1. WEEKLY SERVICES IN THE GLC
- Career services walk-in advising: Wednesdays, 1:30-5:00pm, GLC Study Room
- Walk-in counseling support: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 1-5pm, GLC Green Room
- Writing support: Mondays (4-7pm) and Wednesdays (4-6pm), GLC Videoconference Room
2. GLC SPECIAL EDITION WATER BOTTLES – HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET ONE!
On Friday, Nov 5, the Graduate School celebrated the 5-year anniversary of the opening of the GLC with cake, cider, awards and more, including special edition water bottles for those in attendance. If you can find yourself in any of the photos posted in the GLC, you may also get a water bottle! This offer is valid only this week and as long as supplies last.
3. SHORT COURSES IN STATISTICS: INTRODUCTION TO JMP
Monday and Tuesday, Nov 8-9, 5:00-7:00pm, 3060 Torg
This short course provides an introduction to SAS statistical software for people who have little or no experience using SAS. The course will be broken down into 3 sections: (1) introduction to SAS datasets and the process of importing data into SAS (2) overview of the procedures that can be used to summarize the datasets, such as descriptive statistics, plots, and frequency tables (3) common procedures used for statistical analysis, including correlation, association, ANOVA, linear regression, and logistic regression. The Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) offers a series of evening short courses to help graduate students use statistics in their research. These two-hour courses teach practical statistical techniques for analyzing or collecting data. Register and to learn more. Refreshments provided at the end of each short course. Remaining schedule and topics:
Nov 15 & 16: *Using R for Your Basic Statistical Needs;
4. WOMENS’ HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERIES: BREATHWORKS WITH ANNA PITTMAN
Monday, Nov 8, 6:30-8:00pm, GLC Room D
Breathworks is a healing modality designed to bring the nervous system back into relaxation. Breath is directly affected by stress, emotional distress, anxiety and chronic worry, yet these conditions are changeable with simple tools. This workshop is designed to introduce one breathing technique and one mindfulness technique. Combined, the participant should walk away with a life tool that could mean the difference between experiencing struggle or joy. Co-sponsored by the Women’s Center and the Graduate School. Contact Sharbari Dey with any questions.
5. STUDENT VOICES: STORIES OF STUDENT VETERANS AT VT
Tuesday, Nov 9, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
A panel of VT student veterans will bring to light important issues and concerns that student veterans face when entering or resuming their college studies. This event is part of the Principles of Community Speaker Series, developed to provide the campus community more frequent facilitated interactions and dialog concerning diversity issues at VT. The series is sponsored by the Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research.
6. VT STAND PRESENTS: VALENTINO ACHAK DENG
Tuesday, Nov 9, 7:00pm, GLC Auditorium
The Virginia Tech STAND Chapter, in conjunction with many other departments and student organizations, will host distinguished speaker Valentino Achak Deng, one of the Sudanese "Lost Boys," who will talk about his experiences in Sudan at the outbreak of the second Civil War (1983-2005) and as a refugee within Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and finally the United Sates.
7. BGSO GENERAL BODY MEETING: NAVIGATING DEPARTMENTAL POLITICS
Tuesday, Nov 9, 7:15-8:30pm, Black Cultural Center, Squires
A crucial part of graduate school is learning how departmental politics and networking impact your graduate experience. The panel consists of influential faculty and staff members of the university and "senior" graduate students who will provide tips, and share experiences on how to successfully (or unsuccessfully!) navigate departmental politics.
8. HBCU CONNECT LUNCH
Wednesday, Nov 10, 12:00-1:30pm, Room C in the GLC
The Graduate School’s Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives is hosting a lunch for graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Have lunch, meet and greet fellow HBCU grads and faculty and visit with the Graduate School deans. This is also an opportunity to share ideas and discuss issues relating to the African-American community at Virginia Tech. RSVP here. For information contact Dannette Gomez Beane.
9. WORKING MOMS’ BROWN BAG LUNCH
Wednesday, Nov 10, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room G
Join this informal support network for students, staff, and faculty that provides an opportunity for working mothers to get together and support one another as they try to balance family with school and/or work. Contact Christine Dennis Smith in the Women’s Center if you have any questions.
