WKU Student Publications is home to two of the most highly-regarded college publications in the country — the College Heights Herald, founded in 1925, and the Talisman magazine, originally founded as a yearbook in 1924 — along with Cherry Creative, a branded content studio founded in 2018, and the Student Publications Advertising staff, which works across all of our platforms.
Our organizations are student-run. Students make the decisions, from what’s published, to hiring staff members and how we adapt to the future. It’s a real-world experience that will expand your skills and make you stand out as you apply for internships and jobs. Staff members are assisted by advisers with professional media experience who will help you grow in your field.
With freshmen through seniors working and learning together, a tight-knit community forms among staff members who find a home on the Hill at WKU Student Publications. If you’re a hardworking, passionate individual, you’ll be welcomed into that family too.
Our students and alumni have garnered many accolades. Together, our publications have earned 50 Pacemakers, the top national award for student-run publications — 22 for the Talisman, 25 for the College Heights Herald, two for Cherry Creative and Student Publications Advertising and one for Cherry Creative alone. Among our alumni, 38 have been honored with a Pulitzer Prize, either individually or as members of a team.
Our strong network of supportive alumni allows us to offer a dozen scholarships and up to 10 summer fellowships open only to students working at WKU Student Publications.
Whether you want to prepare for a career in media, communications or marketing, or just want to be around other people who get excited about the same things as you, WKU Student Publications is the place for you. Learn more about the opportunities for you to get involved by exploring our four divisions below.
Work for the Herald
The College Heights Herald brings you everything you need to know on and around campus every day, Monday through Friday, in its daily email newsletter that goes to nearly 30,000 subscribers, including all students.
Herald content is available on its website, WKUHerald.com, and is updated 24/7. And five times throughout the academic year, the Herald publishes an enterprise newsmagazine featuring in-depth reports, investigations, profiles and deep storytelling you cannot find anywhere else.
With news coming directly to your inbox, active social media, our website, and over 50 locations on campus to pick up our print edition, the Herald is your go-to source for campus news, sports and more. The Herald is the best way to stay constantly connected to the student voice.
Positions available in:
- Writing
- Photography
- Videography
- Page Design
- Copyediting
- Social media
- Editorial Leadership
Apply to join the College Heights Herald staff
College Heights Herald website
Work for the Talisman
The Talisman is a life and culture publication with a magazine distributed at the end of each semester and daily content published at WKUTalisman.com.
Founded as WKU’s official yearbook in 1924, the Talisman has garnered national acclaim for its award-winning photography and powerful journalistic writing. We’re still carrying that freethinking mindset today as we adapt to match the array of journalism and communications careers Talisman students pursue.
Positions available in:
- Writing
- Photography
- Videography
- Page Design
- Illustration
- Marketing
- Editorial Leadership
Apply to join the Talisman staff
Talisman website
Work for Cherry Creative
Cherry Creative is a branded content studio with a team of creative storytellers — writers, designers, artists, photographers and videographers with the skills to produce insightful, impactful media. Whether reaching the university audience or the wider community, Cherry Creative engages an array of clients to produce creative, sponsored storytelling across platforms, providing support and resources for the College Heights Herald and Talisman.
In collaboration with local businesses, this team produces sponsored content pieces that are published in the Herald or Talisman, special sections that will are distributed in the Herald, events such as the WKU Housing Fair and the Best of the Hill Festival and other special projects.
Positions available in:
- Design
- Writing
- Photography
- Videography
- Editorial Leadership
Apply to join the Cherry Creative staff
Cherry Creative website
Work for Student Publications Advertising
Sales representatives consult with clients to develop campaigns that best meet the needs of their business. Advertising space is sold for both the Herald and Talisman, in print and online. Sales reps also work closely with the staff of Cherry Creative to pitch unique opportunities, including sponsored content and specialty publications, to clients.
Positions available in:
- Sales
- Leadership