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The Pioneer

The Student Voice of Prairie State College

The Pioneer

The Pioneer

Photograph of Smoke Shop in the Chicago Heights area.

Tobacco Retail Shops in Chicago Heights

Maria Hernandez, Contributor September 22, 2025

Throughout communities like Chicago Heights there has been a rise of tobacco retail shops. Tobacco retail stores like Blue Smokes and Tornado Smokes are being seen more often in our communities, but what...

Brief overview of results from an informal survey done by a PSC student.

AI-Use in News Articles

Juana Sanchez Castillo, Editor-in-Chief September 22, 2025

Lately, artificial intelligence has been on the rise with people finding more and more beneficial uses for it. As AI is trained with a wider range of information, it will eventually become increasingly...

Aidan Keeble, PSC student, talks with Adam Scartozzi at Joy Bomb

Joy Bomb: Radical Social Center and Mutual Aid Hub in Gary, IN

Aidan Keeble, Contributor May 13, 2025

In Northwest Indiana, a new community space is taking root. It’s not an entirely new idea, but it is a big win for the region. Joy Bomb is a radical social center built on the belief that we humans are...

The Hidden Information Surrounding Book Bundling

The Hidden Information Surrounding Book Bundling

Juana Sanchez Castillo, Lead Reporter/Writer March 2, 2025

The cost of textbooks has increased over 1,000 percent within the last 40 years, and “[t]extbook prices are rising roughly 3 times the rate of inflation,” according to the Education Data Initiative.   Barnes...

BSU holds a voting drive in Oct 2024

Meet the PSC Black Student Union

Jamel Conner, Contributor February 27, 2025

The Black Student Union is a social club at Prairie State College that is dedicated to celebrating culture and community. We are interested in spreading joy, lifting each other up, and making our college...

Helen Manley

Profile: Helen Manley

Caleb Avila, Editor-in-Chief November 13, 2024

Helen Manley is the Manager of Student Life & Leadership Development at Prairie State College. She has been a pillar of the Prairie State College community for 23 years, and is a familiar face around...

The World War Monuments at Community Veterans Memorial Continue to Inspire Many

The World War Monuments at Community Veterans Memorial Continue to Inspire Many

Paul Harrison Twumasi, Contributor November 6, 2024

The World War I and World War II monuments situated on the 6.5-acre  Community Veterans Memorial in Munster, Ind., continue to serve as symbols of history to educate people about the sacrifices others...

Beyond the Atrium Podcast: Learn about the Prairie State Foundation

Juana Sanchez Castillo and Camille Crawford September 19, 2024

Not sure what the PSC Foundation is all about? Listen to a Beyond the Atrium podcast - Camille Crawford interviews Susan Sebastian, Manager of Scholarships and Alumni Relations, and Deborah Smith Havighorst,...

Juan-Estefan Vitela

Interview with a Social Worker: Juan-Estefan Vitela

Aidan Keeble, Staff Writer September 19, 2024

First of all, what is your official job title?  Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have a license with the state of Indiana.   What inspired you to pursue this career path? I chose [it]...

Drianna Balogun

Read “Metaphor for Love” by Drianna Balogun

May 14, 2024

Hometown: Lansing Illionis Personal/academic plans: academic plans are to graduate with a degree with plans to become an psychiatrists Hobbies/interests: reading/writing, baking and crocheting Writers...

Jaxon Pena

Read Jaxon Pena’s poem “torched”

May 14, 2024

  torched sonnet #2  A warmth and hunger pump through my veins  I am fed by your passion and desire  used to feel as if I was locked in chains  when in your presence, you...

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