The 2015 ROGCT Gifted Connection program, now in its sixth year, will be held again during the upcoming AERA annual meeting in Chicago. This program connects graduate students who are interested in giftedness, creativity, and talent with faculty scholars in the field. This mentorship program is a low-key way for graduate students to get involved in the field and connect with an expert. Mentors and mentees are matched according to similar research interests.  They meet during the conference, over coffee and snacks, to discuss topics ranging from opportunities for involvement in the SIG to advice on research, dissertations, and job searches.  The SIG generously sponsors up to ten mentorships each year. Each mentee provides an evaluation of the program after the conference, and feedback from prior years has been overwhelmingly positive. This year, we were pleased to open the program up to graduate students who are enrolled in formal gifted education graduate programs.

 We would like to extend our deep appreciation to the faculty, researchers, and academics who volunteered to serve as mentors for this year’s program: Karen Rambo-Hernandez, Marcia Gentry, Jae Yup Jung, Kimberley Chandler, Katie McClarty, D. Betsy McCoach, Nancy B. Hertzog, Susan Assouline, Mattthew Makel, Nielsen Pereira, and Dengting Boyanton. The list of 2015 mentees is Rachel U. Chung, Danika Maddocks, Shauna Campbell, Jiaxi Wu, Xian Li, Melanie Caughey, Jeb S. Puryear, and David M. Brown.

 We were fortunate to have more applications from mentors than available spots, allowing us to make many really good matches. We are greatly appreciative of all of the offers to serve as mentors!  Mentees will be attending the ROGCT SIG business meeting and have also been invited to join us at the SIG social. Please make sure to say hello to these mentees - this will be a great opportunity for networking with new people who share a common interest in the field.  Finally, we would also like to thank our new student Mentoring Committee member, Rachel Chung, for helping to organize this important program.

Kate Snyder, University of Louisville
Anne Rinn, University of North Texas
AERA ROGCT Mentoring Committee Co-Chairs