New York, NY July 20, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company announced today it earned 100% for the second consecutive year on the Disability Equality Index®, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. It is only one of two education publishing companies to earn that distinction. The score reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion not only for its employees but also for the students who rely on their course materials and educational technology.  The Disability Equality Index, a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN, is a benchmarking tool that allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to disability inclusion and equality. It is modeled off the Corporate Equality Index that highlights LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies, an index that listed Macmillan Learning as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” for the third consecutive year this January. “It has been a long-time top priority at Macmillan Learning to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment for all of our employees,” said Kristin Peikert, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Macmillan Learning. “Participating in the Disability Equality Index this year demonstrates that ongoing commitment to our employees as we continue efforts to improve disability inclusion in the workplace.” This year, those efforts included the launch of an Employee Resource Group (ERG) called AVID (Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities), which regularly provides feedback and suggestions to company leadership for improving company culture and best practices. To enhance awareness of how accessibility impacts learners as well as what we can do to help, AVID launched accessibility training opportunities for all employees on topics like use of color and explaining the new standards that will impact the company’s accessibility work. The group is one of several ERGs that have formed over the last few years and it is thriving. “The work they are doing makes an impact at all levels of the company,” Peikert added. Macmillan Learning views accessibility for its educational technology and course materials through two different lenses. In the first, the company works towards creating equitable student learning experiences and in the next, it aims to meet or exceed industry-accepted standards. The company’s accessibility work has earned it “Gold Standard” recognition from ASPIRE and earned Accessible Books Consortium’s International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing award in 2020. The company’s e-books for the fourth consecutive year were recognized as Global Certified Accessible by Benetech. This means that Macmillan Learning provides “born accessible” digital learning options that ensure that all students have the same access to information.  The company continues to add new features each year to make its products both more accessible as well as improve on its overall design. One such feature extends image descriptions which could previously only be accessed with a screen reader to all users. These descriptions offer readers with vision impairments and readers with learning disabilities a better sense of the images that they may have otherwise struggled with. They are also a great example of how an action taken to improve accessibility can create a better, more informative experience for all users.  "There is no single best way to practice disability inclusion, however, the companies taking the DEI share the desire to create a workplace that fosters the concept of bringing your whole self to the office," said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD. "We look forward to working with all of the participants to help identify meaningful ways to build upon their current practices as we continue on the disability inclusion journey together." About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. About the Disability Equality Index® The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the  inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org. About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com. About Disability:IN® Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 400 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.   ... View more

New York, June 1, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and service company announced today it is seeking instructors teaching Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology classes to participate in research on closing equity gaps. The company is initially seeking about 20 instructors from 2- or 4-year institutions serving predominantly Black, Latino, Indigenous and/or lower-income students for the upcoming fall semester. Research beginning in the Fall 2022 semester will study evidence-based teaching practices, including the impact of outcomes-driven instruction, active learning inside and outside the classroom, and formative assessment and feedback. Notably, the research will examine the relationship between these practices and student course performance. In spring 2023, Macmillan Learning will study students' sense of belonging and metacognition. These studies will be replicated in the following academic year. Earlier this year, the company announced it will research how digital learning platforms and courseware like Achieve can help to close equity gaps in course completion for historically and presently underserved students, and students experiencing poverty. The new research will seek to discover how resources and tools that can be incorporated into courseware, like the company’s new digital learning platform Achieve, can support underserved students and promote student success. In particular, it will focus on three areas: learning what in-program courseware resources most effectively support student metacognition and sense of belonging;  if the inclusion of evidence-based teaching practices in Achieve has a positive relationship with learning outcomes; and  how to best develop culturally responsive content for all students.  Research for Introduction to Psychology will be done using the best-selling Achieve for Psychology in Everyday Life, 6e, written by David G. Myers and Nathan C. DeWall. Research for the Introduction to Sociology courses will be done using Achieve for OpenStax Sociology, 3e. Students participating in the research will receive their course materials at no cost to them, and participation in the research study is voluntary.   