The competitions take place under the guidance of the Hearst Journalism Awards Steering Committee, which
consists of Journalism-Mass Communications administrators of ACEJMC-accredited universities. The program
depends on the Hearst Steering Committee to keep it abreast of changes in journalism education, and to help guide and give counsel. In this fast-changing field, keeping up requires skilled monitoring and expertise in
evaluating new practices, new tools and new thinking.

The program director and the steering committee meet twice a year at the summer and winter ASJMC
conventions.

The 2025-2026 Hearst steering committee members are:

David Kurpius, Dean

University of Missouri
School of Journalism
Chair, Hearst Journalism Awards Steering Committee

Hub Brown, Dean

University of Florida
College of Journalism & Communications

Jennifer Greer, Dean

University of Kentucky
College of Communication and Information

Mark Lodato, Dean

Syracuse University
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Rafael Lorente, Dean

University of Maryland
Philip Merrill College of Journalism

Andrea Miller, Dean

University of Oklahoma
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication

Shari Veil, Dean

University of Nebraska-Lincoln
College of Journalism & Mass Communications

David Zeeck

Retired Publisher
The (Tacoma) News Tribune, The Olympian, and The Bellingham Herald