Howard University Students Revive HU News Service With Bold Flare And New Podcast Launch

With new and improved programming, Howard University students have officially relaunched Howard University News Service (HUNS), a platform dedicated to producing strong stories that resonate across campus, the nation’s capital and world. 

Originally established in 2001 to train student journalists in local and national reporting, HUNS has long served as a vital resource within media, as much of the work is used for inclusion in District and nationwide publications.

The relaunch was implemented through the Center for Journalism and Democracy, through which Howard was awarded nearly $200,000 as one of 10 HBCUs chosen through the Democracy’s Newsroom Innovative Challenge. The purpose of the funding is to provide new innovative opportunities and spaces for journalism students. 

Now under the leadership of Dr. Yanick Rice Lamb, who teaches Howard’s Capstone Print and Digital course, students have fully redesigned the platform.

“While we’re in class, Professor Lamb really does develop us to be good journalists and she makes sure that we know the foundations of Journalism,” said capstone student Asia Alexander Alexander. 

Senior journalism student and HUNS Editor in Chief Serenity Armstrong emphasized the importance of the media outlet.

“A lot of people don’t realize that we exist and when they do know that we exist they think that we are specifically for Howard but the news service itself started as the Black college view,” Armstrong said during the relaunch celebration on March 21. “We cover a range of different things. Our goal right now is to become hyperlocal outside of campus to get our name out there.”

This relaunch also reintroduces the innovative integration of broadcast and print journalism with the Capstone News Vision Broadcast course, led by Jennifer Thomas, contributing dynamic video reporting alongside impactful written stories. 

While Howard University has various student media platforms such as The Hilltop Newspaper, Spotlight Network, Cover 2 Cover Magazine, and The Dig, Alexander reflected on how HUNS not only adds to and uplifts the others, but creates a redefining experience for graduating seniors. 

“HU News Service is an authentic newspaper from the seniors here at Howard,” Alexander said. “We have contributing writers but it’s majority seniors who are putting this together and we’re doing this in class. The work that we are putting out is something that we’re taking with us to our next jobs. This is just a way for us to show what the school of communications has taught us.” 

New Podcast Expands Outlet’s Reach 

Adding to the excitement of the relaunch, students announced a new podcast that, with more multimedia elements, further expands Howard University News Service’s reach and engagement.

With this revitalization, HU News Service is not just evolving, it’s setting a new standard for student journalism. 

“Students are able to come in with no experience at all,” said Armstrong, who is helping spearhead efforts with the podcast. “We teach them, we mentor them, and we give them the skills that they need to go out and cover anything in life.”

The relaunch couldn’t have come at a better time as the Cathy Hughes School of Communications prepares for a major move next fall from what was originally the Washington Metropolitan High School, to the newly renovated and prestigious WHUT Television Station on Howard’s campus. 

As the next generation of storytellers take the rein in the newsroom, HU News Service is equipped to amplify the voices of the community, reshape narratives, and make a lasting impact on the media landscape. 

“Our motto is ‘Your Nation, Your Neighborhood, Your News.’ We want to be that for people, …we want people to remember that we’re here, [and] to acknowledge our goals and to see that we’re moving in a new direction,” Armstrong said. “We want to be more than just Howard University, we want to be the news station.”