The Collegian will host its first-ever Collegian Fest on April 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fresno State Memorial Gardens.
The free, superhero-themed event aims to connect students with the journalists behind campus coverage while highlighting opportunities within student media and the broader community.
Collegian Fest will feature student media organizations, including Fresno State Focus, Public Relations Student Society of America and Fresno State Radio, along with local businesses.
Attendees can explore tables from organizations such as Q97.1 Radio, Cutco, United Healthcare Workers, Family Tree Farms and Own A Car, offering resources, job opportunities and community connections.
Oliver Lopez, advertising and public relations manager for The Collegian, said the event was designed to expand awareness of student media while creating a space for engagement.
“We showcase, first of all, The Collegian, but we’re also going to be showcasing the MCJ supplements while also bringing in some local businesses and having them showcase their resources,” Lopez said.
The event will include live music, giveaways, merchandise, light snacks and a free photo booth with printed photos. A stamp card challenge will encourage attendees to visit different booths and enter a raffle.
Business representatives will be on site to share information about job opportunities, internships, products and services, giving students a chance to connect directly with employers and explore career paths.
During the outdoor event, The Collegian will host an open house, allowing students to tour the newsroom, meet editors and learn more about opportunities in writing, social media, multimedia and advertising.
Lopez said the event is also meant to help students discover career paths with The Collegian, or even pitch a story.
The idea for Collegian Fest was inspired by similar large-scale student media events at other universities and has been in development for over a year.
“This has been a long way coming,” Lopez said. “I’m excited for the event. I could see it growing.”
The Collegian organizers hope it will become an annual tradition that strengthens connections between student media, local businesses and the Fresno State community.
