A progressive media organization tied to allies of Bernie Sanders has unveiled a new initiative aimed at expanding liberal influence on college campuses and pushing back against the growing reach of conservative student activism.
The project, called More Perfect University, was launched by More Perfect Union, a left-leaning advocacy journalism outlet known for its strong digital presence. Organizers say the effort will focus on recruiting and training student content creators nationwide to produce videos, podcasts, and local reporting from their campuses.
“We’ve seen the success of the right, and we aim to rival it by being a thought leader on campuses,” said Faiz Shakir, the group’s founder and executive director.
The initiative will revolve around three main components: live campus events such as debates and interviews, a national online community hosted through platforms like Discord and email, and a growing network of student contributors producing content for the organization’s channels. Rather than establishing traditional campus chapters, the program will rely on decentralized media production, encouraging students to tell stories from their own communities.
“We can’t be everywhere,” said Elise Joshi, the project’s director, during the program’s launch livestream. “That is why we are opening up our newsroom.”
The move comes as conservatives have expanded their presence among younger audiences, particularly through Turning Point USA, a group founded by Charlie Kirk. Turning Point has built a strong following on social media and established chapters at high schools and colleges across the country. Its influence has continued to grow even after Kirk’s death last year, with leadership now under his widow, Erika Kirk.
In recent years, several Republican governors have endorsed the organization and supported its expansion into public schools, further boosting its reach.
More Perfect Union, founded in 2021 by Shakir and Josh Miller-Lewis, reports that it reaches tens of millions of viewers monthly through its online platforms, with a significant portion of its audience under the age of 25. Its content often features documentary-style reporting and has attracted attention from prominent Democratic figures.
The launch of More Perfect University included an interview with Sanders, who emphasized the importance of alternative media voices and grassroots storytelling. He encouraged young people to engage with their communities and advocate for issues such as economic fairness and expanded healthcare access.
Although college campuses have historically leaned liberal, recent trends suggest shifting dynamics. A 2024 report by the Pew Research Center found that social media influencers covering news topics are more likely to have conservative-leaning audiences. Additionally, Republicans made gains among younger voters in the 2024 election, narrowing a long-standing Democratic advantage.
Against that backdrop, More Perfect University represents an effort to rebuild liberal influence where it has traditionally been strongest—on campus—by adapting to the fast-changing world of digital media and student-driven content creation.
