Student-run Journalism Publications Win Top Awards

October 19, 2026 - 01:34 PM

Mt. SAC’s student-run online news site, SAC Media, won the General Excellence Award at the Journalism Association of Community College’s Regional Conference recently at Cal State Northridge.

“It was a great bonding experience and it is so great to be surrounded by people who share the same love for journalism,” said student Rhiannon Lalathin.

Between SAC Media and (also student-run) Substance Magazine, the college’s Journalism program won eight awards, placing in the top 4 or earning an Honorable Mention. 

“I am beyond proud of my students for their tireless dedication to the publications,” said Mt. SAC Professor of Journalism Jessica Cardenas. “I love seeing my students bond and work together as a team to show out at these conferences.”

Competing against 17 other Southern California community colleges, Mt. SAC won awards for published work from Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

The conference was a fulfilling experience for student journalists, who got to attend workshops and seminars, as well as network with news organizations and professional journalists.

Student Lucas Flores experienced “how much I still had to learn in terms of photojournalism when I went to Ringo Chiu’s panel. He showcased what he was willing to endure for the photo and what he wasn't willing to give up for a photo.”

Journalists and personalities who mingled with the students came from a wide array of prominent outlets, including NBC4 LA, Telemundo, LA Times, KNX Radio, LAist 89.3 FM, The LA Local, USA Today, CBS LA, ABC 7, SoCal News Group, LA Reporting Collective, L.A. TACO, and popular social media series LA-In-A-Minute.

Journalism student Natasha Coke said, “getting to talk to some of the speakers further showed me how becoming a journalist requires independent hard work and initiative." -

The Journalism Program now moves on to the state conference/competition in Spring 2027 in La Jolla. In addition to community colleges, that competition will see several private universities and out-of-state colleges in attendance.

Learn more about the Journalism program here. 

Photos submitted by Jessica Cardenas