Claire Herquet, Editor

Student journalism is a stepping stone, providing young individuals with the opportunity to experience storytelling and reporting outside of the classroom and preparing aspiring journalists for successful careers in the media industry. It has been a long time coming for an organization like this to develop, fully dedicating itself to recognizing successes for student journalists and creating a space for them to represent themselves on a larger scale. But for Jackson Juzang of Haverford College ‘26, he finally figured it out. 

Philadelphia has long been a city rich with stories. Going from the birthplace of American independence to its diverse neighborhoods today, media and journalism have played a crucial role in shaping how our city has evolved and how its residents have navigated such avenues and changes. Student journalism is an essential part of this ongoing narrative. 

The Philadelphia Student Press Association (PSPA) exists to support this important work. By bringing student publications together, the nonprofit organization not only exists to amplify young voices, but also strengthens the overall media landscape in Philadelphia. With the slogan “Rooted in Philly, Reporting for All,” the statement stands to remind viewers that when our Philadelphia community is truly united, student journalists can tell more impactful stories, while engaging with broader audiences and continuing the city’s legacy of journalism. 

At colleges and universities throughout Philadelphia and neighboring regions, student reporters typically address important topics, both on campuses and in the wider community. Issues such as local concerns, admission changes, campus happenings and more have been covered, often receiving little attention in mainstream media outlets. However, along with professional journalism, student reporting includes accountability, encourages meaningful conversations and ensures that young perspectives and voices are valued. In an interview with empowerment speaker Lawrence Harris, PSPA Founder and CEO Jackson Juzang sheds light on the issues he hopes to fix with the presence of PSPA in the broader journalistic environments that students enter. He says, “I want to fix consumption issues from the media…and try to figure out ways that there can be connectivity among our generation. [It] emits this individualism that we see within content and lack of attention span, you know, short-form domination – that is something I’m looking to spearhead.”  

While the PSPA is still relatively new and was only founded in April 2025, the organization already currently consists of eight member student-run newspapers: The Clerk (Haverford), The Villanovan (Villanova), The Phoenix (Swarthmore), The Gleaner (Rutgers-Camden), Bi-College News (Bryn Mawr and Haverford), The Whit (Rowan), The Triangle (Drexel) and of course, our very own La Salle Collegian (La Salle). The PSPA currently has an executive board of four involved and dedicated students, two of whom are writers of the La Salle Collegian. They look forward to heavily contributing to the PSPA’s mission of providing student journalists with shared resources, professional mentorship and cross-campus collaboration opportunities. They are looking forward to hosting networking events and educational development opportunities in the upcoming months. 

To stay updated about what’s happening with the Philadelphia Student Press Association, check out the new official website at phillystudentpress.org, and follow us on Instagram (@phillystudentpress), X (@pspapress) and check out our LinkedIn.