Mission Statement: Our mission is to promote a community of academic growth among English
graduate students. We support individual and collaborative creative and
scholarly pursuits, both inside and outside the classroom. We work to foster a
sense of camaraderie among English graduate students and encourage future
development within the graduate program.
Membership: All currently enrolled UNCW English graduate students are
automatically members of our organization and may participate as little or
as much as they wish. There are no membership dues or fees.
Purpose: Our primary focus is that of planning and hosting a Graduate
English Conference every spring. This conference gives UNCW graduate
students a great chance to present their work in a relaxed environment,
surrounded by their faculty and peers.
Positions: Co-Chairs are the planners and the doers; this position is
frequently shared. They are chiefly responsible for planning the conference
and organizing workshops and other events. The Treasurer keeps track of the
annual budget, funded through UNCW's Campus Activities and Involvement
Center. The Secretary and Webmaster positions may be separate, but are
frequently combined (ie: the Scrivener). Duties include note-taking,
listserv updates, website maintenance, and public outreach. The Vice-Chair
is a position specifically reserved for a First Year graduate student,
intended to acquaint that person with the responsibilities and organization
of GEA events. They frequently help to plan the annual spring conference.
Finally, as a member of the greater graduate student body, a Graduate
Student Association (GSA) representative is elected to attend their monthly
meetings and represent the GEA's interests at-large. Positions are voted on
annually; Co-Chairs are typically elected in the late spring, while all
other supporting positions are elected in the fall.
Conference: The GEA hosts an annual graduate conference, typically
held in the month of April. This conference provides a valuable opportunity
for students to contribute to their professional development, while
bolstering our program's involvement in the greater academic community.
Typically, the conference is announced early in the spring semester, and
submission abstracts are accepted until late March. Accepted scholars pay a
minimal registration fee, and present their work to an audience of their
peers and colleagues, typically in a panel format. Faculty members volunteer
to moderate these panels, which comprise three students speaking on related
subjects. Finally, a distinguished keynote speaker presents their work in
the middle of the day, followed by a light luncheon reception.
Workshops: The GEA organizes workshops on a variety of subjects, as
requested by the constituent members. Typically, these involve aspects of
professional and scholastic development, pertinent to the English graduate
student body.
Miscellaneous: The GEA is a valuable professional and personal outlet
for English graduate students and typically offers a number of other
opportunities for social engagement and community building throughout the
year.
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