10. WRITING YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE
Wednesday, Nov 10, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room F
Having a well-constructed and informative Curriculum Vita (CV) is an important first step in your academic job search. Whether you are searching for a faculty position or a post-doc opportunity, a CV will be required. Attend this seminar to learn the basics of CV construction or tips on how to polish your current version. Contact Amy McPherson if you have any questions.
11. ETD WORKSHOP SERIES: GRAD SCHOOL REVIEW OF YOUR ETD
Wednesday, Nov 10, 7:00-8:00pm, GLC Room G
Learn more about what the Graduate School does with your ETD after you submit it: what items are checked, what is the timeline of the submission process, what you might need to do if corrections are needed. Contact Janice Austin if you have any questions about this program.
12. GRAD STUDENT GROUP: THRIVE OR SURVIVE?
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00pm, GLC Room C
You may feel overwhelmed by having to manage relationships with colleagues, advisors, family, friends, roommates; your support system may be in a different state or a different country; you may have a family to take care of in addition to graduate school. And then there are issues like prelims, theses, dissertations, teaching, research, etc. Meet on Thursday afternoons with Cook Counseling staff and fellow graduate students to talk about these and other issues, seek and provide support, empower each other, and learn how to navigate the university’s systems and resources.
13. GSA HEALTH INSURANCE SURVEY AND OPEN FORUM
Thursday, Nov 11, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room F
The GSA Health Care Committee invites you to fill out a brief survey about the new Request for Proposals for potential health insurance vendors. Survey results will be used to guide the discussion at the Open Forum; the forum will focus solely on the issues raised by the survey questions. Please fill out the survey and participate in the forum. For any questions, please contact Akiko Nakamura.
14. GSA GRADS GOT TALENT
Thursday, Nov 11, 8:30pm, GLC Auditorium
Grads Got Talent is a fundraiser for Graduate Relay for Life Teams. Come on out and support your fellow grad students as they showcase their talents and skills while raising money for Relay for Life, one of the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. During the event you will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite act through donations to Relay. Questions? Contact Jay Pembridge.
15. GETTING STARTED IN A FACULTY CAREER: PERSPECTIVES FROM TEACHING & RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES
Friday, Nov 12, 12:00pm–1:30pm, GLC Room F
Are you are interested in pursuing a faculty career and would like to learn more about working at different types of institutions? Please join our panelists for a discussion of strategies for success that will allow ample time for questions from the audience. Panelists are Dr. Olga Pierrakos, Assistant Professor, Engineering, James Madison University; Dr. Morgan Wilson, Associate Professor and Head, Biology, Hollins University; and Dr. Julie Dunsmore, Associate Professor, Psychology, Virginia Tech. AdvanceVT Graduate Student Lunch Seminars are designed to help graduate students prepare for careers in academe. All graduate students and postdocs are welcome, and lunch is provided. To register, click on this link by November 10.
16. INTERNATIONAL BEER TASTING
Friday, Nov 12, 5:00-7:00pm, GLC Student Lounge
The GSA is sponsoring this international beer tasting to kick-off International Education Week. The cost is $5.00 per person (cash) at the door for 2 beers and snacks ($2 for snacks only). All grad students, post-docs, and faculty members are invited to come and enjoy beers from around the world! Must be 21 & older to attend. Please direct any questions to Amanda Cronin Rumore.
17. BGSO COMMUNITY EVENT: REV. DR. LISA TABOR’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Sunday, Nov 14, 2:00-6:00pm, Saint Paul AME, 102 Penn St SE, Bburg
The Black Graduate Student Organization invites you to remember Rev.Dr. Lisa Tabor, a former graduate student and member of the community, and celebrate her life and legacy as a person of solace. If you would like to submit reflections on how Lisa positively impacted your life, please do so here by Nov 9. These reflections may be included in the BGSO newsletter and during the celebration. You may submit you reflections anonymously if you choose. Contact Kenya L. King at klking@vt.edu if you have any questions.
