An entirely student-produced magazine,[1] the faculty at ARC facilitate in the financial and legal facets of production.

Students are responsible for every creative aspect of production including writing, editing, accepting or rejecting submissions, final copy proofing, and the production of art, graphic design, and layout.

The American River Review has expanded the scope of its coverage annually.

The 2011 edition included a DVD featuring interviews with staff members and footage of the ARC theater department's dramatic interpretations of the literary pieces.

To date, the American River Review has received the title of Best in the Nation in the Community College Humanities Association Literary Magazine Competition on nine separate occasions.