Member Engagement and Belonging
Contact: membership1@gradcareerconsortium.org
(For membership registration and renewals please contact: info@gradcareerconsortium.org)
Interest Form: Fill out the form if you want to join Member Engagement and Belonging Committee or GCConnect
Current and Past Committee Members: Sabeen Sheikh (Chair), Lesley Jackson (Co-Chair), Heather Dillon ( Executive Committee Sponsor), Angie Hawkins (past Co-Chair), Kay Gruder (past co-chair), Briana Mohan, Steve Lee, Beth Olson, Mike Firmand, Jennifer Teitle, Arnaldo Diaz Vasquez, Pallavi Eswara, Briana L Shay, Devin L Horton, Jennifer Tasneem, Shawn Nordell, Tara Zabella
The Member Engagement and Belonging Committee or MEB, formerly known as Membership and Belonging (MBC) was formed in the fall of 2021 to build intentionality around engaging new, existing, and potential members. We are open to all and any members of GCC. The committee develops and implements initiatives to increase member engagement, including but not limited to climate and needs assessments, new member support, and diversity and inclusion programs. Our goals are to foster ways for members to feel connected to others across the country and feel a sense of belonging at GCC.
This committee collaborates with and supports programs and projects related to community building both regionally and internationally, and assists in efforts to increase and diversify membership. This committee is overseen and supported by the Diversity and Member Engagement Officer.
This committee is responsible for community-building programs, we are currently working on an initiative called GCConnect. GCConnect’s program objectives include: Building a culture of belonging and support across GCC, one conversion at a time, Amplifying the voices and concerns of members though the MEB committee, and Growing the professional and social networks of interested GCC members.
Benefits for Participating MEB Members in just 1 year include:
- Connect with up to 10 other GCC professionals annually
- Build relationships with GCC members in both professional and social contexts around the country who work in the same field as you
- Practice present-moment awareness and deep listening
- Reset your day with a professional with shared interests
- Intentional time set aside to connect with how we are experiencing our work and world
Volunteer opportunities for 2023-24 that directly support the strategic plan:
- Contribute ideas to the initiation of GCConnect
- Plan and facilitate virtual meet & greet gatherings with one focused on newer members and likely collaborating with other GCC committees. (1-2 people)
- Develop draft content for the Welcome Video and New Member Making the Most of GCC video. These videos would be 1-2 minutes in duration (2 people)
- Lead production and editing of Welcome Video and New Member Making the Most of GCC video (2 people)
- Develop and lead social programming for annual conference (1-2 people)
About Us
At the 2024 Annual Conference, we asked members how they show up and feel a sense of belonging at GCC:
Regional Directors Program
Contact: rdchair@gradcareerconsortium.org
The Graduate Career Consortium membership comprises 7 regions, each represented by a Regional Director (RD) to facilitate local member engagement. Regional Directors are a go to person for current and potential members, serve as liaison to the regional meeting host, and they develop and communicate resources and opportunities for members within their region. Regional Directors serve a 2-year term, and opportunities to apply to become an RD are available annually.
Current Regional Directors: Jovana Milosavljevic-Ardeljan (Chair of RD program), Heather Dillon (SW), Daniel Moglen (NW and WC), Carol Powers (SC), Rebekah Layton (SE, Co-RD), Rob Pearson (SE, Co-RD), Jenny Furlong (Mid-Atlantic), Karin Lawton-Dunn (MW, Co-RD), Nai-Fen Su (MW, Co-RD), Amanda Cornwall (NE and EC)
Regions
Regional Meetings & Events
Mentoring
Learn more about becoming a regional director
- Several Regional Director positions will be available in 2022 - please keep an eye out for a call for applicants!