’s Multi-Genre Publication, 'Allium,' Wins Awards
A student reads “Allium.”This spring, the Scholastic Press Association honored ’s Allium, A Journal of Poetry & Prose. The multi-genre journal published by 's School of Communication and Culture took home a Silver Collegiate Crown award for its 2024-25 print edition and online editions. Seven students, now alumni, earned Gold Circle Award honors for their individual work in print and digital Open Form Poetry categories.
"Allium" —which includes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction—is supported by the Efroymson Family Foundation. In addition to a print journal, there is also an online version that publishes new work every week
Below is a list of the students recognized and their categories:
Open (Free) Form Poetry (digital)
First Place – Matthew Gutierrez MFA ‘24, “Wellness in Question”
Second Place – Izzy Dimiceli ’25, “sometime i dream that nothing gives me a headache”
Third Place – Huckleberry Shelf, ‘25 “from craigslist missed connections: to be honest i don’t remember”
Certificate of Merit – Spencer S., Creative Writing major, “While Fixing My Hair”
Certificate of Merit – Huckleberry Shelf, ‘25 “from craigslist missed connections: i had a dream about you”
Open (Free) Form Poetry (print)
Third Place – Chris Zeeck MFA ’25, “Sentence Starters for Trauma”
Certificate of Merit – Mole Hart, ‘25 “Kitten Thumbs”
The Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) was founded in 1925 for the purpose of bringing together student journalists and their faculty advisers from different schools around the country to exchange ideas, support each other, and to engage in shared learning. The association is owned and operated by University.
A Conversation About ‘Allium’
Professor Joe Meno, serves at the publication’s editor-in-chief, and Marc Meierkort, an adjunct professor of instruction, is the managing editor. We asked them a few questions to learn more about the award-winning “Allium.”
Why is working on or contributing to Allium so important for students? What skills do they develop?
Joe Meno: Creative writing majors and non-majors have the opportunity to take the Allium Literary Magazine class each semester, giving them the chance to develop professional editorial skills while they are still in school.
Many students describe how sending query letters to established writers, reading submissions, discussing submissions with peers and faculty, selecting pieces for publication, learning to proof and copyedit, and developing content for the journal completely changes how they think about their own writing.
Taking the “Allium” class gives undergraduate students the chance to shift from being student writers to becoming part of the larger professional literary world.
How does ‘Allium’ decide what work gets published?
Joe Meno: Students enrolled in the spring editing class read submissions, have lively discussions where they advocate for or against specific pieces, and ultimately decide as a group of editors—along with faculty support—what to publish in the spring print issue and fall online issues.
In addition to those issues, “Allium” publishes book reviews, interviews, multimedia work, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry throughout the year on its website. New work by emerging and established writers—including award-winning alumni—is curated by the editor-in-chief and managing editor through calls for submissions.
Students can also submit short work for the “Allium Journal” podcast, a collaboration with ’s Radio program and Voiceover class. The podcast allows students to hear their work professionally performed and shared with a wider audience.
Through “Allium,” we are always looking for new ways to help students and alumni get their work out into the world.
What was especially noteworthy about the Silver Medal-winning issue and the recognized student work?
Marc Meierkort: The first noteworthy element is the look of the print journal itself. This issue was “Allium’s” fourth print edition and the first to feature a new cover design by Chicago artist Cody Hudson.
The first three issues featured a realistic “Allium” plant against a plain white background, while this issue introduced a more abstract and contemporary visual style. The peach-toned cover, with abstract allium plants wrapping around the spine and back cover, gave the journal a striking new identity.
Inside, however, “Allium” maintains a classic, no-frills presentation: text-focused, black and white, tightly spaced, and minimal in imagery. We believe the words speak for themselves. Our job is to present the author’s work with honesty and integrity and showcase their voice as authentically as possible.
The issue also stood out for the breadth of contributors. The 194-page edition featured more than fifty poets and prose writers, including literary luminaries, nationally recognized writers, local Chicago authors, international contributors, and sixteen current or former students.
Two poets received recognition in the “Open Poetry – Print” category. Graduate student Chris Zeeck earned Third Place for “Sentence Starters for Trauma,” while senior Mole Hart received a Certificate of Merit for “Kitten Thumbs.” Both poems are rich in imagery and emotional vulnerability, creating space for readers to wonder and reflect.
“Allium” features student writers, alumni, and outside contributors. Why is that mix important?
Marc Meierkort: At “Allium,” we try to live up to our name. As our website states, allium plants “vary in size, shape, and color . . . and naturally resist taxonomy.” Defying categorization is what “Allium” aspires to do.
We want a publication that reflects the depth and breadth of contemporary creative writing. That means embracing all genres, hybrid work, and writers at every stage of their careers. Our goal is to provide space for both established writers and emerging voices.
As a college publication, we also want students to experience the realities of literary publishing: writing cover letters and author biographies, navigating acceptances and rejections, and proofing work in galleys. Publication gives students valuable professional credentials and experience.
Student work is carefully evaluated by editors and faculty advisors, and accepted work meets the same standards as every other piece in the journal. Students are not published simply because they are students. Their work is accepted because it demonstrates exceptional writing capable of standing alongside career authors.
There is tremendous value in students seeing their work published beside writers they admire. It allows them to see themselves not just as students, but as professional writers.
Finally, “Allium” remains a home for alumni and past contributors. We want graduates to continue sharing innovative, boundary-pushing work with us and for readers to return again and again for thoughtful, beautiful writing. Like our namesake plants, diversity is a strength.
What does this recognition say about students and the college as a whole?
Joe Meno: The Scholastic Press Association recognition for “Allium” and our student writers reminds our community of something many of us already know: ’s creative writing program is one of the most daring, inclusive, and challenging writing programs in the country.
Our goal is to continue developing “Allium” as a space where students and alumni can build professional skills while sharing their stories with an ever-growing audience.
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