Carlsbad, Calif., – April 9, 2008 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Alumni Association has officially opened twelve new alumni chapters both nationally and internationally so far this year. Approximately 30 other new chapters, also from the U.S. and around the world, are planning to open by the end of 2008.
This sudden increase is due to changes implemented within the last 12 months from suggestions made by existing GIA alumni. New chapters now exist the following locations:
Linda Ellis Harmeling, vice president and chief advancement officer for GIA, said, “We instituted these changes in our alumni program because we wanted to better serve our graduates. We wanted to stay in touch with our alumni and help them further develop their careers with continuing education and networking opportunities."
“These changes were made after careful research to take an inventory of the unique needs of our alumni, and working with GIA Education and the Alumni Executive Council.” Ellis Harmeling said."
The 26-year-old GIA Alumni Membership changes that have transpired in the past year include:
Expanding membership to automatically include all GIA graduates who earn a diploma or certificate.
The Alumni Association executed a "Calling All Graduates" program designed to reconnect GIA with its more than 200,000 historic graduates, many of whom the Institute had lost touch with over the years.
The association discontinued dues, expanding its active alumni members from a known population of approximately 4,000 individuals to more than 64,000 people in the first year.
The creation and distribution of a Quick Start Guide, both online and in hard copy, which provides as a guide and resource in setting up a new chapter.
Also central to the evolution of the alumni association is a continuing education program for GIA Graduate Gemologists (G.G.) and a related recognition system. “Graduates had been asking for a long time for post-G.G. continuing education, more affiliation with other graduates in domestic and international chapters, and an electronic newsletter,” said Ellis Harmeling.
People who are interested in learning more about setting up a GIA Alumni Association chapter,e-mail alumni@gia.edu or visit www.gia.edu. If you’d like to receive the electronic newsletter, go to alum.connect. |
