Multiplatform Pacemaker finalists announced

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

Aug. 28, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS — To reflect the ever-changing landscape of college media, the Associated College Press has named 20 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, Oct. 18, at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

“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 20 Multiplatform finalists represent 11 states. California set the pace with five finalists followed by Texas with three each. 

Of the finalists, 17 are from four-year colleges/universities and three are from two-year colleges. From the 20 finalists, 11 will earn Pacemakers.

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 Washington, D.C., Oct. 15-18.

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

Hornet Media
Fullerton College (CA)
Print editors-in-chief: Karla Garcia, Mikey Moran
Website editors-in-chief: Dylan Arreola, Maria Cruz, Karla Garcia, Mikey Moran
Adviser: Jessica Langlois

The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Website editors-in-chief: Sarah Hutter, Olivia Palombo
Advisers: Tom Nelson, Kevin O’Keeffe

Daily Bruin
University of California, Los Angeles
Print editor-in-chief: Lex Wang
Website editor-in-chief: Dylan Winward
Advisers: Doria Deen, Abigail Goldman, Jose Hernandez

Mustang Media Group
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Print editor-in-chief: Amelia Wu
Website editor-in-chief: Leila Touati
Advisers: Kim Bisheff, Richard Gearhart, Pat Howe, Jon Schlitt, Brady Teufel

el Don
Santa Ana College (CA)
Website editors-in-chief: Staff
Advisers: Sarah Bennett, Ajay Orona

Indiana Daily Student
Indiana University
Print editors-in-chief: Marissa Meador, Jacob Spudich
Website editors-in-chief: Marissa Meador, Jacob Spudich
Advisers: Jim Rodenbush, Ruth Witmer

The Sunflower
Wichita State University (KS)
Print editor-in-chief: Allison Campbell
Website editor-in-chief: Allison Campbell
Adviser: Amy DeVault

Talisman
Western Kentucky University
Print editors-in-chief: Cecilia Alali, Ragan Harrington
Website editors-in-chief: Cecilia Alali, Ragan Harrington
Adviser: Sam Oldenburg

The Michigan Daily
University of Michigan
Print editors-in-chief: Mary Corey, Dana Elobaid, Samantha Rich, Zhane Yamin
Website editors-in-chief: Mary Corey, Dana Elobaid, Samantha Rich, Zhane Yamin

The State News
Michigan State University
Print editor-in-chief: Elizabeth Nass
Website editor-in-chief: Elizabeth Nass
Advisers: Madison Echlin, Wesley Herold, Kim Margolis, Griffin Wiles

The Ithacan
Ithaca College (NY)
Print editor-in-chief: Lorien Tyne
Website editor-in-chief: Lorien Tyne
Adviser: Casey Musarra

Washington Square News
New York University
Print editor-in-chief: Yezen Saadah
Website editors-in-chief: Dharma Niles, Yezen Saadah
Adviser: Russell Berman

The Daily Tar Heel
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Print editor-in-chief: Laney Crawley
Website editor-in-chief: Laney Crawley
Adviser: Will Lingo

Elon News Network
Elon University (NC)
Print editor-in-chief: Avery Sloan
Website editor-in-chief: Charlotte Pfabe
Adviser: Kelly Furnas

The Daily Emerald
University of Oregon
Print editor-in-chief: Tristin Hoffman
Website editors-in-chief: Tristin Hoffman, Alicia Santiago
Adviser: Eric Henry

The Daily Gamecock
University of South Carolina
Print editors-in-chief: Kate Robins, Jenna Swenson
Website editors-in-chief: Kate Robins, Jenna Swenson
Adviser: Brandon Shulleeta

The Shorthorn
University of Texas at Arlington
Print editor-in-chief: Christine Vo
Website editor-in-chief: Christine Vo
Advisers: Kevin Cummings, Laurie Fox

The Daily Texan
University of Texas at Austin
Print editors-in-chief: Ireland Blouin, Katie Chang, McKenzie Henningsen, Amelia Kimball
Website editors-in-chief: Ireland Blouin, Katie Chang, McKenzie Henningsen, Amelia Kimball
Adviser: Peter Chen

The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Print editors-in-chief: Kynlee Bright, Ian Curtis, Nicholas Gutteridge
Website editors-in-chief: Ian Curtis, Nicholas Gutteridge, Amy Steward
Adviser: Spencer O’Daniel

The Clarion
Madison Area Technical College (WI)
Print editor-in-chief: Kelly Feng
Website editor-in-chief: Kelly Feng
Adviser: Doug Kirchberg