who we are
At FUSE, we recognize there are unique challenges to producing undergraduate-focused and -supported publications.
Campus literary magazines, newspapers, and research journals are often isolated from the broader publishing community. There are high rates of student turnover, and many publications struggle with building institutional knowledge, cultivating diverse editorial boards, soliciting submissions, and securing funding. Students must develop new academic and professional skill sets as they edit, design, and promote their publications. They may also reckon with issues of democracy and censorship.
Likewise, faculty advisors and staff supervisors are not insulated from hardship. Their work is often undervalued and poorly understood by university administrations. It may also be uncompensated.
FUSE: Society for Student Editors exists as an advocacy organization to share information between students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to build a network of like-minded individuals across American campuses, both big and small.
Our Team
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Dr. Jess Jelsma Masterton
Director
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Elizabeth Bartholomay
Student Intern
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Matelyn Lugar
Student Intern
Our history
FUSE: Forum for Undergraduate Student Editors was founded in 2003, when students and faculty from Susquehanna University’s Writers Institute presented a panel on undergraduate editing and publishing at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference. The organization was originally headed by Dr. Karen Holmberg, followed by Dr. Karla Kelsey. The annual AWP panel continued until 2011, when a separate event was hosted off-site at American University.
2011 marked a significant step forward for FUSE. The organization elected its first National Board of Directors, led by Dr. Catherine Zobal Dent. In 2012, Dr. Dent launched the annual FUSE Caucus at the AWP Conference, which has continued through the present day. She also hosted the inaugural FUSE National Conference. With the help of students, she built a website that featured: interviews with professional editors and publishers; a comprehensive directory and reviews of undergraduate literary magazines; and The FUSE Box, an online publication featuring work from the annual FUSE conference.
In 2023, Dr. Jess Jelsma Masterton took over as director.
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