University Daily Kansan and Kansan.com
Jayhawk Journalists
Much has changed in the 110-year history of the Kansan, but the main goals remain the same: inform and entertain the campus community while allowing journalism students to apply skills learned in the classroom and hone them in a real-world media environment. The Kansan is fertile learning ground for all J-School students, whether they are on the news or strategic communication track. Scores of graduates who work at leading newspapers, magazines, and broadcast outlets point to the Kansan as an invaluable training experience.
Awards and honors: In the years since it first hit the stands, the Kansan has consistently ranked as one of the best college newspapers in the country and has a history of winning prestigious awards. Recent awards and honors include:
- Best All-Around Non-daily Student Newspaper (SPJ Mark of Excellence): 2020
- General News Reporting, Rylie Koester (SPJ Mark of Excellence): 2020
- Hearst Enterprise Reporting, 7th, Nicole Asbury (Hearst Journalism Awards): 2019
- Hearst Enterprise Reporting, 12th, Corey Minkoff (Hearst Journalism Awards): 2019
- Online Pacemaker for Best College Media Website (Associated Collegiate Press): 2018
- Great Plains Student Newspaper of the Year (Great Plains Journalism Awards): 2018
- Best In-Depth Reporting (Region 7 Mark of Excellence, Society of Professional Journalists): 2018
- Best Breaking News Reporting (Region 7 Mark of Excellence, Society of Professional Journalists): 2018
- Hearst News Features, 16th (Hearst Journalism Awards): 2016
- Best Sports Story (Associated Collegiate Press): 2016
- Four-Year Public University Newspaper Gold Medalist (Kansas Collegiate Media): 2016
- Best Advertising Manager; Best Sales Strategy for a Special Section; Best Digital Sales Increase; Best Online Self-Promotion Ad; Best Online Display Ad; Best Special Section (College Media Business and Advertising Managers): 2016
- Best Sports Game Story (College Media Association): 2015-2016
- Best Brochure/Rate Card: (Associated Collegiate Press): 2014, 2016
- Online Pacemaker (Associated Collegiate Press): 2007-2013
- Best College Newspaper (College Media Business & Advertising Managers): 2011-2013
- Best Ad Staff (College Media Business & Advertising Managers): 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013
On-the-job experience: Nothing prepares you better for the career you want than learning on the job in college. The Kansan functions as any other professional, real-world news outlet. It has a digital-first strategy: On a 24-hour news cycle, student editors and reporters are constantly updating Kansan.com with as-it-happens news and sports. The staff is focused on in-depth investigative, features, sports and commentary and advertising.
FAQs for prospective students