In the summer of 2020 the University of Denver Publishing Institute will celebrate forty-five years of training new talent for the world of books. In July 1976 the first group of eighty-five students traveled from all around the country--and from abroad--to learn about book publishing.

Since that first year, over 4,000 bright and gifted students have graduated from the Publishing Institute--many of whom have found their places in publishing houses large and small throughout the United States and around the world. They can be found at work in every aspect of our business--trade and textbooks, children's and scholarly books. They are design and production specialists, sales reps and literary agents, editors, marketers, and publishers.

The publishing professionals who comprise our faculty are the ones who make it happen. More than 250 executives from every area of the business have flown halfway across the country and generously shared their expertise and their enthusiasm.

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  Jill Smith, Director

  Jill Smith joined the Publishing Institute in 2003 and brings to the program her deep knowledge of the curriculum, as well as a diverse background in corporate communications and business management. During her time at DU, Ms. Smith has completed her MBA through the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business. She also earned an MFA from the University of Kansas, and her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College.

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  Jennifer Conder, Associate Director

  Jennifer Conder joined the Publishing Institute in 2012, after working six years at a cultural and language center in the nonprofit sector, and eight years at the Tattered Cover Book Store as a bookseller, buyer and personnel representative. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Colorado College.

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  Margaret Shaheen, Program Coordinator

  Margaret Shaheen joined the Publishing Institute in 2015 after overseeing retail operations for the Tattered Cover's four locations and airport stores. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a Journalism, Ethics and Democracy Concentration from the University of Notre Dame and is a graduate of the Publishing Institute.