Recurring Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS
This Week’s (and Next Week’s) Events:
3. VT OPEN EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
4. TURKISH FOLK DANCE CLASSES
5. VT MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. CLEMSON (3/4, reg. required)
6. COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATIONS: EMPOWERING A CULTURE OF RESPECT (3/5: reg. required)
7. LUTHERAN TRADITIONAL DIVINE SERVICE AND BIBLE STUDY (3/1)
7A. CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS – SPRING AHEAD
Administrative Announcements:
8. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED FOR GRAD HONOR SOCIETY – 1st posting
9. FREE ONE-ON-ONE NUTRITION GUIDANCE OFFERED BY NUTRITION STUDENTS – 1st posting
10. STUDIOS NETWORK WORKSHOPS SERIES- 1st posting
11. JOIN THE VIRGINIA TECH ACADEMIC ADVISING NETWORK TODAY – 2nd posting
12. VP FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS FINALIST INTERVIEW OPEN FORUM & RECEPTION – 2nd posting
13. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST – 2nd posting
14. CALL FOR ARTWORK SUBMISSION – 2nd posting
15. COVES FELLOWSHIP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
16. WANTED: T-SHIRTS FROM PAST GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEKS – 3rd posting
17. SHOW US YOUR GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK T-SHIRT PHOTO CONTEST – 3rd posting
18. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM (GSARS) VOLUNTEEERS NEEDED – 3rd posting
19. WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – 3rd posting
Jobs:
None at this time
Volunteers and research participants sought:
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED – SIBLING STUDY – 1st posting
21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR FOOT AND ANKLE BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1ST POSTING
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: KNOWLEDGE/PERCEPTION OF HIBISCUS PRODUCTS – 1st posting
23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: MIND MUSIC MACHINE LAB PAINTING SONIFICATION PROJECT – 2nd posting
24. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: DRIVING SIMULATOR STUDY ON AUDITORY DISPLAYS AT RAIL CROSSINGS – 2nd posting
25. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON EXOSKELETONS – 2nd posting
26. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: HATE CRIME AND FRESHMEN – 2nd posting
27. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED – PHOBIA TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WHO FEAR DOGS – 3rd posting
Upcoming events:
– WOMEN’S CONNECT LUNCH (3/18; registration required)
– GAUC TALK WITH THE DEAN (3/19; reg. req.)
– VT WOMEN’S TENNIS (3/19; reg. req.)
– 2nd MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION & ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
– Career Advising: Thursdays, 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby, Also see: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/.
– Cook Counseling: Thursdays & Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm. Green Room, GLC
– Graduate School advising hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30-4:00, 120 GLC
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm, Room 120 GLC
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– WRITING STRATEGIES FOR GRADUATE WRITERS
Mondays, 11:00-12:30pm, GLC, Room D and Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, GLC Room D
Session can last up to 1.5 hours; you are limited to two of these special appointments at the GLC per semester. Make an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com.
– CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH SUPPORT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:30-3:30pm, GLC Room D
Practice conversational English with the help of our community volunteers.
Often, extra individualized support will be available before and after the Wednesday and Friday sessions. Make an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com.
– GLC CAFÉ
2nd and 4th Wednesday and every Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
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. See below for This Week’s Special Editions.
– FREE CHILDCARE – KIDS’ NIGHT OUT!
Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm, VT Women’s Center, 206 Washington St., B’burg
Please sign up for this free Thursday evening session (6:30-8:30) of fun and games in a safe and supportive atmosphere for your child aged 2-12 at the Virginia Tech Women’s Center. Space is limited. Children should be toilet trained. Contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu with any questions. https://doodle.com/poll/8buu56si238tyq6m
This Week’s Events
3. VT OPEN EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
Attend the Virginia Tech Open Education Symposium events (in person or online.) All events are free and open to the public. REGISTER HERE. For further Information, go to: https://guides.lib.vt.edu/oer/oeweek or https://www.openeducationweek.org/events.
MONDAY, Mar 3, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
“Connecting the Opens:” A Panel Discussion for the Future Professoriate, Torgerson 1100
Livestream: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/738702297
TUESDAY, Mar 3, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Panel discussion: Issues in Course Materials Access and Use, Newman Multipurpose Room
Livestream: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/710772759
TUESDAY, Mar 3, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lightning rounds (3:30-4:00pm) + expo, Newman Library, Multipurpose Room
Livestream: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/475767703.
WEDNESDAY, Mar 4, 10 a.m. – 12 noon Introduction to Pressbooks
Onsite only: Newman Library, Room 427 – Registration required
4. TURKISH FOLK DANCE CLASSES
Wednesday, Mar 4, 5:00-7:00pm, Blacksburg Public Library
On behalf of The Turkish Student Association, grad students Hakan Unveren and Duygu Pamukcu invite everyone to Turkish folk dance classes on Wednesdays between 5:00-7:00pm. Classes are free. Please contact duygu@vt.edu or uhakan@vt.edu for more information.
