The Graduate Student Alliance (GSA) at CCA is an association founded to connect graduate students from all programs at CCA. GSA organizes and leads graduate student events such as the new graduate student welcome events, monthly mixers and semester capstone events. Behind the scenes we act as liaison between the graduate student community and the Board of Trustees, president, and other members of the college community.

We believe student voices fuel CCA's efforts and direct the college's focus at every stage of activity.

GSA's mission is to champion on behalf of all graduate students and create opportunities for community, cross-pollination and collaboration.

Goals:

• Sponsor events or initiatives proposed and executed by graduate students that foster community, discourse, and entertainment across departments
• Provide convenient venues for open communication among students, faculty, and administration
• Maintain and publish an annual survey that records student opinions about classroom, facilities, department, and campus-wide issues
• Advocate for students on issues from greater diversity in the curriculum to greater accessibility of campus facilities

(Note: Neither membership application nor fees are required to join.)

GSA is made up of two co-director positions. These positions are perfect for individuals who enjoy communicating, advocating for others, planning events, networking, and reporting.

• Active leaders have the greatest accessibility to all students, faculty, and administrators.
• GSA directors play a significant role in involving others in the student life experience. The two selected directors should plan to work closely together on all aspects of the one-year and receive leadership fellowship.
• The position tenure begins at the start of the spring semester and is completed at the end of the fall semester. The position's responsibilities average 16-18 hours per month.
• These positions are available to first-year graduate students or continuing second-year dual-degree students on a three year track, as they will not interfere with your final thesis semester.

(Note: Active GSA members receive priority consideration for leadership positions.)

Criteria:

A student must be a returning, full-time student, as well as remain in satisfactory academic and disciplinary standing through the spring semester.

Students must meet the following criteria:

• Good academic standing, with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of team members, students, and parents
• Desire to learn about all aspects of the college life, from academic studies to policy and procedures
• Demonstrated record of flexibility, responsibility, and willingness to assist others.

For more information email gsa@cca.edu.

GSA Directors are required to participate in graduate new student orientation and monthly meetings for the academic year.

You will:

• demonstrate your understanding of growth in leadership style
• understand the role students play in the operation of the college
• understand shared governance by participation in committees, events, and programs
• serve as mentors to new GSA Directors
• engage in thoughtful discussion and dialogue about priorities, initiatives and programs that impact the student community
• coordinate events, initiatives and programs that have a positive impact on the student community
• role model what it means to be a creative citizen

Skills you will experience according to the 2016 PayScale Workforce-Skills Preparedness Report:

• Critical thinking/problem solving
• Communication
• Leadership
• Interpersonal skills/teamwork
• Curiosity