(Sent: Feb 19, 2021)
Hello and welcome to a new semester! We are your new GSA Partner and Family Advocates!
We want to briefly introduce ourselves, our goals, and ask for your feedback on virtual family-friendly events. Please take a moment to fill out a brief (5 minute) survey. Next week, we plan to open applications for childcare grants, so please keep an eye out for that email!
About me: Howdy! My name is Regan and I am proud to be your Partner and Family Co-Advocate. I am a second year PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering. My amazing wife Christina and my beautiful daughter Emily moved from Arlington,TX to Pittsburgh in 2019. Prior to college I spent over six years in the United States Army working on medical equipment with one tour in Iraq. I am excited to bring my life experiences and work ethic to create an environment for partners and families that focuses on inclusiveness and community.
About me: I'm McKenna, a 5th year PhD student in ECE. My husband and I moved to Pittsburgh from Kansas in 2016 and our daughter was born in 2019 at Magee in Oakland. When I am not working on research projects or taking care of my family, I like to cook, play video games, and read fantasy novels. I am personally familiar with some of the difficulties that students with partners and families face, so I am excited to be here for you all! Please reach out to us at any time if you need to talk about anything partner/family related.
Our Immediate Goals:
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Loosen qualifications for domestic partners and make obtaining a sponsored ID easier.
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Advocate for a family leave policy.
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Make it easier for current and incoming students to find resources.
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Ensure that the new childcare options created in response to the pandemic continue to be available to grad students.
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Facilitate community-building for grad students and their partners and families.
And finally, as always, we are here for you. We know the longer the pandemic drags on, the harder it can get for some, but you are not alone. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time if you want to discuss anything partner/family related. Email us if you or your partner would like to be added to the Partners and Families d-list to receive more communications like this in the future.
Kind regards,
McKenna McCall and Regan Kubicek
GSA Partners and Family Co-Advocates
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