Journalists share skills, experience with students
With 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 pro-ject director of Voices for Justice: The Enduring Legacy of the Latino Press in the United States. The project documents 200 years of Latino journalism 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 online and posts podcasts about local newspapers. For those years of service,
Alexander 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 bachelors 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.
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?
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.
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 Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame. He was also honored by KQED-TV as an “Unsung Hero” in the Latino
Molly Oleson is a print and multimedia journalist, editor, photographer, illustrator and college journalism educator.
She holds a master's degree in journalism from U.C. 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 served for years as Editor of the Pacific Sun, the country's longest-continuously produced alternative weekly newspaper. Prior to this, she served as an editor and reporter at Mission
community. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom also recognized Gonzales as a Latino media leader during Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
Gonzales serves as adviser to the campus newspaper, The Guardsman.
He is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, the San Francisco Newspaper Association and the New American Media.
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.
Local, a hyperlocal news site in San Francisco's Mission District.
Oleson, recipient of the 2013 Dorothea Lange Fellowship for documentary photography, has had her work honored by The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, the Online News Association, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the San Francisco Press Club and the U.C. 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. She has contributed to publications that include Sierra magazine, Juxtapoz magazine, Acoustic Guitar magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle and more.
Mentoring program links students with professional journalists
The journalism department’s mentoring program has helped many students network with professional journalists and photographers.
Lifland is a San Francisco-based photographer with more than 20 years of experience as a photojournalist working all over the United States and internationally in places such as Kosovo, Burma, Italy, Haiti, Jordan and Palestine. She was a staff photographer for the Contra Costa Newspaper Group and the Evansville Indiana Courier and Press. Since returning to the Bay Area in 2002, she has been involved in a variety of projects as both an editor and photographer.
At City College Lifland teaches introductory and intermediate photojournalism courses. This Fall she will also be the adviser of Etc. Magazine.
As a photojournalist, she has photographed a variety of assignments for magazines like Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, Stern and Le Monde. She works on-assignment for newspapers such as The New York Times, USA Today and the San Francisco Chronicle. Lifland is represented by the Polaris Images Agency. Over the last six years Lifland has worked on a personal project documenting the lives of Cowboy Poets of the American West. At City College Lifland teaches introductory and intermediate photojournalism courses. She also serves as the adviser of Etc. Magazine. In recent years, Lifland has worked on a personal project documenting the lives of Cow-boy Poets of the American West.
She has a Master’s Degree from Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication. See examples of her work at: JessicaLifland.com
Yes. You can contact Department Chair Juan Gonzales, who has been with the program since 1985. Call (415) 5174426 or (415) 239-3446. The
campus newspaper is
“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.
“It’s an outstanding way to learn the business from the inside.”
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.
The mentor program encourages students to take advantage
KGO TV news anchor Cheryl Jennings knows just how hard it is to break into journalism. She was rejected by 19 of the 20 television stations she originally applied to.
“I think the program is an outstanding way to learn about the business from the inside,” Jennings said. “I would highly recommend it. I wish it had been
in place when I attended City College. It makes me re-evaluate what I do every time I explain the business to a student.” Jessica
Alexander Mullaney, Instructor
Jessica Lifland, Instructor
Alexander Mullaney Molly Oleson
Juan Gonzales
Juan Gonzales, Instructor and Department Chair
Former journalism instructor Tom Graham mentors students.
Molly Oleson, Instructor
Journalism Department D
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fall 2024 journalism classes
The courses below currently appear in the online schedule. Register at www.ccsf.edu/admissions-recordsregistration/register-classes
Classes start on August 19, 2024
Jour 21: News Writing & Reporting (3 units)
Gonzales 72990 TR 9:40-10:55 a.m. Cloud 257
Techniques of newspaper reporting, developing and writing and a news story, training in information gathering and interviewing sources. CSU
Jour 22: Feature Writing (3 units) Oleson
72991 T 6:10-9 p.m. MIC 217
Fundamentals in feature writing for magazines and newspapers with special emphasis on profile and interpretive news features. Practical experience in interview and in-depth research techniques. Training in how to write a freelance story for publication. CSU
Jour 24: Newspaper Production I (3 units)
73467 MWF 12:10-1 Bungalows 615
Gonzales
Beginning newspaper laboratory course focused on the publication of the college newspaper The Guardsman. Provides a practical understanding of the various elements involved in producing a newspaper. CSU
Jour 31: Internship Experience (1 unit)
Gonzales 72331 TBA
Jour 31: Internship Experience (2 units)
Gonzales 72996 TBA
Supervised on-campus or off-campus employment in a branch of journalism or a closely allied field to which the student shows their self to be best adapted. CSU
Jour 36: Investigative Reporting (3 units)
Mullaney 73468 R 6:10-9 p.m. MIC 217
Advanced concepts of news gathering, interviewing and writing. Students will be assigned beats covering neighborhood communities and local government. Extensive research, interviewing, meeting coverage and writing involved. Students will improve and expand their news gathering and writing skills. CSU
Jour 38: Intermediate Photojournalism (3 units)
Lifland 73469 W 6:10-9 p.m. MIC 217
Emphasizes concepts of photojournalism at an intermediate level. Assignments will involve photographing people and visual story-telling at a professional entry-level appropriate for use in publications such as newspapers and magazines. Digital SLR or mirrorless camera required.
Department Professional Connections
Bruce Brugmann
Former Publisher San Francisco Bay Guardian
John Diaz
Former Editorial Editor
San Francisco Chronicle
Ida Mojadad
Former News Reporter
San Francisco Examiner
Joaquin Alvarado
Former CEO Center for Investigative Reporting
Caroline Grannan
Copy Editor San Francisco Chronicle
Tim Redmond Publisher 48Hills
A.C. Thompson Investigative Reporter Politico
Maria Mejia News Reporter Univision-TV
Ryan Singel Former News Reporter WIRED News
Bill Snyder Editor/Instructor Bay News Rising
Joe Eskanazi Managing Editor Mission Local
Laura Waxman News Reporter
San Francisco Chronicle
Kevin Fagan News Reporter San Francisco Chronicle
Erika Carlos
Editor-In-Chief El Tecolote
Lila LaHood
Publisher San Francisco Public Press
Check out past issues of our publications at: TheGuardsman.com www.issuu.com/etc.mag
Where have all our graduates gone?
Jennifer Balderama Senior Editor The Atlantic
Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez Reporter/Producer KQED Radio
Tim Brown News Reporter New York Times
Alex Emslie Senior Editor KQED Radio
Alex K. Fong Creative Director, Design San Francisco Chronicle
Sarah Lapidus News Reporter Arizona Republic
Glenn Gullmes Publisher West Portal Monthly
Santiago Mejia Staff Photographer San Francisco Chronicle
MEDIA OUTLETS
Cassandra Ordonio Arts Reporter Hawaii Public Radio
Brian Dinsmore News Assignment Manager KPIX-TV
Bonta Hill
Sports Talk Show Host NBC-TV
Tim Ball
Creative Director Politico
Lubna Takruri
Senior Content Strategist Onfido
