Position Description and Qualifications
- Term Length: 3 years (renewable)
- Reports To: NODA Director of Education
- Remuneration: $1,500 per issue (2 issues/year)
About JCOTR
The Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention (JCOTR) is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication that shares trends, practices, research, and the development of programs, policies, and activities related to the matriculation, orientation, transition, and retention of college students. JCOTR welcomes literature reviews, “how-to” articles, innovative initiatives, successful practices, and new ideas that support professionals in higher education.
Position Overview
The Editor of the JCOTR is responsible for the overall editorial direction, quality, and production of the journal. This includes overseeing all aspects of the peer-review process, publication workflows, editorial timelines, and the coordination of a team of associate editors and reviewers. The Editor ensures that the journal meets its mission of disseminating high-quality, relevant, and timely content for practitioners and scholars.
Key Responsibilities
Editorial Leadership & Oversight
- Provide strategic leadership and vision for the journal.
- Ensure all published content aligns with the mission and scope of the JCOTR.
- Set editorial priorities and contribute to the advancement of scholarship in the field.
Manuscript Management
- Oversee the ongoing submission, review, and decision-making process for manuscripts.
- Communicate with authors within two weeks of manuscript submission to confirm receipt and share next steps.
- Assign submitted manuscripts to appropriate associate editors or peer reviewers.
- Make final decisions on acceptance, revision, or rejection of manuscripts.
- Provide developmental feedback to authors as needed.
- Communicate with authors on questions and decisions related to manuscripts in a timely manner (within two weeks).
Peer Review & Quality Assurance
- Maintain a robust and diverse peer reviewer pool.
- Ensure an ethical, double-blind peer review process is followed.
- Monitor review quality and timeliness.
- Resolve conflicts or disputes in the editorial process.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Recruit, support, and manage a team of associate editors and peer reviewers.
- Convene bi-annual virtual meetings with associate editors and peer review team to review progress, discuss trends, and plan future issues.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the editorial team and NODA staff.
Production & Publication
- Ensure the publication of at least two issues annually, adhering to deadlines.
- Collaborate with the Association staff, copy editor and layout designer to finalize issues.
- Conduct a final review of proofs and ensure formatting consistency.
Promotion & Outreach (in collaboration with NODA staff)
- Promote the journal to potential authors, readers, and reviewers.
- Solicit content through calls for submissions, direct outreach, or themed issues.
- Represent JCOTR at relevant conferences, webinars, and association events, as needed and available.
Ethics & Inclusion
- Uphold the highest standards of editorial integrity and scholarly ethics.
- Strive for diversity in authorship, reviewers, and content perspectives.
Required Qualifications and Eligibility
- Terminal degree and experience and expertise in research design and methodology.
- Previous experience as a journal editor, associate editor, or reviewer.
- Demonstrated expertise in orientation, transition, and retention in higher education.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Active Association membership for the duration of the appointment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with scholarly publishing tools and systems.
Time Commitment
Estimated 8–12 hours per month, with variation based on submission volume and production cycles.
Selection and Appointment Process
NODA members interested in serving as the JCOTR editor must submit an application for consideration. A review committee consisting of the NODA President-Elect, the chair of the Scholarly Practices and Resources Committee, and the NODA Director of Education will make recommendations for the appointment to the President.