Fellow AU Grad Students,

On behalf of the 2011-2012 Graduate Leadership Council, I’d like to take the opportunity to welcome you to American University. I am both excited and honored to be the Executive-Chairman of YOUR council this year. I am a second year Master of Public Policy student in the School of Public Affairs, and obtained my undergraduate degree in Political Science with a minor in American Studies from The George Washington University in 2008. My friends call me "EBK," a nickname that's been with me for years now, and one I encourage you to use too.

In addition to my work with the GLC, I am very active our Model UN team and will be serving as the Under Secretary-General for Crisis Committees for the American University Model United Nations Competition (AUMUNC), which brings together high school students from all over the country for a three day conference in March, 2012.

A native of Massachusetts, I am a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, something that I know, might just make the difference in the kind of relationship that we have! In my spare time, I enjoy playing racquetball and I teach Sunday school at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, VA. My hobbies include collecting coins, baseball cards, political memorabilia, and antique books about politics and American history.

It is my hope that over the course of the year, I can get to know as many of you as possible, and talk to you about what the GLC and I, can do for YOU, in an effort to make your time at AU as enjoyable and stress free as possible. I encourage you to explore this website and learn about the individual school councils and their members.

If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at ebk2020@gmail.com or come visit me during my office hours, in the Graduate Resource Center (GRC), which is located on the lower level of the library, and is attached to the School of International Service. I wish you all the best this year, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Regards,

Elliot Bell-Krasner

The Graduate Leadership Council (GLC) represents the more than 3,500 graduate students here at AU. The GLC brings together the leaders of the five graduate student councils at AU to discuss issues that are relevant to the graduate population. It is the mission of the GLC to ensure that graduate life at AU is as enjoyable and stress free as possible, by providing a multitude of social networking events and activities, as well as advocating for their concerns directly to President Kerwin and the AU Administration. If you are an AU graduate student and ever have any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the council directly, at myauglc@gmail.com. Remember, this is YOUR council, and YOUR University, so make YOUR voice heard.