Seasons Greetings!  Thanks to many of you for your kind words of support on my new journey as Executive Director of  The National GEM Consortium.  The transition has gone extremely well with the support of the outstanding staff and Executive Committee.  We plan to keep all of you in the loop regarding the many significant accomplishments we are making throughout the year, and this Holiday update is the first of many.

Transition

Since joining GEM on October 17 President Ronald E. Goldsberry, PhD, the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs, and many others have made this busy time very easy by sharing my enthusiasm for the work ahead and allowing me to dive right in. I have met with Notre Dame senior administrators, participated in committee meetings to further the strategic plan initiatives presented in Boston, begun the planning process for our 2006 annual conference and 30th anniversary gala, and recruited at several student events to increase fellowship applications prior to the November deadline. Efforts to deepen my extensive network’s familiarity with GEM have also been well-received.

Strategic Plan Implementation

Implementation of the three-part strategy is progressing steadily.  Organizational Capacity, led by Dolores Calicchio (GPSG, J&J), continues refining staffing recommendations and spun off a new committee to look into the merits of developing a high-level GEM Advisory Board.  CEOs and University Presidents are being nominated for consideration.  If you wish to nominate an institutional decision maker please drop a quick e-mail to my attention (mlezama@nd.edu).  Recruitment, Partnership Development and Outreach is advancing it goals first through a committee focusing on developing the most effective applicant pool recruitment strategy and tactics. Thank you to Shannon Thrasher-Bynes (IBM) for leading that effort. 2006 Conference Planning and the Marketing Committee, chaired by Mark Randolph (Motorola) are also making great progress.

2005 Application Season

GEM was represented by staff or alumni volunteers at more than 65 fall recruiting events. As of December 12 the applicant pool stands at 702, a 10 percent increase from 2004.  GEM Fellow-elects will be named at the January 4-5, 2006 meeting of the Selection Committee, chaired by  Hank McCoulloum ( Penn State ). The meeting is in Florida and coincides with the Society of Professional Hispanic Engineers National Technical Career Conference (NTCC). We will share selection results in the coming weeks.

30th Anniversary Gala

Plan to mark this milestone event with us June 28-31, 2006 at the InterContinental Chicago. Take the photo tour  of this great property.  We have selected an excellent location just steps from historic landmarks, shopping on the Magnificent Mile, and timed for you to take advantage of Taste of Chicago's opening weekend. With “ripped from the headlines” topical content, as well as a black tie gala awards dinner honoring the tremendous achievement of Dr. Howard Adams, and a tribute to GEM's legacy in the words of Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, this is an event you and your peers cannot afford to miss.  Check back often this winter  for registration and information at our website .