Kudos – The G Word

Alumni Profile – Casey Aimer & Amber Avila-Aimer

January 31, 2024February 1, 2024Alumni Profile, GW Publishing Program, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Employers, GW Publishing faculty, CPS staff, and others invariably remark about the impressive and evident talents of GW Graduate Program in Publishing students.

Casey Aimer and Amber Avila-Aimer are exemplars of the creative talents, analytical acumen, and entrepreneurial expertise of our publishing students. In early 2021, Publishing director, John W. Warren, was in conversations with Amber, who was considering her application to the publishing program. A few weeks later, he spoke with Casey about applying to GW Publishing. As their applications indicated they both possessed MFA’s from Texas State University, in literature and creative writing, respectively, it seemed logical they were acquainted; a few weeks later, they revealed that they were in fact partners. Amber and Casey moved to the Washington, DC, area to take publishing graduate courses in person; secured jobs with local publishers; and were subsequently engaged and married during their two years of study—GW Publishing’s first married couple. Along the way, they launched Radon, a literary magazine, while working full-time and studying.

Let’s start from the beginning: You were the first couple to apply here simultaneously, and you got married while in the program! Congratulations! What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?

Amber: Like most college graduates, we had a hard time securing jobs during the pandemic. We graduated from our first master’s programs and moved into Casey’s childhood home in Central Texas thinking that we would be there for a couple of months until we secured a job. Well, two months turned into ten and we were still looking for our next opportunity. Frustrated with the job searching process, I began to investigate editing certificates to help me sharpen my editorial skills while we kept chugging out applications. It was during this search that I came across the MPS in Publishing Program here at GW. I was honestly a bit hesitant to begin another two-year program, but after a virtual meeting with John Warren, I knew that we both had to apply. John did an incredible job at making me feel supported as a prospective student and the descriptions for the courses made me feel like this program would be the perfect fit for us. We had also been gunning to leave Texas after graduation so the program being in DC was just icing on the cake.

You moved to Alexandria, VA, to study for your MPS in Publishing in person, and were able to secure jobs in the publishing industry before you even landed in DC. Why did you decide to move to DC? How were you able to find jobs before even starting the program? Was it difficult to manage work schedules while studying for your MPS degree?

Casey: That we were able to find quality jobs in scientific and university publishing before arriving in DC is a testament to this program’s prestigious influence. Both companies we ended up with have higher-ups from this program or teach in it as professors. Rather than being a program famous in name alone, the program is known for producing top publishing professionals, and anyone getting into or completing the program are known to be competent assets for any publishing firm.

The MPS degree was wonderfully considerate of our time as working adults, especially when compared to our previous full-time master’s degrees. Yes, we had to budget our time, especially when planning a wedding at the same time, but we never felt that the demands from our classes were more than we could handle on any given week. The professors here are focused on giving you the knowledge and experience one needs to function at a high level in the industry, and it is free of busy work.

Amber: Adding onto a bit of what Casey has already mentioned, we really must tip our hats off to John Warren and Nicole Mintz for helping us navigate the DC job hunt. Without Nicole’s coaching and program-specific knowledge and John’s infinite connections, I am sure we would have had a much harder time finding such great opportunities. For those of you who are planning on getting their first jobs in publishing, I highly encourage you to set appointments with them both!

“…the program is known for producing top publishing professionals, and anyone getting into or completing the program are known to be competent assets for any publishing firm.”

Casey Aimer

After only your first or second course in the program, you took an idea you developed in a course and launched your own literary journal, Radon, which recently published its sixth issue. It’s been impressive to watch your trajectory developing this journal and sustaining it into several issues. You pay authors! How did you develop this idea? Were you able to work through some course assignments in the publishing program related to your journal?

C: I’ll admit that the idea for a literary journal that combines science fiction, transhumanism, and anarchism was one I’d held in my head for years. It is everything I wished existed when I was a young writer looking for a home and finding nowhere that accepted my unique passions. Especially for sci-fi and radically political poetry that I was instructed to shy away from in all my formal BA and MFA writing education. Life is hard as a writer, and the world needed more semi-pro lit mag publishers advocating for their authors and helping them reach the next stage of their career. Though the kernel was in my mind since the 2010s, my courses here did allow me to flesh out the concept, run through the viability, and create everything from a mission statement to early webpage drafts. The encouragement to follow one’s niche passion in the publishing industry dug deep in my neurons and gave me the confidence to pursue the idea to reality.

What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?

C: Try to come live in Alexandria if possible and attend in-person classes. The additional camaraderie you receive from your fellow students and professors is exceptional. There are plenty of scholarly and scientific publishing jobs in DC, too!

What course or professor made the biggest impact on you during your time at GW?

A & C: The most impactful courses are often the ones that are the most unassuming. The professors here have a knack for making any topic relevant, exciting, and integral to your work life. Whether it’s copyright law or management, you won’t know what to do without the skills once you’re done.

“I’m incredibly lucky I was able to harness learned skills from the program and apply them to my job at the same time.”

Amber Avila-Aimer

How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work as Editorial Coordinator, AAAS (Casey); and previously at the American Psychological Association, and now as Managing Editor at Wiley (Amber)?

