Department of Journalism 2026-2027
City College’s award-winning students
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The hands-on experience I gained at The Guardsman has given me a career path I didn't know existed. — John R. Adkins, Editorin-Chief of The Guardsman
Journalism Department students showcase their winning ways from a recent Journalism Association of Community Colleges conference. Photos by Franchon Smith.
What our students have to say about why they joined the journalism department Wanting to pursue something that feels more aligned with my place in San Francisco, City College's journalism department and The Guardsman made it happen.
Marrion Cruz
City College's journalism program caught my eye in terms of the amount of knowledge and experience I could gain from the classes and the ability to gain a first-hand perspective on what it takes to produce a newspaper.
Henry Crowell
I decided to take a journalism class at City College because I am passionate about the subject and I am pursuing a career in photojournalism. I am continuing next semester, and I am excited about taking new courses.
Gibson Cain
Journalistic writing has always been my favorite form to express myself. I enjoy City College journalism because it challenges me to improve my writing, critical thinking and creativity.
Karla Lopes
Courses in the journalism department teach important skills on how to cover stories — a skill that would help in any field, especially one that involves speaking to the public about matters occurring in their communities.
David Orellana
I always wanted to be a writer, but the Journalism Department here showed me that it was possible to learn the skills to enter the field as a reporter. This program has enabled me with the confidence to take the next step and provide value to my community.
Gaining handson experience and working with The Guardsman is a great privilege for me and an important step in my professional growth.
Ahmad Aimaq
City College's journalism program is intimate, skillful and exciting, and I feel like I've gained new knowledge because of it.
Raeghan Green
John Adkins
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3 Frequent questions 3 Student awards
3 About the faculty 3 Mentoring program
3 Upcoming courses 3 Notable graduates
Journalism Department
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Students win top honors for reporting and photography City College’s student publications The Guardsman and Etc Magazine have won awards over the years through numerous journalism conferences. Regional conferences in the fall are hosted by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) while national conventions in the Spring are hosted by the California College Media Association (CCMA) and Associated Collegiate Press (ACP). Join The Guardsman or Etc Magazine by emailing: Juan Gonzales at jagonzal@ccsf.edu
Students took home 18 on-the-spot and mail-in awards at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges' regional conference held at San Jose State University on Oct. 15, 2025. Photo by Jesse Garnier.
Journalism Association of Community Colleges awards THE GUARDSMAN JACC Pacesetter Award 2019 2014 2017 2009 2015 2005 JACC General Excellence 2024 2010 2022 2009 2021 2008 2020 2006 2019 2005 2018 2003 2014 2001 2013 2000 2012 1999 2011 1998 NorCal General Excellence 2021 2020 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2008
2007 2006 2005 2004 2000 1998 1997 1996
THE GUARDSMAN ONLINE
ETC MAGAZINE
www.TheGuardsman.com
JACC General Excellence 2024 2013 2022 2011 2021 2010 2020 2009 2019 2008 2018 2007 2017 2006 2015 2005 2014 2001
JACC Online General Excellence 2021 2020 2018 2017 2015
2014 2011 2005 2003 1999
NorCal Online General Excellence 2022 2021 2020 2018 2015 2014
2012 2010 2008 2004 1998 1996
Frequently asked questions about the journalism program What is so special about City College’s journalism program? Our program offers a state-of-the-art computer lab, two award-winning publications, instructors who are working journalists, a coaching program for students, internship opportunities and a curriculum that keeps pace with the changing needs of today’s newsroom. Does the journalism program offer transferable courses? Yes. Four courses in our program are transferable to four-year institutions. The three courses are Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media), Journalism 21 (News Writing and Reporting), Journalism 35 (Data Journalism) and Journalism 37 (Introduction to Photojournalism). Do any of the courses in the department fulfill general education requirements? Yes. Journalism 19 (Contemporary News Media) meets the GE requirement in humanities.
