Emily Wilson, recipient of the 2024 JPMorganChase Student Journalism Honor, is a Cal State
Fullerton student graduating in May 2025 with a degree in Communications and a concentration in
Journalism. Wilson has deep roots in journalism. She currently serves as the editor-in-chief at the
Daily Titan, CSUF’s student-run media organization. In addition, she reports for Orange County’s
non-profit newsroom, the Voice of OC. Wilson also was part of the College of Communications 2024
Study Abroad program, where she covered the Paris Olympics.
Wilson started her journey in journalism during her freshman year at Fremont High School in
Sunnyvale, California. Initially, she chose to take a journalism class simply because she thought
the teacher looked interesting—she had purple hair and an Irish accent, which was intriguing.
Before that, she had always enjoyed writing, but she didn't find much joy in reading lengthy texts
or analyzing them. Wilson essentially stumbled into journalism and found that she couldn't stop
pursuing it.
At Fremont High School, Wilson had several opportunities to immerse herself in journalism. She
began as a staff writer for the student newspaper and eventually became the sports editor for two
years. During the summer of 2020, Wilson was encouraged by her high school editor-in-chief to apply
to UC Berkeley’s Daily Californian. She was able to serve as a sports reporter for the Daily
Californian for two summers. Wilson then took on the role of editor-in-chief of her high school
newspaper, which solidified her passion for journalism.
What Wilson loves about journalism is that it never feels like work to her. It’s something she
genuinely enjoys doing and finds fulfilling. She is eager to become a professional reporter so that
she will be able to explore different stories every day, meet new people, and learn continuously.
Wilson feels that each day brings something fresh and new, and she thrives on the variety. She
believes that journalism is more than just writing; it’s about understanding people, conveying
their stories, and contributing meaningfully to society. This curiosity and passion for
storytelling are what drive her.
One of the most eye-opening experiences Wilson has experienced was realizing the intensity of the
industry and the importance of resilience. Early in her role at the Daily Titan, she encountered a
managing editor who was quite tough on her. She remembers feeling overwhelmed as an 18-year-old
just starting out, trying to navigate the complexities of the field. There was a moment during her
first production day when she had edited a story that the sports editor had written. The managing
editor pulled both of them aside and expressed dissatisfaction with the piece.
At first, Wilson was surprised by his bluntness. It was a new experience for her. However, as he
explained what was wrong with the story and how they could improve it, she began to understand the
value of constructive criticism. This was a pivotal moment for Wilson; it taught her that in
journalism, feedback is not personal but rather a crucial part of the learning process.
Throughout her various roles, including sports editor and news editor, she learned not to take
criticism to heart and instead view it as an opportunity for growth. This experience has been a
consistent theme throughout her time at the Daily Titan. She has come to appreciate that the
industry demands a thick skin and a willingness to learnfrom every encounter, even the difficult
ones. It’s about understanding that those who are in charge are there for a reason, and sometimes
their tough love can lead to significant improvements in the work. This lesson has prepared her
for the realities of the journalism field – especially when in the trenches of local journalism.
Local journalism plays an incredibly vital role within communities, and Wilson believes it is more
important now more than ever. The term 'news deserts' refers to areas where there is little to no
local news coverage, which can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in local
governance. Many communities lack the resources to stay informed, and as a result, people may not
have access to critical information that affects their lives. City governments, colleges, and other
institutions often do not make it easy for the public to find objective information.
This is where journalism comes in as a public service. It acts as a bridge to help people
understand what's happening in their communities. For example, Wilson wrote a story about ASI's
spring concert where the artist Quavo didn’t show up. She made a public records request for the
contract details, which included how much they were going to pay him—$120,000. This can be an
example of how the Daily Titan serves as a watchdog for CSUF leaders, holding them accountable for
their promises and actions.
“We have a responsibility to report on what happens within our university and ensure that students
are informed about decisions that may impact their education and campus life. In this way, I hope
to contribute to the impact of local journalism by providing accurate, timely information that
empowers students and the community to engage with their local governance and advocate for their
needs,” Wilson said.
One of the challenges of working in student media that Wilson brought up is the frequent turnover
and not always being aware of the “why” behind leaders’ decisions. An idea that Wilson brought up
when asked is creating a CSU-wide coalition of student journalists. This initiative could serve as
a centralized database that tracks stories and issues across different campuses, allowing student
journalists to collaborate and share insights. This would not only help in holding CSU management
accountable but also provide a richer context for the stories that are covered.
By establishing a similar project at the CSU level, student journalists could enhance their
reporting capabilities and ensure that they are not just covering stories in isolation but also
building on each other’s work and experiences. This could lead to more comprehensive reporting and
a stronger voice for student journalists. The impact of such a project would be significant—it would
foster a sense of collaboration among student journalists, improve accountability within the CSU
system, and ultimately serve the interests of the student body more effectively.
One of the most memorable stories that Wilson encountered was an editorial from the Daily Titan
staff written approximately ten years ago, which called out the CSUF administration for a lack of
transparency. The editorial highlighted issues with the university's strategic communications
department, where the point of contact for reporters was unresponsive and often provided
information on background, which meant it couldn’t be used in reporting.
This editorial was impactful because it underscored the importance of student journalism in holding
institutions accountable. It made her realize that the fight for transparency and accountability is
a long-standing tradition within the university's journalism history. The fact that student journalists
a decade ago cared as deeply about these issues as Wilson’s modern-day counterparts was inspiring.
It reinforced her belief that journalism is not about reporting the news; it’s about providing a
service for the community and ensuring that the voices of the students are heard. As Daily Titan’s
editor-in-chief, Wilson feels a responsibility to uphold the standards set by those who came before
her and to continue the fight for transparency
and accountability within the university.
