Merrill College students get involved with journalism the moment they step on campus through student-run media and student chapters of professional associations.
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Student-Run Media
The Black Explosion
The Black Explosion is the University of Maryland's first and only Black newspaper. It is entirely student-run and hosts weekly general assignment meetings for any student, regardless of major, to attend. Since 1968, it has been offering information and pertinent updates about campus affairs and student life, especially pertaining to the Black community. The Black Explosion staff writers pitch original community stories ranging from general news, entertainment, sports and broadcast media. The Black Explosion encourages students to pitch one to two stories a week, but editors may also assign stories to interested students who do not have a pitch.
The Campus Trainer
A student-run health and lifestyle publication focusing on everything from fitness to campus life to fashion. The Campus Trainer's writers, editors and social media team are always working hard to provide content to UMD that is meaningful, exciting and, most of all, innovative. The Campus Trainer is a place where many UMD students take their first steps as journalists, and the publication is grateful to be part of each student’s journey toward their future. Whether students are interested in taking their first steps as journalists or are simply a reader who wants to share some ideas, The Campus Trainer encourages students to email thecampustrainer@gmail.com at their convenience.
The Diamondback
The independent, student-run newspaper for the University of Maryland. Students have the opportunity to write for a variety of sections, including Sports, Opinion, Diversions, News, Data and Multimedia. Stories covered range from this university’s campus to to Maryland state politics. Content is published daily. Note: Check out the Diamondback General Assignment meetings. These are great for students looking to complete their 320 outside published clips requirement as a freelancer. Meetings are on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the advertising room across from the DBK offices on the third floor of the South Campus Dining Hall. Contact general assignment and news editors for more information at diamondbackga@gmail.com.
To get in touch with another editor or section at The Diamondback and learn about opportunities beyond freelancing, check out the publication's contact page, which is updated each semester with the most up-to-date information: dbknews.com/contact-us
Her Campus
An online magazine for college women covering, style, beauty, health, love and more. Her Campus has more than 300 campus chapters located in nine countries.
La Voz Latina
La Voz Latina is the bilingual newspaper on campus that focuses on telling the underrepresented stories on campus as well as in Prince George's County. Our mission is to include everyone in our paper through our perfiles and news sections. La Voz Latina aims to inform the community through its resource section and always aims for inclusivity.
La Voz Latina es el periódico bilingüe del campus que se enfoca en contar las historias subrepresentadas en el campus como en el condado de Prince George's. Nuestra misión es incluir a todos en nuestro periódico a través de nuestros perfiles y secciones de noticias. Nuestro objetivo es informar a la comunidad a través de nuestra sección de recursos y siempre buscamos ser inclusivos.
Mitzpeh
An independent, online student publication focusing on the Jewish community.
The Observer
The Observer is a student-run publication at the University of Maryland that explores political culture. It specifically examines the intersections between political concepts and other fields of study pursued by the undergraduate student body to cultivate an understanding and appreciation for political dialogue and its influences. The publication's sections include The Arts, Literature & Language, Economics, Health & Environment, History, and Culture. The Observer proudly employs students with diverse backgrounds and academic interests to represent the various possibilities of civil discourse.
Stories Beneath the Shell
Stories Beneath the Shell is a student-run digital publication that covers underreported and diverse stories in the University of Maryland community and surrounding College Park area.
Terrapin Sports Central
A student-run sports media organization covering all University of Maryland sports at every home game, various away games and through feature stories. Formerly The Left Bench, the publication offers hands-on broadcast, videography and on-camera experience, as well as anchoring and production experience with their biweekly studio show, The Left Bench TV.
Unwind Magazine
An entertainment-news magazine for the University of Maryland.
WMUC Radio
The University of Maryland’s student-run radio station, featuring music, entertainment segments and news packages produced by students.
The Writers Bloc
The University of Maryland’s Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House magazine, focusing on literary arts. The magazine is updated weekly online.
