The University and Colleges Designers Association (UCDA) signed an historic affiliation agreement with the GDC April 27, 2007 in Montreal.

Pam Fogg, President of UCDA and Dean McNeill, GDC president, signed the agreement  at the GDC Annual General Meeting in Montreal. The agreement gives UCDA the same status that the Sociétè des designers graphiques du Quebec (SDGQ) has as an official GDC affiliate.

The union opens the doors for the two organizations to work closely together on national issues and advocacy, share benefits, and send representatives to each other's AGMs. UCDA has members in both the US and in Canada and promotes excellence in visual communications for educational institutions.

Pam Fogg explains, "the University & College Designers Association is excited about our affiliation with the GDC. We feel that this alliance will afford our members more opportunities for engaging in the design community. UCDA’s mission to promote excellence in visual communications for educational institutions will be strengthened by aligning with members from the private sector. GDC will benefit from UCDA’s quality, relevant and focused programming and networking opportunities."

Dean McNeil added that "the UCDA shares similar values, structure and approach with the GDC. After a number of discussions round cooperation, information sharing and the provision of increased benefits to our respective members, it became obvious that an affiliation was in order. With the unanimous support of GDC’s National Council we signed the affiliation agreement at our Montréal AGM hosted by Sociétè des designers graphiques du Quebec. With the bulk of UCDA’s membership in the United States, this affiliation provides both the GDC and UCDA with an expanded sphere of influence."