At the College of Central Florida, students looking for a creative outlet have a place to share their voices through Imprints, the college’s student literary magazine. The publication features student poetry, short stories, photography and visual art, while also giving students hands-on experience in the publishing process.
According to Lisette Koehner, editor-in-chief of Imprints, the magazine is meant to serve as a welcoming space where students can express themselves and connect with others across campus.
“My vision for Imprints this year is to continue building it as a creative home for students at the College of Central Florida,” Koehner said. “Imprints is about expression and perspective.”
The magazine encourages submissions from students across all majors and creative backgrounds. Koehner said the editorial team hopes to highlight the diverse talent within the campus community through a wide range of submissions, including poetry, photography and mixed-media artwork.
“What we hope to see most are pieces that feel genuine,” Koehner said. “Sometimes the most powerful submissions are the ones that come from a very honest place.”
Each issue of Imprints is built around a theme that reflects the experiences of students. Koehner said the current theme was inspired by the idea that every student carries a story shaped by moments of transition, discovery and growth during their college years.
Beyond providing a platform for student creativity, Imprints also offers learning opportunities for the students involved in producing the magazine.
“The purpose of Imprints is to give College of Central Florida students valuable hands-on experience in the creative and publishing world while they are still in college,” said Alisa Roberts, faculty advisor for the club.
Students work together as editors, designers and reviewers, learning how to evaluate creative work and communicate as a team. Roberts said the process helps students develop skills such as leadership, critical thinking and meeting deadlines, which are valuable in many career paths.
Literary magazines also play an important role in helping students explore creative expression during their college experience.
“College is often a time when students are discovering how they want to express themselves,” Roberts said. “A literary magazine gives those voices a place to be seen and appreciated.”
In a digital world where creative content is often shared quickly on social media, curated publications like Imprints offer a different experience. The magazine is carefully assembled through a selection and editing process that allows each piece to contribute to a cohesive collection.
Students interested in getting involved with Imprints are encouraged to attend club meetings or submit their creative work for consideration. The club welcomes students from all backgrounds, including those who may not have prior artistic experience but are interested in contributing to the creative community. Meetings are typically held on Tuesdays, though schedules may vary depending on the semester. Students interested in learning more about Imprints or getting involved can contact faculty advisor Alisa Roberts at [email protected] for additional information.
For Koehner, the goal of Imprints goes beyond publishing creative work. She hopes the magazine continues to inspire students to share their perspectives and recognize the value of their own voices.
“Every student has a story,” Koehner said. “Imprints gives them a place to share it.”