University Marketing and Communications
Public Voices Project
The Public Voices Project (PVP) helps Fresno State faculty bring their research, lived
experience and disciplinary expertise into public conversations. Through professional
development workshops and editorial support, PVP fellows learn how to write and publish
op-eds for local, regional and national audiences.
The spring 2026 pilot cohort will include a small group of faculty fellows from across
the university. Drawing from their personal experiences and informed perspectives
as experts in their fields, this multidisciplinary cohort will write on timely issues
of public interest. While Fresno State provides publication pathways and editorial
support, all opinion pieces reflect the views of their authors, not the university.
Why Public Voices?
Universities play a vital role in civic life — not only through teaching and research, but by contributing evidence-based insight to the public sphere. The Public Voices Project was created to support faculty who want to share their knowledge beyond academic journals and into the conversations shaping our communities.
Through a regular publication schedule, the project aims to:
- Share research-informed perspectives on issues that matter to the Central Valley and beyond
- Strengthen trust between higher education and the public
- Demonstrate Fresno State’s role as a public-serving university
How the pilot program works
During the academic year, PVP fellows participate in a series of writing workshops and peer-feedback sessions designed to support public-facing scholarship. Topics may include:
- Writing effective op-eds
- Translating research for general audiences
- Using evidence in public argument
- Writing for diverse and real-world audiences
- Finding an authentic public voice
Each fellow produces at least one op-ed per semester, with editorial support from program facilitators.
Publication pathways
Fellows are encouraged to submit their work to external publications — such as the Fresno Bee, EdSource and other regional and national outlets — with coaching and support from the PVP team. Publication venues vary depending on topic, audience and timeliness.
A curated selection of PVP op-eds will be published in Fresno State Today as part of its new Faculty Perspectives section, highlighting faculty expertise across disciplines and issues of regional relevance. Selected pieces may also be shared with media outlets.
The goal is to ensure each piece reaches the audience where it can have the greatest impact.
Program leadership
The Public Voices Project is led by the Division of Academic Affairs, with support from University Marketing and Communications, and facilitated by:
Professor and Department Chair, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Executive Director, Institute for Media and Public Trust
AVP, University Marketing and Communications
Director of Strategic Communications, University Marketing and Communications