In January, the Tech chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) launched with the goal of providing a professional network and educational resources for office professionals.

“Part of the Institute’s strategic plan is to ‘relentlessly pursue institutional effectiveness,’ and the plan notes that ‘administrative functions that support the Georgia Tech community are vital to our mission and deserve strong support,’” said Chapter President LaLeeta Sweeper Pitts, a senior administrative professional in Legal Affairs and Risk Management. “Installing a chapter of IAAP at Tech is one way to accomplish this, and we’re thankful for the support we’ve received from leadership and Dr. Peterson.”

The idea to start a Tech chapter came to Pitts when she became involved with the Georgia Power chapter of IAAP in 2007. After a few years of serving on the organization’s committee, Pitts started to speak with her colleagues at Tech about starting a chapter here.

“Last March, a group of administrative professionals started the strategic planning process to bring this chapter to fruition,” she said. “We circulated a survey to admins, hosted a brown bag and held several meetings with our executive sponsors and the Georgia Division Board of IAAP. After completing several documents as required by IAAP’s headquarters, here we are less than a year later.”

The group, which currently has 60 members, is only open to Institute employees and meets on the third Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gordy Room of the Wardlaw Center. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 21, and the topic of discussion will be the chapter’s goals for the future.

“We invite anyone who is motivated and has the role of administrative support staff, regardless of your title, to join us,” Pitts added.

The cost to join is $138, which includes a processing fee, and division and chapter dues.

For more information, contact Pitts.