Get Involved

Gain real-world experience, develop your creative, research, and professional networking skills, and make an impact on campus and local communities with these media-related organizations. If you have a media-related organization to add or an update to make, please email media-info@illinois.edu.

Professional Organizations – UIUC Chapters

American Advertising Federation

Home to the largest student chapter in the nation with over 500 members, the American Advertising Federation at Illinois seeks to equip all student members with the tools, skillsets, and knowledge to be able to make a difference in the world of advertising. The American Advertising Federation at-large consists of a nationwide network of advertisers, agencies, media companies, local clubs, and student groups.

AAF at Illinois has nine committees, each specializing in different regions of the advertising space and providing members with the opportunity to work with real clients, tour ad agencies, and gain insider knowledge in the industry. All of our committees are student-run. Through presentations, social events, philanthropic events and participation in the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC), students in AAF gain skills that supplement their education and can ultimately help them find jobs after graduation. The organization accepts new members at the beginning of each semester (excluding summer).

For more information, visit www.aafillinois.com or email aaf.uofi@gmail.com.

Asian American Journalists Association

AAJA promotes diversity in news coverage and in newsrooms by providing means of support among Asian American and Pacific Islander student journalists. The purpose of our (unofficial) student chapter is to provide networking, career and scholastic opportunities for students and to foster discussion regarding coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the media.

"Our RSO tries to bring together Asian Americans in media on campus. During our meetings, we look at stories centered on Asian Americans, whether it be good or bad news, and how news media might stray away from accuracy and fairness. We also provide scholarship, internship, and networking resources for a members. We have bi-weekly meetings that feature a Q&A session with current or alum Asian American journalists to talk to our members about what they do and give some advice as young journalists." —Angelle

For more information, email aaja.uiuc@gmail.com.

National Association of Black Journalists

The National Association of Black Journalists works to improve the quality of news coverage by promoting diversity and ethical reporting. The NABJ invites professional journalists and professors to share their expertise and encourages members to participate in campus media outlets. The student chapter at Illinois is on Twitter and Instagram.

National Association of Hispanic Journalists

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists at Illinois strives to unify Latinx students interested in journalism and aid them in career advancement through hands-on reporting and professional development.

For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/nahjuiuc/. 

Public Relations Student Society of America

The PRSSA is a student-run, non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing public relations to the Champaign-Urbana campus. The PRSSA a 100+ student organization sponsored by the Registered Student Organization at Illinois open to all majors.  PRSSA’s goal is to introduce members to the field of public relations, facilitate career development and better inform about the field through professional speakers, career workshops, case study discussions, technology training and community projects. The PRSSA also participates in the Bateman Case Study Competition, a national contest in which student teams create and implement a public relations plan for a nonprofit client. The PRSAA meetings are typically held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

For more information, visit uiucprssa.blog/.

Society of Professional Journalists

The Illinois student chapter of SPJ aims to help students connect with other journalism majors and professionals in the field to learn more about careers in journalism. Faculty members occasionally attend meetings to discuss different aspects of journalism. All journalism students are welcome to attend meetings and participate in the organization, including pre-journalism students, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Members have a lot of fun and love to see new faces!

"Students should join SPJ for networking opportunities! Networking with current journalism students in the club is important, but networking with alums in the field is even better! At our bi-weekly Zoom meetings, we bring in guest speakers to hear about their journalism experiences both in college and out of college. So far this year, we have had a news producer from Madison, Wisconsin, a digital news producer with NBC5 Chicago, and a news director from Nashville Public Radio! In 'normal times,' we had opportunities to tour the local WCIA-3 TV station, invite guests in, and meet all together in Gregory Hall. I joined SPJ to get to know more journalism students, learn about internship opportunities, and connect with journalism professionals. I am so glad I joined SPJ as I have not only met so many amazing people, but I have also gained leadership skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills." —Amanda

For more information, visit their Instagram.

