Multiplatform Pacemaker finalists announced

32 finalists represent the ‘best of the best’ across digital, print platforms

Sept. 16, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS — To reflect the ever-changing landscape of college media, the Associated College Press has named 32 finalists in its Multiplatform Pacemaker competition.

Pacemaker winners will be announced at the Fall National College Media Convention at the ACP Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center.

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

The newest Pacemaker award honors the nation’s top collegiate media as they serve readers across the platforms available to them — print, online, email newsletter, social media and audio/video.

“This is clearly a forward-thinking Pacemaker award that reflects the new college media ecosystem,” Lundgren said. “While ACP continues to award Pacemakers for individual platforms, it is increasingly important for judges to review how print, online, email newsletters, social media and audio/video all come together to serve readers.”

The 32 Multiplatform finalists represent 14 states and the Philippines. California set the pace with 11 finalists followed by Kentucky and Texas with three each. 

Of the finalists, 17 are from four-year colleges/universities and five are from two-year colleges. 

To select the finalists, respected professionals including professors and current digital media professionals analyzed, discussed and rated each entry before selecting the finalists and Pacemakers.

Please join us at the National College Media Convention in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 4-7.

This convention 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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Fall Pacemaker finalists

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Print editors-in-chief: Jeremy Garza, Carly Heltzel, Archana Pisuapti
Website editors-in-chief: Archana Pisupati, Leila Touati
Advisers: Kim Bisheff, Richard Gearhart, Pat Howe, Patti Piburn, Jon Schlitt, Brady Teufel

The Collegian
California State University, Fresno
Print editors-in-chief: Jazmin Alvarado, Isaac Marquez
Web editors-in-chief: Jazmin Alvarado, Isaac Marquez
Adviser: Donald Munro

Beach TV News
California State University, Long Beach
Web editors-in-chief: Staff
Adviser: Jesus Ayala

The State Hornet
California State University, Sacramento
Web editor-in-chief: Delaney Joyce
Adviser: Fernando Gallo

The Union
El Camino College (CA)
Print editor-in-chief: Nikki Yunker
Web editors-in-chief: Staff
Adviser: Stefanie Frith

Hornet Media
Fullerton College (CA)
Print editors-in-chief: Katherine Martinez, Mia Zacatenco
Web editor-in-chief: Elycia Young
Adviser: Jessica Langlois

The Express
Las Positas College (CA)
Print editor-in-chief: Camille LeDuc
Web editors-in-chief: Milo Jones, Camille LeDuc
Advisers: Melissa Korber, Marcus Thompson II

The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Web editors-in-chief: Olivia Silvester, Sabatino Stacchi
Advisers: Tom Nelson, Kevin O’Keeffe

Pepperdine Graphic Media
Pepperdine University (CA)
Print editor-in-chief: Tony Gleason
Web editor-in-chief: Tony Gleason
Adviser: Elizabeth Smith

The Corsair
Santa Monica College (CA)
Print editor-in-chief: Katie Easterson
Web editors-in-chief: Katie Easterson, Sofia Kieser, Tom Rosholt
Advisers: Gerard Burkhart, Samantha Nuñez, Sharyn Obsatz

Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Print editor-in-chief: Dylan Winward
Web editor-in-chief: Dylan Winward
Advisers: Doria Deen, Abigail Goldman

The Daily Northwestern
Northwestern University (IL)
Print editors-in-chief: Emily Lichty, Anavi Prakash
Web editors-in-chief: Emily Lichty, Anavi Prakash
Adviser: Stacia Campbell

Unified Media
Ball State University (IN)
Print editor-in-chief: Meghan Braddy
Web editors-in-chief: Jessica Bergfors, Meghan Braddy, Willow Emig, Brooke Follrad
Advisers: Terry Heifetz, Corey Ohlenkamp

Indiana Daily Student
Indiana University
Print editors-in-chief: Mia Hilkowitz, Andrew Miller
Web editors-in-chief: Mia Hilkowitz, Andrew Miller
Adviser: Ruth Witmer

The Daily Iowan
University of Iowa
Print editor-in-chief: Roxy Ekberg
Web editors-in-chief: Roxy Ekberg, Isabelle Foland
Adviser: Jason Brummond

The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Print editor-in-chief: Taliyah Winn
Web editor-in-chief: Taliyah Winn
Adviser: Amy DeVault

Kentucky Kernel
University of Kentucky
Print editor-in-chief: Giana Gallo
Web editor-in-chief: Giana Gallo
Advisers: Ryan Craig, Bryce McNeil, David Stephenson

College Heights Herald
Western Kentucky University
Print editor-in-chief: Jake McMahon
Web editor-in-chief: Jake McMahon
Advisers: Chuck Clark, Carrie Pratt

Talisman
Western Kentucky University
Print editors-in-chief: Clarissa Dean, Lindsey McIntosh, Oli Wood-Morris
Web editors-in-chief: Clarissa Dean, Carlee Hite, Lillie Nhep
Adviser: Clinton Lewis

The Harvard Crimson
Harvard University (MA)
Print editors-in-chief: Matteo Diaz, Dhruv Patel
Web editors-in-chief: Matteo Diaz, Dhruv Patel

The Michigan Daily
University of Michigan
Print editors-in-chief: Zachary Ajluni, Mary Corey, Edith Pendell, Zhane Yamin
Web editors-in-chief: Zachary Ajluni, Mary Corey, Edith Pendell, Zhane Yamin

The Ithacan
Ithaca College (NY)
Print editor-in-chief: Prakriti Panwar
Web editor-in-chief: Prakriti Panwar
Adviser: Casey Musarra

The Daily Orange
Syracuse University (NY)
Print editor-in-chief: Kendall Luther
Web editor-in-chief: Kendall Luther

Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
Print editor-in-chief: Sarah Moore
Web editors-in-chief: Nia Bedard, Anjolina Fantaroni
Adviser: Kelly Furnas

The Daily Tar Heel
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Print editor-in-chief: Alli Pardue
Web editor-in-chief: Alli Pardue
Adviser: Will Lingo

OU Daily
University of Oklahoma
Print editors-in-chief: Ana Barboza, Anusha Fathepure
Web editors-in-chief: Ana Barboza, Anusha Fathepure
Adviser: Seth Prince

The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
Print editors-in-chief: Nat Campbell, Jenna Swenson
Web editors-in-chief: Nat Campbell, Jenna Swenson
Adviser: Brandon Shulleeta

Baylor Student Media
Baylor University (TX)
Print editor-in-chief: Foster Nicholas
Web editor-in-chief: Fallon Head
Advisers: Douglas Pils, Julie Reed, Jamile Yglecias

The Collegian
Tarrant County College (TX)
Print editor-in-chief: Ash Petrie
Web editor-in-chief: Ash Petrie
Advisers: Lori Dann, Stacy Luecker, Chris Whitley

The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Print editors-in-chief: Ian Curtis, Kynlee Joyner
Web editors-in-chief: Ian Curtis, Kynlee Joyner
Adviser: Sara Gonzales

The Clarion
Madison Area Technical College (WI)
Print editor-in-chief: Sara Bernabe
Web editor-in-chief: Sara Bernabe
Adviser: Doug Kirchberg

The Varsitarian
University of Santo Tomas (Philippines)
Print editor-in-chief: Chalssea Echegoyen
Web editor-in-chief: Chalssea Echegoyen
Advisers: Felipe Salvosa II, Joselito Zulueta