I am applying to be a GPSC representative to the following committees: Duke Alumni Association, President’s Council on Black Affairs, University Judicial Board, and Recreational Facilities Liaison. I have served on each of these committees for at least one academic year, some for the last three (PCOBA and Judicial), and have learned how to advocate and efficiently represent the needs of graduate and professional students. I am excited by the opportunity to continue to lobby at various levels of the University on behalf of GPSC and its constituents.

Duke Alumni Association - served and attended all meeting for 2008-2009 academic year

Recreational Facilities Liaison - served on committee since 2007, attended all meetings

President's Council on Black Affairs - served on board since 2006, attended meetings and contributed to agenda items

University Judicial Board - GPSC representative since 2006

GPSC President 2008-2009

GPSC Student Life Co-Chair 2007-2008

GPSC representative 2005-2007

No meetings this month.  Next meeting 1/29/09.

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Two main issues presented at this meeting:  1) disturbing treatment of African American students by Duke Police officers, Duke bus drivers, and faculty members and 2) Introduction of new Dear of Academic Affairs of Trinity College and his 3 point agenda.

- 2)New Dean of Academic Affairs of Trinity College is Lee Baker.  Dean Baker has three main areas he is working on: 

  a) changing of withdrawl policy is noted on permanent record

       -More African American students have withdraw/fail on their transcipt as opposed to withdraw/pass.  Will work provide more withdraw/pass versus withdraw/fail for students.  Also, in the past, students on athletic teans, DSG, and The Chronicle have been provided with class excuses.  This policy will now be extended to include MiGente, BSA, and other student orgs that require a large time commitment.

  b) Study Abroad opportunity promotion among African American students

      -AA students partcipate way less than their majority counterparts.  New study abroad program in Ghana, targeting African American students as well as the DukeEngage opportunities. 

  c)Student Advising: Especially in terms of Pre-Med students of color. 

       -Students are being discouraged from pursuing pre-med courses of study as well as not meeting with success when applying.  Discussed that some first-year advisors might benefit from additional conversations about how to talk to students. Difficult for advisors to let students know when a certain path of education might not be in their best interest.  Members of the Council agreed that a different type of conversation is needed to facilitate better relationships between some students and advisors.  President Brodhead stressed the need for students to take the initiative and try to build relationships with advisors.  He also urged members of the Council to contact him with ideas for future agenda items and suggested that the group discuss how students access academic resources at the next meeting.

We have been completely well-received, respected, and integrated as part of the PCOBA.

Perhaps investigation of African American grad students having issues with bus drivers on campus.

No.  This is a great position for grad/professional students.  They value our opinions and insights and we can be very helpful in terms of the advising/mentoring of undergrad students.

As a graduate student who is part of the school of Arts and Sciences, I would like to be more involved in the administration of Duke Arts and Sciences, which is why I am applying for the Arts and Science Council. We need a member that communicates well with all strata of the University (e.g., faculty, students, administrators) to be GPSC's representative to this committee. I am a student who has many strong relationships with faculty and chairs in many departments, I regularly attend events and lectures in a broad range of disciplines all over campus, and I am not afraid to voice the concerns of my graduate student constituents to a large audience. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.

 As mentioned above, I would like to become more involved in the administration of the graduate programs here at Duke University. As an outspoken GPSC member I do not hesitate to voice our collective concerns in the larger University arena. I have recently become very interested in the University administration from attending literally a lecture every single day in departments ranging from Law to Sociology to Medicine. I have become very friendly with a wide variety of faculty and University administrators. I hope to further cement my connection to the University organization by becoming a part of a committee that can really make a difference on campus. As demonstrated below, I have a wealth of relevant experience and I look forward to representing graduate students on this committee.

 I would like to be on the Duke Forest Committee because, as an avid hiker and walker, I would love to be more involved in the maintenance of the Duke Forest. This is an area that I often visit and very much enjoy. In fact, it was the Duke Forest that was a large reason why I came to this campus. The University's commitment to preserving large tracts of land for the preservation of nature and the availability of open air appreciation drew me to come to study here. As a medical and psychological scientist I recognize the paramount value of preserving our green spaces and its effect on our health . Studies confirm that even looking at a tree from a hospital bed can lower one's blood pressure and protect healthy functioning. I look forward to serving you.

I am a 2nd year graduate student in Clinical Psychology with a focus in Behavioral Medicine. I received my B.A. Magna Cum Laude in both Psychology and Africana Studies from Brown University. I worked for almost 5 years before coming to Duke so I possess a wide range of professional experience. My jobs were both in the business arena (e.g., Consulting) as well as in research (e.g., Harvard Medical School). Moreover, I traveled all over the world and speak 4 languages fluently. Due to my interdisciplinary background, I am familiar with many types of experiences and can represent our wide variety of graduate students. Moreover, I am familiar with the variety of departments and schools here at Duke. I am currently on the executive board for the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Buddhist Community here at Duke. I have experience being on committees and working with a broad range of University-wide collaborators.

Even back as far as high school, I have always been involved in a broad range of activities and administrative boards. In college I was involved in many organizations related to my interests in singing, acting, sports, and multicultural societies. In 2005 I traveled to Ecuador to help lead a Non-Profit organization that taught community classes. From 2006-2007 I served as a Fulbright scholar that worked with government officials, professors, and directors of international relief organizations to design a research project and participate in a variety of country-wide projects. Most recently, I have been involved in the GPSC Retreat where we brainstormed potentially useful ideas for the current fiscal year at Duke.