Late last year, the Journal of Applied Communications unveiled a new format intended to make its contents more applicable to all ACE members (see Vol. 85, No. 3, Telg et al., 2001). According to this new format, we now welcome four different types of articles:
The major reason for adopting the new format was to accommodate a full range of articles and content of most interest to ACE members. A sampling of this content is provided in the current issue. For instance, communications staff from the University of Florida provide a useful professional article a collaborative land-grant Internet audio project. Meanwhile, agricultural communication faculty from Ohio State address the issue of accreditation of academic programs, including both advantages and disadvantages. Finally, veteran ACE member and former organization president Larry Whiting provides his commentary on several issues facing the future of our profession.
These articles represent but a few of the many diverse subjects of interest to ACE members and only a fraction of the expertise we can bring to problems in the profession. We need more ACE members to use the Journal of Applied Communications as an avenue to share their ideas and expertise. Clearly, it's easy to identify barriers to writing and submitting articles. Most of us are already overwhelmed with our professional responsibilities and are being asked by our own institutions to do more each year.
Despite these obstacles, we still ask you to consider writing an article for the Journal of Applied Communications. We believe there are a few important reasons to make time for this activity. First, writing for publication can be a rewarding creative outlet and an opportunity to gain recognition among your peers. This is especially true for those of us who spend the bulk of our professional lives helping others to communicate their ideas. Second, sharing your ideas on or expertise with a particular issue could help your colleagues solve a problem or gain a new perspective. When you write for the Journal of Applied Communications, you give something back to the profession-we believe this a responsibility of all ACE members, regardless of our titles or funding sources. Third, publishing peer-reviewed articles enhances your professional credibility, especially among administrators, regardless of your appointment.
Won't you help us improve the Journal of Applied Communications and ACE by submitting an article or an article idea for a future issue? Members of the JAC Editorial Board, listed on the inside cover, will be happy to assist you in any way. For more information about the Journal of Applied Communications or ACE, please visit our Web site: www.aceweb.org
Here's to seeing you in print in 2003!
