The HDFS Steering Committee

The HDFS steering committee consists of a group of graduate students within the department who interact with the graduate faculty and staff in a variety of ways. The overall purpose of the group is to act as a liaison between the graduate students and the program PICs and the department head so that graduate students' concerns and needs can be addressed. This goal reflects the department's desire to create both a strong graduate program and a supportive environment for the graduate students. The interaction between the steering committee and the faculty represents the faculty's recognition of and appreciation for the important role that graduate students have throughout the HDFS department.

There are different positions that comprise the steering committee: Faculty Representative, Admissions Committee Representative, PPD&E Committee Representative, alumni Representative, Graduate Student Association Representative, and Search Committee Representatives. Other positions pertain to the social and community outreach events and to the HDFS graduate student newsletter. There are two co-chairs who oversee the meetings and to meet with the PICs and department head to address both graduate student and faculty concerns and needs.

The committee holds monthly meetings, where representatives report on their committees to the rest of the graduate students. Graduate students concerns are also addressed at these meetings. Social and outreach events occur throughout the year. Traditionally, the steering committee is also in charge of the Welcome Picnic at the beginning of the Fall semester, Buddy Lunches between new or prospective students and current graduate students, graduate student brunches with new faculty members, and the end of the year Follies.

2008-2009 Steering Committee Members

Co-Chairs: Michelle Blocklin & Stephanie Anzman

Faculty Meeting Reps: Liz Manning & Beth Riina

PPD&E Committee Rep: Allison Groenendyk & Brian Stiehler

Admissions Committee Reps: Amy Syvertsen & Jessica Dollar

Dean's Council Rep: Emily Doyle

Alumni Rep:

GSA Rep: Deb Temkin & Bo-Ram Kim

Graduate Newsletter:

Graduate Community Outreach: Corrie Beck & Jessica Heckert

Graduate Social: Kaylin Greene & Sandra Abarca-Mortensen

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