The Institute for California Community News launched in 2025 to enable university-led reporting programs throughout the California State University system that partner with local news organizations to empower students with real-world learning experiences in multi-media storytelling and communications.
The institute is a hub for students and faculty of the CSU system who are producing news in partnership with local media outlets as part of their course curriculum.
Student Reporting Programs
California State University-Fullerton
California State University-Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University
Leadership
Gina Baleria, Interim Coordinator
Gina Baleria, EdD, is an assistant professor at Sonoma State University who teaches journalism, media writing, radio and podcasting and digital media. She is also the host and producer of the News in Context podcast, which airs on 102.5 KSFP in San Francisco and online.
Read Gina Baleria’s full profile
Email: baleria@sonoma.edu
National Affiliate
If you’d like to learn more about the national program, please fill out this short interest form or contact Center for Community News Director Richard Watts.
Richard Watts, Director of Center for Community News
Email: rwatts@uvm.edu
Advisory Committee
Jesse Garnier
San Francisco State University
jgarnier@sfsu.edu
Patrick Howe
California Polytechnic State University
pchowe@calpoly.edu
Julie Patel Liss
California State University-Los Angeles
jliss@calstatela.edu
Gretchen Macchiarella
California State University-Northridge
gmacchiarella@csun.edu
Jason Shepard
California State University-Fullerton
jshepard@fullerton.edu
