DACC launches student-run digital newspaper with support from $77,000 journalism grant
Doña Ana Community College launches The Student Pulse, a digital student newspaper backed by a $77,000 journalism grant supporting local reporting and internships.
The Student Pulse has three reporters, with plans to expand next semester. The grant also supports internships at local news outlets, including Organ Mountain News.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana Community College has launched a student-run digital newspaper, giving aspiring journalists an opportunity to report on campus and community issues while gaining experience in local newsrooms.
The publication, The Student Pulse, currently has three student reporters, with plans to add more during the spring semester, according to an announcement from DACC on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Student reporters gather and write articles about the college and surrounding communities. The publication includes coverage of campus programs, student resources, local events and other issues affecting students.
The newspaper is part of a $77,000 grant awarded to DACC to strengthen journalism education and expand reporting in underserved areas, including communities in southern Doña Ana County.
The grant also provides funding for student internships at local news organizations, including Organ Mountain News, KRWG-TV, News 22 and KRWG-FM.
Another component of the initiative is DACC Talks, a student podcast featuring news and interviews about college events.
"These platforms are important to news storytelling and allowing students an opportunity to report on matters that affect our community," said Denise LaFrance-Ojinaga, DACC's public information officer and editor of the student-run news program.
"The plan is to continue growing with reporters and stories, allowing our reporters an opportunity to gain skills and experience as a journalist and a pathway to continue their education onto a four-year university like NMSU."
Journalism collaboration extends beyond campus
DACC has also partnered with New Mexico State University to establish an informal journalism club for incoming, current and former journalists throughout southern New Mexico.
The club is intended to give participants opportunities to exchange ideas, collaborate and discuss journalism in the region.
Together, the newspaper, podcast, internships and journalism club are designed to provide students with practical reporting experience while encouraging more coverage of communities that have historically received less attention.
Readers can explore the student newspaper at student-pulse.ghost.io.