Once completed, Macmillan Learning will make its findings publicly available and create an implementation guide with examples of evidence-based practices that can be used in courseware like Achieve. Instructors from 2- or 4-year institutions teaching Introduction to Sociology or Introduction to Psychology serving predominantly Black, Latino, Indigenous and/or lower-income students can register their interest in participating in the study here. About Achieve Achieve is Macmillan Learning’s recently launched digital learning platform. It was developed using learning science and in partnership with students and instructors with the goal of supporting students of all levels of motivation and preparedness and to engage them in and out of class to improve their outcomes. Because it was based in learning science, Achieve was the first product exclusively designed for higher education to earn the “Research-Based Design” product certification by Digital Promise. The product certification helps ensure instructors and institutions that the products they select were designed using research-based learning science principles and developed using best practices before using them with their students. Previous efficacy research on Achieve found that it can help bridge the performance gap often seen among students entering college. That is, the more that less academically prepared students use Achieve, the closer they can come to meeting the performance of their more academically prepared peers. This is because Achieve was co-designed with active learning in mind by more than 7,000 students and 100 leading educators and learning scientists, both working at Macmillan Learning and advising as members of independent review boards. Achieve can be used in traditional, online, hybrid, blended, or a fully “flipped” classroom, with options for both synchronous and asynchronous learning to support student engagement.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.  ... View more

Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Continues Company’s Equity Research with Digital Learning platform Achieve  New York, April 19, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and service company announced today a new partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to research and test equity-centered enhancements for digital courseware, such as Achieve.  The research will focus on how a courseware platform such as Achieve can help to close equity gaps in course completion  for historically and presently underserved students who are taking Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology classes. The grant is part of the foundation’s postsecondary success strategy to eliminate race, ethnicity, and income as predictors of student success. The Introduction to Psychology and Sociology courses were selected for research because they are considered “gateway courses” -- foundational, credit-bearing, lower-division courses that act as gatekeepers to degree completion. Research from The Gardner Institute found that 15% - 60% of students in gateway courses withdraw or earn a D or F grade. The poor outcomes in gateway courses often lead to significant drop-out rates between the first and second years of college, particularly among Black, Latin, Indigenous students, and students from low-income backgrounds.  “It concerns us greatly that race, ethnicity, and income can be indicators of students’ success. We designed Achieve to help level the playing field so that all students feel like they belong and can succeed in the college classroom. The research we’re undertaking now in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation should offer new insight into how we can do that even better for marginalized psychology and sociology students,” said Susan Winslow, CEO, Macmillan Learning.  About the Research Building on Macmillan Learning’s ongoing research within Achieve on student success, this new research project will undertake additional rigorous product and implementation research and offer insight into resources and tools that can be incorporated into a courseware platform such as Achieve to specifically support underserved students. The research is expected to provide insight on how to develop highly effective courseware that promotes student success through their college experience. In particular, it will focus on three areas: learning what in-program courseware resources most effectively support student metacognition and sense of belonging;  if the inclusion of evidence-based teaching practices in Achieve has a positive relationship with learning outcomes for BLI-LI students; and  how to best develop culturally responsive content for all students.  Research for Introduction to Psychology will be done using the best-selling Achieve for Psychology in Everyday Life, 6e, written by David G. Myers and Nathan C. DeWall. Research for the Introduction to Sociology courses will be done using Achieve for OpenStax Sociology, 3e. Participation is estimated at 40 instructors and 2,000 students at institutions in the US that primarily serve marginalized students. “Students in marginalized communities often have an unequal access to opportunities, which may lead to challenges in successfully navigating their education. I’m looking forward to participating in this research, and seeing firsthand the impact that digital learning platforms can have on metacognition and sense of belonging for Latina/o/x students," said Nancy Acevedo, Associate Professor at California State University, San Bernardino and Chicana/o/x Dream author. Achieve is Macmillan Learning’s recently launched digital learning platform. It was developed using learning science and in partnership with students and instructors with the goal of supporting students of all levels of motivation and preparedness and to engage them in and out of class to improve their outcomes. Because it was based in learning science, Achieve was the first product exclusively designed for higher education to earn the “Research-Based Design” product certification by Digital Promise. The product certification helps ensure instructors and institutions that the products they select were designed using research-based learning science principles and developed using best practices before using them with their students. Previous efficacy research on Achieve found that it can help bridge the performance gap often seen among students entering college. That is, the more that less academically prepared students use Achieve, the closer they can come to meeting the performance of their more academically prepared peers. This is because Achieve was co-designed with active learning in mind by more than 7,000 students and 100 leading educators and learning scientists, both working at Macmillan Learning and advising as members of independent review boards. Achieve can be used in traditional, online, hybrid, blended, or a fully “flipped” classroom, with options for both synchronous and asynchronous learning to support student engagement.  When conducting research, Macmillan Learning adheres to American Psychological Association ethical standards. All research conducted by the company’s Learning Science & Insights team is approved by a third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) and then approved at individual institutions where required. Having IRB approval enables the company’s researchers to compare course results with detailed information about each student, a critical aspect of understanding the courseware’s impact on marginalized students. Once completed, Macmillan Learning will make its findings publicly available and create an implementation guide with examples of evidence-based practices that can be used in courseware like Achieve. Instructors from 2- or 4-year institutions serving predominantly Black, Latino, Indigenous and/or lower-income students can register their interest in participating in the study here. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.    ... View more