Can I get a degree or certificate in your program? Yes. The department offers an AA degree in journalism that takes about two years to complete and leads to transferring to a four-year college. A Certificate of Award in Journalism and Photojournalism is also available for those students wishing to gain journalistic skills for possible employment within an 18-month period. If I complete two years of study in your program and want to transfer to a four-year college, is that possible? Yes. It is possible to transfer to a fouryear institution. We offer an Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) degree. Students in our program have enrolled at San Francisco State University, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, and UC Santa Cruz, to name a few. Will I encounter any problems enrolling in one of your courses? No. Enrollment in our department is
easy. Class size averages about 20 students per class, which allows for plenty of opportunities to interact with teachers, advisers and fellow students. What kinds of jobs can I qualify for once I complete your program? The program prepares students for entry-level positions in news writing, copy editing, photography, and newspaper design and pagination. Does the department offer any scholarships? Yes. The department has a $100 scholarship for continuing students. The application deadline is April 1. The department also makes available information on journalism scholarships offered by local and statewide organizations. Are internships available to students in the program? Yes. The department has working relations with numerous neighborhood newspapers and some alternative
publications in the area. Instructors in our department also have connections with the two dailies: the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Examiner. Are there any other resources offered through the department? Yes. The department sponsors a mentoring program, a student press club, a media career fair, and a “Brown Bag” lecture series. It also has an extensive library of media related books and videos. If I need to talk to a journalism advisor is there someone I should see? Yes. You can contact Department Chair Juan Gonzales, who has been with the program since 1985. Call (415) 5174426 or (415) 239-3446. The Guardsman campus newspaper is available online at: www.TheGuardsman.com Etc. campus magazine is available online at: www.issuu.com/etc.mag
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Journalism Department
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Journalists share their skills and experience with students
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ith a career in journalism dating back to 1970 as a reporter and publisher, City College journalism department Chair Juan Gonzales draws upon his varied professional experiences to instruct his students. As the founder and editor of El Tecolote, a biweekly, bilingual newspaper published since 1970 in San Francisco’s Mission District, he continues to cover the issues that affect the neighborhood. Gonzales was honored in April 2011 with a Lifetime Achievement Award inJournalism Education by the California Journalism Education Coalition. Currently, Gonzales is project director of “Voices for Justice: The Enduring Legacy of the Latino Press in the United States.” The project documents 200 years of Latino journalism
Alexander Mullaney
Juan Gonzales
Juan Gonzales, Instructor and Department Chair
through film, a companion book and an interactive website. In 2020, El Tecolote turned 50 and became one of the longest living bilingual newspapers in the nation. The four color, 12-page newspaper is also published online
Need to get in touch with us? Call us at: Ocean Campus 415-239-3000 Mission Center 415-920-6000 Juan Gonzales 415-517-4426 415-239-3446
Alexander Mullaney, Instructor
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lexander Mullaney is a San Francisco-based reporter, community news publisher and journalism instructor. He holds an associate degree in journalism from City College of San Francisco where he was the editor-in-chief of student run newspaper The Guardsman, a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University and a Master’s of Journalism from UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism where his studies focused on investigative reporting. Alex founded The Ingleside Light in 2008 and has been pioneering a new business model for purely digital San Francisco community news since 2020.
As an instructor in the CCSF journalism department, Alex has taught Feature Writing, Data & Multimedia Journalism, and Investigative Reporting. Alex oversees the department’s fellowships that is a collaboration with CalHumanities. He also works with the department chair in upgrading and developing new certificates and new courses, like an online course in mass communications.
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Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. He was also honored by KQED-TV as an “Unsung Hero” in the Latino community. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom also recognized Gonzales as a Latino media leader during Hispanic Heritage Month in September. Gonzales serves as advisor to the campus newspaper, The Guardsman. Gonzales possesses an associate degree in journalism from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in mass communications from Stanford University. He worked as a reporter for the San Francisco bureaus of the United Press International and the Associated Press.
