Dr. Maggie Wan appointed associate editor of leading vocational behavior journal

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Dr. Maggie Wan, associate professor of management at Texas State University’s McCoy College of Business, has been appointed associate editor of the Journal of Vocational Behavior (JVB), a top-ranked publication focused on careers and work across the lifespan.

Wan, who is also the Scott Emerson Family Professor in Business at McCoy College, said her appointment to the journal is a professional honor and a way to contribute positively to the field.

“I feel very humbled to take on this role at this stage of my career,” she said. “Serving a role as an associate editor is a great opportunity to work with the editors and the team to sustain the high quality and the direction of this scholarship.”

Her connection to the journal goes back to her doctoral studies, when her first co-authored publication appeared in the JVB. She said her appointment to the journal's editorial board is a full-circle moment for her.

“I'm just glad and excited for the opportunity to contribute to the journal that helped me launch my career way back then,” she said.

The JVB publishes original empirical and theoretical articles that offer novel insights into career choice, career development, and work adjustment across the lifespan and are also valuable for applications in counseling and career development programs in colleges and universities, business and industry, government, and the military. The journal holds an A* ranking on the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) list and a 4 rating on the Chartered Association of Business Schools Academic Journal Guide (CABS/AJG).

In her role as associate editor, Wan will help manage the peer-review process by evaluating submissions, selecting expert reviewers, and providing guidance to authors while making editorial recommendations.

“I want to be of more help to the authors through their review journey,” she said. “I want to provide clear and constructive guidance to help my fellow scholars succeed, move their work forward, and improve their research.”

Wan said she is especially interested in highlighting research on how careers evolve, including emerging topics such as sustainable careers, meaningful work, and early-career transitions as graduates enter the workforce.

“JVB is my favorite journal," she said. "I’m not saying that because I’m in the role. It has published works that have inspired my research ideas before. I'm excited about most of the career topics.”

She also said she hopes her appointment will strengthen connections between McCoy College and broader conversations about career development.

“It might open space for collaboration,” she said. “If we got a chance to disseminate some of these recent publications to the students, they may be aware of their strengths and the challenges, and be better prepared for their career success, and be more engaged.” ✯

For more information about the Pay-it-Forward Fund, contact McCoy College Foundation Executive Director Angela Glode.