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CCN–Project Pericles
2027 Faculty Champion Program

The Center for Community News (CCN) and Project Pericles are partnering to launch a new initiative that helps faculty build community-engaged student journalism into their teaching.

Selected faculty will join a national cohort of CCN–Project Pericles Faculty Champions connecting student learning, community engagement, and local news.

Through this program, faculty at Project Pericles campuses will work with CCN to create or expand curricular and co-curricular opportunities that:

  • Support students in producing high-quality local news
  • Strengthen partnerships between campuses and local media outlets
  • Connect student reporting to the civic life of their communities 

Who Should Apply

Open to faculty from campuses that are part of the Project Pericles network or have participated in Project Pericles programming (e.g., you previously received a mini-grant). No journalism background is needed. Each application should come from faculty member or campus instructional staff with interest in:

  • Integrating community-engaged projects into courses
  • Journalism, communication, media studies, public affairs, and/or related fields

Applicant should demonstrate:

  • Commitment to community engagement and civic learning
  • Interest in supporting student-produced news that serves local or regional communities
Access the Application (Due Nov 1)

About the Cohort

The program runs Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2027. Each selected faculty member receives:

  • Financial Support: $1,000 to support time and effort in developing and implementing the project
  • Mentorship and cohort learning: Access to a mentor with experience in both higher education and local news and participation in cohort meetings, guidance from CCN’s journalism team, peer learning, and problem-solving sessions
  • Visibility and dissemination: Potential participation in additional CCN and Project Pericles communications, publications or events

Timeline

  • Application deadline: Nov. 1, 2026, 5PM
  • Decisions Announced: Mid to Late November 2026 
  • Program period: Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2027

Contact

Expectations of Participating Faculty

Selected faculty will be expected to:

  1. Design and implement a project that:
    • Engages students in producing local news or public-interest content
    • Collaborates with a local media outlet when possible
    • Integrates community journalism activities into coursework, independent study, or co-curricular projects
  2. Participate actively in the cohort, including:
    • Virtual orientation and check-in meetings
    • Ongoing communication with CCN and Project Pericles staff and mentors
  3. Document outcomes, such as:
    • Student-produced stories or content
    • Evidence of community partnerships
    • Reflections on challenges, successes and sustainability