Poynter senior faculty for broadcast and online, Al Tompkins, is prolific. I love working with him because he's deeply passionate about helping journalists. Not only does he write our daily briefing to inspire journalists with story ideas, he teaches some of our hallmark programs, including the upcoming Poynter Producer Project.

Each year of that broadcast program is different, so I caught up with Al to see what he's looking forward to this September. In addition to in-depth sessions on storytelling, Al is eager to grapple with urgent, real-world issues with our guest faculty.

Lori Walden, a former News Director and now a General Manager, will help you manage your boss and manage your career. Matthew Hilk, vice president of news and managing editor of CNN/US, will teach you about breaking news. Hilk has led coverage ranging from mass shootings and hurricanes to protests after the death of George Floyd. Matt came to CNN after years as a producer, then news director, in local news. And Kelly McBride, Poynter’s senior vice president, will lead a session on rethinking how we cover crime and justice. Al and Kelly — and you — will explore our over-reliance on arrest video and mug shots and rethink more effective ways to cover crime, safety and justice.

The Poynter Producer Project takes place Sept. 20 through Oct. 16, but the application deadline is fast approaching. Apply now to ensure your spot.

Learn what’s next in aviation’s race against climate change during an engaging Q&A with PBS NewsHour’s chief science correspondent and award-winning independent journalist Miles O’Brien.

Online group seminar, Sept. 2-23

This popular online group seminar will help you build an investigation, from the seed of an idea to a powerful execution.

Investigative reporting can seem daunting. By definition, it involves uncovering a problem someone would prefer to keep secret. It requires critical thinking, persistence, courage and optimism. It can be lonely work.

The good news is, there’s a roadmap you can follow. Over the course of four weeks, award-winning investigative journalist Alexandra Zayas will break down the process to help you think about what kinds of stories to choose, how to build a bulletproof case and how to maximize the chance your work will create change.

Cost: $399. Enroll by Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Online group seminar, Nov. 18-21

The Power of Diverse Voices workshop — now one of Poynter’s most competitive programs — is a transformative, four-day seminar that helps journalists of color find their voice and build skills for writing opinion pieces and personal essays.

Opinion writing plays a vital role in explanatory, features and watchdog journalism, and is important in a thriving democracy. Led by Tom Huang, this seminar will foster the diversity of voices necessary in the profession and train the next generation of opinion writers from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

You will learn both through instruction as well as intensive coaching in small writing groups. You will focus on fact-based opinion writing — and using social media to spark a conversation — across platforms.

Online group seminar, Nov. 1-22

This course — returning this fall by popular demand! — will give journalism educators an opportunity to make a real impact on the future diversity, inclusion and equity efforts of American newsrooms when they model those values in the classroom.

You will learn how to modify your current teaching to include more diverse classroom examples, readings, videos and speakers. You will understand where, how and why to examine materials for diverse voices. You will develop the instinct to audit the makeup of the topics, sources and authors you introduce into your teaching, and how to pivot to ensure diverse voices are represented.

Your lead faculty is Dr. Earnest Perry, associate dean of graduate studies at the University of Missouri, a researcher, educator and consultant who specializes in issues related to diversity and inclusion. Barbara Allen, Poynter’s director of college programming, will facilitate.

Becoming a More Effective Writer: Clarity and Organization
Online group seminar, Oct. 4-29
Clean up your writing habits with the former New York Times copy chief, Merrill Perlman. Cost: $429. Enroll now.

Newsroom Readiness Certificate
Self-directed course, start anytime 
This self-paced course includes five lessons about newsgathering, interviewing, media law, media ethics and diversity — basics all journalists should master. Cost: $49.99.  On Sale! $29.95. Enroll now.

How Any Journalist Can Earn Trust
Self-directed, start anytime
This online, self-paced course will help journalists understand mistrust and gain a better understanding of what trust in news looks like in the U.S. It will also provide you with tips and tools to be more transparent, more engaged and more open with your readers. Cost: Free. Suggested donation: $15. Enroll now.