C: Every publishing course gave us a little more of the puzzle that is the publishing industry. The production classes set you up to help in the production arm of wherever you work, the marketing courses provide insight into the labor that is getting society to notice your authors, and editorial courses will sew-up any areas you lack in your developmental/copy/line editing skills. So, the cop-out answer is that everything we learn is relevant to our day-to-day work at publishers and will serve us well into whichever role we choose next.

A: By the time I had moved into APA full-time, I had a foundational knowledge of the scholarly book publishing industry through the accumulation of my courses in the program. This made it a lot easier to “jump right in” at APA, so to speak.

All the courses in the editorial block of the program’s offerings (Mastering Book Acquisitions, The Professional Editor, and Editing Special Projects to name a few) gave me the guiding principles and technical know-how for my role at APA. I have spearheaded projects that include peer-review outreach, comparative and competitive research, inputting data into title management systems, eBook management, and book scheduling. Most recently, I provided a developmental review of an APA title set to be published next year and received exceptionally positive feedback from both developmental editors on the project.

I’m incredibly lucky I was able to harness learned skills from the program and apply them to my job at the same time. It’s an amazing feeling to come into a job and confidently say “I’m actually quite familiar with that [insert publishing thing here].”

You have both worked with Nicole Mintz, CPS Career Services Director, and participated in events such as our Publishing CareerBuilder webinars. How did you benefit from some of the career services at GW’s College of Professional Studies and the Publishing program specifically?

C: This program’s focus on industry placement is refreshing, and helpful each step of the way. It highlights how this program truly is for professional studies and those wanting to be at the top of their game in their chosen industry. The CareerBuilders spanned a wide gambit of topics, with something for everyone no matter which niche in the industry you want to pursue.

I’d also like to highlight the yearly GWU Publishing Ethics Conference. Each October it grows and all walks of professionals across the US attend. I highly recommend everyone who can attend in person to meet fascinating and important industry professionals.

Isabella Greene, Publishing—Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award

December 15, 2023December 15, 2023Awards, Commencement, Ethics in Publishing Conference, KudosLeave a Comment

Isabella Greene was the recipient of the 2023 College of Professional Studies Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award at the 2023 CPS Commencement Ceremony. The College of Professional Studies Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes the graduate student who best demonstrates the college’s core competencies of strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and ethics.

Director John W. Warren introduces Isabella Greene as the CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award at the 2023 CPS Commencement Ceremony.

All who are familiar with GW’s graduate program in publishing knows that we are blessed with a plethora of outstandingly talented students. We think that the talent can’t possibly get better, and it goes up a notch. Isabella’s talents and practice in strategic thinking, effective communication, collaboration, leadership, and commitment to ethics exemplify the CPS Core Competencies.

Isabella is one of the most impressive students I’ve had the honor to work with in the eleven years that I have been associated with the program at GW.

She graduates with a GPA of 4.0, in the top 1 percent of her cohort. She worked full-time throughout most of the program as Project Manager for Pubvendo, a digital marketing firm for publishers and authors. Her contributions and projects have been consistently thoughtful, comprehensive, and strategic, while generously supportive of the learning and growth of her peers.

For her Ethics in Publishing capstone, Bella developed a project that combined both applied ethics and research, to improve accessibility and employment in the publishing industry. She conducted extensive interviews about disabilities, including hidden or “invisible” disabilities, developed a survey and a website to support her project, and conducted a case-study within a team of copy editors.

She then developed that project into her own company, AbiliTEAM Consulting LLC., to help employers support employees with disabilities and accommodation needs, including invisible or hidden conditions.

Isabella Greene receives the CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award at the 2023 CPS Commencement Ceremony.

In October, she presented her project and survey at our 12th GW Ethics in Publishing Conference; the only current student to present at our hybrid conference, which was streamed to 400 attendees.

She subsequently entered GW’s prestigious New Venture Competition and reached the semifinal round; as the only CPS student and the only solo entrepreneur in her Business Goods & Services track.

I am honored to have worked with her over these two years. Bella is an accomplished student leader; ambitious and driven, while equally caring, empathetic, supportive and helpful to her peers.

Comments from GW Graduate Program in Publishing professors:

Randy Townsend: I enthusiastically support Isabella Greene’s nomination for this year’s Distinguished Scholar Award. In the Ethics in Publishing course, our discussions on invisible and chronic illnesses inspired Isabella to explore this topic for her capstone project. Isabella’s experience with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome made her project personal. Throughout the 2022 summer session, she mapped out a blueprint for AbiliTEAM Consulting LLC, a company she launched just a few short months after the conclusion of the class. Officially licensed as an LLC in Massachusetts, AbiliTEAM Consulting LLC now supports organizations in their pursuit to become more inclusive and accessible.

Puja Telikicherla: Isabella’s drive, focus, and dedication to positive change make her an outstanding recipient for the Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award. She represents the core values of this merit through her consistent pursuit of education in service to the greater good, her skillful problem-solving, her sincere empathy towards others, and her willingness to create innovative methods within the structure of an established industry. She embodies leadership and teaches by example and her passion for continuous improvement can transform the publishing landscape. I also had the good fortune to see Isabella’s name on our list of submissions for the 2022 Ethics in Publishing conference, held both online and in-person last October. (I am a co-organizer of the conference with John W. Warren and am responsible for evaluating submissions and scheduling presentations). Isabella’s submission, Publishing Accessibility Support Systems, centered on her work as the founder of AbiliTEAM Consulting, an accessibility consulting firm in the service of supporting workers with invisible and chronic illness. It is worth mentioning that the Ethics in Publishing conference occurred just at the conclusion of my Fall 2022 course that Isabella was enrolled in, giving her double duties at a particularly busy time of year. Not only does Isabella have extraordinary energy and motivation, but her time management skills demonstrate just how disciplined she is with her many pursuits and projects, both within the CPS and beyond, and how willing she is to help no matter how menial the task.

