The Pinnacle Awards are CMA’s flagship national honors, recognizing the best student work in collegiate journalism, media production and organizational excellence. Winners are selected by a panel of experienced media professors and educators. The 2025 Pinnacle Awards were presented at MediaFest25, October 16-18, 2025 in Washington, D.C. This year, we had a total of 3,358 entries and 1,165 finalists across 8 categories.

The College Media Association will honor the memory and legacy of beloved colleague Kelley Lash, longtime adviser of the Rice Thresher and a past CMA president, with her posthumous induction into the John A. Boyd Hall of Fame during a special ceremony at MediaFest25 next month in Washington, D.C.