Tompkins Cortland Community College’s literary journal Ke’Lab has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as an Excellent magazine. The designation honors Ke’Lab as one of the best student-produced publications in the country. Entries for this year’s Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) contest came from schools and higher education institutions in 46 states and five countries. 

Ke’Lab was first published in 2018, a collaboration between TC3’s art and creative writing programs. Graphic Design Professor Christine Shanks created Ke’Lab with now-retired Professor Darlene Gold, with Shanks serving as creative director and Gold as editorial director. What started as a faculty project quickly became a student-staffed publication. “Ke'lab is created in an applied learning course where students work as staff on the publication under the direction of the faculty creative and editorial directors,” said Shanks. “Students go through a professional onboarding process, apply for their staff positions, are hired for positions, and are guided in best professional practices throughout the course. At the end of the course their professional and collaborative skills are assessed through director and self-assessment. The fact that students earn real industry job experience with actual professional titles in the ALEX 210 Ke'lab class has launched many of our staffers into careers in the field. It has also led to students earning scholarship awards at their transfer colleges.”

This is the first time TC3 has won a REALM award. The REALM program publicly recognizes excellent literary magazines produced by students with the support of their teachers. REALM is designed to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines that celebrate the art and craft of writing.

Read the online version of Ke'Lab | TC3's Literary Magazine.

Above photo  from Ke'Lab 2024 launch party 
Front row left to right: Natalie F. Kent (student), Michelle LaMorte (professional tutor), Emy Hendrickson (student); back row left to right Sebastian Bucknor (student), Jon Majka (student), Professor Christine J. Shanks