Please join me in congratulating Isabella Greene, our 2023 CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar.

Dean Smith Faculty Excellence Award, CPS

December 15, 2023December 15, 2023Awards, Commencement, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Professor Dean Smith was the recipient of the 2023 College of Professional Studies Faculty Excellence Award at the 2023 CPS Commencement Ceremony. This honor is awarded to the part-time faculty member in the College of Professional Studies who has provided extraordinary service to the students and the college. The award recognizes both enlightened teaching and meritorious efforts to advance the college and its programs.

John W. Warren, Director, GW Graduate Program in Publishing, introducing Professor Dean Smith and the CPS Faculty Excellence Award.

Dean Smith has taught in the MPS in Publishing program since Fall 2012. His course, Book and Journal Publishing, is our students’ first entry into the program; for many of our students it is their first entry into the profession of publishing; a nuanced, complex, and challenging profession to summarize succinctly in a twelve-week course.

Professor Smith’s full-time role is Director of Duke University Press, one of the most prestigious university presses in the world and a rather large enterprise. He has plenty on his hands. Nevertheless, he comes to GW’s Alexandria campus once per week, from Durham, North Carolina, for his twelve-week course to teach the course in person, in addition to teaching the online course during the same twelve weeks.

In his course, Dean brings in a wide variety of guest lecturers to speak about the different sectors and roles in publishing. People such as the President/CEO of Elsevier, and SVP of Ingram Content Group, as well as well-known authors and other publishers.

Dean is a devoted mentor to students and an outstanding professor. He has been instrumental in introducing students to job opportunities. Here are some words of support from Dean’s students, typical of what I hear from his students every year.

From Isabella Greene, our CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar:

Dean encouraged me to be bold in my pursuit of publishing jobs and to keep an open mind throughout the program. He really set the tone for what ended up being a fantastic program.

Professor Dean Smith receives the CPS Faculty Excellence Award, Commencement, 2023

From Casey Aimer:

Dean exemplifies excellence and a commitment to the program that exceeds all others. His immense love for publishing and preparing the next generation of professionals propels him to travel from North Carolina to teach each week. His class is the cornerstone of the first semester and is the perfect introduction to the program.

And Kelley Robbins:

Tapping his own personal and professional network, Dean brings in longtime publishing professionals to speak to his students during class sessions and share their insights about the industry and areas of expertise. He goes above and beyond the basic requirements of being an instructor and serves as a springboard to help launch students into their publishing careers. I consider him both a friend and mentor and can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.

Join me in congratulating Professor Dean Smith for the 2023 CPS Faculty Excellence Award.

Lois Jones Appointed as new Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing

November 8, 2022November 10, 2022Alumni Profile, Journal of Ethics in Publishing, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Lois Jones (pronouns: she/her) is Peer Review Director for the Journals Department at the American Psychological Association (APA), where she oversees the peer review strategy and operations for 90 journals. Lois is focused on ensuring a transparent and ethical peer review process for authors, while providing reviewers and editors with the exceptional support they need in the constantly changing landscape of scholarly publishing. She is a 2014 graduate of the MPS in Publishing from GWU, a 2017 Early Career Fellow for SSP, and a member of the inaugural editorial board for GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing. Lois will serve as Editor-in-Chief of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, effective October 2022.

Lois Jones, MPS, New Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing

Congratulations on becoming Editor-in-Chief of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing—and thank you! You’ve served for the past two years on the inaugural Editorial Board. How has serving on the board informed your plans and strategies as the new Editor-in-Chief for the journal?

Thank you! I’m very excited to continue with the journal in this new capacity. At this point, the plan is to build on what we have set up by iterating our process and increasing content. Starting a journal during the pandemic was challenging, but we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from the student members about what they’d like to see next, which is another major priority. A huge part of this journal’s goal is to provide students with practical experience in editorial, peer review, publishing, and marketing.

I have three major areas of focus as I start my term: student experience, fine-tuning our existing process, and publishing more content.

While we were starting up, the outgoing Editor-in-Chief formed a series of student-led committees that formed the basis for different aspects of the journal: strategy and sustainability, marketing, editorial, and e-publishing. Those teams worked hard to get us where we are. They’ve recommended that all committees stay updated on what the other groups are working on. Early on, I think we didn’t want to burden everyone with too much information, so now we’ll work on finding a middle ground. We also want to figure out what worked best for students and increase opportunities for even more involvement.

The second goal is to work on our process. I want to streamline our existing process and make sure that individually we’re all clear on what we’re doing in between meetings. This is a natural second step that comes after creating a new process but could be easily skipped. This is another great learning experience for students, so they get into the practice of reassessing workflows and documenting what they’ve created.

From the content standpoint, I want to start publishing more often, which is a typical goal of a newer journal, and ensure that we’re giving a platform for different ideas and career levels. I’m especially interested in ideas that push against the standard viewpoint or provide a deeper assessment of an existing issue. Fresh perspectives are incredibly important, which is another benefit of this being a student-led journal.

