Accredited UNG Press celebrates 10 years

"You can write a great book, but that doesn't mean much if no one reads it," Dr. BJ Robinson, director of the University of North Georgia (UNG) Press, said.

For the past decade, the scholarly, peer-reviewed press has published and showcased academic works that range from monographs, nonfiction and textbooks to literature, fiction and children's books.

"We help authors and try to do justice to their work," Robinson said.

Accomplishing that mission earned UNG Press the highest accolades possible for a higher education publisher. In July, it was admitted as an affiliate member of the Association of University Presses (AUP). The accrediting body for higher education presses votes once a year to admit new members.

"We had to give them an X-ray on us," Robinson said. "They had to look at the books we published and our peer-review process. They examined our net sales and tax-exemption status. It took a lot of hard work, and it is our proudest accomplishment."

With one milestone checked off the list, UNG Press hit another this fall. It celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Since its inception, UNG Press has made a name for itself in the state and among other institutions. It is the state leader in open educational resources (OER) and open textbooks and has published 16 open textbooks with nine more in progress.

Robinson explained before OERs, textbooks had a markup of 300% or more.

"They are inflated beyond what is fair and equitable," Robinson said, explaining the OERs and low-cost and online textbooks have leveled the playing field. "If you want to help educate people, you have to give them the same opportunities."

Corey Parson, managing editor of UNG Press, said the OERs and low-cost textbooks have saved students on average $5 million. And the 2017 UNG alumna knows first-hand how beneficial that can be.

"I was a student at UNG for 10 years," Parson said. "And I remember calling my parents to ask for money for textbooks. Knowing we have a small part of making college affordable for everyone is my proudest moment."

Robinson said their success has resulted in Clemson University Press, State University of New York Press and University of Texas Press seeking consultations from them about the open textbooks.

"It surprised me that these universities were contacting us to ask questions," Robinson said. "It was a compliment."

She said UNG Press being designated as a University Press Partner with Affordable Learning Georgia made the feat possible.

UNG Press also cultivated a second high-profile partnership in 2020. It joined forces with the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Book Program to publish books addressing subjects such as military land power and land warfare history, technology, combat, and strategy and tactics. This curated collection serves to educate members of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, the AUSA, U.S. government officials, and the public.