Journalism
Benjamin Ortiz
Assistant Professor & Newspaper Adviser
Truman journalism classes provide a good springboard for a variety of careers that value critical investigation and research, effective communication, and good writing.
The Uptown Exchange, Truman’s student newspaper, started in Fall 2004. By Spring 2007 the organization had acquired funding, facilities and faculty training through professional conferences; it now produces three to four issues per semester with a student staff of 20 to 30.
Any registered student at any level of the college is free to participate on the paper in an extra-curricular capacity. No experience is required – students can also register for English 150 (“College Newspaper”) to earn one credit per semester working on the paper (for up to four credits total).
The Uptown Exchange has garnered awards at the Illinois Community College Journalism Association competitions, including best news story and best arts story designations. Student staff members have traveled to Manhattan to represent Truman College at the College Media Advisers Spring Conference.
