Join us to learn about being a New Voices Texas leader

It’s time to pass the torch.

As another school year draws to a close, many of our dedicated New Voices Texas (NVT) student leaders are preparing to graduate and head off to new adventures. Their hard work has laid a powerful foundation, but the fight for student press freedom in the Lone Star State is far from over.

We are officially looking for the next generation of advocates, storytellers, and organizers to lead our movement for the 2026-2027 school year. The deadline to apply is May 31.

Join Our Virtual Interest Meeting

Want to learn more before you apply? We are hosting a virtual interest meeting for any student who wants to get involved as a new leader.

This is a great chance to talk to our current and outgoing officers—many of whom are graduating this year—to hear about their experiences, the projects they’ve worked on, and what the weekly workload actually looks like.

NVT Leaders Interest Meeting

Dial-in: (US) +1 336-949-8183 | PIN: 983 780 467#If you know you are interested in becoming an officer, please use this form to apply today!

When: Sunday, May 10 · 8:00 – 8:30 p.m. (CST)

Video Call Link: https://meet.google.com/bap-khoz-obc

Why This Year Matters: The Road to 2027

Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. While we continue to raise awareness and support student journalists across the state every day, we have our sights set on a major milestone: The 2027 Texas Legislative Session.

Texas legislative sessions only happen every two years. This means the 2027 session will be our next best chance to pass a New Voices law in Texas—a law that would protect student journalists and their advisers from administrative censorship and ensure that student media can truly serve its community.

To make that push a reality, we need to spend the upcoming 2026-2027 school year building a statewide coalition. We need leaders who are ready to organize, educate, and prepare for the halls of the Capitol in Austin.

Open Leadership Positions

We are looking for passionate high school and college journalists to fill several key roles, including:

  • Legislative Officers: Helping craft our strategy for the 2027 session.
  • Communications Officers: Managing our social media, newsletters, and public presence.
  • Regional Organizers: We are looking for representatives from North, South/Central, East, and West Texas to ensure every corner of the state is heard.
  • Educational & Club Development Officers: Helping students start New Voices clubs at their own schools.
  • Specialists: Focused roles for college outreach, social media creation, and promotion.

How to Apply

Whether you are an experienced editor-in-chief or a newcomer passionate about the First Amendment, we want to hear from you. You don’t need to be an expert in the law yet—you just need the drive to protect the voices of Texas students.

Click Here to Access the 2026-2027 NVT Leadership Application Form

Deadline: May 31, 2025

Click here to apply to be a NVT officer

Volunteer Interest Form

If you are unsure about your ability to serve as an officer but are interested in getting involved with advocating for New Voices Texas, please fill out our Interest Form linked below:

Click here to be a nvt volunteer

Level Up Your Advocacy: SPLC New Voices Student Leadership Institute

May 29 is deadline to apply for SPLC’s virtual Summer New Voices Student Leaders Institute

Looking for the best way to prepare for the 2027 legislative push? We highly recommend applying for the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) New Voices Student Leadership Institute.

This summer virtual institute is designed specifically to give students the tools they need to be effective advocates for press freedom. It’s a fantastic way to learn the ropes of civic action and connect with other student leaders from across the country.

Institute Schedule:

  • Summer Sessions: Tuesday–Thursday afternoons, July 14–23 (1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. CT).
  • Year-Round Follow-up: The program includes four additional sessions on Sept. 19, Dec. 12, March 13, and June 5 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET.

If you have questions about the SPLC program, you can contact Grayson Marlow at gmarlow@splc.org.

Learn More & Apply:

The 2027 session might feel far away, but the work starts now. Join us, and let’s make history for Texas student journalists.

Click here to Apply for splc new voices summer institute