ACP Pacemaker recognizes business excellence

Four collegiate student media operations recognized 

Feb. 11, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS — The Associated Collegiate Press has named four collegiate student media operations as finalists in its Business Pacemaker competition.

The finalists will be honored and the Pacemaker winners announced during Saturday’s awards ceremony at the ACP Spring National College Media Conference,  March 5-7, 2026, in San Francisco at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Of the four finalists, two will receive Pacemaker honors.

“The business and marketing side of student media is critical in today’s media world — it is very important for ACP to recognize this important aspect of journalism,” said ACP associate director Gary Lundgren.

The judges were impressed with the entries.

“The Pacemaker winners put together outstanding application packets that included important information on training programs, development of various products and goals,” the judging team wrote. “These schools also had strong media kits and put together great examples of product work.”

The ACP Pacemaker, one of the oldest awards for collegiate journalism, has a rich tradition. The association began presenting the prestigious award to collegiate newspapers soon after the organization was founded in 1921. Through the years, yearbooks, magazines and websites were added to the competition.

The Business Pacemaker recognizes outstanding student media business and operations teams that work hard to ensure student journalism is supported financially so that it may thrive. 

“The Pacemaker is the association’s preeminent award,” Laura Widmer, executive director, said. “ACP is honored to recognize the best of the best with Pacemaker honors.”

Please join us at the ACP Spring College Media Conference in San Francisco, March 5-7.

This conference provides a unique opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn from seasoned journalists, and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of media and journalism.

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Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
Student Leadership: Sean Harmon, Logan Teixeira
Adviser: Jon Schlitt

WKU Student Publications
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Student Leadership: Keelin Davis, Olivia Games, Nicole Johnson, Harrison Rogers, Sarah Thompson
Advisers: Clinton Lewis, Sam Oldenburg, Avari Weis

Central Michigan Life
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Student Leadership: Mickie Dausey, Olivia Garcia, Zoey Lawrence, Mckenzie Nowak
Adviser: Kathy Simon

The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Student Leadership: Hailey Do, Pedro Malkomes
Advisers: Coral Chavez, Kevin Cummings, Adam Drew, Laurie Fox