🎉 Welcome to Our New Website!
- Joe Lendacky
- Aug 31
- 5 min read
We’re thrilled to officially launch the brand-new home of the Philadelphia Student Press Association (PSPA)! This website has been designed as more than just an information hub — it’s a resource, a community space, and a celebration of student journalism across Philadelphia. Whether you’re a student reporter, a member school, or a supporter of local media, this new site is built with you in mind.
Our mission has always been clear: to strengthen student journalism, empower young reporters, and amplify the voices of Philadelphia’s next generation of storytellers. Now, we finally have a digital space that reflects that mission — and makes it easier than ever to get involved. Let’s take a tour together.
Explore Resources for Student Journalists
At the heart of our new website is the Resources section — a hub designed to give student journalists the tools they need to grow their craft. Here you’ll find:
Reporting Guides that walk you through how to cover City Hall, navigate Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods, and find the stories that matter.
An Ethical Journalism Toolkit, rooted in the SPJ Code of Ethics, to help you make informed and responsible decisions in your reporting.
A detailed guide to RTKL, FOIA, and Public Records, empowering you to use Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law and Philadelphia’s open data portals to access key information.
Writing & Editing Skills resources to sharpen your storytelling, from crafting strong leads to fact-checking and editing with confidence.
Digital Tools & Multimedia guides that teach you how to engage audiences through video, audio, and social media.
Career Development support that covers everything from internships and fellowships to building portfolios and preparing for life after the student newsroom.
Every section offers long-form guidance, practical tips, and links to external resources. It’s not just about telling students what journalism is — it’s about equipping them to do it well.
Publications
The Publications section is where we showcase the incredible work being done by student newspapers across Philadelphia. Each member school has its own unique voice, and together, they represent the energy, curiosity, and diversity of our city’s journalism.
This section not only highlights student-led reporting but also serves as an inspiration for new and emerging newsrooms. If your campus publication isn’t yet a PSPA member, this is the perfect opportunity to see the kind of community you could be part of.
Get Involved
The new Get Involved section makes it easier than ever to find your place in PSPA’s community. No matter your background, there’s a way to contribute:
Join as a Student – Campus newspapers are the backbone of student journalism. If you’re a student reporter, you’ll gain access to workshops, networking, and a wider support system of peers across the city.
Join as a Member School – Schools that join PSPA become part of a collective effort to strengthen local journalism. Together, member schools collaborate, share resources, and lift up student voices.
Volunteer Opportunities – Students can volunteer with PSPA to help plan events, support programming, and build skills in areas like event operations, outreach, and media production.
Host a Workshop or Panel – Professionals and advanced students alike can share their knowledge by leading workshops, panels, or newsroom visits. These sessions bring real-world skills and experiences directly to our community.
Sponsorship Opportunities – Organizations can invest directly in the future of local journalism by supporting PSPA events and programs that prepare students for careers in media.
This section truly reflects the spirit of PSPA: collaboration, opportunity, and shared growth.
Meet Our Team
Behind PSPA is a passionate group of students leading the way. The Our Team page introduces you to the people who make the organization run — the Executive Committee and the Advisory Board. Together, these students represent the heart of PSPA and ensure that our mission to support, connect, and amplify Philadelphia’s student journalists comes to life.
The Executive Committee is the driving force behind PSPA’s day-to-day operations. From organizing events and workshops to building partnerships and managing communications, these student leaders are hands-on in creating opportunities for their peers. They bring energy, creativity, and accountability to PSPA’s vision, while also making sure that our programs reflect the real needs of student journalists. Every project, initiative, and campaign starts with the Executive Committee, and their leadership ensures that PSPA remains student-driven at its core.
The Advisory Board, meanwhile, plays an equally important role. Made up primarily of students from PSPA’s member schools, the board provides insight, feedback, and ideas that guide the direction of the organization. By representing different campuses and newsrooms, the Advisory Board ensures that PSPA remains inclusive, collaborative, and responsive to the diverse voices across Philadelphia. Their role is both advisory and active — offering perspective on big-picture strategy while also contributing to the growth of PSPA’s community through direct involvement in events and initiatives.
Together, the Executive Committee and Advisory Board showcase the power of student leadership. They are not just running PSPA — they are shaping the future of student journalism in Philadelphia. By visiting the Our Team page, you’ll get to know the individuals behind the titles, learn about their backgrounds and passions, and see firsthand how students are building an organization that is bigger than any one newsroom.
Stay Connected
Finally, the Contact page is your direct line to PSPA. Whether you’re asking about membership, pitching a workshop idea, or interested in partnerships, you can easily connect with us through the general contact form or specific sign-up pages. It’s all designed to keep communication open and accessible.
Why This Matters
The launch of this website marks a huge milestone for PSPA. For the first time, we have a digital home that brings together everything we stand for — student leadership, professional growth, and a commitment to strengthening the role of journalism in Philadelphia. This is not just a site that explains who we are; it is a platform that gives student reporters real tools, real opportunities, and real community support.
Every page has been built with purpose. The Resources section ensures that no student journalist feels unprepared, whether they’re covering a City Council meeting, fact-checking a story, or filing their first public records request. The Get Involved page creates a direct pathway for students, schools, volunteers, and sponsors to plug into PSPA’s mission. The Publications showcase celebrates the powerful work already being done in campus newsrooms across the city. And the Our Team page reflects what makes us truly unique — a student-led organization powered by the energy, ideas, and dedication of young people.
This launch also signals where we are going. PSPA is more than a network; it’s a movement to make sure that student voices are heard and that student reporters have the support they need to thrive. By creating a central space online, we are opening the doors wider — making it easier for schools to join, for professionals to contribute, and for students to find resources that help them grow into the journalists our city needs.
We invite you to explore, bookmark, and share this site with your peers, educators, and networks. Engage with the resources, get to know our team, and discover the many ways you can be part of our community. Together, we can ensure that Philadelphia remains a place where student journalists are supported, respected, and inspired to tell the stories that matter most.
This is just the beginning. The launch of this site represents a new chapter in PSPA’s story, and we couldn’t be more excited to write it with all of you.
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