The Communication Department’s student media groups provide specialized opportunities for students to work in fields tied to their majors, offering hands-on working experiences in conjunction with practical education. CWU believes that student success is best achieved by providing supportive learning and living environments that encourage intellectual inquiry, exploration, and application.

The Observer is a nationally recognized and award winning student newspaper and news website with a long history at CWU. The Observer won the Best in Show weekly newspaper with the Associated College Press (2016) and first place in a regional and national SPJ contest for breaking news with former editor-in-chief Jonathan Glover's photo of a Black Lives Matter protest; Derrick Clarit took first place in a regional SPJ contest for photo illustration (2015). The Observer distributes about 3,000 copies on campus and throughout Ellensburg each week. It serves as a voice for the students and as a watchdog of CWU and the local community.

Pulse Magazine is CWU’s nationally recognized student led lifestyle magazine. Pulse was a finalist for the national Pacemaker award, considered the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism. It was one of 22 publications in the running, out of nearly 100 entries (2016). Pulse was also named best student magazine and won best non-fiction magazine article in the four-state region by the Society of Professional Journalists; and won a fourth-place best in show award at a recent ACP conference (2015). Pulse is produced twice per quarter in Fall, Winter and Spring and distributes 1,000 copies per issue throughout Central Washington and is available online.

Central Communication Agency is CWU's PRSSA affiliated student-managed public relations agency. CCA offers local businesses, associations, clubs and organizations, on and off campus, the unique opportunity to have pre-professionals manage their communication needs and bring a fresh perspective to their existing communication effort. CCA will strategically match a client with a student team, under the guidance of a professional faculty advisor. Agency students work with clients in a variety of areas including, but not limited to: event planning, market research, social media, website development, re-branding, media relations, marketing, crisis communication, message development, grant writing, organizational analysis and brand awareness.

Wildcat Films is a student-run production house that provides video production services for various clients around campus including departments, colleges and clubs. It is run entirely by students and provides them the experience of film making and develops skills in client relations, budgeting, and contract negotiation. We also film Services & Activities meetings, the Dean lecture series and other unique on campus performances as time allows. Our work is available on campus websites and social media interfaces. Our mission is to share information via video with the entire CWU population.

Central News Watch is the only local television news program out of Ellensburg and it is both directed and produced by students. Central News Watch has a Facebook page where we regularly upload our content to keep campus in the know on events both local and abroad.

KCWU-FM is as an out-of-classroom learning laboratory utilizing a real-world broadcast environment to foster lifelong communication, public speaking, workplace accountability, teamwork, and leadership skills important for successful citizenship and success in any chosen career.

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Cait Dalton
Student Media Business Supervisor
Lind Hall 114A
509-963-1026
cait.dalton@cwu.edu