The Young and Emerging Professionals employee resource group has marked its one-year anniversary, noting major milestones and accomplishments and membership memories during its October 21, 2020, membership meeting.
In its first year, YEP has welcomed more than 150 new members and hosted several events, including instituting monthly BINGO breakout sessions for UofL faculty and staff and offering members discounted rates with the local Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL).
Co-presidents Courtney Baron and Renecia Griffie Davis also announced that the group's website and monthly e-newsletter are now live. Both platforms focus on upcoming professional engagement and networking opportunities and how to become more involved in YEP.
"The Young and Emerging Professionals is so excited to celebrate our first year as an organization," said Baron, an assistant professor and director of the Bridwell Art Library "What started out as an idea in August 2019 has blossomed into an active employee resource group with four committees serving over 150 UofL employees who identify as young or emerging professionals. We’re proud of our accomplishments and excited to see where the next year takes us.”
The YEP membership meeting also included a presentation from Ann Marie Kelly and Kulwant Singh of the Young Professionals Association of Louisville. YPAL includes more than 1,000 young professionals ranging from 21 to 40 years of age, though all are welcome.
The YEP employee resource group focuses on supporting the personal and professional development of young or emerging professionals who are new to UofL or new to a particular career path.
Heading into its second year, the group plans to add new virtual social and professional development programming and build on a mentorship program that matches established UofL employees with those new to UofL or the Louisville community.
As the group continues to grow, members are invited to serve on a committee or share ideas for additional networking and engagement.
