Gary Green, Student Press Law Center executive director, will deliver the keynote address to high school journalists and teachers at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s Spring Workshop and Awards Monday, March 25, 2024, at the University of Georgia’s Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

“I am pleased to join GSPA for its spring awards presentation and honored to speak to the student journalists who will be recognized for their outstanding work,” Green said. “Student journalists are the lifeblood of the information ecosystem and providing their communities on campus and beyond with critical stories only they can tell.”

Green took on the role of SPLC Executive Director in April 2023. His journey has been marked by a deep commitment to the rights of student journalists. In a Q&A on the SPLC’s website, Green reflected on his dedication to student freedoms and emphasized the significance of SPLC's mission.

"SPLC has been serving students for nearly 50 years and empowering them to use their voice and the law to hold those in power accountable,” Green said in the piece. “Joining this historic institution provides me the opportunity to continue this mission-driven work to prepare new generations of watchdog journalists on a national scale.”

Prior to joining the SPLC, Green led the Center for Sustainable Journalism at Kennesaw State University for three years. In that position, he was executive director and publisher for Youth Today and the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange. In 2021, he pioneered Fresh Take Georgia, a student-driven news service that focuses on covering the Georgia Legislature and issues of statewide, regional and national importance.

Green previously held the position of digital director at the University of Florida’s Innovation News Center and concurrently served as the deputy news director for WUFT, the NPR and PBS affiliate covering north-central Florida. Within these roles, he oversaw the production of award-winning breaking news coverage, enterprise and daily stories, and investigative and long-form projects.

Green also co-founded Fresh Take Florida, UF’s state government news service and collaborated with the First Amendment Foundation, and the National Freedom of Information Coalition. While serving in these roles, Green was vice chair and board trustee at Florida’s First Amendment Foundation.

Registration for the Spring Awards is available through March 12, 2024. Visit www.ugagspa.org/workshop-awards for details.