18. CONNECT WITH THE GLC FELLOWS ON FACEBOOK
Three GLC Fellows reside in the GLC and organize programs and activities for GLC residents and the graduate student population in general. You can follow their efforts or submit programming ideas and requests on Facebook. Become their fan on Facebook.
19. CITIZEN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS INVITED
Have you used your research to benefit society in any way? If so, consider applying for the Citizen Scholar award. If not, consider designing a Citizen Scholar project! Program requirements are described on the CSE website. Applications are due December 2. For more information, email Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu.
20. INVITATION TO SURVEY PARTICIPATION ON ETHNIC FOODS AND CHOCOLATE – 1st posting
You are invited to participate in a survey regarding demographics, consumption habits, purchasing habits, and interest in ethnic foods and chocolate. The survey consists of 25 questions and requires approximately 15 minutes to complete. The information you provide will be used in the development of a new food product by the VT Food Science and Technology Product Development Team. If you are interested in participating, please complete the questionnaire. Contact Renee Felice at felicer@vt.edu with any questions.
21. FOCUS GROUPS FOR PARENTS & CHILDREN ABOUT SNACK FOODS – 1st posting
You and your child are invited to participate in two focus group session to help develop nutritious snack foods for kids. Parents with children between the ages of 5-10 are eligible. Children must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian. The focus group sessions will be held (1) Dec 2, 4-5:30 (complete questionnaire and participate in group discussion while children meet in separate group to discuss food products and Disney characters) and (2) Feb 10, 4-5pm (parents and children will try yogurt and fruit based snacks; after tasting, children and parents will separate and discuss with the researchers their likes and dislikes about the products sampled) in classroom 132 in the Food Science and Technology Building (on corner of Duck Pond Dr and Washington St). The first session will last 90 min and the second session will last 60 min. Participants will receive a healthy snack. The focus groups will help with designing and developing a nutritious low-fat dairy and fruit product for kids. If you are interested in participating in both of the focus group sessions, register here. Contact Renee Felice with any questions.
22. GRA OPENING IN VTTI – 2nd posting
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institution (VTTI) has an opening for a 12-m GRA starting Jan 2011. The ideal candidate has strong skill sets in vehicle dynamics, signal processing, programming, and technical writing. Master’s and doctoral students in ME, ESM or related disciplines with relevant interests and skills are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities include: 1) conducting comprehensive literature review on project-relevant materials, 2) defining methods to achieve objectives of development cycles, 3) programming and software development, and 4) composing technical documents for software modules. Must have demonstrated proficiency in producing quality technical documents and the ability to communicate research results clearly and effectively. Strong programming background in MATLAB and/or other scripting languages required. Coursework or research experience in vehicle dynamics is preferred. If interested, email a resume and cover letter to Leslie Harwood by Nov 30. Interviews will be conducted by mid-December.
23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are sought for a study investigating the effects of flexion and lifting on the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of the human torso. The study consists of six separate experimental sessions (each lasting approximately 2 hours) and participants will be compensated $10/hour. To qualify you must be between the ages of 18-29, have a lean body, and regularly exercise at least 2-3 times per week. For more information or to inquire about participation, please contact Khoirul at khoirul@vt.edu
24. BROADBAND MAPPING: BE A PART OF HISTORY – 3rd posting
In an effort to expand high-speed Internet access across the state, VT’s eCorridors <http://www.ecorridors.vt.edu/> program presents “Accelerate Virginia,” a new broadband mapping project. Consumers have a unique opportunity to provide information about Internet accessibility in their homes and communities. Along with other sources, this data will be used to inform the Virginia and national broadband maps, and identify areas in need of broadband infrastructure investment. If broadband is important to you, please visit http://acceleratevirginia.org/speedtest/ and run a speed test from your off campus residence. For more information please contact Jean Plymale, 231-2270.
25. UPCOMING EVENTS:
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK
Monday-Friday, Nov 15-19, locations vary
November 15-19 is International Education Week! Student organizations and departments have worked together to compile several fun, educational, and exciting events to celebrate international education for this week. View the schedule and details at www.graduateschool.vt.edu/iew.