How many editions of Scribendi did you work on?
I worked on Scribendi from fall 2012 to spring 2014 and helped publish the 2013 and 2014 editions. For the 2014 edition I was the Managing Editor.

What is your best Scribendi memory?
The trip to the 2014 WRHC Conference in Denver! My parents live there, so almost the whole staff drove up to Denver to attend WRHC, and we all slept on the floor in the basement at my parents’ house. I had a great time and it was so much fun to feel so celebrated at WRHC. I also met my fiancé in Scribendi, so he is probably the greatest thing Scribendi gave me!

How has Scribendi affected your career and academic endeavors?
Scribendi has given me tools of business (I’m getting my MBA now), like knowledge about funding, grants, and fundraising. Scribendi also gave me the ability to design marketing materials, newsletters, great presentations, etc. that in any workplace are phenomenal skills to have.

What was your favorite part of the publishing process?
My favorite parts of the publishing process were the long copyediting weekend we did and the entire design process. It was incredible to use different pieces of the designs our Scribendi staff came up with to create a final product.

Do you have any words of wisdom for future staff members?
Scribendi takes a ton of time, but it is all worth it. Don’t be surprised if you spend hours reading every week (especially when submissions come in), but know that your opinion on each piece is valuable and your time is really important. Every piece you read took time, effort, and emotion to create, and every piece deserves your full attention. And spend time in the office! It’s the best way to get to know the people you’re working with for at least a year.

Why are publications like Scribendi important?
Publications like Scribendi are important because of their ability to capture a moment in time and be a piece of culture for the future. Professor Ketcham [Faculty Advisor 2013 to present] has often referred to this as “cultural amber,” and I’ve always admired how every Scribendi edition seems to have a theme that highlights the year it was published and shows the year’s cultural tone.

Why is Scribendi as a class important?
Without the curriculum component of Scribendi, the publication would be far less successful (in my opinion). The fall semester gets every staff member on the same page and gives everyone the same abilities for copyediting and analyzing submissions. It also gives the staff time to “gel” and really figure out everyone’s strengths and weaknesses; seeing each other at least twice a week in class allows for this to happen.

What do you miss the most about Scribendi?
The people! I miss both staffs I got to work with, and how at the beginning of the year Scribendi seemed like such an impossible task. It’s incredible that a group of 10 to 16 people can come together as strangers and in nine months create something so incredible.

What do you do to unwind after a long day?
I run, workout, and binge watch Parks and Rec on Netflix.

Mac or PC?
MAC!