New York, March 14, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a division of the family-owned global media company Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, announced that Susan Winslow has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer. In this new role, she will oversee the company’s short and long-term global growth, and continue leading the company’s digital transformation in support of all students, no matter their background or abilities.  Winslow, who has served as the company’s President for the past 14 months, has been with Macmillan Learning since 2007. She previously acted as General Manager and has been a part of the company’s senior leadership team since 2015. A long champion of digital learning and equity in education, under her leadership, Macmillan Learning has grown market share for the past five years, developed, tested, and launched the company’s innovative digital platform, Achieve, and doubled the size of its AP High School business. “There are few things more powerful than an education. Susan deeply understands this and has made it her mission to lead Macmillan Learning to enable this opportunity for all students,” said Stefan von Holtzbrinck, Chief Executive Officer of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. “Susan is an authentic leader who has the respect and admiration of the company’s employees, authors, and customers,” said Holtzbrinck Publishing Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Filmon Zerai. “As President, she successfully navigated the company through a rapidly-changing market at one of the most pivotal moments within the education industry, all while also launching a new digital learning platform and expanding internationally. Even with all this change, her focus remained steadfastly on supporting students and their learning.” Winslow has more than 30 years experience working in educational publishing across all areas of the business, and is one of only a few women leading educational services and publishing companies. Under her leadership as General Manager and President, Macmillan Learning gained market share consistently, enabled a smooth transition to digital native course materials and expanded the company’s roster of award-winning authors. She also led the effort to extend Macmillan Learning’s footprint beyond North America in 2021. Winslow has long been a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is a passionate supporter of STEM education.   “We have the opportunity to do something meaningful. To change lives by helping students feel like they belong, and that they deserve to be in the classroom; to help them achieve their goals. My north star for Macmillan Learning is to continue producing technology and course materials that fully engage students, providing them a doorway to what’s possible,” said Susan Winslow, CEO, Macmillan Learning. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.  ### ... View more

New York, Feb 22, 2022 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company, announced the winners for the 2022 “Black History, Black Stories” contest. Now in its second year, the contest was created to elevate Black voices in education and in recognition of the fight for social justice.  This fall, students and instructors submitted either a short essay and a picture or a brief video that answered how they were drawing inspiration from Black history, events, movements, or leaders. The submissions were judged by a cross-section of ten Macmillan Learning employees who support the creation of course materials for college students, including the company’s vast portfolio of History titles. This year’s student winner was Prisca Morisma from Florida Gulf Coast University. Morisma created a video about how Black Americans helped develop the country’s foundations and are creating a better tomorrow. Said one judge of Morisma’s video: “She draws on celebratory, impactful Black history and individuals, but also impresses upon us her own unique and beautiful voice while embracing themes ranging from struggle to joy.” This year’s instructor winner was Carolyn Carr, from Westchester Community College who wrote an essay about how George Floyd and the social activism surrounding his death inspired her to create a new, asynchronous African American history class: Topics in Modern African American History, "The Origins of Black Lives Matter - a history of Black social activism." Said one judge of Carr’s submission, “It is moving to see educators creating spaces for both themselves and their classes to process, grow, and learn together in a classroom setting.” All winners and their submissions are featured on the Macmillan Learning History Community Site and win prize money, with $1,000 going to the top student and instructor winners, $500 to second place winners and $250 for third place.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.  ... View more

Company’s perfect score earned it designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality”  New York, January 27, 2022 – Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company, announced today that it received a score of 100 for the third consecutive year on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The Index is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Macmillan Learning is one of only two education companies to earn top marks this year.  “It’s important to Macmillan Learning that we create a diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and appreciated and that encourages belonging and acceptance. Although our work is far from finished, we are proud to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for our advocacy and support of LGBTQ+ employees,” said Coltrane Stansbury, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Macmillan Learning.  By creating a workforce reflective of diverse learners, Macmillan Learning is able to better create its course materials and educational technology with inclusive design. The company’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is centered around three core values, which are evident in its products, people and culture:  Products: Macmillan Learning takes bold steps to ensure its products and services consider the backgrounds, needs and challenges of all learners.  People: Macmillan Learning is intentional in its efforts to attract and retain top, diverse talent who bring unique perspectives, varied skills, and diversity of thought. Culture: Macmillan Learning cultivates a culture where everyone is respected and valued for their experiences and contributions. The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars: non-discriminatory policies across business entities, equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families, supporting an inclusive culture, and corporate social responsibility.  Macmillan Learning’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria earned a 100 percent ranking and the designation as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality. The company was one of only two education companies to earn top marks this year. The results of the 2022 CEI showcase how 1,271 U.S.-based companies are promoting LGBTQ+-friendly workplace policies in the U.S. and helping advance the cause of LGBTQ+ inclusion in workplaces abroad.  Read more about Macmillan Learning’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion here. For more information about work opportunities at Macmillan Learning, visit the company’s careers page.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or see us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or join our Macmillan Community.  ... View more

