A select group of George Washington University alumni, parents and friends will serve on the inaugural Division of Student Affairs Advisory Council to support the student experience at GW.
The 18-member committee met for the first time last month during the annual Colonials Weekend celebration as an introduction to their new roles supporting GW’s efforts to meet students’ needs.
“The council will add depth to the ‘support student’ pillar of the Making History campaign,” Vice Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Peter Konwerski said. “Their efforts will help bring to life the priorities that will resonate with donors, such as the health and well-being of our students.”
The council members will volunteer their time to develop projects that build community among students, secure partnerships and new funding sources and identify internship and professional development opportunities for students. They also will provide philanthropic support to DSA.
This is the 19th advisory council established at GW to strengthen the success of programming for the university community.
Alumna Carol Capece, B.A. ’00, M.B.A. ’02, said that she sees her work on the council as an opportunity to ensure that current GW students have the breadth of opportunity that she experienced from interning in the White House for three years as an undergraduate student to earning an M.B.A. while serving as a Presidential Administrative Fellow.
Alumnus Ari Massefski, B.A. ’15, GW Student Association President Andie Dowd and Presidential Administrative Fellow and graduate student Ashlynn Profit, B.A. ’14 shared their experiences atwith the DSA Advisory Council last month.
Ms. Capece said she found a support network at GW that became a foundation for her future professional success.
“This team has been charged with trying to identify new opportunities and solutions by using our varied professional backgrounds, unique experiences while on campus at GW and considerable life experiences,” Ms. Capece said. “Since some of us are many years removed from the university experience, I hope it spurs some new thinking for the [DSA] leadership team.”
Council member and California native Cyndi Weingard is the mother of GW junior Addie Weingard. Ms. Weingard said that she is looking forward to helping serve “the whole student” and developing opportunities for students on behalf of DSA in the Bay Area.
“I’m thankful for the opportunities that my daughter has had so far—she is becoming an engaged citizen on campus and beyond,” Ms. Weingard said. “It's important for me to give back, and it will be important for Addie to give back as an alumna.”
During the first council meeting, members were introduced to key DSA and other advisory council leaders to better understand their role in building the student experience. The meeting also included a panel discussion with current students and recent graduates.
Presidential Administrative Fellow and graduate student Ashlynn Profit, B.A. ’14, participated in the panel discussion and emphasized how the university could better serve populations of students such as those who feel disconnected from the GW experience.
Alumnus Ari Massefski, B.A. ’15, said the panel discussion was a great way to use real student experiences to inform ways that DSA and the council can “strengthen the GW community.”
“Student happiness should always be the highest priority for the university,” Mr. Massefski said. “I was happy to hear that the DSA Advisory Council was formed with the goal of always making sure that students enjoy their time at GW and ensure that the voice of students and alumni are included in conversations about how to support GW students now and in the future.”