Message from the Director of Student Services
I am very excited about becoming EERA's new Director of Student Services. EERA's history is one of commitment to graduate students and emerging scholars. This year, I am focused on continuing that commitment through identifying additional and innovative activities that would be of value to graduate students.
At the 2009 conference, a small group of students gathered to discuss ways in which the organization and the conference might increase student involvement and voice and provide more services to students. First, it was suggested that EERA consider a new Special Interest Group (SIG) for graduate students. A graduate student SIG, among other things, would
- help focus EERA's attention on relevant student issues and needs;
- provide leadership in determining appropriate conference activities for graduate students, and;
- offer a regional opportunity for graduate students to solicit the support of peers or mentorship from the larger EERA membership.
Second, it was suggested that the 2010 conference should be more proactive in providing not only suitable opportunities for graduate students to present but also to learn. As a result, EERA is exploring adding additional workshop formats that would be more amenable to the presentation of research in development or in progress. Further, EERA will actively solicit pre- and post-conference workshops that provide intensive development and learning opportunities for students.
In responding to these suggestions, EERA is sponsoring a new graduate student listserve so that we can begin the conversation, collect information, and disseminate opportunities. To subscribe, send an email to listserv@www.westga.edu with the following command pasted into the body of the email: SUBSCRIBE EERA-GRADSTUDENTS. Also, you can join the list by emailing your email address, first name and last name to Dr. Angela Coleman at mcoleman@westga.edu or the listserve at EERAGRADSTUDENTS-request@WWW.WESTGA.EDU.
I very much look forward to development of graduate student leadership and involvement in EERA over the coming year and would like to hear from students and EERA members. Please send your questions, comments, and thoughts to me at mcoleman@westga.edu.
Dr. Angela Coleman
Director of Student Servicess
mcoleman@westga.edu