What have you appreciated of the impact of the journal for GW publishing students, in your interactions with them on the board, such as Aimar Galarza? What are some of your goals and expectations for students moving forward, as EIC?

I really appreciate their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives. During initial meetings, I would find that they’d question the basic assumptions of peer review and publishing, which made me reassess and either confirm or question my own approach. I’ve worked with a lot of newer graduates and early career professionals, and I find that their perspectives are a great way to never become complacent. Their ideas often push us forward in innovation and equity efforts. It’s hard to just accept things because “that’s how it’s always been” when you have smart people questioning you regularly.

Aimar, Ashley Warren, and Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes were integral for keeping the core journal functions moving. Their persistent work was valuable in pushing the journal forward and communicating the ideas and decisions between teams.

There are, as you know, thousands upon thousands of journals—your organization, APA, has nearly one hundred journals—and there are also several well-respected scholarly journals covering the field of publishing. What do you see as the special role or niche of the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing?

I see this as a great fit for several types of articles. We’re focused on getting good ideas out there, even if they’re not the typical type of article you’d see in a journal. I want people to write articles even if it hadn’t occurred to them to write about publishing before. There are numerous topics that might not seem original or interesting, but that would be fascinating to read about. This is also a great destination for articles by newer career professionals, because we have students and experienced professionals focused on helping authors and reviewers learn the process.

What are some of the challenges—and opportunities—for a student-managed journal, to produce a professional quality scholarly publication? For example, in publishing graduate students’ capstone projects along with research written on ethics in publishing by other members of the publishing community.

One of the primary opportunities is that most of the people working on this journal are newer to the field. Their primary interest might not even be in scholarly publishing, so they aren’t necessarily focused on journals long-term. That can be a challenge, but it’s also a great opportunity to view a journal from an entirely fresh perspective. Similarly, with newer career people managing the journal, each new group of students are in the process of learning how to run and manage a journal. That could be a challenge, but like I said before, it’s also a fantastic pressure to continue reassessing the process as you go.

An original goal of the journal identified by the outgoing editor, Randy Townsend, was to ensure long-term quality. One of the committees he established was Strategy and Sustainability. That student-led committee is responsible for figuring out how to ensure that the quality of the journal remains high while also having groups of students come and go. As the journal progresses, we will continue to add to the resources to support continued student engagement.

In terms of producing high-quality content, we have a mix of both student and experienced reviewers assessing each article. The reviews are then assessed by a member of the editorial board for suitability within the journal. As with all peer reviewed content, this mixture of assessment allows for several unbiased approaches to the submissions. Once accepted, the article is then edited and prepared for publication by dedicated students.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned in your role at APA that will be helpful to you in leading the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing?

Things are always evolving. Within science, research keeps building on itself and correcting misconceptions. I find it useful to see some parts of publishing as a snapshot in time or a reality for some publishers but not all. The industry is ever-changing, so there will always be new facets to examine and discuss. Previous assumptions might not hold true within five years or even two.

I’ve helped build different projects and launch many new services and processes, while also managing a range of personalities and skillsets. My goal is to continue forming a good process for students and authors, while encouraging both groups to think broadly.

You were a student in the MPS in Publishing program. What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?

I’ve always been interested in publishing and a colleague at APA had graduated from the program. I began pursuing my degree prior to working publishing, so it was exciting to talk to others also interested in publishing. GW’s classes cover a wide range, including areas where I didn’t have as much interest or where I had no real skill, specifically design. Even those classes were useful in that they provided me with a foundational understanding of how complex the topic was and the basics.

What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program? And why should students consider volunteering to work on managing the journal?

Take broad classes that you wouldn’t normally gravitate toward. I’m weak when it comes to design, but I enjoyed the class. It was educational to spend time in a subject that I’m not as comfortable with. The program also gives you an idea of what part of the industry you’re most interested in pursuing and educates you on the challenges in the different aspects of publishing. Digital publishing has been a massive topic in publishing for over twenty years and the death of print has been a worry for years and years. Getting the long-term perspective from the class readings, discussions, and professors’ experience is invaluable when trying to understand the past and future of publishing.

Working with this journal is a great crash course in journal work, from peer review principles to editing and then actually releasing the content in the world. This is a wonderful hands-on method of seeing the ethical principles and general process in action.

What have you found to be the long-term value of the MPS in Publishing degree; how has it impacted your career at APA?

I appreciated that it gave me a glimpse into all the areas of publishing. I took classes in marketing, copyright, editing, and journal management. I don’t use all of the skills daily, but the basis of understanding the different areas has helped me understand the different roles I interact with. Almost universally, graduates I’ve worked with have referred to the copyright class the most. It’s a sticky topic and I still refer to the texts we used.

Alumni Profile: Aimar Galarza, MPS 2022

June 9, 2022July 21, 2022Alumni Profile, Journal of Ethics in Publishing, Kudos, Publishing CareerBuilderLeave a Comment

Aimar Galarza, originally from Villalba, Puerto Rico, is an outstanding graduate of the MPS in Publishing program, a talented writer and voice actress in both English and Spanish, and a book publicist at Pubvendo.

What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?

My advice to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program would be to try attending most, if not all, the events that the program offers throughout the semesters, such as the Publishing CareerBuilder webinars. Also, try connecting through LinkedIn with all the guest speakers that you meet; this helps you open doors to many opportunities ahead.

