Awards Committee

Committee Charge

• Review current awards structure and recommend areas where changes are needed with the intention of streamlining the process to reduce barriers to entry
• Identify and recruit awards judges that represent a wide range of perspectives
• Conduct outreach to actively seek and solicit nominations for awards to ensure outstanding entries from a variety of entrants
• Present the nominees for the Editor of the Year, the Leo C. Lee Award, and New Voices Award to the Board
• Plan and carry out the awards recognition

Committee Nature: The work repeats annually, but the program never stands still. Participant feedback, entry data, and judge evaluations drive continuous improvement — each year building on lessons learned to enhance accessibility, fairness, and impact.

Current Goals

DEI Strategic Priorities

• Making the awards competition more accessible:

  • Lower costs for student entries
  • Create direct entry pathways for anyone to enter
  • Promote through Handshake and Center for Community News for students
• Process Transparency: Develop judging rubrics and provide meaningful feedback to all entrants
• Outreach: Target early-career journalists and student-heavy stations

Revenue Impact: The annual awards competition generates approximately $100k gross annually through entry fees, but is facing pressure from rising operational costs.

Awards Calendar

Note: The calendar below is subject to change as 2026 plans evolve.