Paul Bittick Recognized as Journalism Educator of the Year

The California Journalism & Media Affiliates recently named Paul Bittick, Cal Poly’s Mustang Media Group general manager, as the 2017 Journalism Educator of the Year — Four-Year Division. The award recognizes leadership and support that goes beyond the journalism program and has impact across campus, community and local or regional associations.

 

Only one educator from all California campus media associations earns this prestigious honor each year. As general manager, Bittick has been proactive in developing new revenue streams such as special sections, events and video services. He recently worked with faculty and students to create the first student-run “native advertising” agency within Mustang News. “This award for Paul is most noteworthy because there's only one given out each year in the whole state and recipients are selected by their peers,” said Mary Glick, Journalism Department chair and previous Educator of the Year award recipient.

Bittick came to the Journalism Department in 2002 with more than 25 years of experience in the newspaper industry. He served in a variety of roles for daily newspapers and worked as a freelance writer for the Associated Press for more than 20 years covering college and professional sports. Barbara Kingsley-Wilson, the 2016 honoree, presented Bittick with the award at the California College Media Association Awards Banquet on March 4 in San Francisco. Previous educators of the year nominate current contenders for awards at the university, community college and high school level. The awards are funded by the California Press Foundation. (Photo of Bittick and Kingsley-Wilson, above, by Joe Wirt of CNPA Services Inc.)