During the 2026 Kansas Collegiate Media conference held April 12-13 in Wichita, two college journalists received accolades for their student media work.
Lizzie Rush, editor-in-chief of The Collegian at Hutchinson Community College, is the 2026 Kansas Collegiate Journalist of the Year from a two-year college.
The newspaper’s adviser, Brad Hallier, said she is a natural newsroom leader and an all-around great student journalist.
“Lizzie has turned into one of the most well-rounded journalists I’ve had in my nine years as a college instructor,” Hallier wrote in his recommendation letter. “She can do photography, all kinds of writing, including sports, design and social media.”
Hallier said that she makes others around her better—in the classroom and on staff—by seeing her level of work, excellence and how she pushes herself to get better with her own content.
What set this applicant apart for the judges was her variety.
In an industry that’s constantly pivoting, the ability to do multiple jobs well (newswriting, sports reporting, social media design, editing, etc.) are vital for individuals who are at the start of their careers.
Rush’s portfolio exemplified that flexibility.
Merideth McCalmon, editor-in-chief of The Collegian at Kansas State University, is the 2026 Kansas Collegiate Journalist of the Year from a four-year college.
A four-year staff member of The Collegian, McCalmon is what her faculty adviser Spencer O’Daniel called “a Swiss army knife of abilities and strengths.”
He praised her ability to write news and features, as well as take photos.
But where she stood out as editor was her leadership.
From handling conflicts to improving staff morale and newsroom culture, O’Daniel said McCalmon is “among the best student editors I have worked with in my entire career.”
The award coordinator said McCalmon distinguished herself among an exceptional group of emerging media professionals, each of whom was worthy of the recognition.
With a highly competitive pool of submissions and only the narrowest margins separating the candidates, the selection process proved especially challenging for the judges.
What set McCalmon apart was her clear dedication to her staff and her deep appreciation for the value of collaboration and strong leadership. Judges said she took great pride in uniting her staff, navigating challenges with resilience, and leading the effort to break a story that sparked meaningful dialogue.