One piece of advice: If you can come to GW in person, do so! It’s so rewarding to be able to engage in other GW communities and events in Foggy Bottom that you wouldn’t experience being online. I have made so many friends from different parts of the world, and I have also met fellow Latinos that I can relate with too! I’ve learned a lot from their different paths in life, and I was able to be part of lovely communities such as the GW Catholics community.

All in all, don’t be afraid of the unknown. You will never know which doors you might open.

What is the most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program? What is the most rewarding?

I would say that the most challenging aspect of the MPS Publishing Program is knowing how to balance your time between full-time work and evening studies to be able to do your best in turning in projects of varying difficulties (depending on each course) every week.

The most rewarding aspect of the program is the fact that you have opportunities to network with guest speakers, classmates, and GW staff who are professionals in varying fields of the publishing industry or other types of industries. This gives you the opportunity to have a unique learning experience and opens doors to getting a job in the publishing industry.

Aimar Galarza, MPS in Publishing 2022

If you can come to GW in person, do so! It’s so rewarding to be able to engage in other GW communities and events in Foggy Bottom that you wouldn’t experience being online. I have made so many friends from different parts of the world, and I have also met fellow Latinos that I can relate with too!

What do you hope to do after graduating from the MPS in Publishing program?

Now that I have graduated from the program, I will be focusing on my job as a Book Publicist and continue learning as much as I can from the publishing industry through books, articles, and the experiences that my job provides me with. I’m excited to keep in contact with all the wonderful people that I have met throughout my GW journey, and I’m also excited to read lots of books and comics on my free time. Furthermore, I will have a wedding to plan; therefore, I’m looking forward to that next stage in my life!

What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?

There were various reasons that I decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree specifically in GW. One of the first reasons was the diversity of courses on the business side of publishing when comparing the curriculum to other publishing programs. I knew I liked the creative aspects of the design or the development of a story but learning about how the production side of things works, how to acquire books, and even learning about how copyright works really caught my attention. Due to the constant guidance from Director and Associate Professor John Warren in explaining how the program works, this became my second reason to attend the GW MPS in Publishing. He helped me through the transition of moving to DC with helpful information on both the program and the Virginia/DC areas, which I will forever be grateful for. The third reason was knowing that Washington, DC is a great hub for networking with professionals working in different career paths that you can learn from.

Who has made the biggest impact on you during your time at GW?

Everyone that I have met during the program were big inspirations to me, such as Nicole Mintz, classmates, and professors of each course. I have learned a lot from each and every one of them, and I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and support that they have offered.

[Program Director and Professor] John Warren has made a great impact on me during my time at GW. His dedication to what he does, his guidance, and his help throughout my GW journey as a student and professional has helped me get to where I am today.

What have you found to be the value of the MPS in Publishing degree, and how are you using what you learned, as a rising publishing professional?

The value of the MPS in Publishing degree—apart from the networking side of things—is that courses provide projects and tools that anyone can use in the present for careers in publishing, marketing, or just business in general. For example, I was able to use the Strategic Prioritization tool from the Marketing Strategies course in one of my job interviews.

Aimar Galarza, College of Professional Studies Commencement, 2022

How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work at Pubvendo?

As a Book Publicist at Pubvendo, I am using the general knowledge of how book publishers work in their field that I learned during the first courses in MPS, such as Book and Journal Publishing, E-Pub, and Business of Publishing. I have also applied knowledge learned from my Book Publicity and Promotion course for writing pitch letters and knowing how to reach out to a specific audience.

Also, as the Editorial Committee Lead and Board Representative in the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing, I have applied the knowledge of how to reach out to peer reviewers into my day-to-day job of reaching out to influencers or bloggers when marketing books. Every tool and piece of knowledge that the program offers are essential to succeeding as a professional.

Aimar Galarza on LinkedIn. Aimar’s Personal/Professional Website

Alumni Profile: Giuliana Macaluso, MPS 2022

May 31, 2022June 2, 2022Alumni Profile, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Giuliana Macaluso is an outstanding graduate of the MPS in Publishing program, College of Professional Studies, George Washington University, and recipient of the 2022 CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award. In this Alumni Profile, we hear from Giuliana about the impact of the MPS in Publishing program on her career.

For me, the MPS in Publishing program was an exercise in understanding the phrase “There’s no time like the present.” As I considered applying for this program, I was concerned it “wasn’t the right time”—we were in the middle of the strictest period of lockdown, I was working full time, I had several personal responsibilities, etc. However, once I took the first step and applied for the program, I immediately felt more confident that there was never going to be an ideal time to pursue a graduate degree; I simply needed to take the plunge. Now, with the program completed, I am so glad and proud that I set aside my hesitations and my hope for “the perfect time”; this program has been a fantastic experience, and I recommend it highly regardless of career stage or level of experience.

Giuliana Macaluso, MPS

What is the most rewarding aspect of the MPS in Publishing program?

The most rewarding aspect of the MPS in Publishing program is the chance to network with both experienced and early-career publishing professionals. Many courses in the program include interviews and guest lectures by respected publishing professionals whose advice is instrumental in planning for and executing next steps in one’s career. In addition, the program offers opportunities to make valuable professional connections with classmates with a range of experiences and perspectives that enrich classroom interactions. As a graduating student, I look back fondly on the friendships I have made with my classmates during the two years of the program, and I look forward to seeing how my fellow cohort members make an impact on the publishing industry in the future.