New program offers certification for completion of select STEM and humanities courses Company also launches digital badging program for instructors’ professional development New York, NY; Dec 16, 2021 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company launched an achievement-based digital badging and certification program to recognize students’ and instructors’ accomplishments. By offering credentials that can be easily accessed and verified as well as grouped together to show content competencies, Macmillan Learning is offering learners a new way to demonstrate their skills; this is increasingly important for the 375 million workers estimated to be impacted by tech disruption.  “Our goal with Macmillan Learning’s digital badges is to level up the learning experience. The knowledge you earn will essentially become a form of currency you’ll travel with throughout your life,” said Daryl Fox, Senior Vice President, Macmillan Learning. The new programs were developed for students, educators and the company’s employees to support their ongoing learning pathways and career development. Macmillan Learning will provide the content, technology, tools, and services to help each learner achieve their goals, and the badges will empower them to share their accomplishments. The digital badge and certification program was established in collaboration with Accredible, a leading digital badge and certification platform. After finishing courses this fall, more than 50,000 students from approximately 8,000 courses using Macmillan Learning’s new digital platform, Achieve, and taking Nutrition, Majors Biology, Introduction to Statistics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Public Speaking, and Technical Communication classes will receive a digital badge. The badge will help students demonstrate their knowledge within these subjects as well as help translate their learning experiences into skills that help them build a portfolio of knowledge. Over the past few years, digital badges have become an increasingly popular way to document and demonstrate real-world accomplishments and skills, with more than 43 million already issued according to a report by IMS Global Learning Consortium and Credential Engine. For many, they are used as proof of completion to demonstrate knowledge of a subject or skill to an employer. “We are proud to provide digital badges and certificates with Macmillan Learning and to enable their learners to celebrate their accomplishments on platforms like LinkedIn through our unrivaled sharing options,” said Danny King, CEO of Accredible. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. About Accredible Accredible is the industry-leading digital credentialing platform that securely issues, manages, tracks, and verifies millions of high-stakes credentials across the globe. Accredible integrates with learning software including Canvas, D2L Brightspace, Kajabi, Kryterion Webassessor, Moodle, Thinkific, and more. Over 1,000 prominent Universities, associations, and technology companies such as Google, Skillsoft, Salesforce, Rosetta Stone, University of Cambridge, AMPP, Hootsuite, IEEE, McGraw-Hill, INSEAD, IAPP, UC Berkeley, and The Digital Marketing Institute rely on Accredible to create, deliver and manage digital certificates and open badges. Learn more at accredible.com.   ... View more

Acclaimed “The Three Mothers” Author Anna Malaika Tubbs, Ph.D., will present the Thursday keynote address: "If We Don't Tell Our Story, Who Will?" Regina N. Bradley, Ph.D., Author of Chronicling Stankonia: the Rise of the Hip-Hop South and Assistant Professor, Kennesaw State University will present the Friday keynote address: Still Standing: Student Voices, Curation, and HBCU Legacies New York, Sept. 17, 2021 --  The fourth Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Rhetoric & Composition Symposium, a national symposium focusing on excellence in English composition and rhetoric, will be held virtually from September 23-25, 2021. The symposium, established by Macmillan Learning in 2014, gathers English and Writing professors to historically Black colleges and universities bi-annually to discuss strategies that support student engagement and success. Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education and publishing services company is hosting the 2021 event in partnership with Florida A&M University (FAMU).  The theme, “Transdisciplinarity @ HBCUs: Rewriting Black Futures beyond the Margin,” will offer a nuanced look at the intersections between “the meaning we can make with all of the languages and literacies we speak and understand.”  In addition to keynote presentations and panel discussions, there will also be workshops that provide opportunities for hands-on experience. The virtual symposium is open for all faculty, and is free to attend. “With COVID-19 continuing to exacerbate the social and racial inequities we see in the classroom, it's more important than ever we uphold this symposium’s tradition of gathering leading faculty from the Rhetoric and Composition Disciplines at HBCUs to discuss the state of education, celebrate our contributions to it, and strategize about what we can do to improve on it,” said Dr. Kendra L. Mitchell, Symposium Chair and Assistant Professor of English at FAMU. “For nearly 200 years, HBCUs have played an essential role in providing access and support for Black students and others who have been traditionally marginalized from the opportunities afforded by obtaining a higher education. Bedford/St. Martins, an imprint of Macmillan Learning, began this partnership in 2014 with our first writing symposium in order to facilitate collaboration among HBCU scholars, and we are proud to sponsor the fourth symposium in 2021 to ensure that this important work continues,” said Leasa Burton, Vice President of Humanities for Macmillan Learning.  This year’s symposium will feature two keynote speakers. On Thursday, Sept 23, The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation author Anna Malaika Tubbs, Ph.D., will present: "If We Don't Tell Our Story, Who Will?": A Fireside Chat. On Friday, Sept. 24, Regina N. Bradley, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State University, will present: "Still Standing: Student Voices, Curation, and HBCU Legacies."  