Recurring Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
This Week’s Events
3. GLC CAFÉ – RECIPE SWAP
4. GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP
5. YALDA CEREMONY AND PARTY
Administrative Announcements:
6. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 1st posting
7. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 1st posting
8. LITTLE HOKE HANGOUT – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING ’19 – 1st posting
9. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 2nd posting
10. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE INT’L STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY – deadline 12/14
11. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 2nd posting
12. WOMEN & GENDER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 2nd posting
13. 2019 MLK ORATION COMPETITION: GRADUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS NEEDED – 2nd posting
14. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15044) – 2nd posting
15. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’19 – 2nd posting
16. GRADUATE STUDENT PHOTOS NEEDED – 2nd posting
Jobs:
17. BUILDING MANAGER – THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (SPRING 2019) – 1st posting
18. ACADEMIC COACH – UNIVERSITY STUDIES ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM – 2nd posting
19. SENIOR ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS (PART-TIME POSITION) – 2nd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LIFTING STUDY WITH WEARABLE EXOSKELETONS – 1st posting
21. VIRGINIA TECH ECONOMICS LABORATORY IS RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS – 3rd posting
Upcoming events:
CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY – Fee waiver deadline Dec 15
Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES:
– Career Advising: Wednesdays, 2:00-5:00pm. See the Grad Students Career Ops blog for more info on career opportunities: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/
– Cook Counseling: Thursday & Friday, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room, GLC
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30am-5:00pm
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Engage with the Academy: GTA Co-Working Space Wednesdays, 4-6pm GLC Graduate Student Lounge and Thursdays, 4-5pm GLC Meeting Room D & 5-6pm GLC Reading Room
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– GRAD MINDFULNESS – ON HIATUS FOR REST OF FALL SEMESTER
Each meeting will consist of a short (about 5 mins.) guided mindfulness exercise followed by time to practice. It is not necessary to stay for the whole time. Contact Lisa Whalen for more info at lashley@vt.edu. Here is a link https://app.stopbreathethink.org/ to a cool free mindfulness app.
– WRITING STRATEGIES FOR GRADUATE WRITERS
Mondays, 9:30-11:00am and Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm, GLC, Room A
Session can last up to 1.5 hours; you are limited to two of these special appointments at the GLC per semester. Ends Dec 2. Make an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com.
– ENGAGE WITH THE ACADEMY: GTA CO-WORKING SPACE –
Wednesdays, 4-6pm, GLC Graduate Student Lounge
Thursdays, 4-5pm GLC Meeting Room D; 5-6p GLC Reading Room
Need to finish grading and looking for a change in workspace? Doing class prep and would like to bounce off ideas with another GTA? Or looking to de-brief after teaching? Come join the Academy for GTA Excellence (VTGrATE) and let’s get work done together – or just hang out with other GTAs! You can also send questions to http://vtgrate.org/ask-a-fellow/.
– GLC CAFÉ –
2nd and 4th Wednesday and every Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Every Thursday, enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of fellow grad students and Grad School staff; network, socialize, relax! Bring your own mug if you can.
– KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – ON HIATUS UNTIL SPRING SEMESTER
Kids aged 2+ (must be potty trained) enjoy fun activities with volunteer sitters. Please note that spots are limited. Contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu for more info.
– LUTHERAN TRADITIONAL DIVINE SERVICE
Sundays, 3:30pm, War Memorial Chapel
For more information, contact Nathaniel at nhall28@vt.edu.
This Week’s Events
3. GLC CAFÉ – RECIPE SWAP
Wednesday, Dec 12, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Have a favorite recipe to share? You prepare the food and bring the recipe and the Grad School will make copies of your recipe and provide coffee, tea and cookies. Everyone will get to taste some new treats and go home with recipes to try over winter break.
4. GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP
Thursday, Dec 13, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Stop by and take some books from our Reading Room collection to enjoy during the break! As always, enjoy some hot beverages, home-baked goodies, and good conversation in good company.
5. YALDA CEREMONY AND PARTY
Sunday, Dec 16, 6:00-11:00pm, Squires Old Dominion Ballroom
Join grad student Mana Jalali and The Iranian Society at Virginia Tech for Yalda ceremony, with Persian dance, food, music. Mehregan is from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Admission is free and open to all.
Administrative Announcements:
6. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 1st posting
The student blog RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the VT Institute for Policy and Governance, is a great vehicle to share research ideas and theories with a broader audience. All VT graduate students are eligible to offer essays as long as they address a policy, politics or governance issue or concern. Students in ALCE, ASPECT, GIA, HD, PGG, Natural Resources, PAPP, Political Science, Rhetoric and Writing, Sociology and Urban Affairs and Planning are particularly encouraged to submit essays. To find examples of past topics, read archived essays at https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/reflectionsandexplorations/. Dr. Max Stephenson, Professor of Public and International Affairs, serves as editor and final arbiter of all submissions. Sign up now using this Google Spreadsheet. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Contact Heather Parrish at
parrish1@vt.edu.
7. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 1st posting
The Jean B. Duerr Memorial Fund awards scholarships to women in an accredited college or university for the entire 2019-2020 academic year. Awards of $2,000 will be given to those applicants who best demonstrate academic achievement and community service. An eligible candidate will be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student with a minimum grade point average of 3.6. A full official transcript must be included with the application. Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2019 for scholarships awarded for the 2019/2020 academic year. No applications, including those with March 1, 2019 postmarks, will be accepted after March 5, 2019. For more information and a link to the application go to https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships/duerr.html. Questions? Contact Susan Butler at smcbutler@aol.com.
8. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING ’19 – 1st posting
Little Hokie Hangout has limited spaces available for Spring ’19 semester. These spots will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, so don’t wait! Apply at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjj_SLm9-q62aNvKch5HlTZfGoL4dj-HoUN4DybjN1-n4KOg/viewform?usp=sf_link.
9. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 2nd posting
The Academy for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Excellence (Academy) invites applications for membership and advancement. The Academy was founded Fall 2014 to enhance the knowledge and skills in teaching through the provision of opportunities for graduate students to receive advanced education and training in innovative teaching and learning techniques and to recognize excellence in teaching by graduate students. The Academy is open to all graduate students from all VT campuses. Descriptions of membership levels, application requirements, and application can be found at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kLLo4k5DYhXZ3v . Applications due Feb 3, 2019.
10. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE INT’L STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY – deadline 12/14 – 2nd posting
International students received an invitation to complete the “International Student Barometer,” a survey designed to collect data on international student decision-making, expectations, perceptions, and intentions across their university experience inside and outside the classroom. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete; responses are confidential and anonymous. For more information, visit http://www.international.vt.edu/advocacyandsupport/ISB.html. If the response rate by intl grad students exceeds 40%, Monika Gibson will bake Hungarian cookies for the remaining GLC cafés for the rest of the year.
11. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 2nd posting
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Discuss the possibility of your nomination with your advisor/department for any of the following awards:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities – Preston Society Master’s Thesis Award
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence (1) for GTA instructor of record (1) GTA instructor assistant
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Student of the Year (up to three awards given)
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs.
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination are at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/student.html.
12. WOMEN & GENDER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 2nd posting
The deadline for poster abstract submissions for the Women and Gender in Development Conference 2019 at Virginia Tech on February 28-March 1, 2019 is February 1, 2019. We are seeking posters that explore the intersection between gender equality, women’s empowerment, and international development. The poster session seeks to create a networking venue for scholars, students, and practitioners to share diverse methods, discuss ongoing challenges, and opportunities to advancing gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment and foster new partnerships. Spaces are limited. See the conference website www.wgdconf.org for more information on the conference, to submit a poster abstract and register. Early bird registration for the conference ends January 21, 2019.
13. 2019 MLK ORATION COMPETITION: GRADUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS NEEDED – 2nd posting
With the craft and sophistication of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in mind, the two-stage oration process includes writing, memorizing, and performing a speech. Graduate students are encouraged to apply, with four top prizes of $500 on the theme based on Dr. King’s letter from a Birmingham jail. Complete the submission form https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abnaA4nMZRFRdFb by Jan 6. For questions, contact Kimberly Williams at knwilliams@vt.edu and visit https://ccc.vt.edu/awareness/mlk/MLK_Oration_Competition.html
14. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15044) – 2nd posting
An online, Health Sciences / Biomedical section of this elective, pass / fail, 1-credit course is being offered this Spring 2019. Anyone can join regardless of disciplinary or degree focus; however, those who have a research interest related to health or biomedical sciences will benefit most. Course is designed to increase successful completion of comprehensive literature reviews and project proposals. Identify key information sources, use advanced searching skills and citation management tools, and explore important research planning topics such as building professional identity, evidence-based practice, data management, sharing research results, and authorship.
15. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’19 – 2nd posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. This 8-week course covers data organization, policies, documentation, storage, ethics, access, security, analytical tools, grant requirements (proposal and post- award), proper attribution, archiving, other issues and topics related to data in scholarly communication. Pass/ Fail Only, 1 Credit Hour. Offered collaboratively with JMU via 4VA. Course begins Jan 23 and ends on Mar 26; meets 10:00am-noon on Tuesdays in Torg 1100C. Possibility of remote access; non-Blacksburg students should email alop@vt.edu before enrolling.
