StudentNation

StudentNation is a program of the Nation Fund for Independent Journalism and is made possible through generous funding from the Puffin Foundation. StudentNation focuses on first-person accounts from student activists, organizers, and journalists and has helped launch the careers of contributors to The New York TimesVoxBusiness InsiderTeen Vogue, the Guardian, and more. If you’re a student and you have an article idea, please send pitches and questions to [email protected]

A teenager lying on a couch watching something on their phone.

The “Teenage Dream” in an Era of Isolation The “Teenage Dream” in an Era of Isolation

Curfew restrictions and the policing of public spaces prevent teens from “getting into trouble.” But to some, it feels like it’s preventing them from getting anywhere at all.

Feb 19, 2025 / StudentNation / Aina Marzia

A supporter of the pro-Palestinian encampment at UC Irvine in May 2024.

Will Academia Survive the Criminalization of Dissent? Will Academia Survive the Criminalization of Dissent?

Professors are experiencing an overwhelming sense of fear and disillusionment amid the crackdown of pro-Palestine protests. “I don’t know anybody who’s not scared right now.”

Feb 17, 2025 / StudentNation / Lucy Tobier

CUNY students and faculty rally at City College before testifying at a board of trustees meeting on February 10.

CUNY Is Investigating Student Government Leaders for Boycotting Israel CUNY Is Investigating Student Government Leaders for Boycotting Israel

Three members of CUNY Graduate Center’s student government face an anti-discrimination investigation for a resolution endorsing the demands of last year’s Gaza Solidarity Encampme...

Feb 13, 2025 / StudentNation / Luca GoldMansour

Linda McMahon and Donald Trump listens during the inaugural meeting of the President’s National Council for the American Worker in 2018.

Trump’s Education Pick Bankrolled Efforts to Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trump’s Education Pick Bankrolled Efforts to Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Linda McMahon’s foundation has donated millions to groups that advocated for DEI programs, lauded affirmative action, and criticized Donald Trump.

Feb 12, 2025 / StudentNation / Owen Dahlkamp

University police on the University of Chicago campus as they break up a pro-Palestinian encampment.

Universities Have Been Doing Trump’s Work for Him Universities Have Been Doing Trump’s Work for Him

The University of Chicago, despite its free speech reputation, has laid the groundwork for the president's threats against students who protest for Palestine.

Feb 10, 2025 / StudentNation / Harley Pomper

An NYPD officer in front of pro-Palestinian protesters outside of Columbia University in New York City in April 2024.

Columbia Students Sue the University for Its “Heinous” Crackdown on Palestine Protests Columbia Students Sue the University for Its “Heinous” Crackdown on Palestine Protests

Three graduate students identified over 30 violations of long-standing protocols, including using the NYPD to mass-arrest activists, in a New York civil suit against the universit...

Feb 6, 2025 / StudentNation / Lara-Nour Walton

Harvard’s New Speech Rules Continue Their Pattern of Repression

Harvard’s New Speech Rules Continue Their Pattern of Repression Harvard’s New Speech Rules Continue Their Pattern of Repression

The university’s adoption of the IHRA definition of anti-semitism conflates critique of Israel with antisemitic speech, directly attacking pro-Palestine activism and academic free...

Feb 4, 2025 / StudentNation / Shraddha Joshi and Asmer Asrar Safi

High school students in a classroom.

My High School Wanted to Expand Opportunities for Low-Income Students. Did It Limit Them Instead? My High School Wanted to Expand Opportunities for Low-Income Students. Did It Limit Them Instead?

A well-meaning effort to increase educational equity in Utah might not be helping those most in need. But there are ways to make these programs more accessible.

Feb 3, 2025 / StudentNation / Adelaide Parker

The Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025.

How the Wildfires Could Reshape the Climate Movement in California How the Wildfires Could Reshape the Climate Movement in California

As the city debates how it can best address the impacts of increasingly devastating natural disasters, organizers hope to seize the moment.

Jan 28, 2025 / StudentNation / Amber X. Chen and Maggie Grether

President Donald Trump and Linda McMahon, now his nominee for education secretary, at Mar-a-Lago in 2019.

Fixing the Student Loan Crisis Starts With Defending the Department of Education Fixing the Student Loan Crisis Starts With Defending the Department of Education

Borrowers stand to lose more than they could ever gain if the department is shut down.

Jan 24, 2025 / StudentNation / Sabrina Cereceres

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