The Student Voice

The Student Voice program offers high schoolers practical, accessible journalism advising by undergraduate students of journalism from the University of Oregon. The “near-peer” mentors provide honest tips on navigating journalism industry by sharing their personal experiences and interviewing industry professionals about theirs. The Student Voice provides opportunities to network with fellow journalists and build a basic portfolio of work through student-directed practice activities.

Explore the Student Voice Digest

With students’ consent, we publish selected content submitted by dozens of secondary school students nationwide in The Student Voice Digest and work to have it republished by mainstream media organizations. University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication undergraduates mentor high school participants and their advisors through weekly virtual newsroom sessions. Leading up to the annual publication, participants engage with industry experts weekly and receive coaching in small groups. Each year, we acknowledge excellent student work in our Student Voice Awards.

Read the SV Digest

The Student Voice Awards

Each year, we acknowledge excellent student work in our Student Voice Awards. Click below to learn more about eligibility criteria and the submission process.

Learn about the awards

Learn from journalists

Explore our videos featuring journalist mentors and advisors as they provide inspiration and tutorials for middle- and high-school students.

Explore more videos

FAQ

Who owns the work that is published in The Student Voice?

The original student author(s) maintain ownership and copyright of their work. We ask that they grant Creative Commons republication rights by way of an online consent form.

How do I submit stories and story ideas?

Submit stories and multimedia links here.

Why should I or my students participate?

Research indicates that participation in high school journalism contributes to socialization into citizenship, providing students with opportunities to develop skills and experiences that are vital for civic engagement (Schofield & Monserrate, 2011).
Journalism engages students in social issues by providing them with project-based opportunities to research, interview, write, and create multimedia stories that can broaden their worldview and enlighten audiences.

I’m a multimedia journalist. Can I still participate?

Yes. We welcome photojournalism, video stories, podcasts, cartoons, and other creative works.

What are your Terms of Use and Privacy Policies?

You can find our Terms of Use here, and our Privacy Policy here.

Who is behind the project?

The Student Voice project is run by professor Ed Madison, an associate professor at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. He is also executive director of the Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI) a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works in partnership with our journalism school and College of Education. You can learn more at: http://journalisticlearning.com The project is funded by a Williams Fund grant, designed to support innovative teaching at University of Oregon.

Is there any cost?

No. The program is completely free.

What’s required to participate?

The Student Voice project is primarily designed to support established high school journalism programs in underserved communities, and that have a faculty advisor. Students need not have prior journalism experience, but must have a faculty advisor review their work prior to submission. We act as curators not editors, seeking stories that have already gone through an editorial process at their respective schools.

I’m a teacher who is willing to advise students, but have little or no journalism experience…can my students participate?

We have (online) and will point you to additional resources that will support first-time and relatively new faculty advisors.