Breaking: Bucknell University is closing its long-running Bucknell University Press. The university is shifting money and attention to programs that show clear returns for undergraduates. At the same time, its athletes are winning. The campus is at a crossroads, and careers are on the line.
The decision, and what it means for students’ futures
The university confirmed today that the press will wind down. Leaders say they want clearer results tied to the undergraduate experience. Dollars will follow programs that boost learning, internships, and outcomes after graduation.
Faculty critics see a different story. They worry the move limits the liberal arts. They say the press was a public good that lifted scholarship and student training. Some also say they were not part of the choice. That raises old debates about who gets a voice in big academic decisions.
The press doubled as a learning lab. Students touched editing, peer review, and book production. Those skills fed careers in publishing, policy, and research.
If your dream is publishing, this matters. Jobs in books are tight. Hiring favors candidates with real clips, production credits, and data skills. The loss of a campus press removes one training path. It is not the only path, but it was a strong one.
How to adapt your learning plan now
Do not wait. Build a portfolio with real work by spring. That is how you stand out in this job market. You can still get the experience the press once gave, but you will need a plan.
- Join or lead a campus journal or magazine and ship an issue
- Pitch op-eds and reported pieces to local outlets and alumni media
- Partner with a professor on an open textbook or public report
- Produce a capstone with a client, then publish the findings
Create a one-page project brief for every finished piece. Add a link, your role, tools used, and results. This becomes proof of skill in interviews.
Add data literacy to your tool kit. Learn basic spreadsheets, visualization, and citation tools. Try a light coding notebook for text analysis. Know how to check sources and track edits. These are hiring triggers across fields, not just books.
Athletics rise, and new career lanes open
While the press winds down, sports are surging. On December 9, Bucknell men’s basketball beat Rider 51 to 38. The defense held firm, then went on a late 17 to 6 run. Key players returned from injury and steadied the team. Achile Spadone led with 14 points and logged 37 minutes. The Bison face Iowa on December 20. That game will test depth and travel prep.
Women’s cross country delivered too. The team placed seventh at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals on November 14. They topped higher-seeded programs, including Maryland and Pittsburgh. They were the best Patriot League finisher. That is the kind of steady progress recruits and employers notice.
These wins shape more than school spirit. They create student jobs in operations, analytics, sports medicine, media, and events. They fuel alumni engagement and career networks. If you want to work in sport, now is the moment to step in. Build film breakdowns. Track lineup trends. Run social clips. Learn the metrics that coaches use.
The new balance: ROI, identity, and the job market
Bucknell is signaling a tighter focus on return on investment for students. That means programs tied to jobs, internships, and measurable outcomes will gain ground. Humanities and social science students can still thrive. They will need visible projects, client work, and data-aware writing.
Here is what hiring managers tell me they want to see this year:
- Clear writing for real audiences
- Basic data skills, especially spreadsheets and visualization
- Comfort with AI tools for drafting and analysis, used with judgment
- Project management habits, from planning to delivery
- Teamwork, with examples from clubs, labs, or sports
The press closure is hard news. But the lesson is useful. Institutions change. Your portfolio travels with you. Build it in the open. Publish in campus and regional outlets. Take on roles in athletics or research groups. Tie your learning to outcomes you can show.
If you planned to rely on the press for an internship, pivot now. Meet with advising this week. Lock in a spring project by January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will current press projects finish?
A: Expect a wind-down period. Ask faculty leads for dates and deliverables. Get letters that confirm your role.
Q: How do I get publishing experience without the press?
A: Join campus journals, pitch local outlets, and co-author with faculty. Use the library’s repository to archive your work.
Q: What skills should I learn first?
A: Strong writing, spreadsheets, basic data viz, and ethical AI use. Add project planning and version control.
Q: Can athletics help my career if I am not an athlete?
A: Yes. Work in stats, video, social media, training, or events. These roles teach deadlines, teamwork, and metrics.
Q: What should seniors do right now?
A: Pick two projects you can finish fast. Publish them. Update your resume and LinkedIn. Ask for three references this month.
Bucknell is making a sharp turn. The press will close, and visible student programs are rising. That shift brings loss, and it brings opportunity. If you move with it, build proof of skill, and take on work that ships, you will be ready for the market ahead.
