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Experience GSA’s Annual Meeting from

One On To the Future Perspective!

Do you remember your first GSA Annual Meeting? Were you traditional geologists, and who could be future collaborators in pro-
excited for the great science and new connections you would find? moting diversity within the geosciences—one of Jazzy’s profes-
Were you overwhelmed by the scope of the meeting and legendary sional goals. Most importantly, Jazzy hoped that “OTF connects me
geologists you might meet? Did it make an impact on your career to people now and in the future that I can look to for advice should
decisions? These questions were at the forefront for many of the 2019 I encounter any issues, and who will support me as a geologist
On To the Future (OTF) participants who attended their first GSA regardless of who I am. It is so important to find people who sup-
Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. We took an opportunity port you for being you, and I hope that I can provide that support
to talk with Jazzy Graham-Davis, a 2019 graduate of Portland State to others as well and find a community of people similar to me.
University and OTF participant, before the annual meeting to learn I would love to support OTF in the future as a professional to help
their hopes and expectations for the program, as well as after the up-and-coming geologists find their place within the field.”
meeting to learn about the impact their OTF experience made. How did Jazzy summarize their experience after the meeting?
Before the 2019 GSA Annual Meeting, Jazzy was excited to be “I had a great time at GSA! OTF exceeded my expectations.”
immersed in the atmosphere of a professional meeting, attending it For Jazzy, the annual meeting was incredibly productive, provid-
with an open mind but, admittedly, few expectations—other than to ing opportunities to work with mentors at various early career
be overwhelmed by the variety of events, presentations, and people workshops to receive résumé, cover letter, and career path
who would be present. They were particularly interested in meeting advice—important feedback for recent graduates who are seeking
individuals from different backgrounds who did not represent jobs or applying to graduate schools. Further, meeting individuals
of different backgrounds was empowering, allowing Jazzy to feel
comfortable sharing their own struggles within geology and GSA
meetings, and discussing how the community can work to address
and improve these issues, particularly in making geology more
accessible to people with disabilities. Most importantly, for Jazzy,
“It was amazing to hear from lifelong members of GSA that peo-
ple like us OTF scholars are the future of GSA. It made a huge
impact on my goals for future GSA meetings and the ways that
I would like to be involved. I definitely will be active in GSA
throughout my career and would like to do what I can to further
improve diversity at these events.” Lastly, Jazzy told us they would
love to come back and serve as a mentor in the future.
Jazzy is just one of the many OTF students you have helped.
On the GSAF News & Events page, we are sharing the before-
and-after reflections of five other OTF participants as part of our
“Community of Support” series. Visit us at https://gsa-foundation
.org/news-events/ to see how your support for OTF has made an
impact on these participants’ lives. You can support this community
at https://gsa-foundation.org/donate/#fund_name=on-to-the-
future-fund, or contact Clifton Cullen at +1-303-357-1007 or
Jazzy Graham-Davis, a 2019 On To the Future
participant, with their service dog, Jack. ccullen@geosociety.org.

www.gsa-foundation.org