During my time volunteering as both Outreach Coordinator and Editor for Columns, I experienced a unique convergence of intellectual engagement, community-building, and personal growth. The publication was founded to provide a platform for rigorous undergraduate scholarship, but it quickly became more than just a student journal; it was a space for cultivating dialogue, amplifying diverse academic voices, and shaping a culture of undergraduate research that was not accessible to humanities students at UMW. My role allowed me to not only contribute to the refinement of the journal's content but also to broaden its reach and deepen its impact within the university community.

When I first applied to join the editorial team, I was driven by a desire to engage more deeply with academic writing outside of the classroom. I had a strong interest in editing and hoped to sharpen my analytical and communication skills. The outreach role appealed to a different part of me, one that enjoyed connecting with people and promoting causes I believed in. I entered the position with the goal of making the publication more visible and accessible, particularly to students who might not have considered submitting their work or participating in academic discourse beyond coursework.

There were challenges, of course. Balancing the time-intensive responsibilities of editing and outreach with my academic workload was difficult, especially during peak submission periods.

Encouraging engagement on campus also proved more difficult than anticipated. However, I learned quickly and came to value the experience of being thrown in head first. These experiences taught me invaluable skills; project management, written and verbal communication, and leadership among them. I became more comfortable with public speaking, improved my technical editing abilities, and learned how to coordinate across teams. More importantly, I developed a greater sense of confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully to academic communities.

I also came away with a deep appreciation for the power of student-led intellectual spaces. Undergraduate publications can often be overlooked, but they play a crucial role in nurturing curiosity, validating student scholarship, and building networks of peer support. I am proud to have been part of a team that upheld academic rigor while also fostering accessibility and inclusion.