The Wright College Symposium Journal enters a new semester as Amanda Jiang takes up the reigns as the publication’s editor-in-chief.
Being a part of the City Colleges of Chicago can sometimes land you in positions you never thought you would be in. While it’s not necessary to be involved in any sort of extracurricular program, some students will rise to the challenges offered to them.
Enter Amanda Jiang, a Chinese-American student here at Wright who has taken it upon herself to become the new editor-in-chief of the Symposium Journal, a scholarly journal containing a collection of notable student written essays on the great books.
Jiang was born in the United States, however, she was raised in China for several years before returning. She is a first-generation child, a generational status that many students here can relate too and sympathize with.
She initially discovered the journal when she joined the Great Books Society, a group that promotes the spread of great ideas and literature. The Journal is advised by Michael Peterson, an english professor here at Wright.
The Journal was dead for quite some time, due to the cost and effort of producing copies, until Professor Peterson revived it in 2011. After being appointed by Professor Peterson as editor-in-chief in fall 2017, Jiang plans on leading the journal in a direction where it can be “a voice for all students from diverse backgrounds.”
When asked about the significance of a city college having their own scholarly journal, Jiang explains that having a collection of student’s works is important for preserving the legacy of said students, as well as showing the more “legit” colleges that the students here are just as capable as theirs.
Working with a team of motivated individuals, Jiang looks for papers that contain “passion that you can see. The paper shouldn’t be something that’s dead.” She has faith that the students here can provide the Journal with great works of literature.
While satisfied with her work at the Journal, Jiang eagerly looks forward to the future, aiming for a doctorate in literature, along with interest in other subjects like psychology and medicine. “Why not?” Jiang asks. “Life is too short anyway.”