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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: March 17, 2014
Debra Thompson
Alumni Association
Summary Sentence:
From military veterans to black alumni, Georgia Tech offers an affinity group for everyone. But there’s one major misconception about the groups — people think they’re just for alumni.
Full Summary:
From military veterans to black alumni, Georgia Tech offers an affinity group for everyone. But there’s one major misconception about the groups — people think they’re just for alumni.
Affinity GroupsFrom military veterans to black alumni, Georgia Tech offers an affinity group for everyone. But there’s one major misconception about the groups — people think they’re just for alumni.
“The great thing about our affinity groups is that you don’t have to be a Tech grad to get involved,” said Debra Thompson, senior manager of the Alumni Association’s affinity groups. “All faculty, staff, and friends of Georgia Tech are invited to participate in the affinity groups.”
The groups got their start in 1979 when Tech band alumni decided to form a group to keep them connected to the Institute. Now, there are 23 official groups, including the Military Affinity Group, Black Alumni Organization, the Legal Affinity Group, and the Women Alumnae Network.
“Participating in an affinity group is an effective way to enhance your professional and social networks, share your expertise with the Tech community, and collaborate on campus events and projects with people who have similar interests to your own,” Thompson said.
Tina Payne, assistant director of cooperative education in the Center for Career Discovery and Development, has been a member of the Co-op Affinity Group for nine years.
“What I like most about being involved with the group is having the opportunity to see co-op alumni interact with current co-op students and share accounts of their respective experiences,” she said.
To join, people should contact the representative for the group they are interested in, Thompson said. Some groups meet monthly or quarterly, with gatherings including networking opportunities, speaker panels, golf tournaments, and student mentoring opportunities.
For more information, email Thompson. For a full list of the groups and their representatives, click here.