5. VT MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. CLEMSON
Wednesday, Mar 4, 7:00pm, Cassell Coliseum
The next game in the GLC Fellows’ sports series is the VT Men’s Basketball vs Clemson game on Mar 4. If interested fill out this survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bq4LWwGYm3ooGyx. All grad students interested in attending should sign up for a free lottery ticket and we will have a limited amount of tickets available for students that don’t win the lottery. This is a great opportunity to enjoy time with your fellow Hokies, watch a basketball game, and possibly learn something new.
6. COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATIONS: EMPOWERING A CULTURE OF RESPECT
Thursday, Mar 5, 9:00am-9:00pm, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Room 3012
Hokie Wellness, the Women’s Center at Virginia Tech and the Roanoke Graduate Student Association are hosting Collaborative Conversations: Empowering a Culture of Respect, a day of collaborative conversations and awareness for those who are seeking to dive a little deeper into the complex topics related to gender, diversity, inclusion, and equity in research and science. This event is free and open to everyone. If interested in attending, sign up here: https://fralinbiomed.info/ccsignup. We are also looking for people interested in submitting anonymous stories that reflect actual experiences in the workplace. (You do not need to submit a story to attend, and you do not need to attend to submit a story.) If interested, submit your story using this link: http://fralinbiomed.info/ccstories.
7. LUTHERAN TRADITIONAL DIVINE SERVICE AND BIBLE STUDY
Every Sunday, 2:30pm-5:00pm, War Memorial Chapel
On behalf of the Lutheran Outreach at Virginia Tech (a ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod), grad student Mark Parsons invites you to a Traditional Divine Service (3:30pm-5:00pm) and a preceding Bible Study (2:30pm-3:30pm) each Sunday in War Memorial Chapel. For more information, contact Mark at markap1@vt.edu
7A. CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS – SPRING AHEAD
Sunday, Mar 8, 2:00am
Make sure to adjust your clocks before you go to bed Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time begins.
Administrative Announcements:
8. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED FOR GRAD HONOR SOCIETY – 1st posting
Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) Graduate Honor Society, the only academic excellence and leadership honor society of graduate and professional school students, is now accepting applications for new members at Virginia Tech Chapter. Graduate students may become members based on their academic achievements and leadership experiences. Minimum requirements for membership in the society are found on the website: https://ael.graduateschool.vt.edu/ael-application-process.html
Application call for new members will be open from March 1- April 30, 2020. Submit application here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV9R9AvLl4qXgGa491WaMfTmS-qebCqUMov-6sRr3RLOma8Q/viewform?usp=sf_link. Accepted members will receive an email by May 15. The induction ceremony of new members is planned for late Fall 2020 semester. For more info, contact aelvtg@gmail.com
9. FREE ONE-ON-ONE NUTRITION GUIDANCE OFFERED BY NUTRITION STUDENTS – 1st posting
Do you need nutrition guidance? Are you interested in learning how to make healthy choices while on campus and off campus? Maybe you need help with skills for shopping and cooking to help you reach you wellness goals. If you have any of these concerns or others, upper-level nutrition students can help you take the next steps toward building a healthier life. The Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise Department at Virginia Tech provides FREE one-on-one nutrition counseling services to any interested students, faculty, or staff.Just go to https://www.hnfe.vt.edu/nutrition_counseling.html and sign up today!
10. STUDIOS NETWORK WORKSHOPS SERIES- 1st posting
More information and registration available at https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/calendar/events
* Fusion 360: Modeling/joints and assemblies, March 5 from 11:30am-1pm in Newman 207A
* Make Your Digital Life Safer and Easier: Multi-Factor Authentication (Part 2), March 17 from 4:30-5:30pm in Torgersen 3310
* Demystifying Machine Learning, March 18 from 10am-1pm in Newman 207A
* Build Your Online Presence with ePortfolios, March 18 from 4-5pm in Torgersen 3310 (located on Newman Library’s side of Torgersen Bridge)
* Intro to 3D Printing and Design, March 18 from 5-6:30pm in Newman 207A
11. JOIN THE VIRGINIA TECH ACADEMIC ADVISING NETWORK TODAY – 2nd posting
Membership is free and our mission is to share ideas and exchange information related to academic advising and student success strategies at Virginia Tech. A primary goal is to provide members with opportunities for professional development and peer support, ultimately building a strong community and network of resources to enhance student success through campus partnerships across and throughout the university community. Interested graduate students can email Amanda Armstrong, Chair of the Membership Committee to ask any questions or get connected with a subcommittee. This network is for any faculty, staff, or graduate student interested in academic advising. Advising does not have to be your primary role to be involved. The Advising Report for February is now available! Check out the full report here: https://vtaan.advising.vt.edu/events.html
12. VP FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS FINALIST INTERVIEW OPEN FORUM & RECEPTION – 2nd posting
All grad and professional students are invited to influence the selection of a new Vice President for Student Affairs! This position oversees many student-facing services including healthcare & wellness, mental health & the dean of students, athletics, residence life, and more. Because this department’s past leadership has generally focused exclusively on undergrads, this is a crucial opportunity to instigate an overhaul of the services for which we are already required to pay. Feel free to contact the Graduate Student Assembly (gsa@vt.edu) for additional context!
