The 2026 "Friend of Media Award" was presented to the Department of Communication Studies at the 40th annual Student Niner Media Banquet on April 22 in the Popp Martin Student Union.
The award is given to a community member or organization that supports the mission of Student Niner Media through their actions and ongoing support. It recognizes individuals or organizations that go above and beyond to provide the guidance and services necessary for the department's student-run publications to thrive.
Since 2021, the relationship between the Department of Communication Studies and Student Niner Media has grown immensely. Student Niner Media serves as a “living lab” to students majoring in Communication Studies and/or minoring in Journalism. Students can take the skills learned in their courses and use them practically in Student Niner Media to produce content in several areas.
Student Niner Media worked with Communication Studies to revamp a practicum course back in 2021, transforming it into a paid internship that provides three credit hours. Students are able to hone their skills by working for Midas Cultural Magazine, Nova Literary Arts Magazine, the Niner Times newspaper/website, and Media Marketing. Since then, more than a dozen interns have taken advantage of that opportunity.
Aside from internships, Student Niner Media also welcomes students in the Communication Studies Learning Community by offering semesterly information sessions and tours. It is estimated that 70 percent of learning community students end up joining Niner Media in some capacity.
At any given time of the year, faculty members from Communication Studies have spoken at Student Niner Media training sessions and provided support to all of the student organizations in Student Niner Media. It is because of these relationships that students are able to broaden their skillsets and sometimes find a new passion in another area of media.
Student Niner Media Advising and Support is the only area in Student Engagement directly tied to an academic major and minor, setting them apart from the rest. “It is because of this relationship, many of our students are moving on to successful media careers,” said Kelly Merges, director of Student Niner Media Advising and Support, “we have graduating students this year who have accepted positions with the San Francisco Chronicle and the Boston Globe.”
“Communication Studies has given these students a solid foundation that they can build upon in Student Niner Media. They come to us with skills in writing, editing, graphic design and more. We are grateful for the dedicated faculty, staff and leadership in Communication Studies,” Merges said.