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Committees

Home Graduate Students Committees

Graduate student representatives hold a total of 17 seats across various departmental committees. Committee seats are appointed by the Graduate English Organization (GEO) during the summer/early fall. For a full view of committee service, please review the list of all departmental committees for AY 2025-2026.

Below are the current graduate student representatives serving on departmental committees for AY 2025-2026.

CAARES Committee 

This committee serves as a conduit for communication between various departmental constituencies and administrators, develops strategies for creating a culturally responsive community, and fosters connections between members of our department and faculty, staff, and students beyond the department who are also working to create an equitable, just, and inclusive campus. The committee meets at least once a semester.

  • Dalton Greene
  • Brielle Gorrell

CLCS Steering Committee 

The committee approves policies and annual programming for the Center and advises the Directors on any other matters relevant to the Center’s programming and budget.

  • Shannon Neal
  • Abhinav Bhardwaj 

 

Coordinating Committee 

The GEO President serves on Coordinating Committee, the executive committee of the department.  The Committee advises the Chair on matters of concern related to the department, including academic matters, personnel actions, and resource allocation.  The Committee generally meets two times per semester on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

  • Shakiba Sharifpour

Creative Writing Committee

The committee sets standards for admission, financial aid, the curriculum, advising, and learning outcomes for the MFA Program in Creative Writing. 

  • Annie Przypyszny
  • Jupiter Berrysmith
  • Sara Lieto

 

Department Assembly 

The Department Assembly is the voice of the department on matters of general policy.  Proposals of substantive importance in regard to programs and policies of the department suggested by the Chair, or other standing committees, are submitted to the Assembly for review.  The decisions of the Assembly generally become department policy.  The Assembly generally meets two times per semester on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

  • Abhinav Bhardwaj
  • Niyanta Sangal
  • Funmilola Fadairo
  • Declan Langton

 

Graduate Studies Committee 

The committee develops, evaluates and revises standards and procedures related to graduate student success, admission, etc.

  • Dalton Greene
  • Carina Jiaxing Shi
  • Fatima Seck

Undergraduate Studies Committee 

The Undergraduate Studies Committee reviews matters related to undergraduate education, including curricular and course changes and learning outcomes assessment. The UGST Committee generally meets four to five times a year.

  • Carina Jiaxing Shi

 

Writing Committee 

The Writing Committee reviews all aspects of the writing programs and their coordination, including the curricula, the use of instructional methods, and staffing. It participates in assessment within the Writing Programs. It consults on issues brought up by the Directors. It advises on new course offerings, programs of study, and research. It promotes outreach on issues related to writing to the campus as a whole. The committee meets at least once a semester. 

  • Funmilola Fadairo

     

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