‘Venturing’ beyond Rider and earning national recognition

By Sofia Santiago

Venture Literary Magazine, Rider’s online literary journal, solidified its return by winning second place for “Outstanding Literary Arts Journal” from Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.

This award-winning edition, “Reflections” (2025), marks the magazine’s second publication after returning from a four-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and transitioning to being fully online. 

Aiya Rabah, editor in chief of Venture and senior English major, explained that, as a member of Sigma Tau Delta herself, she had been looking on Sigma Tau Delta’s website and had seen that an award for literary journals existed and was accepting submissions.

“I was like, guys we’re putting together a really amazing issue, and I think we might have a shot at this. And even if we don’t win, it would be an honor to be considered. And so, why not just put yourself out there and see what happens?” Rabah said.

After she pitched the idea at a meeting, the Venture team agreed and the edition was sent to Sigma Tau Delta.  

“We waited a couple months, and then I got a really exciting email, and I screamed my head off,” Rabah said.

“Reflections” placed second overall out of journals submitted from across the country. 

Rabah continued, “It’s just a great feeling to see the arts be rewarded and highlighted. So it just felt like a giant thumbs up. Like, keep doing what you’re doing. Focus on the work. Focus on the art.”

One of the reasons why Rabah thinks the issue received the award was because of the clarity of its theme, “Reflections,” and how authors and artists around campus who submitted their work were able to connect and dedicate themselves to their art. Choosing a theme that is broad enough to allow for a variety of interpretations, while still producing a cohesive product is challenging.

Vincent Toro, an adjunct English professor and former full-time faculty assistant professor, served as Venture’s adviser from its revival in 2023 until fall 2025. Toro was part of the mass layoffs that took place in late December for the March to Sustainability Plan.  

He credited the students’ commitment to making sure that there is a strong visual representation of the journal, noting that not only was the edition itself visually beautiful, but the website is user friendly. 

Toro also commented on the theme playing a big part in the success of “Reflections,” saying, “I think there’s a lot of illusions about literature … that it’s somehow this lofty thing in an ivory tower that’s removed from the real world. So we really wanted the work that we were publishing, and our approach to be thinking about the world, responding to the world, and connecting.”

The edition itself included work from students across a variety of majors, regardless of their connection to the English department. Rabah commented that one of her favorite parts of being an editor is to publish people who never thought of themselves as first-time writers and be one of the people to help give them a voice. 

How the club runs and produces the magazine reflects this, as well. Almost all decisions, whether it is choosing a theme or picking a guest speaker for the launch party, are voted on by the staff and members of Venture before being taken into action. 

Today, however, Venture is yet again at a crossroads. Although the award from Sigma Tau Delta came with a $400 prize, meaning some financial security, the club has been left without an adviser for the time being.

“Everybody’s taking it in stride, and we’re coming up with different game plans for how to move forward. Like everything we do, we’re doing it as a team, and we’re listening to everybody’s voices and everybody’s suggestions. We need to move through it as a team. And I know we’re gonna get through this chapter,” Rabah said.

Currently, the Venture team is preparing for the launch of their 2026 edition, “Humanity,” and planning their launch party for April.

Toro stated, “I just hope that the students on campus understand that just because they don’t see themselves as a poet or a short story writer, that Venture is still for them. You may think Venture is not for you, but Venture is for you, and we want you to read it. We want you to submit. We want you to be part of it.”