16. GRADUATE STUDENT PHOTOS NEEDED – 2nd posting
The Graduate School needs graduate student photos! We are looking for pictures related to graduate research, teaching, social events, or anything else that is part of your life as a graduate student. Photos will be displayed in a slideshow during commencement, which will also be live streamed online. Please only send us photos if you agree to having them displayed in this manner. We need these by December 6! Photos received after that date may be used in the spring commencement slideshow. Photos can be emailed to grads@vt.edu.
Jobs:
17. BUILDING MANAGER – THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (SPRING 2019) – 1st posting
SECL building managers oversee daily operations of the GLC by monitoring service, safety, and security of this space created for graduate students. Duties include walking rounds, responding to issues, and completing reports, in addition to the facilitation of the co-curricular and administrative programs of the student center services and their events. GLC building managers are directly responsible for event management bookings, opening & closing of the building, and submitting of facility work orders and daily reports. Must possess strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to move event equipment (tables and chairs). Looking for flexible staff members willing to work at least two shifts a week and have some weekend availability. Compensation is $12/hr. To apply, to “SECL VT Graduate Student Pool – Spring Semester” on jobs.vt.edu and submit an application and resume. Once applied, please send an email to Steve Buchner (satlbuch@vt.edu) to inform him of the submission.
18. ACADEMIC COACH – UNIVERSITY STUDIES ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM – 2nd posting
This program is designed to assist University Studies students on first academic probation in Spring 2019 in their pursuit of academic success. Academic Coaches meet with a roster of 8-10 students at least 3-4 times per semester along with weekly email check-ins. Coaches collaborate with their students to create individualized goals and educational plans for the semester, focusing on time management, use of existing campus resources, and problem solving. Additionally, as the population of University Studies is comprised of undeclared and undecided students, Academic Coaches will aid students in exploring majors and career paths. Coaches support students and supplement academic advising through ongoing communication with US advisors. Up to 10 hours per week. Please send resume and cover letter to Nick Sano-Franchini by Dec 14 at nicks5@vt.edu.
19. SENIOR ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS (PART-TIME POSITION) – 2nd posting
Supports the Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion within the VT Alumni Association. Responsible for planning and implementing alumni events, communicating professionally with alumni and other stakeholders, managing volunteers, and other office tasks as assigned. Will also assist with long-term projects such as event data collection, social media management, and strategic planning. Must have comprehensive understanding of event planning; experience creating, implementing and assessing programs; ability to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures; able to work efficiently and independently while managing multiple projects. Requires strong collaborative skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; and strong organization and event/project management skills. Must be available to work 20 hrs/wk, mornings and afternoons. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Submit resume with and three letters of reference to Latanya Walker at latanya@vt.edu, AND complete this brief application: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abHHU4BJY38d6e1.
Volunteers and research participants sought:
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LIFTING STUDY WITH WEARABLE EXOSKELETONS – 1st posting
Participants are sought for research study about lifting with and without wearable exoskeletons. Must be 18-35 years old with no recent or prior musculoskeletal disorders or back injuries. A height range of 5′ 5″- 6′ is preferred. Should be able to comfortably lift about 15 lbs from the floor to the waist height. Will perform a variety of lifting tasks both with and without the exoskeletons. Training session takes about 1.5 hours and the data collection session takes about 4-5 hours. The compensation rate is $10/hour. If interested, email Saman Madinei at madinei@vt.edu.
21. VIRGINIA TECH ECONOMICS LABORATORY IS RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS –3rd posting
The Virginia Tech Economics Laboratory is recruiting participants aged 18+ for experiments. These studies will involve making interactive decisions on a computer and/or completing surveys, and will typically take 1-2 hours. Participants will earn a fixed fee, and may earn additional money depending on decisions made during the experiment. Typical compensation rates are between $10-20/hour, depending on the study. To sign up to be notified about upcoming experiments, go to:
https://vteconlab.sona-systems.com.
Upcoming events:
CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY – Fee waiver deadline Dec 15
Wednesday – Friday, Jan 30 – Feb 1, The Inn at Virginia Tech
The 11th annual conference will be held at The Inn at Virginia Tech, January 30 – February 1. Showcases best practices in teaching and learning and hosts hundreds of participants from across the U.S. and world. Offered in conjunction with the conference is the Symposium on Teaching Large Classes (Feb. 2, 2019), which focuses on issues affecting large class instruction. For more information about the conference, visit https://chep.teaching.vt.edu. Conference fee waivers are available to students with financial need. Deadline to apply for waiver is Dec 15. To register for conference or apply for waiver, please visit https://chep.teaching.vt.edu/Registration.html.