The Graduate English Association (GEA) works closely with the administration of the English Department, as well as with other departmental organizations like Sigma Tau Delta and the planning committee of the annual New Voices Conference, to accomplish the following goals:
• Increase graduate English student participation in social, professional, administrative, and scholarly activities.
The GEA organizes a range of events designed to support graduate students’ academic and professional development, while also fostering a strong sense of community. These include, but are not limited to:
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New Voices Conference — An annual conference organized by graduate students in GSU’s English Department, which brings together graduate scholars from local and national universities to present their work in a supportive and professional setting.
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Academic Job Market Roundtable — A topic-focused event featuring speakers who offer guidance on various aspects of the academic job search. Recent roundtables have addressed topics such as navigating the liberal arts job market and planning the academic job search timeline.
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Spotlight Reading Series — A yearlong series of public readings that showcases the creative work of GSU’s graduate writers. These events provide a platform for students to share original poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, while also building a vibrant literary community within the department.
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Ex Post Facto — An annual end-of-year celebration that provides faculty and students the chance to relax and connect after final grades are submitted.
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Trivia Nights, Spelling Bees, and Other Social Events — These informal, after-hours gatherings encourage students and faculty to build relationships and network outside the classroom.
• Welcome new graduate students to GSU.
The GEA sponsors orientation-adjacent events to support incoming students’ transition into graduate life. Key events include:
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Coffee Hour — Held directly after the department-sponsored orientation, this casual meet-and-greet allows new students to connect with returning peers.
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Registration Night — An annual gathering where new and continuing students, along with faculty, come together to discuss course options and plan for the upcoming semester in a relaxed setting.
• Bridge the gap between faculty and graduate students; provide a graduate student voice in departmental affairs; and keep students informed about ongoing events and issues in the department.
• Support graduate students’ professional development through conference travel funding.
The GEA reimburses conference registration fees (up to $100) for as many students as possible who are accepted to present at professional conferences during the fiscal year.
All students admitted to a graduate English program at GSU are automatically members of the GEA and are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and participate in programming throughout the year. Stay informed about upcoming events via flyers posted around the department, email updates through the GEA listserv, or announcements on the GEA’s Facebook page. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!