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Alumni
An Evolving Industry: Dyson Alumni Engage in Progress in Publishing
What makes a book worth publishing? Whose stories are being told? Over the past several years, diversity in publishing has become a national conversation, and Dyson College of Arts and Sciences alumni working in the industry are invested in moving the field forward.
糖心vlog短视频淭hat糖心vlog短视频檚 what excites me most about this industry: the new directions it糖心vlog短视频檚 going in and all the opportunities to make sure young readers see themselves in what they糖心vlog短视频檙e reading,糖心vlog短视频 said Alma Gomez Martinez 糖心vlog短视频22, 糖心vlog短视频23, who completed a combined degree in English and Publishing from Pace and now works as an editorial assistant for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
While at Pace, Gomez Martinez double minored in and , underscoring her deep-rooted beliefs in representation and social justice. 糖心vlog短视频淚 like to think that as I糖心vlog短视频檓 working toward being an editor, I糖心vlog短视频檒l eventually play a significant role in steering my little corner of publishing in a diverse direction,糖心vlog短视频 she said.
While the conversation of diversity in publishing has picked up steam in the national media recently, Mae Martinez 糖心vlog短视频20, 糖心vlog短视频21, notes that it糖心vlog短视频檚 not a new concept within the industry. 糖心vlog短视频淚 think it糖心vlog短视频檚 important to acknowledge that this conversation has been around for a while, and largely championed by BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and People of Color] authors, publishing professionals, and of course, readers,糖心vlog短视频 she said.
If it糖心vlog短视频檚 the same group of college-educated, primarily white American, heterosexual, cisgendered people choosing what books 糖心vlog短视频榙eserve糖心vlog短视频 publication, or 糖心vlog短视频榙eserve糖心vlog短视频 the limelight, clearly the bookstores and libraries would be uninviting糖心vlog短视频攁nd frankly boring糖心vlog短视频攑laces to be.
Martinez, who also completed the English and Publishing combined degree program, is currently working as an editorial assistant for Ballantine Bantam Dell at Penguin Random House. 糖心vlog短视频淢y job largely impacts what content is published out in the world, and I think all editors have a personal responsibility here,糖心vlog短视频 she said. 糖心vlog短视频淢y editorial practices are built with an intersectional foundation, meaning that inclusivity, mindfulness, and intention are always at the forefront.糖心vlog短视频
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糖心vlog短视频淔or my own part, I try to help those looking to break into publishing by sharing my own journey as a woman of color navigating this world,糖心vlog短视频 said Sabeen Aziz '16, English, a senior editorial assistant at Wiley. 糖心vlog短视频淎nd at my work, we are very particular about finding diverse reviewers and making sure a book has diverse contributors.糖心vlog短视频
Asante Simons 糖心vlog短视频17, English, an editor at Harper Collins, noted that increased diversity in the publishing industry is crucial for representation糖心vlog短视频攂ut also that diversity helps make reading, put simply, more interesting. 糖心vlog短视频淚f it糖心vlog短视频檚 the same group of college-educated, primarily white American, heterosexual, cisgendered people choosing what books 糖心vlog短视频榙eserve糖心vlog短视频 publication, or 糖心vlog短视频榙eserve糖心vlog短视频 the limelight, clearly the bookstores and libraries would be uninviting糖心vlog短视频攁nd frankly boring糖心vlog短视频攑laces to be.糖心vlog短视频
At Pace, students enrolled in both the English and Publishing programs dive deep into themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their coursework and beyond. In the English program, students explore whose voices have been amplified throughout the history of literature and whose stories have mostly gone untold.
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Associate Professor of English Sarah Blackwood, PhD, chair of the English department, noted in articles for , , and that, despite a systemic divestment in the humanities nationwide, enrollment in Pace糖心vlog短视频檚 English program continues to grow because of the department糖心vlog短视频檚 commitment to keeping students engaged糖心vlog短视频攐ften through experiential lessons devoted to challenging traditional ways of thinking.
糖心vlog短视频淪tudying English teaches you how to critically analyze concepts and create persuasive arguments糖心vlog短视频攕kills useful in any position,糖心vlog短视频 said Aziz, who noted that her English professors at Pace, who were passionate and engaging, challenged her to be a better thinker and writer.
In the publishing program, DEI is purposefully woven throughout the curriculum, including in courses such as Book Design and Production, taught by Adjunct Professor Peggy Samedi, senior production manager at Penguin Random House. She said, 糖心vlog短视频淒EI is not only for departments with editorial functions. A representative workforce that mirrors the needs and values of our changing customer base is essential for all parts of our industry. Non-editorial colleagues are sometimes the book's first readers and can become their biggest advocates.糖心vlog短视频
Adjunct Professor James Perry, who teaches the Financial Aspects of Publishing graduate course and works as vice president and director of finance at Random House Children糖心vlog短视频檚 Books Inc., added, 糖心vlog短视频淥ne of the goals of DEI is for everyone to have a seat at the decision-making table. An important part of being at the table is understanding the economics of the publishing world. The more informed we are on financial aspects, the better chance we have of making sound analytical choices that are both profitable and equitable for all. In the Financial Aspects of Publishing course, the students have resoundingly and organically achieved this in both theory and reality.糖心vlog短视频
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Through courses like Samedi糖心vlog短视频檚 and Perry糖心vlog短视频檚, the professors in the MS in Publishing program ensure that students are well prepared for careers in a changing industry.
糖心vlog短视频淲e incorporate DEI in everything we do, ensuring that diverse books and authors are included in any discussions about the industry,糖心vlog短视频 said Manuela Soares, MFA, director of the MS in Publishing program. 糖心vlog短视频淥ur guest speakers and faculty are drawn from diverse publishing professionals, so all of our students can see themselves in those role models.糖心vlog短视频
In response to the on the publishing industry in New York City, the first survey of its kind, Soares emphasized Pace糖心vlog短视频檚 unique role in connecting future publishing professionals to the industry in the city. The survey underlined progress the industry has made regarding diversity, while underscoring areas for continued improvement and offering suggestions for actionable steps within the field. In alignment with the recommendations, Soares highlighted Pace糖心vlog短视频檚 commitment to educating publishing students on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and on making quality education accessible to all.
Aziz applauded the notion that these important conversations are continuing to happen in the industry, but noted that 糖心vlog短视频渋f you look at the current data, there is still a long way to go.糖心vlog短视频
Martinez added that it糖心vlog短视频檚 not just those working in the publishing industry who can help push the movement forward: 糖心vlog短视频淚f anyone is interested in getting involved, a good starting point is to read widely from authors who have experiences that are not your own.糖心vlog短视频
Dyson Digital Digest: Summer 2023
Faculty and Staff
In recognition of her exceptional service to her community, Dean Tresmaine R. Grimes, PhD, has been named a national finalist for the Jefferson Award, an honor referred to as the 糖心vlog短视频淣obel Prize of service.糖心vlog短视频
Students
The Animal Policy Project, an initiative through the Environmental Studies and Science department, is giving students first-hand opportunities to advocate for legislation surrounding animal issues.
Faculty and Staff
As the newly appointed director of experiential learning and the Pace Path, Associate Professor of English Kelley Kreitz, PhD, is exploring how Pace糖心vlog短视频檚 approach to hands-on pedagogy enhances student success and sets the University apart.