EGO: Where graduate networking and academics converge

 

 

 

PULLMAN – It’s 7 p.m. on Wednesday and the Mencke household is running smoothly. Paul is collecting data for his dissertation while his wife, Bernadette, also a WSU doctoral student as well as a full-time WSU employee, is in class. But what about Paul Jr., their 3-year-old?

 

Luckily, the family has access to free child care offered by the WSU’s Graduate and Professional Student Association, a service Paul discovered through his involvement with the Education Graduate Organization. Known affectionately as EGO, the five-year-old organization is dedicated to the advancement of graduate students in the College of Education.

 

EGO’s mission is to recognize, assess and help resolve the needs of graduate students. EGO also serves as a networking group that sponsors lectures, holds roundtable discussions and showcases graduate research at the annual Globalization, Diversity & Education Conference.

 

As president of EGO, Mencke says its first priority is helping students.

 

“I want to find out how we can advocate for the graduate students who may not be heard otherwise,” he said.

 

“The College of Education is extremely involved. The deans see the benefit of the program and also help to fund it,” said Mencke.

 

EGO leaders meet with the dean and associate dean regularly to discuss concerns and new ideas. This also gives administrators an opportunity to share information that is specific to graduate students, Mencke said.

 

Corinne Mantle-Bromley, interim associate dean of the college, understands EGO’s influence and its need for support.

“Their success is our mission, it’s why we’re here,” she said. “It’s a fabulous way to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our students. EGO gives them a voice and an avenue for improving the entire program.”

 

Mantle-Bromley also sees EGO as a source of valuable information.

 

“I would love their input on how we can increase the number of students in the college, advice on how to improve recruitment and retention,” she said.

For members, the opportunity to network is one of EGO’s highlights.

 

“I like being able to talk to people about how they are on a personal level rather than always asking about classes or research, which happens a lot when you are a graduate student,” said Jaime Messinger-Willman, the organization’s secretary. “EGO provided a network of students who had already gone through what I was just starting.”

 

Mencke appreciates the environment that EGO has been able to provide throughout his time as a graduate student.

 

“It’s great just getting to know people. A lot of the time, as a graduate student, you feel a little lost. Being able to sit in an EGO meeting and realize you’re not the only one having a tough time is a relief,” said Mencke, who is working toward a Ph.D. in cultural studies and social thought in education, while his wife pursues a Ph.D. in higher education administration.

 

“I appreciate the conversations you’re able to have about school, kids and everything else. The best part is the support you’re able to get from everyone else who is going through a similar situation as you,” he added.

 

Stephanie Langston has seen firsthand why EGO thrives. A former College of Education representative to the Graduate and Professional Student Association, she has worked with graduate organizations from nearly every academic division on campus, an experience that confirmed her belief in EGO’s strengths.

“One of the things I like most about this organization is its open willingness to try new things and support our members. Having been a part of several groups, both as an undergrad and now as a graduate student, I am amazed at how enthusiastically EGO supports the academic interests and endeavors of its individual members, while maintaining a general support of all things housed in the College of Education,” Langston said.

For more information about the Education Graduate Organization, visit https://education.wsu.edu/ego/.