Diana Mitsu Klos has been chosen to lead the National Scholastic Press Association, the organization announced Thursday. Klos has a long history of managing newsrooms in both the professional and the student media worlds. Most recently, she was a consultant for the Medill School of Journalism‘s National Security Journalism Initiative.
Klos published a report on women in the American media for the Women’s Media Center earlier this year, and is the first woman to be director of the 92-year-old NSPA.
“This is a time of dynamic change for journalism organizations of all kinds,” NSPA Board President Al Tims said in a statement on the organization’s website. “Diana is the right person to help us reach and serve ever more young journalists and their advisers, throughout the nation.”
Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, said Klos helped hundreds of student newspapers transition to online publications while she was organizing scholastic journalism programs for the American Society of News Editors.
“And that’s directly because of her leadership,” LoMonte said. “Diana was a huge champion of student media.”
He added that this new position provided Klos with an opportunity to build bridges between professional and student journalists, saying she has been a successful ambassador in the past.
The NSPA, based at the University of Minnesota, is known for administering the Pacemaker awards, which since 1927 have recognized the best group and individual achievements in student journalism.
Klos, who previously served on the NSPA’s national board, begins her job as director on November 1.