Membership & 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 MBC 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 Membership & Belonging Committee 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 MBC committee, and Growing the professional and social networks of interested GCC members.

Benefits for Participating MB & C 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)

Diversity Program

GCC CONTACT:  diversity2@gradcareerconsortium.org

The GCC Diversity Program affirms the values of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. Our efforts will focus on traditionally underrepresented and marginalized students and scholars, and recognize that diverse identities include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic class, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, ability, nationality, and parental and documentation statuses. These identities impact graduate student and postdoctoral experiences; therefore, this committee promotes inclusive advising and programming, and access to a full range of career options for all graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and alumni of graduate programs. Through the cultivation of conversations as well as sharing resources and best practices, we aim to enrich our professional community.
Program Members: Devin Horton (chair), Estely Carranza, Stephanie Eberle, Blessing Enekwe, Sudha Krishnamurthy, Steve Lee, Arica Lubin, Sonya Newlyn, Laura Schram, Shoba Subramanian, Rhiannon Williams, Brenda Martinez, Celina Chatman Nelson, Kristy Sherrer, Nora Sweeney