Montclair Students Win ‘College Emmy’ for Fourth Year at 45th College Television Awards With San Francisco: On the Edge

Montclair’s College of Communication and Media (CCOM) students took the stage for college television’s biggest night, earning top honors at the Television Academy Foundation’s 45th College Television Awards on March 28, 2026, in North Hollywood, California.

The student-produced multimedia production, San Francisco: On the Edge, received the College Television Award in the News category, highlighting CCOM’s continued excellence in journalism and storytelling. 

Open to undergraduate and graduate students nationwide, the College Television Awards are regarded as one of the industry’s most distinguished stepping stones for careers in television and media. Entries are judged by Television Academy members using the same rigorous process and standards of excellence as the Emmy® Awards. 

Sixteen students traveled to San Francisco to report on urgent issues affecting the city, including the fentanyl crisis, LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness and climate change’s impact on local fishing communities. Reporting took them from the city streets to the waterfront, where they interviewed residents, volunteers and workers confronting these challenges.

Senior Film and Television major Andrew Cooper described the moment his team heard their name announced for San Francisco: On The Edge.

“Being up there with my peers, colleagues and friends was surreal. I am beyond thankful to the faculty, friends and family that have led me to this moment. I believe this experience is just a small step in my early career and I look forward to seeing where that journey takes me.”

“I am thrilled that these students from the On The Road course won this very distinguished national award,” said Professor Steve McCarthy, who led and mentored the students in the course. “It means that these students have achieved excellence and it will be something they will take with them the rest of their careers and lives. It’s also a testament to the strong journalism program the CCOM faculty and staff have built. Journalism is needed now more than ever.”

The award adds to Montclair’s growing list of accomplishments at the College Television Awards. In 2025, students won two awards for Arizona Stories: Border, Water and Politics, earning both Best in News and the prestigious Seymour Bricker Humanitarian Award. Previous award-winning projects also include Mission to Puerto Rico (2018) and New Orleans | Raging Storms (2023).

For senior Film and Television major Sophia Lazaridis, the recognition marked a defining highlight in her time at Montclair State University.

“Being recognized for San Francisco: On the Edge and FOCUS: Our Mental Health has been an extraordinary honor and a defining highlight of my college career,” said Lazaridis. “Having both productions nominated together reflects the hard work, dedication and, most importantly, the meaningful relationships I’ve built. Each team holds a very special place in my heart.”

Watch Video: Alum Sean Thrun accepts award on behalf of Montclair students. 

In addition to the winning project, Montclair students also earned a nomination in the News category for FOCUS: Our Mental Health, showcasing the depth of student-produced journalism across the program.

The 30-minute special from Montclair’s Focus team explored practical approaches to mental wellness, including music, physical activity and mindful eating. The program examined how Gen Z is addressing mental health on campus while highlighting resources available to students seeking support. The episode premiered on Montclair’s streaming platform, Hawk+, on April 23, 2025.

In addition to the awards ceremony, students participated in two days of professional development events with media and industry leaders and attended a special screening of their projects for Television Academy members.

“Through hands-on, immersive journalism, these students connected with sources, tackled complex issues and crafted compelling narratives,” said Dr. Keith Strudler, Dean of the College of Communication and Media. “Their talent, dedication and storytelling reflect the heart of our program and the bright future of our College.”

The team behind San Francisco: On the Edge –

Directors: Isabelle Conklin, Andrew Cooper, Victoria Smith, Sean Thrun

Producers: Emily Chavarria, Shannon Daly, Nino DeNino, Peter Guziejewski, Bryan Jaimes, Brandon Lang, Sophia Lazaridis, Dani Mazariegos, Ivana Ragusa

Writers: Adam Acoff, Jennifer A. Sanchez, Julia Slevin

The team behind FOCUS: Our Mental Health –

Directors: Santiago Calle Cifuentes, Sophia Lazaridis, Luciana Martinez, Dani Mazariegos, Ava Scott

Producers: Isabella Alvarez, Isabelle Conklin, Andrew Cooper, Monique Dzaba, Nicole Passero, Michal Pitynski, Victoria Smith, Rashmika Vinakota

Writers: Heidy Carranza Alvarado, Giuliana DeGrazio, Peter Guziejewski, Thomas Johnson

Media Contact: Keith Green, greenk@montclair.edu 973-655-3701

Written by, Kaya Maciak

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About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in  New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.