Online Publications

CU-CitizenAccess

CU-CitizenAccess is an online newsroom devoted to community and watchdog reporting by journalism students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The newsroom focuses mostly on Champaign County and central Illinois, but produces occasional regional, national, and international stories. The newsroom is overseen by Brant Houston, the Knight Chair Professor in Investigative and Enterprise Reporting in the Department of Journalism.

For more information, visit www.cu-citizenaccess.org.

The Fashion Network

The Fashion Network is a student group that helps students interested in fashion get connected. The group explores all aspects of the fashion industry and creates projects to be implemented on campus (for example, fashion shows).

For more information, visit instagram.com/tfnuiuc/.

Her Campus at Illinois

Her Campus - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a branch of HerCampus.com, is an online magazine for the college women of Illinois with features on Campus News, Events, Profiles, Polls, and more! As a branch of HerCampus.com, the content of Her Campus at Illinois is written by U of I students, and is a supplement to the national content of HerCampus.com that is created for college women everywhere. Her Campus, the larger organization that supports Her Campus at Illinois, is an online magazine featuring articles on Style, Health, Love, DormLife, Career, World, and much more, updated on a daily basis. Written entirely by college journalists, Her Campus highlights the best in student journalism while filling the critical hole in the media marketplace for media that responds directly to the needs of college women. Her Campus at Illinois is a place for the women of U of I to get personalized information about what's happening on campus!

"Her Campus is an online magazine catered to college women. We focus on different aspects that women in college face, whether it be related to day-to-day lifestyle, common struggles, health, and wellness, we cover it all! I love Her Campus because it unites women across the country instilling a sense of community in one another. It's a fun platform that gives girls the chance to have their voices heard!" —Anneka

For more information, visit www.hercampus.com/school/illinois.

Odyssey

The status quo of publishing and social media makes it hard for all voices to be heard. Odyssey democratizes content, giving people the opportunity to share what’s most important to them and their communities, enriching everyone with broader, more honest perspectives on topics they care about.

Visit their website at theodysseyonline.com.

The Spread

The Spread is the brainchild of the University of Illinois’ registered student organization called JAMS (Journalism Advertising and Media Students), which unites all students interested in media-related activities. This publication has been recognized as an online monthly entertainment magazine, but now, we’ve transitioned into a website. We’re bringing you more of what you need to know about college life, fashion, food, music, movies, relationships and pop culture.

For more information, visit thespreadissue.com.

Advertising

Sandage Social Media Lab

The Sandage Social Media Lab in the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising in the College of Media is a department-run lab that provides integrated communications services to select clients in the Champaign-Urbana community. By participating in the Sandage Social Media Lab, advertising students receive hands-on digital marketing training, gain real-world experience and opportunities to develop their professional portfolios.

For more information, visit https://publish.illinois.edu/illinoisadvertising/sandage-social-media-lab/.

Verge Illinois

Verge is a website created to help advertising students find answers. Verge's hope is to help students find their way and to make things a little easier by putting resources all in the same place. Their mission is to create a space made by students, for students. They want to provide students in advertising with a platform to learn, contribute, and become part of the industry as well as the community. 

"Verge Illinois is a student-run website to help advertising students find their paths, grow their skills, and gain insight on the industry through weekly content as well as events. Our goal is to make it easier for students to explore the realm advertising by putting helpful resources all in one place." —Alisha

For more information, visit vergeillinois.com

Film/Movie/Video/Events

C-U Cinefile

The C-U Cinefile is a film discussion and review club open to all majors at the University of Illinois. Members of the club discuss movies they've watched, review recent releases and all kinds of classics, host screenings, record podcasts, and even film video content that they upload to their YouTube channel. Send them an email or check the Facebook page below for info on the next meeting so you can become a member and share your opinions!

For more information, visit facebook.com/cucinefile or email cucinefile@gmail.com.

Fighting Illini Productions

Fighting Illini Productions is the video team for the University’s Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. This group creates the content that runs on the big screens at Memorial Stadium during football games, and the State Farm Center during men’s and women’s basketball games. Fighting Illini Productions also produces a weekly television show, The Fighting Insider, highlight videos, music videos, marketing spots, and streams live events on BigTenNetwork.com and FightingIllini.com.

