ABOUT MCSJ

The Maine Center for Student Journalism has served the schools and journalists of Maine since 1993. Located at The University of Maine in the Department of Communication and Journalism, the Center coordinates opportunities for students in Maine schools to learn about the technique, craft and profession of journalism through annual high school journalism conferences and newspaper contests.

The center was created to provide students with an opportunity to work with, speak to and learn from professionals in the field of journalism. Through speakers bureaus, annual student journalism conferences and regional roundtables, students and their advisers learn valuable skills to improve their newspapers while also improving themselves.

The Maine Center for Student Journalism is supported through financial assistance of the Maine Daily Newspaper Association and the Department of Communication and Journalism at The University of Maine.

FAQs:


Who does MCSJ benefit?
Why does MCSJ exist?
How does MCSJ help students?
How is MCSJ funded?
Where and how do I contact MCSJ?
Who operates MCSJ?
What about UMaine's program?


WHO DOES MCSJ BENEFIT?

MCSJ benefits newspaper staffs, their advisers, their schools, their communities and ultimately the quality of their newspapers. Students who attend the yearly student journalism conference have a chance to interact with professionals and college journalists, observe how other student journalists handle situations and stories, and students can compete in the annual newspaper contest.

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WHY DOES MCSJ EXIST?

MCSJ exists to help foster the teaching and practice of journalism in Maine high schools. But MCSJ also exists to provide assistance and education to high school students about the importance of journalism. Research has shown that students who are involved in journalism programs or literary pursuits are often high achievers. By helping them learn more about print journalism, we help them learn to be self-confident and independent while at the same time encouraging literacy.

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HOW DOES MCSJ HELP STUDENTS?

MCSJ helps students by providing outlets like the annual journalism conference, regional roundtables, speakers bureaus and information about journalism as well as contacts for advisers. In addition, the center maintains a database of schools in Maine as well as those schools with journalism programs or student newspapers. The center also maintains a list of the Student Press in Maine.

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HOW IS MCSJ FUNDED?

MCSJ is funded by the Maine Daily Newspaper Publishers Association and the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Maine.

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WHERE AND HOW DO I CONTACT MCSJ?

MCSJ is located on the fourth floor in Dunn Hall at the University of Maine. You can reach Shannon E. Martin, director of MCSJ, at (207) 581-1281 or you can call the MCSJ office at (207) 581-1939. Send mail to MCSJ at 5724 Dunn Hall, Orono, Maine 04469-5724.

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WHO OPERATES MCSJ?

Shannon E. Martin, professor at the University of Maine, is the current director. Kathryn Olmstead, founding director of MCSJ, is the editor of Echoes Magazine.

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WHAT ABOUT UMAINE'S PROGRAM?

UMaine's Department of Communication and Journalism offers college students the ability to study not only print journalism but also broadcasting, mass communication and advertising. Bachelors degrees in Mass Communication, Communication and Journalism are all available through the department.

For practical experience, UMaine has a student-run radio station, 91.9 FM WMEB, the student-run television station, MaineChannel and a student-run newspaper, The Maine Campus (www.mainecampus.com). The radio station, cable station and newspaper allow students to gain first-hand experience and production clips for use in job hunting.

Students can also study New Media at UMaine. The New Media lab and ASAP Media Services offer students practical on-campus experience. New Media classes often complement journalism and communication classes.