In My Own Words is a new space for members of the NECO community to reflect thoughtfully on real-world events and issues that shape our lives, our profession, and our shared responsibility to one another. The goal of this section is to foster understanding, empathy, and respectful dialogue—while honoring NECO’s mission of changing the way people see the world.
In My Own Words is meant to be a space for honesty, growth, and reflection—not consensus. We welcome diverse perspectives and lived experiences, shared with care and respect for our community.
Guidelines for Submission
WHO MAY SUBMIT
Current NECO students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board members are welcome to submit.
Submissions should reflect the author’s personal perspective, not an official position of NECO.
WHAT WE ENCOURAGE
Submissions should:
Be written in a first-person voice and grounded in personal experience, reflection, or learning.
Promote thoughtful reflection, curiosity, empathy, and respectful conversation that connects to healthcare, education, community, or the human experience.
Align with NECO’s values of equity, inclusion, professionalism, and service.
Be concise, clear, and accessible to a broad audience.
Video submissions are also encouraged but are subject to the same review and editing process as outlined below.
WHAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE
Submissions may not include:
Hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory language of any kind.
Personal attacks, accusations, or defamatory statements about individuals or groups.
Explicit political endorsements, campaign advocacy, or fundraising appeals.
Confidential or protected information (including patient information, internal personnel matters, or private communications).
Profanity, inflammatory language, or content intended to provoke or demean.
Content that misrepresents NECO, its programs, or its community.
REVIEW & EDITING PROCESS
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of NECO administrators, staff, and students.
Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, tone, grammar, or alignment with these guidelines using the Submission Rubric, included below.
NECO reserves the right to decline submissions that do not meet editorial standards or align with institutional values.
Edited submissions will reflect the author’s voice while ensuring appropriateness for a community-wide publication.
ATTRIBUTION & RESPONSIBILITY
Published pieces will include the author’s name, a photo, and the author’s NECO affiliation.
Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NECO.
Rubric for Editorial Review
The rubric below guides the editorial panel in providing consistent feedback and next steps. It is meant to help determine whether a piece is ready for publication, needs revisions, or requires major realignment before reconsideration.
