Dear CGS Member,

I am delighted to announce the launch of your new website, the result of a year-long effort to enhance the information and resources that the Council of Graduate Schools provides to member institutions. Please explore the website’s broad range of searchable, interactive content and resources.

With careful attention to your suggestions, we have made significant improvements to popular resources and developed a number of new tools and services.  These changes are designed to make it easier for graduate deans, associate deans, and other graduate school staff to advance the missions of their institutions and achieve their professional development goals. CGS member institutions and their representatives now benefit from:

• An easily searchable online Membership Directory, which provides the names, titles, contact information, and academic fields of deans at member institutions. You will also be able to search for other member institutions of similar type using a range of specific criteria
• Updated information about our expanded Benchmarking and Consultation program
• Access to benchmarking data available through members-only sections of the CGS website
• Opportunities to participate in our expanded program of CGS Webinars on pressing topics in graduate education, led by CGS staff members, graduate deans and experts
• Easy access to CGS’ new GradEdge Newsletter
• A special website page dedicated to CGS’ Professional Development opportunities
• The ability to search the CGS Dean's Discussion List, the only online platform for information exchange dedicated solely to graduate education
• Information about the CGS Career Portal, to be launched April 2012. The Career Portal will provide a dynamic, searchable listing of open positions for graduate deans, associate/assistant deans and administrative staff as well as faculty and other higher education professionals
• Members-only access to the archives of the Government Relations Weekly Update, GradEdge, and other archived materials
• Simplified electronic processes for registering for CGS Events and ordering publications in CGS’ Online Store
• Beginning in January 2013, member institutions will also have exclusive electronic access to all CGS publications.

I hope that you will take the time to fully review and enjoy the new website’s many resources.  For instructions on accessing online member services, please consult our list of Frequently Asked Questions. We look forward to using the website to expand the ways we serve our members and the entire graduate community.

Sincerely,

Debra W. Stewart