Molly Oleson
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olly Oleson is a print and multimedia journalist, editor, photographer, illustrator and college journalism educator. She holds a master's degree in journalism from UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, and a B.F.A. in painting from Boston University's College of Fine Arts. Oleson currently works as an independent journalist and artist, creating multimedia work for publications and art for private clients. In addition, she teaches journalism classes that include News Reporting and Writing, Feature Writing, Copy Editing, Magazine Editing and Production, and Data and Multimedia Journalism at City College of San Francisco. Oleson has contributed to publications that include Sierra magazine, Juxtapoz magazine, Acoustic Guitar magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle and more, and her work has been honored by the Dorothea Lange Fellowship for documentary
Molly Oleson, Instructor
photography, The Pulizter Center on Crisis Reporting, the Online News Association, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the San Francisco Press Club and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Oleson aims to find creative ways of combining writing, photography, illustration and video to tell compelling stories, both in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world.
What We Offer • Journalism Associate of Arts
• Photojournalism Certificate
• Journalism Associate of Arts - Transfer
• Editorial Management and Design
• Data Journalism Certificate
Certificate
Mentoring program links students with professional journalists he journalism department’s mentoring program has helped many students network with professional journalists and photographers. “You look at these mentors and they are top-flight. They’re names in the business,” said journalism instructor and writer Jon Rochmis. Department Chair Juan Gonzales attributes the success of the program to the support it receives from the Bay Area’s media. The mentor program encourages students to take advantage
and posts podcasts about local Latino news. For those years of service, Gonzales was honored by the Society of Professional Journalists with its “Distinguished Service Award.” Similarly, he received a “Heroes of Excellence” award from KGOTV. Gonzales is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, the San Francisco Newspaper Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, the California News Publishers Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association. Gonzales is also a board of director for the San Francisco Press Club. In 2009, Gonzales was inducted into the National
of the Bay Area’s large population of professional journalists. Students learn how to pitch story ideas like a pro and have an opportunity to talk one-on-one with writers, editors, photographers and designers. Gonzales believes being mentored can improve a student’s ability to get a job. Former journalism student Bonta Hill (right) went on to become a prominent writer and TV and radio host in Bay Area sports journalism. Photo by Franchon Smith.
Jessica Lifland
Jessica Lifland, Instructor
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essica Lifland is a Bay Areabased photographer with more than 20 years of experience working as a photojournalist all over the United States and internationally in places such as Kosovo, Burma, Italy, Haiti and Jordan. She was a staff photographer for the Contra Costa Newspaper Group and the Evansville Indiana Courier and Press. At City College Lifland teaches introductory and intermediate photojournalism courses, has taught feature writing and is sometimes the advisor of Etc. Magazine. She has photographed a variety of assignments for magazines like Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Stern and Le Monde and for newspapers such as The New York Times, USA Today and the San Francisco Chronicle. Lifland is represented by the Polaris Images Agency. Lifland has been working on a long term personal project documenting the lives of Cowboy Poets and Musicians of the American West, which she hopes to make into a book. She has a Master’s Degree from Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication. See examples of her work at: JessicaLifland.com Instagram: @jblif
Journalism Matters Now More Than Ever 2026-2027 Advising Hours Meet with Juan Gonzales, Journalism Department Chair, to discuss opportunities in the field of journalism. Ocean Campus 50 Frida Kahlo Way Bungalow 615 Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. For an appointment, call 415-517-4426 415-239-3446
Journalism Department
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Follow us on social media
SPRING 2026 JOURNALISM CLASSES
@journalismccsf
The courses below currently appear in the online schedule. Register at www.ccsf.edu/class-schedule
linkedin.com/ company/ CCSFJournalism
Classes start on January 12, 2026
facebook.com/ CCSFJDepartment
JOUR 19: Contemporary News Media (3 units) 31193
Asynchronous
Online
Mullaney
1/12 – 5/20
JOUR 21: News Reporting and Writing (3 units) TR 9:40 - 10:55 a.m.
