Student Organizations for Journalism Majors

Student organizations play an important role in the life of JSchool students. While each organization has a faculty adviser, the main work of each organization is done by student officers and members. As such, student organizations give journalism students the chance to gain valuable leadership experience as well as shape important learning opportunities for themselves and their peers. In addition, student organizations help younger students network with juniors and seniors.

Media Outlets

ACRN Media. Started in 1971, the All-Campus Radio Network is Ohio University’s student-run radio station offering radio programming, online editorial content, and live music events in the Athens community.

Backdrop. Founded in 2007, Backdrop is a lifestyle magazine catering to Ohio University and the city of Athens. The staff produces four issues a year covering politics, sex and health, entertainment, and culture, as well as year-round content on their blog The Drop.

HerCampus is a female-driven online publication with chapters across the country. Ohio University’s diamond-level chapter is among the top 10 percent of chapters nationwide — publishing five articles a week ranging from entertainment to wellness, campus life, career and more.

Odyssey is Ohio University’s chapter of the nationwide online publication Odyssey is dedicated to affecting positive social change through welcoming students of all walks of life to contribute to sections ranging from lifestyle, health, entertainment, politics and more.

The Athens Effect began in 2019 when the founders noticed that there were no student media exclusively covering the science, technology, and research happenings at Ohio University. The staff is welcoming student to join in covering issues from sustainability, psychology, nanotechnology and beyond.

The New Political is an award-winning, student-run digital publication that covers government and politics at the university and across the state. The New Political is always welcoming student writers, social media managers, and web developers.

The Post publishes campus and city news online daily and a print issue weekly. This student newspaper is editorially independent, award-winning, and the oldest existing publication at Ohio University. Their Baker Center 325 office is open to students interested in writing, editing, photography, design, multimedia and more.

Thread is an online fashion magazine covering everything from style to beauty to fitness. With a focus on self-expression and art, the publication is always welcoming writers, designers, photographers, videographers, stylists, models, and PR enthusiasts.  

Variant Magazine puts diversity first in their print and online content as they strive to break the stereotypical boundaries of fashion. This publication offers hands-on experience for students in editorial, photography, videography, modeling, styling, set design and event planning.

WOUB Public Media is a member station of both NPR and PBS serving 55 counties in southeast Ohio, western West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. WOUB offers on air and online opportunities that allow students to gain real-world, hands-on professional development and media training.

Organizations

Associated Press Sports Editors. The main focus of the chapter is to get national exposure, form invaluable relationships with professionals in the sports journalism business, and provide networking that will lead to internships and jobs for all of the members. What makes APSE unique is that every professional who speaks to the chapter is interviewed by one of the members, because we are journalists first. It is our goal to know how to conduct and execute a successful interview. Some people we have already brought to campus include Tim Stephens, who was editor-in-chief at CBS Interactive at the time, ESPN's Chris Broussard, and Nick Creegan, an on-air host and producer at AOL Sports.

Black Student Communication Caucus (BSCC). Utilizing communication as a powerful tool, the mission of the Black Student Communications Caucus is to encourage personal/professional development and increase participation on the Ohio University Campus and in the Athens community.

Ohio Sports Broadcasting Club is an outlet for radio and TV play-by-play announcers, color commentators, sideline reporters and sports show hosts to meet, discuss and practice the profession.

Ohio University Advertising Association (Ad Club) is a student chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Students get hands-on experience developing national advertising campaigns, through a competition sponsored by the AAF. In addition to participating in a national career day, the club hosts professionals from all areas of the advertising industry.

Online News Association The ONA's mission is to foster the growth of digital media at OHIO! Our meetings offer noteworthy advice from successful digital media professionals. Learn new skills taught in our ONA @ OU technical skills workshops. Engaging conversations with fellow journalists, innovators and creative minds

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is a pre-professional organization affiliated with the Public Relations Society of America designed to provide its members with practical experiences in public relations. Activities include weekly meetings, socials, internships, public relations experience, and conferences.

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) promotes journalism as an ethical profession. The group conducts many programs and activities each year, such as sponsorship of speakers and panel discussions, social events, service projects, workshops, and other events that provide opportunities to learn and gain new skills. SPJ members attend national and regional networking conventions and work on issues relating to ethics and freedom of information.

1804 Communication is a student-run integrated marketing and communications firm established by members of Scripps PRSSA to offer members hands-on experience working for real-world clients.

Additional Opportunities

There are many ways Scripps College of Communication students can get involved and connect with students across schools and majors. Learn about additional student organizations by visiting the Scripps College student organization page.