California Student Journalism Corps

The EdSource California Student Journalism Corps seeks to nurture and support promising journalism students in California while also enhancing EdSource’s ability to report deeply on statewide issues that impact colleges and universities, as well as their surrounding communities. Our network of student journalists report on education in California and earn real-world professional experience by contributing to EdSource, which operates the largest newsroom of education reporters in the state.
(See the reporting and commentary contributed by our Corps here.)

Corps members develop their skills and prepare for the job market and life after college by working with some of the most seasoned education reporters in California at EdSource, which has emerged as a model for nonprofit journalism. The California Student Journalism Corps welcomes a new cohort of student journalists at the start of the fall, spring and summer semesters. If you are a college student interested in joining the program, learn more here.

Our thanks to the College Futures Foundation for their support of this initiative.

Meet the students: Spring 2023

Lev Farris Goldenberg is a senior anthropology major at the University of California, Davis. He got his start covering high school sports for The Davis Enterprise, where he learned about the importance of community-based journalism. When he’s not writing, he enjoys ultimate frisbee, reading, tea, and his cats. He has also worked for Strategic Communications at UC Davis and The California Aggie.

Randy Flores is a broadcast journalism student at California State University, Northridge. He has worked for KCSN, CSUN’s radio station as an editorial assistant and recently has begun working at the student-run newspaper. He joined the Student Corps to highlight the experiences of other students and to bring awareness to academic issues faced by college communities. Randy plans to focus on writing about science and tech programs while on campus, and wants to eventually break into broadcast news.

Javier Hernandez is a fourth-year communications and media studies major at Sonoma State University. He is in his second semester as the sports editor for the Sonoma STAR, and prior to becoming an editor he was a writer for the paper. Javier is also a part of Sonoma State’s student-run radio, KSUN Radio. He is interested in sports writing but he joined the Student Corps to further grow his journalism skills in all aspects. Javier is a huge tennis player and enjoys playing whenever he has free time. He also likes spending time with friends and family because he loves creating new memories with them.

Arabel Meyer is a third-year journalism major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Originally from San Diego, living in San Luis Obispo and studying journalism has inspired her to want to explore the stories of people all over California and beyond. Arabel is passionate about social issues and equal representation in media, and has enjoyed exploring sociology in college and writing opportunities that are people-focused.

Rosie Padilla is a fourth-year communications major, and women and gender studies minor, at Sonoma State University. She is currently working as the editor-in-chief for her university’s paper, The STAR. Rosie has a passion for journalism because she believes that everyone deserves the right to be informed on pressing issues. When she is not chasing a story, Rosie enjoys watching and analyzing different films, listening to music, and reading her favorite horror books.

Abbie Phillips is a second-year journalism student minoring in Spanish at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has worked with EdSource since fall 2022, and is excited to continue to be a part of the team. She cannot wait to write even more. When she’s not writing, she is helping out with CRU on her campus, going to the gym or practicing one of her musical instruments.

Nadia Pulu is a fourth-year humanities and communications major with a concentration in journalism and media studies at California State University, Monterey Bay. She works for her school newspaper, The Lutrinae, and the school’s radio show, Otter Media. She is passionate about journalism and higher education and is excited about the prospect of combining the two with EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps.

Emmely Ramirez is in her fourth year at California State University, Sacramento as a journalism major and English minor. She has written for Sac State’s newspaper, The State Hornet, which helped her realize the critical role student journalists play in the way their schools operate. Emmely joined the Student Corps this fall because of her interest in stories surrounding education, and her search to find a safe, collaborative space to hone her reporting skills.

Emma Robertson is a third-year journalism student minoring in sociology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She’s always loved writing, but discovered her passion for journalism and the ability to give her community a voice when she first wrote for her high school newspaper. Emma now works for Cal Poly’s paper, Mustang News, as a co-editor for the Arts and Student Life section, and when she’s not writing, she loves to read.

Marie’Sa Rumsey is a fourth-year communication and media student at Sonoma State University. She is a Bay Area native, born in Oakland and raised in Antioch. Marie’Sa has written for her university’s newspaper, The Sonoma State Star, which afforded her the opportunity to highlight the shared experiences of her fellow peers through stories that brought awareness to campus, community and world news. In her free time, Marie’Sa enjoys listening to music, playing video games and watching sports.

Naomi Vanderlip is a fourth-year student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, double-majoring in English and journalism and minoring in Spanish and linguistics. She works as managing editor of her college publication, Mustang News, and previously wrote for and edited the Arts and Student Life section. She hopes to specialize in solutions journalism and work as an international correspondent. In her free time, she likes to cook, thrift and travel.