For more information, visit fightingillini.com/video.

Focus Pull at UIUC

Focus Pull at UIUC is an organization built by and for Black UIUC students with interests in any area of film production. Through workshops, club discussions, and movie nights, we help our community of prospective filmmakers access information, equipment, and on set experience while building a network of brilliant minds.

"Currently, we are looking for more club productions to take on. These could be music videos, short films, or any other video project that needs a cast and crew. Bring your ideas to life with Focus Pull!" —Kat

For more information, find @FocusPullUIUC on Instagram and Twitter.

Illini Film and Video

IFV is the premier film and video production organization at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We write and produce our own content, as well as collaborate with other organizations in the community for whatever video needs they might have. All experience levels are welcomed!

"Illini Film and Video makes student films and productions while also being a network to meet fellow students looking to learn more about and engage with filmmaking." —Colin

For more information, visit illinifilmandvideo.com or email illinifilmandvideo@gmail.com.

Photon Pictures

Photon Pictures was founded by Chinese international students at the University of Illinois in 2011. It has become the biggest Chinese video and media organization on campus. They focus on producing commercials, music videos, and independent films in different genres, including drama, horror, sci-fi, and school romance. The standing members of Photon Pictures include directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, actors and actresses, film editors, and colorists. Photon Pictures is open to students who are interested in films and filmmaking; they hold regular sessions on scriptwriting and film editing and conduct production plans each semester. Their goal is "to establish a society that communicates and promotes our spirits shared in films." If you have any questions or are interested in joining, email uiucphoton@gmail.com. See more at https://www.youtube.com/@photonpicturesatuiuc9491.

Roger Ebert's Film Festival (Ebertfest)

Founded in 1999 by the late Roger Ebert, University of Illinois journalism alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic, Roger Ebert's Film Festival (Ebertfest) celebrates films that haven't received the recognition they deserved during their original runs. The festival gives these films and their filmmakers a well-deserved second look. Ebertfest takes place in Urbana-Champaign each April. Ebertfest is a special event of the College of Media at the University of Illinois, and the festival, in conjunction with the college, hosts a number of on-campus academic panel discussions each year that feature filmmaker guests, scholars, and students. Ebertfest brings together the films’ producers, writers, actors, and directors to help showcase their work.

For more information, visit ebertfest.com/student-access.

Star Course

Star Course is a live-concert promotion and production organization run by students for fellow University of Illinois students and for the Champaign-Urbana community. Members participate in all levels of event planning—from booking artists and designing ad campaigns to organizing tickets sales or staffing house and backstage positions on the day of show. Star Course is about diversity in music, creativity in learning, and friendship in community. 

For more information, visit star-course.com.

UIUC Student Film Festival

The UIUC Student Film Festival is an annual celebration of the creativity and diversity of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign filmmaking communities. Each spring, students in MACS 464: Film Festivals learn the history, functions, and value of film festivals, and then gain experience organizing, producing, and promoting their own film fest. Learn more.

UI7 Newsroom

En Vivo Contigo

This new show in Spanish debuted in Fall 2023. University of Illinois students can email ui7-news@illinois.edu to participate.

Good Morning Illini

GMI is a student-run lifestyle/entertainment television broadcast that airs live on Friday morning on UI-7. Students may participate as part of the group or through classes that teach students how to shoot, edit, or run production for the live studio broadcast. Watch past broadcasts.

For more information, visit https://www.ui7newsroom.com/good-morning-illini. 

Illini Sports Night

Illini Sports Night is a student run sports television broadcast which is built around Illinois Athletics. The show is shot, produced and edited, then aired on UI-7. Students involved have the opportunity to cover a variety of sports and learn basic/intermediate and advanced skills of sports videography and editing. Watch past broadcasts.

For more information, visit https://www.ui7newsroom.com/illini-sports-night.

