About the CGC

Founded in 2014, the Consortium on Graduate Education (CGC) is a volunteer-led network of education professionals dedicated to supporting graduate students in developing effective communication practices, skills, and knowledge. CGC members include practitioners, teachers, and researchers from over 200 institutions and approximately 20 countries. The work we do in the field of graduate communications spans programs housed in graduate schools, writing centers, English-language support units, and other areas of graduate education. Through the CGC, we share expertise, research, and resources so that we can help graduate students thrive in increasingly complex academic landscapes. We welcome all who support graduate communication across disciplines, languages, and cultures.

The Consortium on Graduate Communication is a non-profit organization, incorporated in the State of Delaware and registered in the United States as a 501(c)3 charity, and is governed by an elected Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

The current Board was elected by an electronic vote of members in accordance with the CGC By-Laws:

Co-Chair

Kristina Quynn

(2023-25, 2025-27)

Co-Chair

Linda Macri

(2025-27)

Secretary

Angelo Pitillo

(2026-28)

Treasurer

Andrew Davis

(2026-2030)

Member-at-Large

Katharine Brown

(2026-28)

Member-at-Large

Eric Grunwald

(2023-2026, 2026-28)

Member-at-Large

Nathan Lindberg

(2023-25, 2025-27)

Member-at-Large

Honor McElroy

(2026-2028)

Member-at-Large

Zoe Speidel

(2025-27)

Board Elections and Terms

Under the CGC By-Laws, elections to the Board take place annually so that the new Board can take up its responsibilities on July 1. All members who have paid their annual dues at the time of the election may stand for office and vote. Elections are announced on the CGC website and listserv and are conducted electronically. 

As of 2019, the Chair must have served previously on the Board. If two Co-Chairs serve simultaneously, at least one must have served previously on the Board.

Term lengths and limits:

  • Chair (or Co-Chairs): two years, followed by two years as Past Chair.
  • Secretary: two years.**
  • Treasurer: four years.**
  • Members-at-Large: two years (may be extended by up to one year at Board’s discretion in order to maintain a regular Board rotation).

** For the first election in 2017 only, the Secretary and Treasurer were elected to three-year terms. In subsequent cycles, the Secretary and Treasurer will be elected in alternate years from the Chair(s) in order to maintain continuity on the Board.

Officers may re-elected to the same office for one additional term only. Any board member may subsequently be elected to a different office.

Governance & Standards

Bylaws of the Consortium on Graduate Communication

At CGC, we are committed to transparency, integrity, and excellence. Learn more about our operational guidelines and ethical standards by reviewing our official documents

read document

Past Board Members

Co-Chairs

  • Michelle Cox and Nigel Caplan, 2014-2017
  • Steve Simpson and Lindsey Ives, 2017-2019
  • Linda Macri and Susan Lawrence, 2019-2021
  • Marilyn Gray and Talinn Phillips, 2021-2023

Board Members

  • Jane Freeman, Steve Simpson, Jim Tierney, Talinn Phillips, 2014-2020
  • Nigel Caplan, 2017-2020
  • Jane Freeman, 2017-2018
  • Jim Tierney, 2017-2019
  • Shyam Sharma, 2017-2020
  • Rachael Cayley, 2020-2022, 2023-2026
  • Kelly Cunningham, 2020-2022
  • Elena Kallestinova, 2020-2023
  • Kristina Quynn, 2021-2023
  • Melinda Harrison, 2022-2024
  • Heather Boldt, 2024-26
  • Melissa Myers, 2024-26

Standing Committees

Three standing committees, led by members of the Board, manage various CGC activities:

Summer Institute (SI) Committee

(2025 Co-chairs: Heather Boldt and Kristina Quynn) Led by a CGC chair and committee co-chair and assisted by other Board members and CGC member volunteers, plans the CGC’s annual Summer Institute. Tasks include choosing a theme, arranging a venue, setting dates, calling for and evaluating presentation proposals, managing registration, arranging food and a conference-rate hotel, setting the schedule, devising a program, and carrying out the Institute.

Membership Support and Development Committee (MSDC)

(chair: Zoe Speidel) Supports the CGC's mission by fostering an engaged, well-resourced, and professionally empowered membership and identifying and implementing initiatives that enhance the professional lives and networks of CGC members.

Communications Committee

(chair: Eric Grunwald): Created in 2024. Manages all of the CGC’s outward-facing communications, including governing and maintaining the CGC website, social media channels, and listserv.