Parent e-Newsletter Fall 2010
Newsletter 009 | December 2010
The Bobcat Career Network
Do you remember your first job search? If you were like most new graduates, you lacked experience and contacts within your field until someone helped you get your foot in the door. The University Career Center is trying to do our part to make sure your students don’t feel the same way!
Now, as a parent of a Georgia College student, you can share your professional journey and experiences with students and graduates as a Bobcat Career Network Advisor. The Bobcat Career Network is an online network of alumni, parents, and friends who have agreed to provide career advice to Georgia College students and alumni registered with the University Career Center.
Did you know that there are many ways that you can become involved with the Career Center as a parent? In addition to the Bobcat Career Network, we have opportunities for you to share your expertise with students through mock interviews, resume review days, or other on campus events.
Does your company have internships or positions that you would like to post to our students and alumni? We offer free postings to employers through our Career Connection database! 
For more information about Bobcat Career Network, other employers services, or to set up a meeting to discuss how to connect your company to Georgia College, please contact Sarah Schanck, Job Development Consultant, at (478) 445-5384 or sarah.schanck@gcsu.edu.
University Career Center
Campus Box 42
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: (478) 445-5384
career.center@gcsu.edu
Financial Aid Updates
Mark it on Your Calendar - It's time to complete scholarship and financial aid applications for the 2011-2012 academic year!
Scholarships for GC Returning Students:
Georgia College has many scholarships designated for “returning” students! Students who are currently enrolled and plan to return to GC the following academic year have the opportunity to apply for any of these scholarships online via their myCATS account. The GC Financial Aid office will notify students by e-mail when the application becomes available. The application deadline is Friday, February 4, 2011. While scholarships offered vary each year depending on available funding, you may view a list of scholarships awarded during the current academic year.
Apply for Federal Aid Programs and HOPE Scholarship:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an online application that MUST be submitted every academic year in order for students to be considered for federal aid programs (grants, work-study and student loans). The application becomes available on January 1 of each year. GC has a priority deadline of March 1 to be considered for federal programs with limited funding. In order to ensure that federal aid funds are in place by the payment deadline for Fall semester, the GC Financial Aid Office must have FAFSA applications by July 1 of each year.
HOPE Scholarship recipients will be evaluated based upon their FAFSA applications each year. If students do not wish to be considered for federal aid programs, they may choose to apply for the HOPE Scholarship only by completing an alternate application, GSFAPPS, via www.GACollege411.org. This application is a one-time application for students, so yearly updates are not required.
As always, the GC Financial Aid staff invites you to contact them if you have any questions or need further assistance with financing your educational goals.
MAP-Works - A resource for freshmen
Each fall, Georgia College offers all first-time freshmen the opportunity to participate in the MAP-Works program (Making Achievement Possible).
During September 1157 (96%) of our first-time freshmen completed the initial transition survey component of the program. By completing the MAP-Works survey, the students provided Georgia College with valuable information about their self-reported transitions and their needs for assistance, if any. In return, the students each received a personalized report providing information to help them have a more successful experience at Georgia College.
In addition to the initial transition survey, a much shorter follow-up survey was provided in early November. For those students who participated, information was added to their transition survey results to provide an updated individualized report.
The value of MAP-Works is maximized when students review their reports and use the information to inform themselves and/or in consultation with a ‘direct connect.’ A ‘direct connect’ is a person who has a relationship with the student as either an academic advisor, first-year academic seminar instructor or residence hall director. If your student is a first semester freshman, we encourage you to talk with your student about their personalized MAP-Works report(s).
Below is an example of questions asked on the follow-up survey with the average answer given by the respondents on a scale of 1 (not at all) to a 7 (extremely):
To what degree…
- would you recommend GC to someone who wants to attend college? 6.01
- are you keeping up with your course work? 5.99
- are you balancing your time between classes and other activities? 5.62
- are you spending sufficient study time to earn good grades? 5.51
- are you satisfied with your academic life on campus? 5.42
Dr. Paul Jahr
Campus Box 27
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: (478) 445-2091
paul.jahr@gcsu.edu
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association of Georgia College has remained busy throughout the fall of 2010, marking the Senate’s seventy-fifth anniversary. Executives, Senators, and staff have been hard at work in order to improve the Georgia College campus and community.
This fall, Georgia College collaborated with other SGAs from Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern, and Morehouse College in conducting the first annual student-led gubernatorial debate. President Zach Mullins served as a panelist for the debate and directly asked students’ questions to candidates Roy Barnes, John Monds, and Governor-Elect Nathan Deal. It was a great honor for Georgia College to be chosen for this event and the experience will pave a gateway for many leadership opportunities in the future.
SGA recently finished renovations to The DEN, Georgia College’s Student Lounge. The DEN is located in the Student Activities Center and its facilities are available to all students. The newly-renovated student hangout includes a state-of-the-art Mac Bar; 8 HD screens with HD programming; surround sound; and new ping pong, pool, and air hockey tables. A refreshed ambiance boasts new modern colors, plush furnishings, and group seating areas. Every student's favorite area, the Gaming Cafe, has received new equipment including a PlayStation 3 hooked up to a 52" plasma TV, and many new gaming titles. SGA hopes The DEN will benefit student life at Georgia College by providing a common relaxation area for students.
In efforts to boost campus spirit and ethos, SGA is working on various projects that will benefit Bobcat pride. SGA is building a bell tower outside the Centennial Center. SGA located the bell that was given to Georgia College by the Curator of the United States Navy and was intended to celebrate Bobcat athletics. All are invited to participate in the tradition and make their mark on Georgia College by purchasing a brick or plaque for the bell tower. More information on the project, as well as brick and plaque purchases, can be found at http://gcsu.edu/belltower.
The school is also placing Bobcat statues throughout campus and SGA is sponsoring a statue that will be outside the Student Activities Center. In addition, SGA has set up a new office for Georgia College’s beloved bobcat mascot, Thunder. SGA’s involvement with Thunder will allow for more campus opportunities and visibility. Thunder will be present at the majority of athletic events and is available upon request for any other type of event. Our mascot’s increase in visibility throughout the campus is intended to generate a sense of “Bobcat pride” among Georgia College students and community.
SGA is working to become more connected with the student body. This fall, SGA has held monthly open forums to allow students to meet with student leaders and express their opinions. As a result of these forums, SGA has been able to address student concerns and implement changes. Recently, SGA extended library hours during midterms and finals upon student requests. SGA was also able to improve the Georgia College shuttle system’s efficiency at local shuttle stations. These changes were made possible because of student involvement at the forums; SGA is listening to the student body and acting upon students’ concerns and suggestions.
A live view of Georgia College's historic front campus, brought to you by SGA: http://www.gcsu.edu/sga/webcam.htm.
Student Government Association
Campus Box 002
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone: (478) 445-2795.
sga@gcsu.edu
Published: December 2010 | Gina O. Peavy | Office of Student Affairs| student.affairs@gcsu.edu
