In the Spring of 1969, Scene magazine was launched with the help of journalism professor Michael Emery and a few journalism students. Together they wrote about the November 1968 student takeover of the Administration Building at what was then San Fernando Valley State College, now California State University, Northridge. Since that time, Scene has evolved into a general interest magazine.

An award-winning, student-produced publication featuring long-form articles, photos, graphics and illustrations, Scene is published by the Department of Journalism in both print and online versions. Through Scene, students are able to gain experience in magazine reporting and writing, editing, graphic design, photography and layout. The magazine is created entirely by the class, although work by students outside the Journalism Department is welcomed.

After five years of non-publication, Scene was revived at CSUN in Spring 1997. Throughout the years, Scene has won numerous awards in the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence competition, the California Intercollegiate Press Association awards, and the prestigious Hearst Awards.