The Network: June 2008

Gwendolyn R. Tobin
GEM Alumna of the Year

Tobin

Gwendolyn Tobin is currently a Field Technician Sales Specialist at IBM. Prior to this role she was a development engineer/scientist in RTP for five years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from South Carolina State University, and her M.S. in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

She was a GEM Fellow in 1999 and was able to obtain her master's with the support from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NC A&T University.

Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES)
October 23-25, 2008

AISES National Convention
October 30 - November 1, 2008

NSBE Region 2 Fall Regional Conference
October 31 - November 2, 2008

NSBE Region 5 Fall Regional Conference
October 30 - November 2, 2008

LSAMP - Indiana
November 7, 2008

University of Alabama 2008 Graduate Expo
November 7-9, 2008

NSBE Region 1 Fall Regional Conference
November 6-9, 2008

NSBE Region 6 Fall Regional Conference
November 7-9, 2008

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
November 12-16, 2008

More GEM Events

GEM Announces New Partnerships!

The National GEM Consortium (GEM), the nation's premiere graduate educational organization in STEM has seven new employers and eight new universities that have joined the organization in 2008. As new members they are committed to fund fellowships for talented Native American, Hispanic American, and African American students in the sciences and engineering, and agree to work as partners with GEM University members in developing future leaders in STEM fields. These new members were awarded at the GEM Annual Board meeting in Washington D.C. on September 25, 2008.

"We are extremely excited about our new members this year to support the next generation of scientific leaders," Executive Director Michele Lezama said, "Its our responsibility to grow our presence in the STEM workforce and ensure that there are increased opportunities for underrepresented minority talent."

Among the new employer members that joined in 2008, they include:

GEM Annual Board Meeting and Congressional Reception

The National GEM Consortium honored Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Representative Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) for their leadership and commitment to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in increasing the number of underrepresented students receiving science and engineering degrees at a September 24 ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The 2008 GEM Award Winners for their achievement and commitment in advancing the mission of the organization include:

NC08 Award Winners

Additionally, GEM's Annual Board Meeting was held. Nine items were voted on by the board. Please click here for more information on the results of the votes.

Announcing the 2008-2009 GEM Executive Committee

The Board of Directors of The National GEM Consortium approved the GEM Executive Committee for 2008-2009. Dr. Gary S. May, Professor and Steve W. Chaddick School Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Georgia Institute of Technology, was appointed by the GEM Nomination Committee for the newly approved position of VP, Programs. The VP of Programs position was created to focus on the development of new models to support the 85% of qualified GEM applicants who are not selected as GEM Fellows to ensure a large percentage matriculate in graduate school leveraging other opportunities through GEM's vast network, as well as providing programming to perspective applicants. GEM focus on these two programmatic efforts will position the Consortium to solve our nation's Silent Crisis.

GEM Programs are on Fire and in Full Swing!

Summer months weren't the only that were heating up. GEM was extremely busy last quarter during the summer with its programming. Michele Lezama and Jacqueline Thomas traveled the West Coast (i.e. Washington, Oregon, and California) visiting over 13 Universities and Employers. Our newest partners (i.e. Oregon State University, Oregon Health and Science University, University of California - Riverside) all received some "GEM Love" this summer. Many students had the opportunity to hear the message, "Why Grad School" from our executive director and newest recruiter this summer.

Visit www.gemfellowship.org for more information on The National GEM Consortium!

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