Student Professional Associations
National Press Photographers Association
The NPPA is the leading voice advocating for the work of visual journalists today. Founded in the days of sheet film box cameras and newsreels, the organization fights for the working news photographer, videographer and multimedia journalist in the internet age. Their Code of Ethics stands for the highest integrity in visual storytelling. Their advocacy efforts put NPPA in the center of today’s thorniest issues of journalists’ rights to do their work — and to earn a living from their craft. Their ongoing education initiatives seek to equip members and prepare the emerging generation of visual journalists in the face of an ever-changing media landscape. In light of these challenges, the work of NPPA has never been more vital than it is today.
The NPPA offers visual journalism students invaluable advice on scholarships and online education seminars, tips on entering the job market after college and the opportunity to be mentored by successful professionals.
Maryland Association of Black Journalists
The MABJ is the student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) — an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of Black journalists worldwide. Founded by 44 men and women on Dec. 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation. Many of NABJ’s members also belong to one of the professional and student chapters that serve Black journalists nationwide.
NABJ is committed to the following:
- Strengthening ties among Black journalists
- Sensitizing all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for Black journalists
- Expanding job opportunities and recruiting activities for veteran, young and aspiring Black journalists, while providing continued professional development and training
- Increasing the number of Black journalists in management positions and encouraging Black journalists to become entrepreneurs
- Fostering an exemplary group of professionals that honors excellence and outstanding achievements by Black journalists, and outstanding achievement in the media industry as a whole, particularly when it comes to providing balanced coverage of the Black community and society at large
- Working with high schools and colleges to identify and encourage Black students to become journalists, and to diversify faculties and related curriculum
- Providing informational and training services to the general public
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists.
NAHJ has approximately 1,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals and journalism educators.
NAHJ’s Goals:
- To organize and provide support for Hispanic journalists
- To encourage and support the study and practices of journalism and communications by Hispanics
- To promote accurate and fair treatment of Hispanics by the news media
- To further employment opportunities and career development for Hispanics in the news media
- To foster greater understanding of the unique cultural identity, interests and concerns of Hispanic journalists
Faculty Advisor: Derek Willis
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists
The UMD chapter of The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA) is a student organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and in journalism in general. We’re working to create a space where LGBTQ+ journalists can feel welcomed and supported and be able to talk to people like them. The organization will host guest speakers so members can connect with professional journalists.
Faculty Advisor: Jerry Zremski
Society of Professional Journalists
For more than 100 years, the Society of Professional Journalists has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press. The Maryland student chapter holds monthly meetings — many times with guest journalists — takes part in local outreach efforts, participates in training sessions and field trips. The chapter also has access to scholarships, and takes part in regional and national conventions and contests. SPJ augments the students' experience and journalism education through its work as the nation’s largest and most broad-based membership organization for journalists.
Faculty Sponsor: Josh Davidsburg
Terp Video Consortium
The Video Consortium is a global nonprofit media organization that connects and supports today's nonfiction filmmakers and video journalists to tell bold stories that change the world. By and for filmmakers, the consortium's programs help democratize the media landscape by fostering compassionate storytelling, supporting professional and artistic growth, and inspiring audiences everywhere. Through workshops, screenings and panels, the University of Maryland chapter of VC is helping the next generation enter video and documentary journalism.
Faculty Sponsor: Josh Davidsburg
Associated Press Sports Editors
Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) is a national organization that strives to improve professional standards for sports departments of professional news organizations and to recognize professional excellence among its membership. The University of Maryland and Virginia Tech were the first two student APSE chapters — both applications were approved on June 25, 2014. APSE works with student chapters to increase student participation in regional and national meetings and to bring APSE representation to campuses. APSE offers an internship and job bank and awards student scholarships.
Faculty Sponsor: Kate Yanchulis
Association for Women in Sports Media
AWSM is a volunteer-managed, 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 as a support network and advocacy group for women who work in sportswriting, editing, broadcast and production, and public and media relations. AWSM works to promote and increase diversity in sports media through our internship/scholarship program, as well as through mentoring links and career-enhancement initiatives.
Faculty Sponsor: Kate Yanchulis