ESU’s Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)

GPSA members enjoyed a perfect fall day at Stony Acres. Photo Credit / Maddy Constantine

BY JAMIE L GOFFREDO
SC Staff Writer

GPSA members enjoyed a perfect fall day at Stony Acres.
Photo Credit / Maddy Constantine

ESU’s Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) is looking forward to a busy, productive, and entertaining spring 2013 semester.  The organization is currently focusing on marketing events to recruit new members and educate ESU students on the benefits of being a member of GPSA, while continuing to strengthen and bolster the experience of ESU graduate students.

“GPSA is a chance for me to use my voice as a graduate student. Graduate students from all departments are able to join together to work towards common goals that will further their academic achievements and graduate experience at East Stroudsburg University”, says Regina Sayles, GPSA Treasurer.
ESU’s GPSA has experienced revitalization since its inception in the fall semester of 2011.

Originally, the organization was called the Graduate Dean’s Advisory Council (GDSAC) and was intended to serve as an advisory group for the Graduate Dean.  Members consisted of selected students from each program.  The group met once a month and provided input to the Graduate Dean regarding ESU’s Graduate college policies, procedures, and activities, as well as other aspects of graduate student life.  After the 2011-2012 academic year it was determined that there was a bigger potential for the organization and the name was changed to Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA).

GPSA applied for recognition as an official organization by Student Affairs and was granted this honor by a unanimous vote.

“I am very proud of the initiative and accomplishments of our graduate students who are leading the way in establishing a strong organization focused on graduate education.  Our new GPSA is one of the many ways in which we are celebrating the Graduate College’s 50th Anniversary, building upon our legacy of success and envisioning new ways  to prepare our graduate students for positions of professional leadership and service, in their communities and around the world,” says Dr. Wells, ESU’s Vice provost and Graduate Dean.

GPSA’s formal constitution states that the organization ‘seeks to enhance the advanced learning, research, scholarship, leadership and professional service experiences of graduate and professional students at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU).  GPSA will serve as a forum for graduate students to share opportunities and concerns they experience as students at ESU.  GPSA will also empower members to suggest opportunities for student activities and recommend solutions to current issues to enhance the graduate student experience at ESU.

“The Graduate and Professional Student Association exists to address the needs of graduate students here at ESU. Collaborating with faculty and staff, GPSA works towards fostering student involvement both on and off of campus, as well as providing an avenue for graduate students to speak from,”   says Adam Demetros, Spring 2013 President on what GPSA means to him.

GPSA opened membership to all interested students at ESU and appointed an executive board for the fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters.  Executive elections will be held in September for the fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters.  GPSA holds regularly scheduled meetings twice per month, typically on Tuesdays at 2pm in various locations.  Meetings to address special events and/or projects are scheduled as needed.  Details regarding meeting dates and times are posted in the ESU Bulletin, on the ESU GPSA Facebook page, and are sent out via email list-serve to registered graduate students.

To learn more about GPSA, please visit ESU’s GPSA Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GPSAESU, or the GPSA clubpage at http://quantum.esu.edu/clubs/gpsa/.

 

Email Jamie at:
jthomas1@live.esu.edu