Prairie Voices recognized for excellence
Published January 29, 2026
Prairie Voices at College of Lake County has been recognized as an “Excellent” magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program. This is the most recent recognition for Prairie Voices and builds on a number of awards the magazine has received over time.
Faculty member and publication editor Dr. Nick Schevera said, "It is my pleasure to acknowledge the great success that Prairie Voices has achieved over the years. The magazine serves as a significant springboard to showcase the many talents of our student writers and artists.”
The recognition from NCTE reflects the consistent quality of Prairie Voices and the editorial standards behind it. CLC is proud to see student work from across the college recognized at the national level. This year, schools in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and six countries nominated 456 student magazines. Magazines from middle school, high school, and higher education were welcomed for the 2025 contest.
All students encouraged to participate
Dean of Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts Stephanie Gray explained, “Prairie Voices is not a club or course-based publication. Students from across the college are invited to submit work, which is selected through an editorial review process. Maintaining a magazine that continues to be recognized at the national level requires clear standards and steady oversight and the division is proud of this achievement and of the work that goes into sustaining a publication of this quality.”
Prairie Voices started in the early 1990s and has thrived ever since. It is published every April. Earlier this year, the publication won third place in the central division Community College Humanities Association's 2025 Literary Magazine Competition.
Attend the reception
Join CLC for an open-to-the public reading and reception.
6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 30
Grayslake Campus, Room A011