel Ave
    Muncie, IN 47304
    765-288-8500

    Comfort Inn & Suites
    3400 Marleon Dr
    Muncie, IN 47304
    765-313-7365

    Holiday Inn Express & Suites
    4201 W Bethel Ave
    Muncie, IN 47304
    765-289-4678

    Fairfield Inn
    4011 W Bethel Ave
    Muncie, IN 47304
    765-282-6666

  • DUELING PIANOS
    When: Thursday, April 24 @ 7:30 p.m.
    Where: Ball State • Pruis Hall
    Cost: Only $5 per person! (Must mention you are here for JDay to get this exclusive admission offer)

    Dueling pianos shows make for a unique, interactive experience that is far from a typical night out. Two grand pianos, two outgoing piano players, and an active, fun audience make the perfect party atmosphere for any event.

Experience Ball State’s campus.

Explore Ball State’s beautiful campus, attend sessions in real classrooms, and learn about programs, companies and organizations at our EXPANDED exhibition fair.

2024 JDay+/CCIM+ Program

View the 2024 event program to learn about session topics and how the day was organized!

Whether you’re skilled in writing, photography, design, video editing, broadcast news, or anything in between, we have a category for it! Click below to learn more about our annual student competition. Contest submission is open from February 1 - March 12, 2025.

Student Contests

2024 Conference Recap

JDay+/CCIM+ on Friday, April 25, 2025, offers a variety of advertising, sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities for external companies to get involved. Click on the link below to learn more and apply!

Sponsorships, Advertising and Exhibiting