What is the most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program?

The most challenging aspect of the MPS in Publishing program is choosing between the array of electives. This program offers a range of electives in editorial, business, technology, and more, and deciding which electives would be the most beneficial for one’s future career is difficult! George Washington University’s MPS in Publishing program offers advising services to help each student choose courses that best meet their professional goals, and I highly recommend taking advantage of these opportunities. I am pleased with my choices and feel that both the core classes and the electives I selected will be major assets as I progress in my career.

What are some of the reasons you decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing degree? Why did you choose GW specifically?

I decided to pursue the MPS in Publishing program because I have always been interested in practical applications of language and communication, and I am especially interested in scholarly publishing. This program covers each of these aspects—and more. The very high caliber of the teaching faculty in this program is a major asset to the learning process, and each professor is an expert in their field.

The MPS in Publishing program at GW is also one of the only publishing graduate programs in the country, offering a unique, practical experience for aspiring and veteran publishing professionals alike. GW also offers the MPS online, which afforded me the flexibility I needed to complete the program while working full time.

What advice would you give to new or prospective students to the MPS in Publishing program?

This is a program that recognizes effort, and although it is designed to be flexible, students who gain the most from this program are those who put the most effort into their assignments and projects. I highly recommend engaging fully with the course material, including supplemental resources, lectures, and readings. You get out of the program what you put into it.

I’d also advise incoming students to meet with a GW student success coach early in the program to determine how to organize their schedule for the duration of the program. It’s important to decide early on when you hope to graduate so that you can plan your course schedule accordingly, and the GW advisory staff are a major resource for ensuring you are maximizing your time and keeping your target graduation date in mind from the get-go.

Who has made the biggest impact on you during your time at GW?

John Warren, the director of the MPS in Publishing program, has made the biggest impact on me during my time at GW. John consistently offers his individualized career advice and guidance to each student in the program and is consistently available for one-on-one meetings. John has a wealth of experience in a variety of publishing outlets and uses his experience to tailor his advice for each student’s aspirations. John has made it clear to graduating students that he will continue to be a mentor as we progress in our professional careers, and I value this continued willingness to support alumni.

To incoming students, I highly recommend meeting with John regularly as well as making opportunities to meet with your other professors, especially those whose career paths align with your interests and goals. The publishing industry is highly network driven, and your professors want to get to know you—don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and schedule a time to chat!

How are you using what you learned in your publishing courses in your day-to-day work?

The MPS in Publishing program has taught me invaluable skills in time management, which I apply daily in my professional career. Balancing a full-time career with part-time pursuit of a graduate degree is challenging, but my capacity for prioritizing and perseverance has been strengthened as a result.

What have you found to be the value of the MPS in Publishing degree, and how are you using what you learned, as a rising publishing professional?

The MPS in Publishing degree taught me the value of a professional network. As I advanced through the program, I made every effort to meet individually with professors to learn more about their career paths. Because there are dozens of students in each cohort, it’s extremely beneficial to take (or make!) opportunities to meet with professors to gain advice to apply to your future. In addition, your fellow classmates also present a networking opportunity—get to know them!

Giuliana Macaluso, MPS, Receives the CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award, CPS Commencement 2022

Giuliana Macaluso on LinkedIn.

GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing: Meet the Student Committees

May 27, 2021May 27, 2021Ethics in Publishing, Journal of Ethics in Publishing, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

The Journal of Ethics in Publishing is excited to introduce the four student-led committees working to help launch the journal. Each of these four committees deal with different aspects of the journal: Editorial, Marketing, E-Publishing, and Strategy and Sustainability. We recently asked the four committee leads to describe what their committees are charged with, what they’ve accomplished thus far, and what role they will play as the journal continues to evolve and work towards publication.

Giuliana Macaluso

Editorial Committee

Lead: Giuliana Macaluso

Editorial Committee members: Christine Benson, Aimar Galarza, Kaitlyn Longstaff, Mariko Hewer, Olivia Haase, Ashley Elizalde

Editorial Board Liaison: Josephine Sciortino

The Editorial Committee of the Journal of Ethics in Publishing has been charged with stewarding the fair, unbiased double-masked peer review of journal submissions; identifying opportunities to recognize referee contributions; and developing guidelines to maintain journal integrity.

The committee has been hard at work establishing processes to optimize its operations. With the ethical imperative of the journal ever on our minds, the committee’s regular meetings involve discussion around best practices for peer review. We’ve also engaged in research and leveraged professional networks to identify peer reviewers whose expertise and values align with the mission of the journal. In preparation for the first issue of the journal, our inaugural articles have been identified and sent to peer reviewers to solicit feedback—and we’ve already received a reviewer report!

I look forward to seeing the Editorial Committee’s role in the journal continue to solidify and evolve as we move toward the journal’s launch—and over the coming years. This is an integral and enthusiastic committee that affords members experience that will be useful in any publishing profession. And we’re always looking for new members! If you’re interested in learning more about the editorial side of journal publishing, I highly encourage you to join!

Marketing Committee

Lead: Emily Hatcher

Marketing committee members: Sarah Godlin, Corrine Gosling, Abby Norton, Caitlin Monday, Haley Mullins, Nicole McConnell, and Donna Prideaux.

