Montclair CCOM Students Win Two Folio Awards, Marking Fifth Year of Recognition

Students in Montclair State University’s College of Communication and Media (CCOM) won two Folio Awards on June 11, marking the fifth year Montclair students have earned recognition from the Fair Media Council. 

The Folio Awards recognize outstanding work in news and social media and are considered among the industry’s most respected honors. This year, Montclair students received awards in the Best Visual and Multimedia Storytelling and Best Talk Show/Magazine categories. 

Montclair students won in the following categories:

Best Visual & Multimedia Storytelling: Social Media & Campaigning

Part of the College’s coverage of the 2025 elections, the project explored the growing role of social media in political campaigns.

Produced By: Andrew Cooper, Producer; Luciana Martinez, Producer.

Best Talk Show/Magazine (Student): San Francisco: On the Edge

In this special edition of Montclair NewsLab, a team of 16 New Jersey students traveled to San Francisco to report on critical issues impacting the city, including the fentanyl crisis, LGBTQ+ rights and homelessness.

The student-produced multimedia project previously earned a College Television Award in the News category, further highlighting CCOM’s continued excellence in journalism and storytelling.

Produced/Written By: Izzy Conklin, Senior Producer; Andrew Cooper, Senior Producer; Victoria Smith, Senior Producer; Sean Thrunk, Senior Producer; Adam Acoff, Writer; Emily Chavarria, Writer; Shannon Daly, Producer; Nino DeNino, Producer; Peter Guziejewski, Producer; Bryan Jaimes, Producer; Brandon Lang, Producer; Sophia Lazaridis, Producer; Dani Mazariegos, Producer; Ivana Ragusa, Producer; Jennifer Sanchez, Producer; Julia Slevin, Producer.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized with a Folio Award, but what makes this moment even more special is sharing it with such talented peers,” Martinez said. “This isn’t just an award, it’s a proof of the hard work we each poured into our stories and a sign that we’re moving in the right direction as the next generation of journalists. CCOM’s support has given students like us the platform and the tools to tell stories that matter.”

“These projects emphasize the importance of human-centered storytelling that resonates with people all over the country,” Cooper said. “Whether it’s on a national or local level, journalism is about building connection and empathy. I think we did just that. I am so grateful to have collaborated with an amazing group of storytellers. It would not be possible without the support and guidance of CCOM’s amazing faculty.”

Montclair’s News Lab coordinator Prof. Mark Effron said, “Winning an award like a Folio Award means that our students’ journalism content is being judged by respected professionals at the highest level as best in class. It’s a high-water mark for our students and another indicator that the College of Communication and Media at Montclair is among an elite group of media and communications programs nationally. These students all put in the work, and the media industries are taking notice.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of these students receiving these prestigious awards,” said Prof. Steve McCarthy. “It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication. It also recognizes that the College of Communication and Media is committed to helping students create award winning journalism and media projects.”

The Folio Awards recognize quality journalism at the hyperlocal, regional and national levels and are considered among the industry’s most respected honors. The awards are presented by the Fair Media Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for quality news and media literacy.

Montclair students have earned Folio Awards every year since 2021, receiving recognition for work spanning news, culture, public affairs and multimedia storytelling. 

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Prospective Students and Parents: Plan your visit and take your first step in applying to become a Red Hawk. Learn more about our seven undergraduate programs including Journalism and Digital Media major at the College of Communication and Media.

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.