Definition and Overview of University Presses
Before diving into the history of university presses in the United States, it is helpful to first understand what a university press does and how it differs from other publishing pathways. University presses reflect the values of their sponsoring institutions, while also shaping their own identities based on their disciplinary focus and submission guidelines. According to Elizabeth Rholetter Purdy, university presses are “specialized publishing house[s] affiliated with universities that primarily focus on disseminating scholarly works, including academic monographs and research across various disciplines.” The most consistent defining qualities of university presses are their commitments to scholarship and research.
Timeline of University Presses in the U.S.
University presses have been part of the US publishing landscape for quite some time now. Some of the earliest university presses in the United States emerged in the late 1800s, laying the groundwork for the academic publishing that we have today. Johns Hopkins University Press is the nation’s oldest university press. Though John Hopkins University Press is the oldest press in the U.S., Cornell University Press began operations first in 1869 (Purdy).
Even though long-established presses such as Columbia University Press, Harvard University Press, and Princeton University Press continue to shape academic publishing trends (“IBPA Publishing Map: IBPA Guide to Publishing Models and Author Pathways“), university presses continue to emerge throughout the nation today. The Association of University Presses notes that growth accelerated significantly during the 1900s, explaining from “1920 to 1970, their number in the United States grew at a rate of about one per year, but in the stretch from 1970-1974, that rate doubled, with more than ten presses founded” (“History of the Association”).
University of North Georgia Press is a newer press in the grand scheme of the history of university presses. UNG Press opened in 2009 and is among the few university presses founded since 1970; since then, only sixteen university presses have been established (Purdy). University presses are adaptable and resourceful.
The scope of university presses goes far beyond the United States, and over 160 university presses are members of the Association of University Presses to date (including University of North Georgia Press as an affiliate). To browse through presses around the world, view the Association of University Presses members online directory.
Changes Shaping the Future of University Presses
The overall model of university presses has remained consistent across the United States; university presses still function as mission-driven publishers dedicated to providing scholarship, supporting faculty and community in building literacy, and strengthening scholarly authors’ titles through focused editing and production schedules. However, the strategies presses use to maintain their mission and vision have evolved. As publishing workflows become more complex and demanding with the need increasing for efficient and high-quality accessibility for textbooks and other titles, university presses must adapt while often working with a budget and limited staff. With this change in mind, university presses are using more digital resources, such as AI, to maximize their time spent on big picture tasks and reduce their time spent on tasks that digital tools can automate (with human guidance).
Many university presses now use AI as a tool to streamline processes, from tasks such as metadata generation to brainstorming. These digital tools are helpful for creating more time for presses to focus on tasks such as editing, proofreading, communicating with authors, and more.
Another notable challenge in the university presses ecosystem is competition with large trade publishers, these big trade publishers can be hard to compete with (Purdy). Due to their wealth of resources and budget, it becomes harder for small presses and even medium-sized presses to compete in the marketplace. However, there is still hope for the future of university presses. One thing that university presses and small publishers have begun to do to adapt to this new reality is producing more eBook and digital copies of their titles (Purdy). eBooks are cost effective for publishers due to the lower cost of disribution; this leaves publishers with more margin for profit. eBooks are growing in popularity due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Finally, scholarship and high-quality research anchor the future of university presses. University presses play a vital role in regional communities and across the world; these presses offer expert opinion and peer review on academic subjects and offer visibility to authors who might not fit into other publishing pathways/genres. UNG Press is no exception. We value empowering students, educators, and communities through books that inform, inspire, and endure.
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Sources
“About the Press.” Hopkins Press, www.press.jhu.edu/about-press. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
“History of the Association.” Association of University Presses, aupresses.org/about-aupresses/history-of-the-association/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
“IBPA Publishing Map: IBPA Guide to Publishing Models and Author Pathways.” IBPA Online, February 2024, https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ibpa-online.org/resource/resmgr/files/IBPApublishingMAP-Feb28-2024.pdf. PDF Download.
Purdy, Elizabeth Rholetter. “University Presses.” EBSCO, 2024, www.ebsco.com/research-starters/communication-and-mass-media/university-presses.
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