Panels and workshops will be presented by instructors from Arizona State University, Bethune Cookman University, Bowie State University, Dallas College, Florida A&M University, Florida State University, Howard University, Kennesaw State University, Langston University, Morehouse College, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Oakland University, Stanford University, Texas Southern University, Tougaloo College, University of Maryland, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech. Sessions include: Kickoff and Welcome with Dr. Kendra Mitchell, Symposium Chair Through Voice and Pen: Transdisciplinary and Social Justice in HBCU Speech Education, A Workshop Developing Foundational Approaches to Teaching Writing Using Black Voice Writing Across the Curriculum at HBCUs Engaging Non-English Faculty in the Work of the Writing Center, A Workshop HBCU/PWI Partnerships to Increase African American Scholars(hip), A Roundtable Discussion Transdisciplinary Strategies for Promoting Cognitive Shifts in Student Writing Framing Writing Instruction through a Black Worldview in Writing Courses at HBCUs Using Multimodal Texts to Teach Rhetorical Analysis Rewriting the Learning Relationship in the Writing Classroom Black to the Future: An Analysis of Past and Future Black Voices Transdisciplinarity Beyond the Classroom Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Modern Black Writing Transdisciplinarity and Social Justice in the Writing Classroom Roundtable Discussion with Past Chairs of the HBCU Rhetoric & Composition Symposium, representing North Carolina A&T State University, Howard University, and Morehouse College Publication Roundtable with Editors from College Language Association Journal, Journal of Multimodal Rhetorics, and CaKe, FAMU’s Literary Journal Workshop: Getting Your Article Published To learn more about or register for the symposium, click here. Select sessions will be available on the Macmillan Community following the event. Media interested in attending should email marisa.bluestone@macmillan.com.  *Speakers and sessions are as of September 15, 2021, and are subject to change. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community.   About FAMU Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, founded on October 3, 1887, began classes with 15 students and two instructors. Today, FAMU is one of 12 institutions in Florida's State University System and has nearly 10,000 students.  FAMU offers 54 bachelor’s degrees, 29 master’s degrees, 12 doctoral degrees and three professional degrees.  The three professional degrees include the J.D., Pharm.D., and the Doctor of Physical Therapy. The 12 doctoral degree programs include 11 doctoral degrees and one Doctor of Public Health. The 11 doctoral programs are: biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, educational leadership, environmental science and entomology. For more information, visit FAMU.edu.  ... View more

New York, Sept. 15 2021 -- The second annual “Black History, Black Stories” contest sponsored by Macmillan Learning launched today. Now in its second year, the contest is accepting entries for college students and faculty to share how they draw inspiration from Black historical figures or events by submitting a photo of themselves along with either a short essay or a brief video story. “Few things are as important as the stories we tell ourselves and the world around us, so we created this contest to elevate the ones that may have been overlooked or unrecognized. This is just one of the many initiatives that Macmillan Learning has been undertaking to ensure that diverse voices are represented in the classroom and in our course materials,” said Coltrane Stansbury, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Macmillan Learning.  Black History, Black Stories contest. Submissions from students and faculty can win up to $1,000. Entries are accepted through December 15, 2021, and prizes will be awarded during Black History Month, February 2022, to the top six winners. Prizes include $1,000 going to the top student and faculty winners, $500 to second place winners and $250 for third place. Winners will also be featured on the Macmillan Learning History Community Site. Submissions will be judged by a cross-section of at least ten Macmillan Learning employees that support the creation of course materials for college students, including the company’s vast portfolio of History titles. The “Black History, Black Stories” contest was created in 2020 by the company’s college History group to elevate Black voices in education and in recognition of the fight for social justice inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement.  Last year’s student winner, Charles Walker Jr., created a video about the symbolism and impact of Colin Kaepernick. Last year’s instructor winner, Bradley Borougerdi, spoke about how he was inspired to found the non-profit Tarrant County Coalition for Peace and Justice to teach about the history of racial terror and lynching. See the past winners and learn more about this year’s contest on the "Black History, Black Stories" website. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or see us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or join our Macmillan Community.  ### ... View more

New York, NY; Aug 11, 2021 -- Applications are now being considered for undergraduate students interested in Macmillan Learning’s new paid externship program. The privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company announced today the launch of a three-week, project-based work experience program for college students from backgrounds that have traditionally been underrepresented in publishing.  The externship is sponsored by the company’s Employee Resource Group BLACC (Black Leaders Actively Changing the Culture), which is focused on Black employees, in partnership with Macmillan Learning’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Through the externship, the company will provide students with practical experience within various functions of the educational publishing and technology industry, including marketing, editorial, human resources, and engineering. Additionally, students will participate in professional development programming and mentorship, including interactive, virtual meet-ups with Macmillan Learning’s executive team members and department leads. “There are so many interesting and exciting roles within the ed tech and publishing industries, and so much talent from students belonging to underrepresented groups. We created this program to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to explore roles within the industry - and for leaders throughout our organization to build a healthy pipeline of diverse talent. Ultimately our goal is to provide students from underrepresented groups with substantive experiences so that they can begin to imagine this as a first-choice option for their careers,” said Phoenix Harvey, Co-Chair of BLACC. “We know that having a diverse workforce is critical to offering students the best learning materials, and to do that there needs to be a pipeline of talented candidates who are as excited about student success as we are,” said Kristin Peikert, SVP of Human Resources at Macmillan Learning. “We are proud to support an employee-created talent-pipeline program that aligns with Macmillan Learning’s mission to increase meaningful representation within the industry.” To qualify, students should be: From an underrepresented group in educational publishing and technology organizations, including, but not limited to, students of African American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent;  Currently enrolled as an undergraduate and have completed at least 60 hours of college coursework by August 2021; and A United States citizen or permanent resident; students with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) status valid through the internship period are also eligible. BLACC plans to offer the externship several times each year, with opportunities to work in and learn about various functions and departments. Students can visit the externship program information page for more details about the program and the specific projects available. Applications are due August 30, 2021. The externship will take place in October 2021. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community              ... View more

