SOHP Graduate Student Issues Committee and Goals 2006-2007

Committee Purpose:

The Graduate Student Issues Committee is focused on addressing the needs of all student members of SOHP. Attention is given to developing and maintaining a positive environment within the society in which students can grow and develop their skills as OHP researchers and practitioners.

Committee Goals:

1. Inform graduate students about the existence of SOHP and the benefits of membership in this professional society
   a. To increase SOHP visibility to students, be involved and have a presence at major conferences where OHP-related research is presented by students (e.g., SIOP, APA, APS, APA-NIOSH).
   b. Generate publications (targeting students and educators of students in OHP), that describes OHP in general and how students can become engaged
   c. Ensure adequate information regarding OHP and SOHP student memberships is available through the SOHP website
   d. Contact graduate programs and departments that focus on OHP-related training, with information regarding SOHP to distribute to their students
   
   
2. Improve opportunities for students to present and network in professional settings such as conferences
   a. Work to secure additional funding to create a special presentation section at upcoming conferences for student-only presentations. The purpose would be to create an opportunity for students to interact professionally and to receive constructive feedback from other, more advanced professionals in OHP.
   b. Where possible, get involved with the planning and design of such conferences to ensure student issues are being addressed (e.g., cost of registration, opportunities to network and present, social get-togethers)
   
   
3. Monitor the pulse of existing graduate student members of SOHP
   a. Annual survey administration and analysis
   b. Reporting of results to SOHP executive board
   c. Utilizing these results to adjust existing goals and form new GSI objectives for the future
   
   
4. Understand new student member expectations
   a. Via brief new member survey to determine initial expectations and willingness to become involved in SOHP activities
   
   
5. Improve connections with other graduate student groups in international OHP organizations such as EA-OHPHP contacts).
   
   
6. Establish a process for future selection of GSI committee members
   

Committee Members:
Christopher Cunningham (ccunnin@bgsu.edu), Bowling Green State University , Committee Chair
Russell Matthews, University of Connecticut
Kizzy Parks, Florida Institute of Technology
Sarah DeArmond, Colorado State University
Kristin Charles, Portland State University
Joe Mazzola, University of South Florida
Mike Ford, George Mason University
Laura Wheeler Poms, George Mason University

Graduate Student Issues Committee