The Journal of Ethics in Publishing’s first marketing committee has been tasked with strategizing, designing, and implementing marketing strategies for the journal. Throughout the past couple of months, the committee has met weekly to brainstorm ideas, discuss content strategy, and begin to establish the journal’s identity as a whole. So far, we’ve created a customer persona, social media strategies, and a content calendar, and we’re continuing to work on setting up social media accounts and starting a weekly email newsletter.

This group is extremely passionate and energetic and I’m so excited to see how the committee will continue to celebrate and amplify the journal.

E-Publishing Committee

Lead: Jeremy Ottley

E-Publishing committee members: Taryn Boss, Melody Johnson, Lismarie Cuevas, Tyana Anglin, Stephanie Luna

The E-Publishing Committee for the GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing has been charged to develop and maintain the online journal presence, ensuring discoverability, appropriate indexing, and successful implementation of industry standards. So far, we’ve been developing a taxonomy for our content to support an indexing strategy, a set of author guidelines to better prepare manuscripts for the platform, as well as a Corrections and Errata policy. Lately, we’ve begun to discuss how to present special collections and how to enhance the user experience.

I look forward to continuing to build a strong digital foundation for George Washington University’s newest born-digital publication.

Strategy and Sustainability Committee

Lead: Ashley Warren

Strategy and Sustainability committee members: Ambriah Underwood, Julie McClenahan, Elizabeth Von Mann, Madison Neuner, Maeve Hayden, and Sydnie Koetje-Simin

Board Liaison: Lois Jones

The GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing’s Strategy and Sustainability Committee has been charged with being the Journal’s moral compass, guiding it through industry disruption while establishing and protecting a legacy of excellence and a tradition of quality. We strive to ensure the Journal serves its readers and the publishing industry for many years to come, while never compromising its values or integrity.

Currently, the Strategy and Sustainability team is working to develop the initial processes that will provide the Journal with critical assets for the future. In sub-committees, members are developing student volunteer recruitment and retainment methods; evaluating the competition and searching for potential hurdles; considering long-term peer reviewer relationships; creating data matrices; and actively working to find grants and other funding opportunities.

Our committee looks forward to working together, and with future student volunteers, to help the Journal of Ethics in Publishing find perennial success.

The four committee leads work closely with our Editorial Board Student Representative, Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes, to help drive initiatives and establish a solid foundation for the journal.

While there have been many accomplishments, there is still so much work to be done! If any of the above committees interest you, we will be accepting new members in the fall; we will send out a request for volunteers when the time comes. This is a great opportunity to gain real-world experience, work more closely with your peers, and help to publish important content.

Congratulate Jeremy Ottley, CPS Distinguished Scholar Award recipient

May 21, 2021May 21, 2021Ethics in Publishing, Kudos, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Remarks from CPS Commencement, May 15, 2021

The CPS Graduate Distinguished Scholar Award is awarded to a graduating student who demonstrates academic excellence while exemplifying the core competencies of the College, which are:

Develop ways to engage with individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives and promote an inclusive environment for the betterment of their profession.
Foster collaboration in professional situations by knowing how to incorporate other’s views, motivations, interests, and strengths in the pursuit of solutions.
Lead by creating innovative practices and inspiring others to join them in delivering better results.
Practice professional ethics by advocating for and making choices that uphold the principles and values of their fields.
Think strategically in researching and analyzing data and contexts to set goals, solve problems, and formulate and implement shared visions.
Communicate complex information and ideas to, and solicit and incorporate feedback from, a variety of audiences.

I’m extremely proud to announce the CPS Distinguished Scholar award recipient: Master of Professional Studies in Publishing student, Jeremy Ottley.

Jeremy Ottley, CPS Distinguished Scholar Award Recipient — Jeremy Ottley, MPS in Publishing, CPS Distinguished Scholar Award Recipient

Students in the Publishing program, and throughout the master’s and certificate programs of College of Professional Studies are a talented group. Jeremy Ottley is an exemplary student; his contributions have benefited his peers as well as our faculty.

In particular, let me highlight his Ethics in Publishing Capstone project. The Ethics in Publishing course, over the course of only eight weeks, asks students to conduct either an Applied Ethics Project (that “makes the world better”) or a Case Study/research project.

Jeremy, in these short eight weeks, researched a paper investigating the remarkable lack of university presses in Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). His case study began with a question: why are there no university presses at HBCUs? This emerged from his career search, as he was interested in potentially working at a HBCU Press. But there are none.

During the course of his research, Jeremy interviewed several prominent publishing executives, professors of civil rights history; literary activists; and scholars, while also conducting literature and archives research.

To say the project was accomplished is an understatement. His project emerged as a fully-formed paper ready for publication in a scholarly journal.

Though he had a self-confessed trepidation of public speaking, he nevertheless contributed to class WebEx meetings and activities with insights, on topics from diversity in publishing to publishing technologies, to production. His posts to students on discussion boards have been encouraging and insightful.

In his professional capacity, Jeremy is a digital production specialist at Project Muse, Johns Hopkins University Press. His expertise in technology and production aspects of publishing, which are often inscrutable to many students but provide excellent career prospects, have been beneficial to a wide range of students. He has a bright career ahead in publishing.

Please join me in congratulating this year’s recipient of the CPS Distinguished Scholar Award, Jeremy Ottley.

