Guest blog by Linette Pan
Giving back to my community has always been something deeply meaningful to me, and when the opportunity arose to do so before even stepping foot in a Booth classroom, I knew I wanted to seize it.
During the second week of Orientation and LEAD, each cohort held elections for the Graduate Business Council (GBC), and I decided this was the perfect way to give back. I put myself on the election slate, delivered a two-minute speech in front of my cohort, and was ultimately elected as a representative.
The election process at Booth is unique and incredibly empowering. Each cohort selects two representatives and one social chair, forming a 60-member council that works alongside an executive board. As someone who has run for student office many times in the past, I recognized the value of this opportunity, not just as a leadership role, but as a way to actively contribute to the Booth community. Once elected, council members rank their committee preferences, giving each of us specific responsibilities to enhance the student experience.
Our council meets every other Tuesday during lunch to discuss a wide range of topics, from admissions updates to career search strategies, and everything in between. Some meetings are reactive, addressing current news or issues affecting students, while others are proactive, brainstorming new ideas to improve life at Booth. As a liaison for my cohort, Gargoyles, I help ensure that pressing topics and concerns are passed along, giving students a voice in council discussions and helping shape the broader Booth experience.
Being part of GBC has also given me the chance to plan and execute activities that bring students together in meaningful ways. One of my favorite initiatives as a first-year was hosting a Mix-It-Up Dinner, where eight first- and second-year students shared a home-cooked meal. It was a small but powerful way to meet new people and build connections across the school. As a second-year, I had the opportunity to expand the event, working with the Executive Board to secure additional funding. This Fall, we hosted 25 small-group Mix-It-Up Dinners for over 200 students, fostering connection and community in a truly tangible way.
Beyond Mix-It-Up Dinners, I’ve had the pleasure of organizing the White Elephant event for GBC members, participating in a GBC-hosted trivia on a team led by our very own Dean Rajan, and even redesigning the council website to better serve our members. Additionally, I led the charge to get all first-year students added to our full-time student Slack in August, becoming one of the first official touchpoints for them this summer, a special opportunity to welcome them with open arms to our Booth community. Each of these experiences has reinforced my belief in the importance of community, collaboration, and creativity in building a thriving student body.
Serving on the Graduate Business Council has been far more than a leadership role, it has been a chance to give back, make a difference, and help cultivate the unique sense of community that makes Booth so special. As a UChicago undergrad and now Booth student, it has been my pleasure to serve on GBC and give back to the student body in the school I call home.
