At the end of this past academic year, alum Samantha Gerken, Editor-In-Chief from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026, was interviewed about her experiences while working at The Forge. She recounted milestones that she achieved and shared fond memories!

Q1) Can you introduce yourself a little?
I was an Art and Visual Technology BFA major, with a Graphic Design concentration, and I became a member of The Forge in Spring 2024. I started as an Illustrator; became Managing Editor, Art and Design Director, and Graphic Designer in Spring 2025; and then became Editor-in-Chief and Lead Graphic Designer in Fall 2025.

Q2) How did you find out about The Forge, and what made you want to join?
I was on the Mason Shuttle, and someone told me that I had a live caterpillar in my hair (I had sat under a tree when I was waiting for the bus). After getting the caterpillar out, we started talking, and I learned that “Camellia” NhuPhuong Au was the Art and Design Director of a student magazine called The Forge. She said that they needed new members and invited me to join as an Illustrator. I decided to join because I loved drawing and wanted a place where I could use my skills and have my work published.

Q3) What was your favorite issue of The Forge?
The Spring 2025, Volume V one. Before this issue, less people knew about The Forge and, in the semester prior, we only had three staff members (myself included). With this issue, me, Editor-in-Chief Emily Gomez-Adames, our new staff, and our faculty advisor Jason Hartsel re-imagined what The Forge could look like and be. The issue challenged me to figure out the magazine’s creative direction and layout to make for an engaging, visually striking experience. The volume spread more awareness about The Forge, won national awards, and is an enjoyable, beautiful issue to read.

Q4) What is your favorite memory with The Forge?
When I was at the College Media Association conference for the national Pinnacle Awards in Washington, D.C. We were finalists for multiple awards, and when we won 1st place for “Division I: Literary Magazine Cover” and 2nd place for “Division I: Literary Magazine of the Year,” along with two more awards, I couldn’t believe it. We cheered so loudly, and I was so proud of my team and I. It felt amazing to know that our hard work paid off and that we got to represent George Mason at the national level.

Q5) What accomplishment(s) from your time at The Forge are you the most proud of?
I’m so proud of the community we’ve built. People told me that The Forge helped them get out of the house and become involved at Mason. They said they had a lot of fun and felt welcomed and seen. It was also very meaningful to me to see people react positively to their work being published and to see readers and past staff members support us. Having The Forge’s founder, Athena Reynolds, congratulate us and support what we do has been awesome!

Q6) Do you feel joining The Forge made your university career at GMU more memorable?
Definitely! Joining The Forge changed the trajectory of my university experience. I love art, English literature and writing, and storytelling, and I found a space where I could combine these interests. Being part of a magazine made me love publication design, and I want to pursue this in the future by doing design and/or illustration work for publications.

Q7) Why do you think others should join the staff and/or submit to The Forge?
By joining staff, you’re able to share your work and be part of a creative community of other sci-fi, fantasy, and fiction lovers. You have a place to pursue what you love in a supportive environment that allows for mistakes, learning, and growth. It’s a lot of fun, and everyone can share their ideas and shape the direction of the magazine.
By submitting to The Forge, you have a chance to share your work at a local and global scale⎯our print magazines are distributed on campus, have been shared nationwide, and are published and promoted online. It’s great to see your work come to life and have other people connect with it (as a designer and artist, I think it’s awesome to see my work in print form)!

Q8) As alumni leadership, what would you say to future members of The Forge?
Have fun with your time at The Forge and be sure to enjoy the experience (cheesy to say, but it’ll go by faster than you think it will)! Keep being creative and explore different ways for what The Forge can look like and be. Keep putting your work out there and involve the Mason community, and readers outside of Mason, in what you do!

Q9) Any additional comments?
I’m very grateful for my time at The Forge, for the people I’ve met and worked with, and for all that I’ve learned. I give my gratitude to Nawaal Nackerdien (Managing Editor), Areeza Abbasi (Art and Design Director), and Emily Gomez-Adames (former Editor-in-Chief) for working with me to make The Forge the very best it can be! I also thank my amazing staff members for their hard work and dedication, Jason Hartsel (Assistant Director) for his help and guidance, and Athena Reynolds (founder of The Forge) for her support and encouragement. I’m excited to see where The Forge goes in the future, and I’m glad to have been part of its history!