Open Forum: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Reception: 4:40 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Holtzman Alumni Center Assembly Hall
– Thursday, March 5, 2020: Dr. Dione Somerville
Candidate info, feedback forms, and Zoom links can be found here: https://faculty.vt.edu/leadership-development/senior-search-information.html
13. GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST – 2nd posting
It’s time to pull out that paintbrush or camera and create a submission for the Graduate Education Week Art and Photography contest! The contest theme is “Envision Your Future” and we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Graduate Education Week. Events held during this week will remember the past 20 years while also looking ahead at what the future holds. So, show us what the future looks like for you or how the past has shaped your future! Graduate students can enter up to 3 photographs or art pieces; deadline is March 15 by midnight. For more details, visit https://graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/Programs/glc-art-and-photo-contest.html
14. CALL FOR ARTWORK SUBMISSION – 2nd posting
The Center for Rhetoric in Society presents Roots and Resettlement: An Artful Exploration of Place.
They seek creative and thoughtful submissions to feature in a mixed-media book about displacement, resettlement, place, and belonging. One notable submission will receive a cash prize of $500 and the cover feature. Open to all students, staff, and faculty. Submissions may include poems, songs, visual art, flash white papers, flash fiction, creative non-fiction, and scholarly statements. (Please keep text submissions under 50 words.) Email copy of submission to Ke Hu at hke@vt.edu. Please put “Roots and Resettlement Submission” in the subject line. Deadline: April 1, 2020.The event is sponsored by the Center for Rhetoric in Society and the In Place podcast team.
15. COVES FELLOWSHIP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
The Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Fellowship is a 12-week fellowship program of the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (VASEM). Graduate student fellows will serve as science advisors in a variety of possible placements, including legislative offices, executive agencies, or prominent companies and nonprofits in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Fellows will gain experience by serving their host office and performing tasks such as researching, drafting, and revising policies in areas related to their expertise. Fellows will also be paired with a VASEM member who will serve as an experienced science policy mentor throughout the fellowship. For more information and the application, please go to the following link: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/funding-opportunities.html
16. WANTED: T-SHIRTS FROM PAST GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEKS – 3rd posting
This year is the 20th anniversary of Graduate Education Week. We are looking for past t-shirts from the following years: 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2017. If you are willing to donate yours (we can’t return it), please contact Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu or drop it of at the Grad School office at the GLC.
17. SHOW US YOUR GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK T-SHIRT PHOTO CONTEST – 3rd posting
As we plan our celebrations for this year’s 20th anniversary Graduate Education week, we are looking for submissions to our Show Us Your Grad Ed Week T-Shirt contest. To enter, send us a photo of you wearing a past Graduate Education Week t-shirt. Prizes will go to those photos showing the most creative display of the t-shirt. Submit your entry via the following qualtrics link: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0W0QjzkfgzPokx7
18. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM (GSARS) VOLUNTEEERS NEEDED – 3rd posting
Come help with the GSA Research Symposium on Wednesday, March 25. Volunteers needed from 8:00am-9:00pm. Jobs include helping with registration, setup, monitoring rooms, etc. All volunteers receive free food, a free T-shirt, and other goodies! If interested, fill out your info and availability at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Bf389WK22GYgUl. If you have any questions, please contact either of the co-chairs: Callie Clayton (callc13@vt.edu ) and Keely Ledford (keelyl1@vt.edu ), or contact the GSA Director of Programs, Sharon Stidham (sharon62@vt.edu).
19. WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – 3rd posting
Claire Andrews, the co-director of discipleship at The River, will be facilitating a 6-week women’s bible study about establishing spiritual habits and practices based on the “rule of life.” We achieve inner peace when our schedule is aligned with our values. Rather than a rigid, legalistic to-do list, the rule of life is a a life-giving structure for freedom, growth, and joy. Feel free to bring your lunch, as we will meet over the lunch hour (12:10-12:50 pm to allow for travel time) on Tuesdays, starting Feb. 18 and ending Mar. 31, not meeting over spring break (Mar. 10). We will meet at The Edge, located at 203 College Ave. If you plan to attend or have questions, please contact grad student Chelsea Lyles at clyles@vt.edu.
Jobs:
None at this time
Volunteers and research participants sought:
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED – SIBLING STUDY – 1st posting
The VT SibLab is recruiting participants for a study of stress and the sibling relationship. Participants are eligible if they a) are at least 18 years old, b) have at least one sibling, c) have no siblings with physical or intellectual disabilities, and d) have never had a diagnosis of a mental illness themselves. Participation involves one 30-45 minute visit to 406 Wallace Hall, where non-invasive measures of blood pressure, heart rate, and skin conductance will be taken, and participants will complete a brief questionnaire. Compensation is a $10 Amazon gift card for study completion. If interested, please contact Dr. Carolyn Shivers at shivercm@vt.edu.
21. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR FOOT AND ANKLE BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st posting
The Granata Lab at Virginia Tech is looking for high or low arched participants in a biomechanics study. This study aims to determine how different foot postures (high, normal, and low arches) are affected by ankle braces during walking, running, and cutting. