ACP Pacemaker honors innovation

Four student media operations recognized for forward thinking

Sept. 8, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS — The Associated Collegiate Press has recognized four collegiate student media programs as finalists in the Innovation 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 prestigious Pacemaker recognizes overall excellence and distinguishes the top student media produced during a particular school year. The award started shortly after the association was founded in 1921 and is often regarded as the most-competitive, most-honored award in collegiate journalism.

The Innovation Pacemaker is designed to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and reward student media for the courage to take chances to improve service to their customers, readers and communities.

“Collegiate student media is rapidly changing and those programs that don’t generate new revenue streams and innovative ways to deliver content to their readers will struggle to survive,” associate director Gary Lundgren said. “Print is now just one component — there is far more to a successful student media program than publishing the campus newspaper.”

Leadership, coverage, content delivery, marketing, business, community, press freedom and partnerships are among the areas where innovation is encouraged.

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

Indiana Daily Student
Indiana University
Student leaders: Mia Hilkowitz, Andrew Miller
Advisers: Greg Menkedick, Ruth Witmer

The Los Angeles Loyolan
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Student leaders: Olivia Silvester, Sabatino Stacchi
Advisers: Kevin O’Keeffe, Tom Nelson

StoryBytes Media
Miami Dade College Kendall Campus (FL)
Student leaders: Maria Almarza, Victoria Cuellar, Priscilla Pachecho, Halee Provost, Valerie Williams
Adviser: Emily Andrea Sendin

The Daily Emerald
University of Oregon
Student leader: Tarek Anthony
Adviser: Eric Henry