Candidate for Executive Committee

Residence: Royal Oak, Mich.

Professional position: Assistant professor, Wayne State University, Detroit

Years of membership: 8

Biography

Fred teaches news editing twice a year, along with graduate courses in political communication, research methods, etc. His research focuses on journalism in conflicts and crises, as well as public and professional perceptions of the value of editing. He has conducted ACES-sponsored research addressing the added value of editing for news consumers. He has attended ACES conferences and promotes the group to students.

Fred seeks a first term on the board. He wants to increase ACES’ important steps in supporting research into editing processes and perceptions, which support and clarify the value of editing inside and outside journalism. As a longtime copy editor, he would want to continue to represent both sides of the fence, academic and professional, on the board, and to look for new ways to empower editors. He would like to expand cooperative resources to help mitigate pressures of time and staffing.

ACES’ question to candidate

Board members must show a commitment to the organization’s goals, which center on better serving and increasing the  membership, and keeping ACES financially sound. Everyone’s skills and styles are different. Do you see yourself as stronger in developing ideas, or with putting ideas into action? Are you more comfortable working with a team, or handling a responsibility alone? And how will you organize things to commit the necessary time?

I see myself as stronger at developing ideas and testing them than at putting ideas into action. I’m comfortable working with teams and don’t mind playing backup, but a lot of my work is also independent. Service is part of the job description, so ACES work would go into the same general category as reviewing for journals. As an academic, I have fewer fixed time commitments than I did as an editor, and that makes it a little easier to time-shift.

From the nomination form

How has the nominee contributed to ACES?

Nominator wrote: Conducted ACES-sponsored research addressing the added value of editing for news consumers. (Presented to ACES and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication; an expanded replication is being revised for journal submission.) Other research has looked at ways for professionals and educators to cooperate on changes to the editing curriculum. Maintains annoying editing website “HeadsUp: The Blog.” at which editing issues are discussed. Has attended ACES conferences (and in better-funded days, brought students along) and promotes ACES to student journalists.

What makes the nominee the best candidate for this position?

Nominator wrote: Can expand ACES’ important steps in supporting research into editing processes and perceptions; these efforts support and clarify the value of editing inside and outside journalism. As a longtime copy editor, hopes to continue the tradition of representing both sides of the fence: academic and professional.

If elected, what does the nominee envision for ACES during his or her tenure?

Nominator wrote: Continue looking for new ways to empower editors and to help them empower each other. Expand cooperative resources to help mitigate pressures of time and staffing. Promote the value of editing on the public agenda.

Nominator: Teresa Schmedding