CGC Board of Directors Election 2021 (archive)

2021 elections for the board of directors for the Consortium on Graduate Communication are now closed. 

Please click here to access the ballot.

Voting will end on February 17, 2021 at 11:55pm EST.

The following positions are on the ballot: Chair/Co-Chair and Member at Large (one positions).  The Chair or Co-Chairs serve a term of two years. Members-at-large have 1-3 year terms at the discretion of the board (we will seek to stagger member-at-large terms). The term begins on July 1, 2021.

The slate of candidates for each position is included below (it can also be viewed on the ballot).

Co-Chairs

Talinn Phillips

Associate Professor of English, Director of the Graduate Writing and Research Center, Ohio University

Dr. Talinn Phillips is an Associate Professor of English and Director of the Graduate Writing and Research Center at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Her research interests include graduate writing development, multilingual writing, writing centers, and writing development across the lifespan. Her books include Supporting Graduate Student Writers: Research, Curriculum, and Program Design (co-edited in 2016 from University of Michigan Press, Teaching with a Global Perspective (co-authored with Dawn Bikowski in 2019 ), and Approaches to Lifespan Writing Research (co-edited with Ryan Dippre in 2020 ). She is currently working with Rachael Ryerson on a film and companion book for graduate writing consultants.

I’ve served as founding board member and Secretary and would be honored to lead the CGC as Co-Chair. If elected, I would aim to expand our national presence and share our expertise with other graduate communication stakeholders while continuing to serve members through our new book series, bibliography, webinars, etc. 

Marilyn Gray

Director, UCLA Graduate Writing Center

I am the founding Director of the UCLA Graduate Writing Center and have worked in this role for about 14 years. I supervise a talented graduate student staff of about 30 writing consultants, and together we provide workshops and thesis programs for graduate students, as well as year-round writing consultation.

I have participated in CGC from its early days, which has been a very supportive and enriching experience. If elected, I would be honored to serve as Co-Chair and to work to strengthen the organization, support its members, and expand online and other resources that develop the graduate communication field.  

Member at Large

Sarah Burcon

Lecturer III, Program for Technical Communication, College of Engineering, University of Michigan

Sarah Burcon is a Lecturer III in the Program for Technical Communication, College of Engineering, at University of Michigan. She earned a Ph.D. in American Literature and an M.A. in Linguistics. Before teaching at U of M, she taught courses in English as a Second Language, composition, and literature. 

My vision aligns with the Board’s mission of providing excellent graduate communication support. One class I teach focuses on communication skills for practicing researchers. The class appeals particularly to second language learners; therefore I seek resources and strategies for these (and all) students, which I can share with CGC members.

Nathan Lindberg

ELSO Lecturer and Tutoring Director, Cornell University

For six years, I’ve been a lecturer for Cornell’s English Language Support Office (ELSO) and for five I’ve directed ELSO’s Writing Tutoring Service. I’ve worked with EAL students for over 20 years—half of that time in Taiwan. My PhD is in Composition & TESOL from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.   

I would use my experience as a WC and a summer program director to help plan the Summer Institute and other events. I’ve worked on an array of websites, including running an online newspaper, and I would strive to keep the CGC’s website current and relevant. I love the CGC! 

Melissa Myers

ELSO Lecturer, Cornell Univesity

Melissa Myers is a lecturer at the English Language Support Office (ELSO) at Cornell University. She teaches courses in academic writing and oral communication to matriculated, multilingual graduate and professional students. In addition, Melissa coordinates graduate oral communication by leading the Speaking Groups Program and Pronunciation Tutoring Service.

As a member of CGC since its inception in Toronto, I have witnessed the continued value of establishing meaningful connections among scholars of different fields supporting graduate students throughout the world. These electronic and face-to-face networks have led to collaborations, friendships, learning from one another, and, perhaps most importantly, creating the groundwork for further research and models in graduate communication. As a potential board member, I am earnestly committed to CGC’s continued growth. 

Kristina Quynn

Director, CSU Writes, Colorado State University-Ft. Collins

Kristina Quynn is the founding director of CSU Writes, a research writing facilitation program for graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at Colorado State University. Recently, she directed the Academic Management Institute for the Colorado Network of Women Leaders (4 conference-style events). She calls Boulder “home” and her chocolate lab, “Finn.”

I wish to support the sustainability of the CGC in providing program- and curriculum-sharing opportunities. I envision CGC as the premier hub for conversations/publications about graduate student writing support. I bring authentic engagement, experience with program start-ups, dedication to writing communities, and a devotion to equity in higher education.

Please click here to access the ballot.