Journalism & Public Relations

Our Mission

Preparing Chico State students to be ethical, knowledgeable, responsible, versatile and engaged communicators.

What we teach

  • Critical, creative and independent thinking.
  • Professional standards and ethical practice of journalism and public relations.
  • Leadership.
  • Working with and conveying information to diverse communities.
  • Appreciation for the history, purpose and relevance of the First Amendment and media law, including privacy, libel, copyright, intellectual property and freedom of information.
  • Creating audience-appropriate content by conducting research via digital channels, interviewing, fact checking, writing across multiple platforms and engaging audiences with visual tools.
  • The evolution of digital information and media technologies.
  • Journalistic style, grammar and spelling, while editing with accuracy and consistency.
  • Numeracy.
  • Working in multidisciplinary teams to professionally package and transmit information via current and emerging technologies.
  • Please see our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan (PDF) for more details. 

Our Diversity Statement 

The Department of Journalism and Public Relations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the rich tapestry of our community, state and society. We believe that diversity in viewpoints leads to more accurate and meaningful storytelling, and we work to build a space where every voice is valued and heard. Our commitment to inclusion goes beyond the classroom, connecting deeply with our academic, creative and community activities.

Aligned with Chico State’s strategic priorities and the standards of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC), we are dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces diverse perspectives, freedom of expression, and mutual respect. We empower people by respecting and valuing what makes each of us unique – a principle especially important as we prepare students to enter a profession where diverse voices strengthen democracy and enrich public discourse.

By prioritizing inclusivity in our curriculum, practices, and community engagement, we aim to create a more equitable media landscape that empowers all voices. Our classrooms reflect the contributions and theories of diverse voices in the field, and we provide hands-on opportunities for students to report on the interests of diverse communities and develop strategic communication content for a range of clients and organizations.

Guided by Chico State’s mission to expand access to higher education, we focus on building a student-centered experience that promotes belonging, well-being and opportunity for everyone. We actively seek to represent a spectrum of perspectives and experiences that make our learning environment both innovative and supportive.

With these goals in mind, we are committed to advancing initiatives that serve our diverse communities and meet the needs of our students, while respecting each person’s background, expertise and worldview.