John W. Warren
Director and Associate Professor, MPS in Publishing

GW Publishing Students Awarded ACES Scholarships

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021Kudos, Scholarships, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

ACES: The Society for Editing announced that Lori Sosa, a student in Cohort 16 of the MPS in Publishing Program at the George Washington University, has been awarded a scholarship in the amount of $2,500 for 2020-21. Previously, Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes (Cohort 15) and Amy Megill (Cohort 14) were awarded ACES scholarships in 2019-20. Publishing Program Director John W. Warren spoke with Lori, Gabrielle, and Amy about the ACES scholarships, their backgrounds and goals in publishing, and the importance of networking and membership in publishing societies such as ACES.

Q: Why did you apply for the ACES scholarship?

Lori Sosa: There aren’t very many scholarships available to grad students, to be honest, so I was excited to see a scholarship opportunity I could actually qualify for. When I found out that part of the scholarship would help send the winners to the ACES annual conference, I was even more excited. It’s been my dream—a very nerdy dream, I know—to go to the ACES conference one day. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to go!

Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes: When I applied for an ACES scholarship, I was a first-year GW Publishing student who did not come from a publishing background. ACES made it clear that they are committed to connecting editors, furthering education in the field, and supporting newcomers. The scholarship offered many benefits, one of which was a complimentary ticket to the ACES conference. Their annual conference is an impressive gathering of all the biggest names in editing and the session topics were beyond thrilling for the word nerd in me. Last year’s lineup included The Invention of the Modern American Dictionary, Edit Sober: Quick and Dirty Tips for Editors, and Grammar Saves Lives. I knew I wanted to be there. (ACES made the most of the pandemic and hosted the conference online, as they will do this year.)

Amy Megill: I’ve been a member of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) for several years, but I never thought to check and see if they had scholarships. Thankfully, Professor Warren sent an email to my cohort mentioning it, so I applied. (This involved things such as taking an editing test and getting letters of recommendation.) Then, I actually won!

Q: What did winning the scholarship mean to you?

Photo of Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes — Gabrielle Bethancourt-Hughes

Lori: I’m not someone who ever wins things, so this was an especially wonderful surprise. I love editing, and I’ve worked hard to continually improve my editing skills, so to win an award for those skills is extremely validating.

Gabrielle: Winning this scholarship was invigorating. The application included an editing test, so a win reassured me of my editing abilities, and it assured me that I was on the right track. Moreover, the scholarship win also provided substantial prize money, which was used to further my education at GW.

Amy: Winning meant I didn’t have to take out quite as much money in student loans, so it has saved me from some debt. (What a relief!) The money ACES gave me for the scholarship went straight to my tuition.

Q: Tell us a bit about your background in publishing. How long have you worked in the field of editing?

Lori: I loved editing papers back in high school, and I was lucky enough to go to a college that had an editing program. At Brigham Young University, I majored in English language and literature and got a minor in editing. I hadn’t planned to work in magazines, but I got a magazine internship after I graduated in 2012. That internship helped lead to my current job with an international children’s magazine called the Friend. I spent seven years there as copyeditor and am now the assistant managing editor. Editing for children forces you to write in a really simple, concise way, which is much harder than you might think!

Gabrielle: I taught high school English for five years, and while I enjoyed the grammar lessons, helping students find their voices through their writing, and discussing books, I knew I wanted to play a more behind-the-scenes role in the world of books. I obtained a certificate in editing from the University of Chicago and then entered into the publishing program at GW.

Amy: Regarding my publishing background, I’ve been a professional editor for fourteen years. I started in journalism and later ended up in more technical roles, most recently in STEM. I’m currently a senior technical editor for an IT consulting company in Houston, and I’ve also run my own freelance editing business, EditorAmy.com, for almost eight years. With freelancing, I get to edit more creative materials (versus what I edit for my day job), such as novels.

Q: How has becoming a member of ACES impacted you in the profession?

Lori: Editing can feel like a fairly solitary profession at times (no one else cares about the commas quite like you do), so having a whole community of editors through ACES has been a really valuable resource.

Gabrielle: With an ACES scholarship win on top of this as well as an ACES membership that includes some unique connections and opportunities, I am looking forward to a lengthy and successful career in publishing.

Amy: I enjoy being a member of ACES for so many reasons: networking opportunities, continuing education (e.g., webcasts), and the job board. It’s definitely a great resource for editors.

Q: What can you tell us about your longer-term career goals in publishing?

Lori: I’ve been really, really lucky to get my dream job so early. I love writing and editing for children, and I’ve begun to get more management experience, which has been helpful. I’m looking forward to gaining even more experience through the master’s program at GW. I’d like to keep progressing in my current job and to get better and better at writing for a global audience. Someday I would also like to teach editing at a university; my editing professors made such a huge difference in preparing me for my career, and I’d like to do the same for someone else.

Gabrielle: After graduation from GW (2021), I hope to pursue a full-time role in a publishing house or university press as an editor or a production associate. ACES will keep me up to date in the latest style guide changes, their continuous training offerings will keep me sharp, and the networking opportunities will enrich my life as well as my career. [Gabrielle can be followed on Twitter at @gabethancourt]

Amy: Long term, I’d like to either stay in STEM or move to a full-time editing position in publishing. Having my master’s degree in publishing now will certainly open some doors for me. Wherever I end up, I know I’ll always be editing.

Details for the 2021-22 ACES Scholarships will be available in Spring 2021. The scholarship application deadline is November 15, 2021.