Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero, University of Guam Press, reports on visiting five presses

In early May, I made the 23-hour-long journey from Guam to New Jersey for an incredible opportunity to collaborate with and learn from other press directors through the Association of University Presses’ Directors Residency Program. My residency was primarily at Princeton University Press and New York University Press; however, I visited Rutgers University Press, Fordham University Press, and Brown University Digital Publications. I also met with directors from Temple University Press, University of Pennsylvania Press, Columbia University Press, and Oxford University Press USA.

Christopher N. Blaker, Managing Editor of Expeditions with MCUP and MES Insights at Marine Corps University Press, reports on visiting the University of Michigan Press.

In February 2023, I participated in the Association of University Presses (AUPresses) Week in Residency Program at the University of Michigan Press (UMP). It was a truly fantastic experience, and I learned a great deal from the folks with whom I met during the course of the week. This wonderful opportunity for professional development could not have come at a better time in my career.

Clare Jones, now Assistant Editor at Brown University Digital Publications, reports on visiting the University of Toronto Press.

This residency took place in early 2023 when Jones was Associate Editor at Cornell University Press.

The AUPresses Week in Residency Program gave me the opportunity to learn new skills and procedures from colleagues in Toronto who have developed unique innovative programs. My goals in visiting the press fell into two interest categories: acquisitions and management.

Katie Lee, Acquisitions Editor at Gallaudet University Press, reports on visiting the University of Georgia Press

Rationale: Before I began working as the acquisitions editor at Gallaudet University Press, I had no prior acquisitions experience, and my work in publishing up to that point had been on a temporary, part-time basis. After three years of working full time at Gallaudet, I finally felt like I knew the job well enough that a professional development opportunity like the AUPresses Week in Residency Program would be relevant and applicable to my skill set.

Adam Mehring, EDP Manager at the University of Wisconsin Press, reports on visiting the University of Minnesota Press

My primary objective for applying to the AUPresses Week in Residency Program was to learn how the Editorial, Design, and Production department operates at a slightly larger press.

Lily Simmons, Digital Asset Manager at the University of Pennsylvania Press, reports on visiting MIT Press.

The AUPresses Week in Residency program was an invaluable experience for my professional development as well as directly beneficial to my home press, Penn Press. Because I already had a continuing mentorship with the director of business systems and operations, MF Gydus, I knew immediately that MIT Press would be the perfect place to visit. Since I am effectively a department of one, the week in residence at MIT gave me an opportunity to witness how an entire data team operates as well as explore open access (OA) initiatives on MIT’s OA platforms, a future interest for Penn Press.