UI7 Live

UI7 Live is an award-winning, student-produced TV newscast by journalism students at the University of Illinois. In 2014 and 2016, they won Mid-America NATAS Crystal Pillars for best newscast. Watch past broadcasts.

For more information, visit https://www.ui7newsroom.com/.

UI7 Newsroom Volunteers

UI7 Newsroom produces local, campus, and Illini sports news. They use video, audio, podcasts, reporting, and live programming to accomplish all this coverage. Students can volunteer as writers, producers, photographers, and editors, plus other volunteers to help bring their newsroom to life. If you are passionate about news and want to build your skills to get that job after graduation, then join this group and help shape the future of UI7 Newsroom, where your stories are told. 

For more information, visit https://www.ui7newsroom.com/. If you're interested in volunteering, email ui7-news@illinois.edu.

Illini Media

buzz Magazine

Published online every day, buzz helps readers gear up for the weekend, with anything and everything that is entertainment in Champaign-Urbana. Students working for buzz get the chance to interview and photograph many of the area’s biggest names in entertainment. Students can work as writers, critics, photographers, designers and editors.

For more information, visit readbuzz.com.

The Daily Illini

The Daily Illini provides the campus community with its No. 1 source for news, sports, commentary and opinion in print twice a week and online. With its award-winning website, The Daily Illini covers campus 24/7. Students have the opportunity to gain experience through reporting, writing, editing and selling advertising with this campus publication.

For more information, visit dailyillini.com.

Illio

The Illio Yearbook, founded in 1894, is the official book of record for the University of Illinois. The Illio preserves campus life, history, and memories for thousands of students at the U of I each year. The Illio is an award-winning publication of more than 300 pages, jam-packed with photos and articles recording life at the University during that school year from a student perspective.

For more information, visit illioyearbook.com.

WPGU

WPGU 107.1 FM is a student-run alternative rock station that broadcasts throughout the Champaign area. Every member of the WPGU staff is not only part of a well-respected radio station, but also part of a learning opportunity. WPGU creates highly marketable employees through comprehensive hands-on training.

For more information, visit wpgu.com.

Illinois Public Media

WILL-AM-FM-TV

Illinois Public Media is a not-for-profit public media service of the College of Media at the University of Illinois, educating, entertaining, inspiring, and empowering by airing the best of public television and radio programs, producing local content for broadcast and the Web, and working with community partners to address needs and concerns. It includes WILL-AM 580, WILL-FM 90.9, WILL-FM 101.1, and WILL-TV.

For more information, visit will.illinois.edu.

Illinois Student Newsroom at Illinois Public Media

The Illinois Student Newsroom at Illinois Public Media is a place where student journalists from the College of Media work side-by-side with media professionals in all facets of a public media newsroom. Students learn to report, write, interview, and anchor while building a portfolio of work across audio, video, and multimedia platforms, right in the heart of a dynamic working newsroom.

For more information, visit will.illinois.edu/studentnewsroom.

Illinois Newsroom

Powered by Illinois Public Media, Illinois Newsroom provides news about Illinois and in-depth reporting on agriculture, education, the environment, health, and politics. Students get to work with Illinois Newsroom reporters for editorial and professional mentorship through journalism courses, in a collaboration with IPM and the College of Media.

For more information, visit illinoisnewsroom.org.

Research

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The University of Illinois Office of Undergraduate Research is guided by the philosophy that all Illinois undergraduate students should learn about current disciplinary research, take part in research discussions, and be exposed to research experiences in their regular coursework. Each spring, the office hosts an Undergraduate Research Week and Symposium. Media students from each major have participated by showing poster presentations and making oral presentations. (See the Media students who participated in the 2023 Undergraduate Research Symposium.) 

For more information, visit http://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/researchweek.html.

Media Research Labs

The College of Media has dedicated research spaces in both the Armory building and Gregory Hall, and also supports online environments for research lab groups, where faculty and students regularly collaborate. Check out the variety of Media research labs and groups: https://media.illinois.edu/about-college/research-labs.