Company is one of only two education companies recognized as a best place to work New York, NY July 13, 2021 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company announced today it earned a perfect score on the 2021 Disability Equality Index®, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. The 100% score reflects Macmillan Learning’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for its employees and the students who rely on the company’s course materials and educational technology for their education.  The Disability Equality Index, a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN, is a benchmarking tool that allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to disability inclusion and equality. It is modeled off the Corporate Equality Index that highlights LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies, an index that also listed Macmillan Learning as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” this January. Globally, there are more than one billion people with disabilities. “Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion means ensuring that students of all backgrounds and abilities have the same opportunities for an education. While we’re proud to be recognized as a best place to work, we recognize that accessibility is a journey and our work is not yet done. As the technology, standards, and platforms change, so will we,” said Susan Winslow, President, Macmillan Learning.  Macmillan Learning views accessibility for its educational technology and course materials through two different lenses. In the first, the company works towards creating equitable student learning experiences and in the next, it aims to meet or exceed industry-accepted standards. The company’s accessibility work has earned it “Gold Standard” recognition from ASPIRE and the Winner of Accessible Books Consortium’s International Excellence Award for Accessible Publishing in 2020. The company’s ebooks for the third consecutive year were recognized as Global Certified Accessible by Benetech. This means that Macmillan Learning provides “born accessible” digital learning options that ensure that all students have the same access to information. In addition to ebooks, the company’s accessibility work extends to Lab Simulations and audio descriptions that explain to the visually impaired what is happening within videos. Similar to how closed captioning helps students to understand what’s happening on the audio in a video program, an audio description is essential to understanding visual information like charts, graphs, diagrams, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues. “These are the kinds of advances we can make when we put our collective minds to approaching accessibility not just as a series of requirements to meet, but rather as important and interesting challenges to solve,” added Winslow.  The company continues to share best practices in accessibility for the education industry by offering an open source library of materials that were created in partnership with Tech For All. It supports accessibility within the company by focusing on recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities. To better support the hiring process, Macmillan Learning proactively includes the ability to request accommodations in emails to all candidates and has also placed the ability to request an accommodation atop its careers website. The company is also in the process of forming an employee resource group for employees with disabilities.. The company is also in the process of forming an employee resource group for employees with disabilities. “The Disability Equality Index shines a spotlight on companies that believe they have a stake in creating a more equitable society for people with disabilities. It is a conduit for our work championing disability rights for the 60 million Americans with disabilities and knocking down barriers to employment, technology and healthcare, and we're thrilled to see the progress being made today,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. About the Disability Equality Index® The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org. About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 50+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.  About Disability:IN  Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 270 corporations trust Disability:IN to activate and achieve disability inclusion across their enterprise and in the broader corporate mainstream. Through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking; best-in-class conferences and programs; and expert counsel and engagement, Disability:IN works with leading businesses to create long-term business and societal impact. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN ... View more

New York, May 27, 2021 --  Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education and publishing services company, in partnership with Florida A&M University (FAMU) today announced a call for proposals for the Fourth HBCU Symposium on Rhetoric and Composition. The bi-annual, national summit focuses on excellence in English composition and rhetoric, gathering English and Writing professors to historically Black campuses to discuss strategies that support student engagement and success. The event will be held virtually from September 23-25, 2021, and is free to attend. FAMU logo This year’s symposium, “Transdisciplinarity @ HBCUs: Rewriting Black Futures beyond the Margin,” was created to open the pathway for conversations offering a nuanced look at the intersections between “the meaning we can make with all of the languages and literacies we speak and understand.”  “While teaching through COVID-19 has exacerbated other social and racial inequities, we see this moment as an opportunity to move beyond reactionary responses towards proactively determining our contributions to the field and broader communities,” said said Kendra L. Mitchell, Ph.D., symposium chair and assistant professor of English at FAMU. “The Bedford/St. Martin’s team is confident that this year’s HBCU Symposium on Rhetoric and Composition will continue to advance the teaching and learning experiences within HBCUs, and are proud to again support this important meeting,” said Leasa Burton, vice president of humanities for Macmillan Learning.  