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]

Salmon swimming against the current to spawn in the streams in Alaska in August 2025.

The Fight for the Last Wild Salmon The Fight for the Last Wild Salmon

In Alaska, the last stronghold for wild salmon, Native tribes and conservationists are working to save the fish from both climate change and decades of corporate greed.

Dec 18, 2025 / StudentNation / Colin Warren

The Golden State Valkyries playing the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2 of the WNBA first round playoffs in September 2025.

The WNBA Makes More Money Than Ever. What About the Players? The WNBA Makes More Money Than Ever. What About the Players?

WNBA players receive around 10 percent of league revenue, while the NBA gives 51 percent. With their bargaining agreement expiring in January, players want to share in the growth....

Dec 17, 2025 / StudentNation / Amara McEvoy

People gather outside of the Supreme Court Building to protest Citizens United in 2019.

The Maine Lawsuit That Could Save Democracy From Big Money The Maine Lawsuit That Could Save Democracy From Big Money

A legal fight could restore the state’s power to set its own limits on contributions to super PACs and encourage public financing.

Dec 11, 2025 / StudentNation / Thai Loyd

A statue of Nathan Hale In front of Connecticut Hall on Yale University campus.

What Do Elite Universities Owe Their Students? What Do Elite Universities Owe Their Students?

As the Ivies push graduates into careers in consulting, finance, and tech, organizers with the Class Action movement are questioning their schools’ corporate partnerships.

Dec 8, 2025 / StudentNation / Aina Marzia

University of California workers rallying at UC Berkeley in November 2025.

As Universities Fold to Trump, This Union Is Still Fighting for International Students As Universities Fold to Trump, This Union Is Still Fighting for International Students

While the University of California has often followed Trump's demands, union organizers have made protecting immigrants a top priority during contract negotiations.

Dec 5, 2025 / StudentNation / Emma Murphree and Emily Putnam

An attendee holds a campaign hat reading “Make America Great Again” during a rally for President Trump in Kentucky.

For Voters in Kentucky, Trump Is Losing His Luster For Voters in Kentucky, Trump Is Losing His Luster

In Martin County, the government shutdown and attacks on food stamps have exposed Donald Trump’s empty promises. To many, that makes him just another politician.

Nov 27, 2025 / StudentNation / Zachary Clifton

Students pass through the Sample Gates at Indiana University in Bloomington.

She Gave a Lecture on White Supremacy. IU Removed Her From the Class. She Gave a Lecture on White Supremacy. IU Removed Her From the Class.

Jessica Adams was barred from teaching a course on social justice for six weeks after showing a graphic that listed MAGA and Columbus Day as forms of “covert white supremacy.”

Nov 25, 2025 / StudentNation / Ella Curlin

Stanford students and activists outside of the White Memorial Plaza in March 2025.

Stanford Students Sue Over Trump’s Crackdown on Political Speech Stanford Students Sue Over Trump’s Crackdown on Political Speech

Amid the administration’s war on higher education, The Stanford Daily’s lawsuit targets federal statutes that allow deportation and visa revocation based on political speech.

Nov 24, 2025 / StudentNation / Rani Chor

A power plant in Colstrip, Montana.

Trump Promised to Bring Back Coal. This Town Listened. Trump Promised to Bring Back Coal. This Town Listened.

Through executive orders, Congress, and a loyalist cabinet, the Trump administration has delivered big for enclaves of coal country like Colstrip, Montana. But how long can it las...

Nov 20, 2025 / StudentNation / Ezra Graham

Students and alumni at Tufts University demonstrate for fossil fuel divestment in April 2015.

Winning a Fossil Fuel Divestment Pledge Is Hard. Keeping It Is Harder. Winning a Fossil Fuel Divestment Pledge Is Hard. Keeping It Is Harder.

Nearly a decade after promising to withdraw millions in fossil fuel investments, the University of Massachusetts has stalled on its clean energy transition. What happened?

Nov 6, 2025 / StudentNation / Eric Ross

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