Communication
Student Media
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
The Observer is a nationally recognized and award winning student newspaper and news website with a long history at CWU. The Observer distributes about 1,700 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
PULSE magazine is CWU’s nationally recognized student led lifestyle magazine. PULSE has won numerous awards and was a finalist for the national Pacemaker, considered the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism. It 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. PULSE is produced once per quarter in Fall, Winter and Spring and distributes 1,000 copies per issue throughout Central Washington; it is available online as well.
Central Communication Agency
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.
CWU News
Music helped shape past and present for CWU alumna, staff member
August 3, 2026 by Rune Torgersen
CWU dancer follows her talent to the Seahawks Dancers
July 29, 2026 by David Leder