Instructors who teach writing and writing courses across curricula at HBCUs are invited to join the conversation by presenting. To apply to speak, educators need to submit an abstract of 250-350 words on a topic including, but not limited to: How can other disciplinary knowledge be used to teach English/Writing? What should/could social justice look like in classrooms?  What new relationships/partnerships should HBCUs consider?  What HBCU-centered curriculum/approaches should be amplified or discontinued? What role does/should technology play in the teaching of English/Writing? What shape should the student-instructor relationship take in classrooms (virtual, face-to-face, and/or hybrid)? What should the role of the first-year writing classes be to non-writing departments? What role should writing centers take in classrooms, universities, or broader communities? How should/could epistemologies be circulated to wider audiences? To learn more about the Fourth HBCU Symposium on Rhetoric and Composition, click here. The Proposals should be submitted before June 11, 2021. Please indicate in the proposal if the presentation will be an individual, a group, or a workshop submission. Official invitations will be emailed by July 2, 2021 for accepted presentations.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. About FAMU Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, founded on October 3, 1887, began classes with 15 students and two instructors. Today, FAMU is one of 12 institutions in Florida's State University System and has nearly 10,000 students.  FAMU offers 54 bachelor’s degrees, 29 master’s degrees, 12 doctoral degrees and three professional degrees.  The three professional degrees include the J.D., Pharm.D., and the Doctor of Physical Therapy. The 12 doctoral degree programs include 11 doctoral degrees and one Doctor of Public Health. The 11 doctoral programs are: biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, educational leadership, environmental science and entomology. For more information, visit FAMU.edu.  ... View more

New York, April 28, 2021 --  Bedford/St. Martin’s, a Macmillan Learning imprint, announced the members of its 2021 Bedford New Scholars Advisory Board today. The Advisory Board was established in 2008 as a way for Bedford/St. Martin’s to hear from promising graduate students about the teaching challenges they face and the research that excites them. This year, the scholars will focus primarily on three critical topics: student engagement, online learning, and creating more inclusive classrooms. Bedford New Scholars Class of 2021 The board of 10 graduate students will meet with the company’s editorial team to network, share ideas, and provide feedback on Bedford/St. Martin’s course materials. In previous years, Scholars would meet in-person at the company’s offices, at conferences and in focus groups. This year, a fully virtual conference was planned. The Scholars offer insights into how course materials are being used and the trends that will influence how composition courses are taught.  “Each year the scholars provide invaluable feedback to us about what’s going on in college campuses and gain insight into the future of composition course materials and how we can best support our students. From remote learning to protests for racial justice, this was a year unlike any other, so we’re intentionally focusing on topics that are critical to success for students, including how to get students more engaged in their learning, how to best support their online learning, and how to better embed DEI in the classroom. We can’t wait to hear the insightful feedback our Scholars have for us,” said Leasa Burton, Vice President of Humanities, Macmillan Learning. Throughout the duration of the program, the Scholars gain insight into the publishing process and are granted the opportunity to review the first editions of new learning materials and projects (both in print and in Macmillan Learning’s new learning platform, Achieve). In the process, they also foster lasting professional connections with other graduate students and teachers who share the same passion for writing studies. Many past scholars have gone on to take leadership roles in writing programs in colleges and universities across the country. Bedford/St. Martin’s has long been connected to the Composition community with its widely used A Writer's Reference, The Bedford Reader, The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing, and Everything’s an Argument, as well as with its newest digital learning platform, Achieve, which was released last fall. This year’s Bedford New Scholars: Gina Atkins is pursuing her M.A. in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition at North Carolina State University. She teaches English 101: Academic Writing and Research and serves on the First-Year Writing Program Council as the MA Representative. Gina’s research interests relate to developing antiracist pedagogy, antiracist praxis, accessibility in the writing classroom, and linguistic justice. Eric D. Brown is pursuing his Ph.D. in Arizona State University’s Writing, Rhetorics and Literacies Ph.D. program. He has taught First-Year Composition, Persuasive Writing and Public Issues, Writing for the Professions, and Business Writing. Eric currently serves as the Assistant Director of Writing Programs, where he aids the director in growing the scope of Writing Programs and creating professional development for faculty. Emily Gresbrink is pursuing her Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Scientific and Technical Communication at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She teaches University Writing, which is housed in the First-Year Writing program. Emily’s research interests include technical communication, the rhetoric of health and medicine, pandemics, rhetorical analysis, archives, bioethics, and mentoring. Brendan Hawkins is pursuing his Ph.D. in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition. His research, teaching, and faculty development interests and experiences span rhetorical genre studies, histories of rhetoric, online writing instruction and general education composition classes. Hyoung Min Lee is pursuing her Ph.D. in English at Texas A&M University, where she teaches Writing About Literature as a graduate teaching assistant. She has also taught Rhetoric and Composition and worked as a grader for Technical and Business Writing. Hyoung’s research interests include theories of race and biopolitics and 20th-and 21st-century American literature, especially African American literature. Courtney A. Mauck is a Ph.D. candidate in Rhetoric and Composition at Ohio University, where she serves as Assistant Director of Composition and primarily teaches first-year writing courses. She also teaches junior composition courses themed around feminist game studies and has co-taught two graduate courses, “Teaching College English” and “Learning Transfer.” Courtney’s research interests include digital rhetorics, multimodal composition, social media, game studies, learning transfer and first-year writing pedagogy. Michael