Julia Wildman, editor-in-chief of CMU’s student newspaper The Criterion, has been recognized as the 2026 recipient of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)’s Robert D.G. Lewis First Amendment Award for her diligent commitment to exemplifying CMU’s value in the protection of free speech on campus.
“This award is a signal that I am doing the right thing at The Crite. It emboldens me to keep asking the tough questions and holding myself, my peers and those in power around me accountable to our nation's foundational First Amendment protections,” said Wildman.
Wildman started with The Criterion as a staff writer during the Fall 2022 semester. When she took the reins of the publication, she set team expectations and goals that she knew would push the student-led publication further.
Since her time as Editor-in-Chief, other members of The Criterion team have won national recognition for journalistic efforts, including Aviation Technology graduate Enrique Quintero for his photography coverage of the 2025 Turner Gulch Fire Wildfire. These awards have earned the CMU SPJ chapter over $1000 in its first year.
“I love Mesa. From the clock tower bells at noon to the praying mantis statue on Wubben to the valuable education bestowed upon me by my insanely talented professors, Mesa is a special place where I feel seen, heard and like I'm in the right place at the right time,” said Wildman. “That is worth protecting. The Criterion is the best place to protect Mesa's unique and often inexplicable goodness.”
Wildman also works as an intern with The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. She is pursuing her degree in sociology with minors in mass communication and geography with plans to pursue a PhD and conduct social science research. She plans to use the skills she has learned from journalism to make research writing accessible and reach broader audiences to maximize impact.
In October, Wildman will travel to Columbus, Ohio, thanks to a travel stipend from SPJ to accept her award and represent CMU as a leader in valuing free speech on campus.