CLOU 230
Gonzales
JOUR 25: Newspaper Production II (3 units) MW 12:10 - 1:25 p.m.
BNGL 615
Gonzales 1/12 - 5/20
Intermediate newspaper laboratory course focused on the publication of the college newspaper. Students work as reporters producing journalistic content and editors focusing on editing content suitable for publication in the campus news publication. They participate in the editorial and production process and develop the skills required for publishing. CSU
JOUR 31: Internship Experience (2 units) 33770
TBA
Mullaney
1/12 - 5/20
Supervised on-campus or off-campus employment in the journalism field that is adaptable to the student. This could include experiences such as working on community based newspapers, publishing on the Internet, or improving the journalism-publishing program at City College for the betterment of the larger community. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work. CSU
JOUR 35: Data and Multimedia Journalism (3 units) 33692
T 6:10 - 9:00 p.m.
MIC 217
Oleson
1/13 - 5/20
The course gives hands-on training on spreadsheet, database, and visualization skills with special emphasis on new trends in the delivery of news. CSU
JOUR 37: Intro to Photojournalism (3 units) 34149
W 6:10 - 9:00 p.m.
MIC 217
TheGuardsman.com
Where have all our graduates gone?
Jennifer Balderama
1/13 - 5/20
Focuses on techniques of newspaper reporting, developing and writing a news story, training in information gathering and interviewing sources. It also examines career opportunities in the industry. CSU
32474
Check out past issues of our publications at: www.issuu.com/etc.mag
Introduction to modern mass communication, with an emphasis on the development of the news media, analysis of the credibility of the media and its impact on daily life. CSU
35385
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Lifland
1/14 - 5/20
Concepts of photojournalism such as news and feature photography. Assignments involve photographing people and visual storytelling at a level appropriate for publication such as in campus publications. Access to Single Lens Reflex (SLR) digital or film camera required. CSU
Senior Editor The Atlantic
Tim Brown
News Reporter New York Times
Alex Emslie Senior Editor KQED Radio
Alex K. Fong
Creative Director, Design San Francisco Chronicle
Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez
Senior Politics Reporter San Francisco Standard
Santiago Mejia
Staff Photographer San Francisco Chronicle
Cassandra Ordonio Arts Reporter Hawaii Public Radio
Brian Dinsmore
News Assignment Manager KPIX-TV
Bonta Hill
Department Professional Connections LOCAL JOURNALISTS Bruce Brugmann
Former Publisher San Francisco Bay Guardian
John Diaz
Former Editorial Editor San Francisco Chronicle
Jessica Wolfrom Editor Bloomberg News
Michael M. Yamashita Publisher Bay Area Reporter
Caroline Grannan
Copy Editor San Francisco Chronicle
MEDIA OUTLETS Tim Redmond Editor 48Hills
A.C. Thompson
Investigative Reporter ProPublica
Maria Mejia News Reporter Univision-TV
Ryan Singel
Founder Outpost Publishing Collective
Bill Snyder
Editor/Instructor Bay News Rising
Joe Eskenazi
ABC
Managing Editor Mission Local
KPIX
Laura Waxmann
KALW
KQED
Real Estate Reporter San Francisco Chronicle
Bay City News
Sandy Close
San Francisco Chronicle
Executive Director American Community Media
Erika Carlos Editor-In-Chief El Tecolote
Lila LaHood
Executive Director San Francisco Public Press
San Francisco Examiner
AFFILIATIONS San Francisco Press Club San Francisco Public Press Pacific Media Workers Guild California News Publishers Association Society of Professional Journalists/NorCal Journalism Association of Community Colleges
Questions? Call Juan Gonzales at 415-517-4426 / 415-239-3446
Multiplatform Host NBC Sports
Tim Ball
Creative Director Politico
Emily Margaretten Reporter Mountain View Voice
Eleni Balakrishnan Reporter Mission Local
Victor Tence
Senior Producer KALW
Paul Kozakiewicz
Founder Sunset Beacon, Richmond Review