I found a scholarly home in Communication Education nearly 20 years ago. My interest in scholarship related to communication, teaching, and learning began while I was pursuing my master’s degree at Illinois State University. Over the years, a large portion of my scholarship has appeared in Communication Education, and now my time as editor of the very journal that first captured my academic passion comes to an end. Editing a journal provides an opportunity to mentor up-and-coming researchers, further develop the careers of seasoned scholars, and move the field forward. This was an opportunity that I did not take lightly. But approximately four years ago, when former editors asked me to consider a nomination for editor of Communication Education, my immediate reaction was to politely decline. I did just that. Twice. Yet here I am wrapping up my editorial term.
I am so glad I agreed to pursue the opportunity and look back on my term with a great deal of honor and privilege to even be selected to lead the journal as editor. I began my editorial term in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 global health pandemic took hold. I often reflect on my term in three phases: pre-COVID (a very brief time), COVID (most of my term), and recovering from COVID (the final months of my term). The pandemic understandably caused a host of challenges—manuscript submissions slowed, and reviewers’ feedback was delayed, among other concerns. While the journal is now back in its strong position, I remain grateful to our authors and reviewers who persevered in the most challenging of times.
Many individuals support the work of a journal editor, and that support meant even more during a tumultuous time when everyone needed care and assistance. I am grateful for those who served as a consulting editor during my term: Melissa A. Broeckelman-Post, Deanna L. Fassett, Katherine Grace Hendrix, Andrew M. Ledbetter, Scott A. Myers, and Blair Thompson, who regularly shared with me their sound advice and good wisdom. Over 70 highly competent scholars comprised the editorial board, and I am incredibly grateful for their service.
Kevin Barge and Devika Chawla led NCA’s Publications Council during my editorship and provided instrumental support navigating a range of topics and issues. I enjoyed working with Taylor & Francis staff members Sophie Wade and Fiona Richmond, who provided strong support getting authors’ work into the system and through to production. My predecessor, Deanna Dannels, answered my many questions and provided invaluable advice and counsel. Madison Wilson (Clemson University) and Sarah Devereux (University of Tennessee) served as editorial assistants during my term and handled day-to-day duties related to manuscript processing. I cannot thank them enough for their dedication and commitment to their work. I transitioned from Clemson University to the University of Tennessee during my editorial term. Both institutions were incredibly supportive of this important leadership role.
Kyle Rudick now begins as Communication Education’s next editor. The journal is in incredibly capable hands. Under Kyle’s leadership, I am confident that we will continue to publish the best scholarship related to communication, teaching, and learning—further positioning the journal as a scholarly home for current and future scholars.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).