The NPR College Podcast Challenge has had a profound impact on the lives of several young journalists. Anya Steinberg, a winner of the 2021 challenge, credits the contest with helping her land her first job in radio at KNKX, an NPR member station in Seattle. Steinberg, who was in her final stretch of college during the height of the pandemic, says that the phone call informing her of her win changed her life. She is now a freelance journalist, working on the next season of Inheriting, from LAist and NPR.
Miriam Colvin, a freshman at Penn State University in 2021, was one of two winners in the inaugural College Podcast Challenge. Her podcast explored family lore about a fateful boxing match between her grandpa's friend and a teenage Muhammad Ali. The experience gave her the courage to pursue a career in stand-up comedy and playwriting. Colvin has found herself returning to the elders in her life for creative inspiration, hearing stories about her grandpa's childhood in Indiana.
Bunmi Omisore, a senior at Duke University at the time, received an honorable mention in the 2025 challenge for her podcast documenting her journey to learn her parents' native language, Yoruba. Omisore's podcast was a catalyst for her to get serious about learning the language. Her father started speaking to her only in Yoruba over the phone, and she spent hours studying with her copy of Beginner's Yoruba. A year later, she can now understand her parents when they speak to her in Yoruba.
For Omisore, the most rewarding part of learning Yoruba has been gaining access to a deeper understanding of her Nigerian family. She can now hear the humor and wit in her grandmother's voice, which was previously lost on her. Omisore's newfound understanding of the language has humanized her grandmother and allowed her to connect with her heritage on a deeper level.
Bennett Cook, a transit enthusiast, entered the College Podcast Challenge in 2021 with a story about the unexpected music subway trains make. Being named a finalist in the competition fueled his drive to pursue his passion as a career. Cook got a job with the Chicago Transit Authority earlier this year, where he works as a customer service assistant. He hopes to one day become a train operator and has big ideas about how Chicago can expand its transit system.
The College Podcast Challenge also launched Jo Strogatz into her dream job. In 2024, she was a student at Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in Maine when she won the contest. Her story featured her own original music and an interview with a friend who has never had a romantic relationship before. Strogatz now works at Radiolab, a role she believes she never would have landed without the contest.
The NPR College Podcast Challenge has provided a platform for young journalists to share their stories and pursue their passions. The contest has helped winners and honorable mentions land jobs, learn new skills, and connect with their heritage. As the contest returns for another round, it is clear that its impact will be felt for years to come.
Key points
- The NPR College Podcast Challenge has helped young journalists land jobs and pursue their passions.
- The contest has provided a platform for young journalists to share their stories and connect with their heritage.
- Winners and honorable mentions have reported gaining new skills and experiences as a result of participating in the challenge.