A. Reyes is pursuing his MA in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition at Cal State LA. He teaches in the First-Year Writing Program and leads creative writing workshops in LA public schools and organizations. Michael’s research interests are critical affect theory, decolonial rhetorics and pedagogy, contemporary poetry and poetics, creative writing pedagogy, and antiracist and formative assessments. Jacob Richter is the Assistant Director of First-Year Composition and a Ph.D. candidate in the Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design program at Clemson University. He teaches First-Year Composition, technical communication and business communication courses, and is the Assistant Communications Editor for Xchanges. Jacob’s research examines rhetorical theory, composition pedagogy and writing in digitally networked environments. Rhiannon Scharnhorst is pursuing her hybrid Ph.D. in Writing Studies and Victorian Literature at the University of Cincinnati. She teaches a variety of courses in writing, from first-year composition to advanced topics classes, including Writing with Style and Food in Literature. Rhiannon’s research draws on feminist rhetorics to make sense of objects in writing studies, including typewriters, cookbooks and other tools. Leah Washburn is pursuing her Ph.D. in English Literature at The University of California, Riverside. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2018 with an MFA in Creative Writing, where she taught Intro to Creative Writing. Leah’s research interests include digital media, ludology, narratology, contemporary speculative fiction, and postmodern fiction.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, April 23 2021 --  Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned education publishing and services company, today announced that the Macmillan International Higher Education team that supported global sales of Macmillan Learning products is now a part of the company. The move provides even more students and instructors around the world with access to the company’s learning materials and educational technology, including Achieve, the company’s new digital learning platform. The team is being transferred from Springer Nature. Macmillan Learning is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group (HPG), which holds a majority share of Springer Nature. Macmillan Learning has been selling to international markets for more than 25 years, with a dedicated North American sales team and also via the Macmillan International Higher Education  team. The team will sell the company’s full portfolio of course materials for the higher education market and educational technologies outside of North America. “We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from Macmillan International Higher Education into an even more united partnership, and to strengthen our ability to serve and support our global customers. This move supports our long-term global strategy and creates new opportunities for Macmillan Learning,” said Susan Winslow, President of Macmillan Learning.  The move brings 17 sales and marketing employees to the company. The team had previously sold Macmillan Learning and other course materials throughout Europe and Australia but will now focus specifically on Macmillan Learning products and technologies.  “Macmillan Learning has a stellar reputation in Europe and is known to partner with some of the best minds in their fields and academia to develop course materials and technologies. I’m excited to join this team and support their mission to inspire learning and see all students succeed,” said Katie Thorn, Sales and Marketing Director, Macmillan International Higher Education.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned company that improves lives through learning. By linking research to learning practice, we develop pioneering products and learning materials for students that are highly effective and drive improved outcomes. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com or join our Macmillan Community. ... View more

New York, April 15, 2021 -- Macmillan Learning, a privately-held, family-owned educational publishing and solutions company, will be hosting “From Our Perspective: Black Professionals in Publishing” panel discussion in collaboration with Macmillan Publishers. Sponsored by the company's employee resource groups, Black Leaders Actively Changing Culture (BLACC) through Macmillan Learning and Black and African American Group (BAAG) through Macmillan Publishers, the event is meant to encourage BIPOC students to consider a career in publishing. This virtual event is free for all college students and instructors and will be held on Thursday, April 29, from 4-5:15 p.m. ET. The event will feature six panelists from different areas of the company to discuss their professional journey and share their experiences working in the publishing industry. The group will also offer recommendations and tips for students who are interested in a career in publishing, but aren't sure how to get started. There will be time at the end of the panel for questions from the audience. Featured panelists: Keith Barksdale, Jr., Publisher’s Representative, Macmillan Learning Natalie Gordon, Benefits Manager, Macmillan Publishers Phoenix Harvey, Director of Marketing, Enterprise & High School Solutions, Macmillan Learning Dominique R. Jenkins, Senior Manager, Author Events, Macmillan Publishers Jason Walker, Director of Product, eCommerce & Integrations, Macmillan Learning Natasha Wolfe, Senior Design Services Manager, Macmillan Learning “A career in publishing is more than writing and editing books, we also need engineers and technologists to create the edtech, marketers and sales teams to sell them, and so much more. Through our panelists' stories and experiences, we hope that more diverse students from all backgrounds can imagine themselves as professionals in the publishing industry. We are committed to creating more awareness and opportunities for them at Macmillan,” said Phoenix Harvey, BLACC Co-Chair and Director of Marketing, Enterprise & High School Solutions, Macmillan Learning. “At Macmillan Learning we believe that students should be able to see themselves in their learning materials, which happens far better when there’s a diverse and representative team working on them. We want to create intentional connections with the next generation of BIPOC students to encourage the many talented candidates to see themselves achieving a successful career in educational publishing,” said Coltrane Stansbury, Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Macmillan Learning.  Learn more about the event and speakers here. Students and instructors can register for the free webinar here.  About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning is a privately-held, family-owned educational publisher that improves lives through learning. Our engaging content is developed in partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers. To learn more, please visit macmillanlearning.com, find us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn or join our Macmillan Community.     ... View more