Vibrant. Vital. Invigorating and lively.
Hone your journalistic skills in a community where important things happen, where diverse groups gather, where serious thought and lively conversation spills out of classrooms into outdoor cafes in year-round sunshine.
UC Berkeley is one of the greatest public universities in the world, a center of innovation and a destination for thought leaders in politics, science, the arts – all areas of human achievement.
Nestled in the Bay Area within hailing distance of Silicon Valley’s technological mecca and Napa Valley’s legendary vineyards, we’re a comfortable commute from San Francisco and a quick drive from the scenic Sierras and spectacular ocean vistas of Big Sur and Point Reyes. And the city of Berkeley is home to a world-class array of cultural activity.
And did we mention the year-round temperate weather?
It’s an ideal location for an engaged, diverse community who intend to shape the future.
Student Life
Diversity
Diversity makes every community stronger. This is particularly true of a curious, inquisitive group like journalists – the more you discover, the more you engage with alternate points of view, the richer the story you ultimately tell.
Berkeley Journalism has an unwavering commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
We support diversity financially as well – we’ve teamed with donors to cover travel expenses to our Fall Open House and Spring Welcome Visits for under-represented minority (URM) students.
In addition, we host many organizations that support diversity in the journalism community, including those listed below. To find out more about these organizations and our connection to them, please contact the students listed with each group.
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
The AAJA is committed to “advancing diversity in newsrooms, and ensuring fair and accurate coverage of communities of color.” Berkeley is home to a chapter of the AAJA.
Contact:
Isabella Bloom
isabella_bloom@berkeley.edu
Jocelyn Tabancay
jocelyn_tabancay@berkeley.edu
Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA)
Working within the news media to advance fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ communities and issues, the NLGJA provides education, professional development and mentoring. Berkeley is home to a chapter of the NLGJA.
Contact:
Dallin Mello
dallinjmello@berkeley.edu
Disabled Journalists Association (DMAP)
JA-MENA
JA-MENA is a Berkeley student group that is dedicated to establishing open dialogue and discussion where journalists, academics and students, regardless of identity, can discuss and debate issues pertaining to the Middle East and North Africa regions.
Contacts:
Sabrina Kharrazi
sabrinakharrazi@berkeley.edu
J-Care Bears
Mental Health Alliance (MHA)
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
According to its Constitution, the NABJ is “striving for credible journalism that comprehensively portrays the voices and experiences of African Americans and people from the black diaspora.” Berkeley is home to a student chapter of the NABJ.
Contact:
Nahima Shaffer
anderichards@berkeley.edu
Nahima Shaffer
nahimashaffer@berkeley.edu
National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
Created in 1984 to provide “a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists,” the NAHJ is “dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry.” Berkeley is home to a chapter of the NAHJ.
Contact:
Lesley Torres
leslecosme@berkeley.edu
Treasurer:
Mathew Miranda
mathewmiranda@berkeley.edu
South Asian Journalist Association (SAJA)
Leadership Opportunities
The Leadership Committee (TLC)
Chosen by students through elections, these student leaders plan and implement events, represent the student body in discussions with the administration and faculty, host visiting guests, and raise and foster dialogue about important school issues.
Women in Media (WIM)
Founded by students wishing to engage in discussions about their experiences, insights and aspirations, WIM also hosts events such as “Safety in the Field and Sexism on the Set” and self-defense classes in conjunction with the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) system.
Contacts:
Ley Heimgartner
leyheimgartner@berkeley.edu
Sasha Hupka
sasha.hupka@berkeley.edu
J-Peers
J-Peers are students who provide the school with essential support on various fronts. They are mentors, innovators, and change makers. They exhibit leadership abilities, high levels of engagement and enthusiasm. They help make this place run!
Admissions
Carly Olson
Melissa Perez Winder
Career Development
Katie Rodriguez
Dallin Mello
Communication
Megan Bergeron
International, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Maria Bernal
Bella Fertel
Peiyun Jiang
Kenneth Kipruto
Corey Rose
Events & Bloomberg Diversity Program
Sabrina Kharrazi
Entrepreneurial Journalism Association (EJA)
Entrepreneurial Journalism Association (EJA) is a UC Berkeley student organization that promotes innovation in the field of journalism and supports students to develop new storytelling tools, platforms, and mediums. EJA's mission is to connect student journalists to collaborative networks for innovation and to venture opportunities for funding.
Contacts:
Manish Khanal
manish.khanal@berkeley.edu
Elizabeth Moss
egmoss@berkeley.edu
Ari Sen
ari_sen@berkeley.edu
Brittany Zendejas
brittany_zendejas@berkeley.edu
Cross Campus Experiences
As one of the leading public universities in the world, UC Berkeley is home to several leading professional schools in addition to the J-School. Students can pursue degrees that combine J-School coursework with programs at other schools, including the School of Law and the School of Public Health.
Human Rights Center
The Human Rights Center at the UC Berkeley School of Law conducts research on war crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. The Center trains students and advocates how to research, investigate, and document human rights violations and turn this information into effective action, guided by the need to listen to and support survivors, test innovative ideas, draw from multiple disciplines, use rigorous methods and collaborate.
School of Public Health
Students can combine interests in public health, journalism, communications and media with a three-year MPH/MJ program, designed to give journalists the training and knowledge needed to cover public health and medical issues. You can choose from four public health concentrations available: environmental health, infectious diseases, epidemiology/biostatistics, and health and social behavior.