Student led, student read: USF Archway Review

This past week, excitement has been buzzing as the Archway Review held its launch party, celebrating the publication of its fifth issue! Such a milestone truly highlights the hard work and dedication from students and faculty alike that brought this magazine to where it is today. However, this success did not come overnight, but rather through the advocacy and vision of Dr. Anna Ioanes and Dr. Elizabeth McDermott, who both wanted to establish a platform that would be able to publish students’ writings and aid in their personal and professional pursuits. Thus, their partnership fostered the creation and evolution of a student-run literary magazine that has achieved five years of publication, with the intention of many more to come.

According to Dr. Ioanes, who currently serves as the magazine’s faculty advisor and contact, coordinator and mentor, the Archway Review’s unique foundation was forged through an interdisciplinary partnership that occurred in the fall of 2020. Specifically, it was between a poetry class taught by Dr. McDermott and a technical writing class taught by Dr. Ioanes. By combining the poetry and critical contextualization provided by Dr. McDermott’s students with the digital infrastructure skills provided by Dr. Ioanes’s students, the prototype of the Archway Review was born. From there, Dr. McDermott became the originator of the Archway Review, and she supported the publication of the first issue in a class focused on creative writing in the fall of 2021. However, it has since grown even further, maintaining regular publications, a website and a network of students providing feedback and making editorial decisions.

This collaborative spirit is codified within the magazine’s mission statement and commitment to providing an inclusive environment for writers from all disciplines. According to the Archway Review website, the magazine serves as a platform where writers can experiment with their perspectives and experience the general progression of the editorial process. Furthermore, curating a creative, inclusive atmosphere that can grant students a “confidence boosting catalyst” for skills and achievements. By prioritizing the logistics of the publication process, the Archway Review ensures the selection of works remains fair, empowering writers to test their creative limits.

Translating these goals into a tangible publication now falls to Rodolfo Flores, the newly elected Editor-in-Chief, as he takes over for previous Co-Editor-in-Chiefs Lindsey Prosperi and Dulce Porcayo. In an interview, he stated that he is responsible for the decision-making of the magazine production, drawing on his alternative experience with the USF Encounter for additional framework. Overall, his goals are to establish more prevalence for the Archway Review through exposure and expert curation. He elaborated on this process further, calling it a fruit salad, in that each piece added to an Archway Review issue builds off of the others, creating a delicious blend of already splendid works to establish a theme. The full “salad” then resonates deeper with readers as it gives life and individuality to each issue. While he may only be in this position for a limited time, Flores wants to lay the groundwork to increase student participation for the future and contribute to something greater on campus.

For those looking to see their names in print or explore the “fruit salad” of Issue #5, the Archway Review website serves as the central hub (https://www.archwayreview.com/). It offers everything from submission guidelines and criteria to an expertly student-curated FAQs section and current issues. However, not only does this publication actively boost confidence and establish a literary foundation on campus, but it also acts as a wonderful opportunity for students and alumni to add to their résumés or repertoire. All students and alumni are highly encouraged to participate in such a wonderful opportunity, not only to contribute to campus publications but also to the growth of literary substance.