Join Georgia College Press Association for the 2024-25 academic year

We hope your school year has gotten off to a great start. Each fall is the time to join or renew your student media publication’s membership in Georgia College Press Association (GCPA).

GCPA’s annual Better Newspaper Contest is open for entries in late November, and winners are announced in February at the Press Institute, which features educational sessions for college newspaper staffers and advisers.

As you consider GCPA membership, please keep in mind the following benefits:

• GCPA Better Newspaper Contest (Rules will be available online, and contest will open in late November.)

• GPEF scholarship and internship opportunities

• Networking opportunities with peers and industry professionals

Georgia College Press Association Contest opens for entries on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

The Georgia College Press Association Better Newspaper Contest opens for entries on Nov. 20, and the deadline for entries is Monday, Dec. 6.

Please click here to download the contest rules: 2025 GCPA Online Contest Rules

Click here to go to the contest entry system.

Please contact Sean Ireland at [email protected] or 770-454-6776 with questions.

Interested in joining the Georgia College Press Association?

If your college newspaper or online publication is interested in joining GCPA, download this application: GCPA application. It can be returned to Sean Ireland at [email protected].

Georgia College Press Association allows young journalists, designers, advertising representatives and others interested in media at colleges and universities from across Georgia to network, learn and share ideas and work.

Check out the highlights of the 2024 Press Institute in Athens!

The GCPA Press Institute was Feb. 23 at the Russell Special Collections Library at the University of Georgia.

Speakers included Dr. Keith Herndon, Eric NeSmith of The Bitter Southerner, Niya Coleman of Flytedesk, Dave Williams of Capitol Beat and Greg Bluestein of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

There were 104 first-, second- and third-place awards given to college students recognizing journalistic excellence for work done in the spring and fall of 2023. The Red & Black at the University of Georgia was awarded first place in General Excellence. Campus Carrier of Berry College was recognized with the second-place General Excellence award and The Spectator of Valdosta State University won third place in General Excellence. To see the complete awards presentation, click here: GCPA BNC 2024 Website Version

A special thanks is given to the Press Institute sponsors:
• flytedesk and Director of Publisher Development Niya Coleman: lunch sponsor
• Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication: venue sponsor

We also want to thank The Red & Black, Charlotte Varnum and Kayla Renie and staff for hosting a pre-conference mixer on Thursday, Feb. 22, at the newspaper office in Athens.

Greg Bluestein of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Caleb Joiner of The Stallion, Anna Crusselle of Six Mile Post and Gabriel Kopp of The Cluster pose for a photo at Press Institute 2024.

Apply for scholarships from Georgia Press Educational Foundation

Students interested in newspaper journalism as a career can learn about scholarship and internship opportunities from Georgia Press Educational Foundation at www.gapress.org/georgia-press-educational-foundation/. Applications are due March 1.