The Southwestern College Sun has been named the best collegiate newspaper in North America by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), receiving the prestigious Gold Crown Award during a recent ceremony at Columbia University in New York City.
The CSPA evaluates student publications across the U.S. and Canada for excellence in reporting, writing, editing, design and production. The Sun was judged alongside top university and two-year college newspapers, based on its 2024 print issues.
“It is a 21st-century David versus Goliath story,” said Southwestern College journalism professor Dr. Max Branscomb. “More than that, though, it is a story of smart, hard-working student journalists from the South Bay community transcending expectations.”
The recognition marks a rare achievement for a community college, with the Gold Crown typically awarded to elite university journalism programs. The honor also completes a CSPA “grand slam” for Southwestern’s journalism program. Its El Sol Magazine won the Gold Crown in 2023, and The Sun’s website received the award in 2012.
Alexa Lima, the Sun’s Editor-in-Chief, described the recognition from the CSPA is an exciting and meaningful honor for the team.
“We have the most diverse staff in the nation and that diversity gives us strength,” she added. “Our staff comes from many cultures and speaks many languages. That gives us the power to speak to the people from all over the world who have settled here. We can tell the stories other media outlets can’t.”
Despite limited funding and a single faculty advisor, Southwestern’s journalism competes against larger, better-funded programs with multiple advisors and support staff.
“We punch above our weight class,” Branscomb said. “We have to work hard and use our resources well. We are fortunate to be here in southwest San Diego County where so many fascinating people do so many interesting things.”
Additionally, The Sun was named 2024-25 national champion by the National Newspaper Association as well as state champion by the Society of Professional Journalists and California Newspaper Publishers Association.
“The Sun’s editorial leaders have often been women from underrepresented communities. I am proud to follow Pernisha Gaines, a Black woman, Latinas Julia Woock and Nicolette Luna, Camila Gonzalez, a Native American, and Emily Ingco, a Filipina,” said Lima.
“We don’t see women like us in news media leadership positions very often. It is so rewarding for us to represent our communities on the national and international stage.”
