Three Student Publications Are Finalists For The Pulitzer Prize Of College Media
The Reporter, Miambiance and AXIS have been named finalists for the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award.
Renowned by many as the Pulitzer Prize of collegiate media, the honor recognizes overall excellence in student publications.
Winners will be announced at the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association Fall National College Media Convention on Nov. 2.
The Reporter is the student newspaper at Miami Dade College; it was one of six publications selected as a finalist in the Two-Year Newspaper/Newsmagazines category.
To be considered, the paper submitted three issues produced during the 2023-24 school year. The work was analyzed by two teams of three judges. Judging was based on design and content.
“When I found out we were named a Pacemaker finalist, I got super excited because I know all the hard work that is put into each issue,” said Isabella Arce, The Reporter’s editor-in-chief.
The Reporter has been a Pacemaker finalist the past six years, winning the award the last three. Since its genesis in 2010, the paper has been a finalist nine times and snagged five Pacemakers—2013, 2014, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
It covers news college-wide, produces a bi-weekly digital newsletter, prints 10,250 copies monthly and is augmented by presence on X, Instagram and TikTok.
Miambiance and AXIS are among the five community college magazines tabbed finalists in the Two-Year Literary Arts Magazine category.
Judging was conducted by three people with magazine-editing and advising experience and based on content produced last school year.
Both publications have also been named finalists for the CMA’s Organizational Pinnacle Award in the Two-Year Literary Magazine of the Year category. Winners will be announced on Nov. 1.
Miambiance is the literary arts magazine at Kendall Campus. Since its debut in 1989, the publication has secured three Pacemakers—2009, 2018 and 2022—and has been a finalist seven times in the last decade.
Volume 34 resembles a photo album, highlighting themes of family and personal growth through photographs, illustrations, short stories, poetry and music. The cover showcases a silhouette of a black tree, alluding to ancestry.
Miambiance, which also has a presence on Instagram and TikTok, debuted their latest volume during a launch party on Sept. 24.
“I’m extremely proud,” said Miambiance Editor-In-Chief Joelle Worcester. “Knowing that what we do was noticed by the Associated Collegiate Press feels really amazing; it reflects all the work we have put in.”
Launched in 2002, AXIS, North Campus’ creative arts magazine, has been a Pacemaker finalist the last seven years—earning the prize in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Their latest issue, Volume 21, features a mosaic theme, spotlighting artworks such as poetry, photographs, illustrations and film that showcase people’s individuality. Its cover was inspired by African American artist Jacob Lawrence’s paintings and features a collage made with magazine paper.
AXIS, which also has an Instagram account, is projected to debut Volume 21 in mid-October; a date and location has not been determined yet.
“We wanted to capture the essence of everyone’s pieces,” said AXIS Editor-In-Chief Josephine Thomas. “We wanted to show creative freedom.”
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