There are two competing but important interests for any journal editor. First, the editor has to manage the consistency and quality of the journal by establishing protocols and processes that incrementally improve the journal experience and product for all stakeholders. Second, the editor leads the journal; movement toward a vision of the journal's future must be made in order to accomplish the journal mission. Sometimes managing a journal can get in the way of leading it. Myriad items come up that need to be addressed to keep the journal afloat and, of course, it seems as though everyone's deadline was yesterday. As The Journal of Chiropractic Education has grown over the past few years, the number of administrative tasks has also increased, sometimes making it difficult to find the time and creative energy necessary to move the journal closer to its vision by ever more effectively accomplishing its mission. Clearly, two heads are better than one in accomplishing these two competing pursuits.
The journal is indeed fortunate to have a new assistant editor, Julie Nyquist, PhD, who will manage some administrative tasks and bring additional new creative life to the journal. Dr. Nyquist's deep experience in health professions education and her enthusiasm for teaching and learning are just two of her many qualities that will serve the journal well. Dr. Nyquist will be involved in developing a formal book review process and recruiting authors for the book review section. The book review section will be revamped to focus on books most pertinent to the processes, theories, and practices of teaching and evaluation in higher education.
The journal is also fortunate to have several new members added to the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is currently represented by 35 colleges or universities from 12 countries, and 3 independent members, underscoring the effort to obtain broad representation from around the world. Efforts shall continue to be pushed forward to obtain involvement from chiropractic institutions that are not currently involved with the journal, with a goal of having every chiropractic institution around the world represented on the Editorial Board.
This being the Spring issue of the journal means that it is time for the annual Association of Chiropractic Colleges Conference/Research Agenda Conference. To that end, this issue of the journal contains the prize-winning education research papers from the 2009 Association of Chiropractic Colleges Conference/Research Agenda Conference. Funded by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, these awards are presented to the three top conference submissions presenting education research. It is hoped that these papers and awards will inspire more people to complete the journey from presentation to publication by taking the few steps necessary to bring ideas to an audience much larger than only those who attend the conference.
Please enjoy this issue of the journal, and for those attending the conference, enjoy that too.