Recent News
Sponsorship Opportunity – Mustang Media Fest: Celebrating 75 Years of Cal Poly Journalism
Jun 13, 2025
Learn how you can support our student-run celebration of journalism.
Cal Poly Journalism Alumni News
Jun 13, 2025
Where are they now? Here are some updates on Cal Poly journalism alumni.
2025 Mustang Media Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
Jun 13, 2025
We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 inductees into the Mustang Media Hall of Fame!
The Cal Poly Journalism Department celebrates the outstanding individuals who have shaped its legacy — whether through transformative contributions to the department and media organizations or by turning their student media experience into remarkable professional success.
How Students Organized the Inaugural Mustang Media Fest
Jun 13, 2025
In keeping with Cal Poly Journalism’s Learn by Doing tradition, this year’s inaugural Mustang Media Fest is being organized by the students themselves.
“We've poured our heart and soul into this project,” says Jennaca Ortiz, a fourth-year journalism student who is heading up the festival’s marketing committee.
Save the date: Mustang Media Fest and Hall of Fame Gala, Oct. 22-25, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Dear Cal Poly Journalism community,
Happy summer! As the Cal Poly Journalism Department winds down the school year, we'd like to share some news about an exciting event coming this fall.
Join us October 22-25, 2025, for the inaugural Mustang Media Fest, a celebration of Cal Poly media for students, alumni and the entire community — featuring guest speakers including the Jim Hayes Keynote, workshops, and the Mustang Media Hall of Fame Gala.
Mustang News Enters Collegiate Journalism Hall of Fame
Mar 10, 2025
Cal Poly’s Mustang News was recently inducted into the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame, a national organization that recognizes and promotes excellence in student media. The honor comes after Mustang News earned 15 national Pacemaker and Pacemaker finalist awards since 1970. The Pacemakers are known as the Pulitzer Prizes of student journalism.
Save the Date!
Feb 19, 2025
The journalism department is working with students in the capstone public relations courses to plan, organize and run this fall’s Jim Hayes Symposium and its associated programming. Tentatively scheduled for October 24, 2025!
Journalism Students Shine at Hackathon
Feb 19, 2025
Camp PolyHacks, an interdisciplinary hackathon focused on social entrepreneurship, took place Jan. 24-26 at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) HotHouse in downtown San Luis Obispo. Over 100 students from 35 majors participated, forming 12 teams to develop creative solutions for local issues. Journalism students were part of both teams that received top honors at the event.
2024 Mustang Media Group Awards
Feb 19, 2025
Mustang Media Group achieved some amazing milestones over the past year, including winning its sixth National Pacemaker Award. Akin to the Pulitzer Prize, the Pacemaker is the highest honor in American student journalism, given annually since 1927.
Message From the Chair
Feb 19, 2025
Seventy-five years ago, Cal Poly introduced its first journalism degree in agricultural journalism, led by then-chair Robert Kennedy, who recognized the need for stronger writing, reporting and critical thinking in the curriculum. Since then, the Journalism Department has evolved to offer three concentrations—news, public relations and media innovation—while serving as the home of Mustang Media Group, one of the nation’s most prestigious student media organizations.