2025-2026
Committee Roster
Alison Cobra, Calgary, Co-Chair (alison DOT cobra AT ucalgary DOT edu)
Corey Parson, North Georgia (corey DOT parson AT ung DOT edu)
Shiraz Abdullahi Gallab, Michigan
Charles Beard, Stanford
Ashley Bernicky, Toronto
Felicia Cedillos, New Mexico
Jennifer Conn, Wisconsin
Alissa Faden, Vanderbilt
Emily Hills, Virginia Tech
Ceclia Sorochin, Virginia
Michelle van der Merwe, British Columbia
David Zielonka, Stanford
Board Liaison
Stephanie Williams, Wayne State
Central Office Liaison
Kate Kolendo
Charge
General Objective:
- Coordinate 2025-2026 Book, Jacket, and Journal Show.
Specific charges to the Book, Jacket, and Journal Show Committee:
- Prepare for the Book, Jacket, and Journal Show by selecting judges (with appropriate consideration of EJIB), securing donations for printing and producing the show catalog, and exploring new avenues of digitizing the awards process.
- Implement the Show by producing and distributing the call for entries in the fall, coordinating the judging in mid-January, updating the show website with the selected entries, coordinating the Show session at the 2026 Annual Meeting, and exploring new opportunities to expand the visibility of the show and catalog.
- Research and propose appropriate criteria for the possible establishment of a new category to honor Excellent Design that Highlights Accessibility in future shows.
- Explore promotional opportunities and social media for the show, selected entries, and catalog to expand visibility.
Common Charges to All Committees of the Association:
- Submit reports on Committee activities to the Association Board in time for its October, March, and June meetings. Interim reports are due on 10 October 2025, and 27 February 2026; final reports that recap all committee activities for the year and are shared with the membership are due 22 May 2026. Follow guidelines for preparing reports found in the Chair Handbook in the Committee and Task Force Chairs Group on UP Commons.
- Follow all guidelines and requirements published in the AUPresses Chair Handbook, including those regarding the use of UP Commons, inclusion of board and staff liaisons, scheduling webinars & hangouts, and any research or survey projects.
- Appoint a member of your committee, ideally not the chair or cochair, to serve as a liaison to the Equity, Justice, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. This role provides updates on your committee’s efforts in support of equity and inclusion, seeks information, support, or guidance on EJIB matters as needed, and attends a Fall meeting for liaisons hosted by EJIB Committee.
- On or after the date of the first interim report, suggest one or more panel or speaker ideas to the Annual Meeting Program Committee
- Consider nominating a member of your committee, or a member of the community with whom your committee interacts, for the AUPresses Constituency Award when announced
- Review your General Objective and Specific Tasks at the end of the service year and recommend changes for next year to the Executive Director.