If you are passionate about writing and want to share stories about your community, build the skills you need by enrolling in this Citizen Journalism workshop. The workshop will equip you with the skills needed to produce compelling, well-researched journalistic content—whether for a local publication, a community outlet, or a personal blog. Offered on the UW-Stout campus over six two-hour sessions, participants will discuss journalistic principles, develop interviewing, fact-checking, and editing skills, and gain hands-on experience structuring journalistic stories. The workshop will also explore the effective use of visuals and photography to strengthen storytelling. Through guided instruction, discussion, and applied practice, you will write stories that reflect the people, events, and issues shaping your community. You will also have the opportunity to pitch your story to local new organizations. The workshop aims to provide insight into the publication process and to help writers develop confidence as citizen journalists.
SERIES At A Glance
May 30 & May 31, 2026
Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
In-Person
On-Campus
Harvey Hall, Room 140
Cost
Scholarship Rate - $49, Early Bird or Stout Proud - $139, Regular - $169
What will you gain?
- Understand the fundamental principles of journalism.
- Develop skills in interviewing, fact-checking, and editing.
- Learn how to structure a journalistic story using the inverted pyramid.
- Gain experience working with Associated Press (AP) style.
- Explore the use of visuals and photography in journalism.
- Submit a finished story for publication consideration.
Who should enroll?
This workshop is perfect for community members who enjoy writing and have an interest in sharing the stories that matter most to their neighbors. No previous experience is required. Attendees will leave the workshop with the skills to write and potentially publish their own journalistic stories.
What will it cost?
- Scholarship Recipient: $49
This scholarship has been funded by generous donations from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Eye of Dunn County, and Local News Group. - Early Bird Discount (Register by June 23, 2026): $139
- Stout Proud Discount (UW-Stout Faculty, Staff, Student, and Alumni Registration): $139
- Regular Registration: $169
Important Notes:
- Scholarship Applicants: If you plan to apply for a scholarship, do not register for the course until your scholarship application has been processed.
- Faculty/Staff/Students: Use your UW-Stout email when registering to receive the discount.
- Alumni: Reach out to gieskingj@uwstout.edu to receive a discount code BEFORE completing the registration form.
- Participants: You will need to bring your own personal laptop to class with the ability to send and receive feedback in Adobe PDF.
- FAQs: For information on Payment and Cancellation Policy, Disability Accommodations, and other issues, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions Page.
Sponsorship
We gratefully acknowledge the support of these organizations to provide a greatly reduced scholarship rate. See details above.
Menomonie News Net
https://cfdunncounty.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1561
Eye on Dunn County
WNA Foundation
Kate Roberts Edenborg
Kate Roberts Edenborg is a professor and the program director for the professional and technical communication degree at University of Wisconsin-Stout. She teaches journalism and media courses and also mentors students. Edenborg pursues grants that allow her pay students to intern for non-profit community news outlets and collaborates with community members. She also was previously the faculty advisor for the campus news source, the Stoutonia.
Before she came to UW-Stout, Edenborg worked as the patient education communication specialist for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota. She also worked as an editor and reporter for a variety of publications, including the two metropolitan newspapers (Minnesota Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press) in the Twin Cities. Edenborg was also the assistant news editor for the Wausau (Wis.) Daily Herald.
Her academic research focuses on journalism history with particular emphasis on how people, ideas, and concepts have been represented by images, text, and other symbols in mass media throughout American history. She is also very interested in health communication.
Important Note:
Parking is free in all commuter lots after 4 pm on weekdays and on weekends (except reserved spaces).