Assistant Dean Bostrom Elected to Graduate Career Consortium Executive Committee

Melissa Bostrom, assistant dean for graduate student professional development at The Graduate School, has been elected to a two-year term as the Professional Development Officer of the Graduate Career Consortium (GCC). Her term began this month.

The GCC is a volunteer organization that began in 1987 as an informal group for people who work with doctoral students on career issues to meet and share ideas. The organization now has more than 400 members, holds an annual conference, and works on joint ventures.

The GCC Executive Committee oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations and long-term direction. As Professional Development Officer, Bostrom will oversee and guide all activities of the Professional Development Committee, support skills-based communities of practice, identify and advance professional development opportunities for GCC members, and help develop revenue sources, among other duties.

Bostrom joined The Graduate School in 2013 as its first assistant dean for graduate student professional development. In her nine years in that role, she has spearheaded a significant expansion of professional development resources and programming for Duke graduate students, such as the Emerging Leaders Institute, the Professional Development Series, the Professional Development Grant, the Professional Development Blog, workshops specifically for master’s students, the Senior Leadership Insights series, and Duke OPTIONS.

“Dean Bostrom has played a crucial role in making Duke a national leader in professional development for graduate students,” Graduate School Dean Paula D. McClain said. “She has created a robust collection of resources that help our graduate students explore the full spectrum of career options and prepare for success no matter which path they choose. Her election to the GCC Executive Committee is a well-deserved recognition of both her expertise in this area and her leadership abilities.”