Manuela Soares, PhD, clinical associate professor and director of Pace University’s MS in Publishing program, was recently featured in Publisher’s Weekly as the program marks its 40th anniversary. The program enrolled nearly 100 students for the 2024-25 academic year across multiple degree tracks and accessibility options.
In her interview, Soares highlighted several strengths of the program. She pointed to its affordability, a faculty comprised of industry professionals, robust mentoring and networking opportunities with alumni and professional groups, and dedicated support for student internships. Students from the program also participate annually at major international events such as the Frankfurt and London Book Fairs. In addition, they gain hands-on experience through The Publishing Lab, an annual journal where students manage all aspects of publishing workflow.
Soares has led the MS in Publishing program for seven years and brings extensive industry experience. She noted that while technological changes have transformed publishing from analog to digital formats, the program has continued to adapt over time. Since its inception in 1985, more than 1,000 alumni have graduated from the program.
“To succeed in publishing, you need to be able to adapt,” Soares said. To address current challenges such as political polarization and technological disruptions like artificial intelligence (AI), she is introducing a new ethics course for students.
“What it all comes down to is the ability of a storyteller to intrigue someone, to move them emotionally. That is what matters and that is what will last,” Soares said.
