Journalism department chairwoman named editor of quarterly journal

Professor and Journalism Department Chairwoman Maria Marron can add editor of Journalism & Mass Communication Educator to her list of accomplishments.

As editor of the quarterly publication, Marron said in an email she will set the agenda, which includes determining themes and topics to explore, inviting guest speakers and expanding the reach of the journal. She said one critical aspect of the job will be to work with the editors and staff of SAGE Publications to make sure manuscripts are processed from online submission to printed and online final copy on time.

“My responsibilities as editor will be to ensure that manuscripts are sent out to reviewers in a timely fashion and that the quality of the journal is maintained,” she said.

J&MCE is one of three publications produced by the AEJMC, along with Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, and Journalism & Mass Communication Monographs. The publication addresses topics including teaching techniques, new courses and technology in the classroom.

Marron found out she was appointed editor in December after interviewing for the position with the Publications Committee of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in late November. The AEJMC newsletter states her three-year term as editor will begin in October.

The peer-reviewed journal has an acceptance rate of 12 percent, and Marron said as editor she would like to increase the acceptance rate of submissions. She said she would achieve this not by diluting the quality of submissions, but by reaching out to graduate students and faculty to submit manuscripts as well as “making the journal a must-read publication that attracts readers and provokes discussion in the journalism and mass communication community.”

Marron said she will have to be more attentive to time management as she takes on the new project, but she is confident she can manage the journal in addition to her responsibilities as department chairwoman.

“I manage my time reasonably well, even though I sometimes take on a lot of assignments,” she said. “I believe I will have to be even more attentive to time management, but I am confident I can manage the journal in addition to my chairing duties.”

Marron said a graduate assistant has also been assigned to help her with the publication. She said Nicole O’Donnell, who is doing a master’s degree in film history in the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, will aid her considerably with the processing of manuscripts and other tasks.