The WNC LINC project of the Asheville Citizen-Times has teamed up with Mars Hill College and Western Carolina University. It’s already been working with UNC Asheville. Interesting. Here’s the information:
We’re on our way to forming a university and college news partnership, here through WNC LINC.
In the last few weeks, we’ve formed partnerships with The Hilltop, Mars Hill College’s student newspaper, and with the Department of Communication at Western Carolina University. Work to connect with the region’s other colleges is underway.
The Hilltop is an award-winning student publication that offers both print and multimedia news and information to the students of Mars Hill College and the surrounding area. For example, take a look at the Madison County jail. They also interview MHC President Dan Lunsford on the college’s $500,000 budget shortfall.
The Department of Communication at Western Carolina University is working to revamp its journalism course offerings and has plans underway to launch a new publication this fall. We’re working on ways to strengthen our partnership by then.
These two institutions join UNC-Asheville and its student newspaper, The Blue Banner, in forming the beginning of what we intend to be a vibrant university and college news service across Western North Carolina.
Here’s a little background on WNC LINC:
The Asheville Citizen-Times is one of five news organizations across the country working to develop an information network among local news sites and blogs. The project is funded by a grant administered through American University’s J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism. At WNC LINC, follow progress of the project and learn about what it takes to create a networked regional news and information cooperative.