Multiplatform Pacemakers announced

21 winners represent the ‘best of the best’ across digital, print platforms

Nov. 7, 2026

KANSAS CITY, MO. — To reflect the ever-changing landscape of college media, the Associated College Press has named 21 Pacemakers in the third year of its Multiplatform Pacemaker competition during an awards ceremony at the Fall National College Media Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

“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 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.

In September, 32 Pacemaker finalists were named. 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. 

“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.”

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.

Fall 2026 awards

Fall 2026 Pacemakers

Broadcast
Innovation
Magazine
Multiplatform
Newspaper/Newsmagazine

2026 Individual Awards

Story of the Year
Reporter of the Year
Multimedia Story of the Year
Design of the Year
Photo of the Year
Cartoon of the Year
Broadcast Story of the Year

Best of Show

Individual Recognition
Staff Recognition

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

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 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

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

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

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

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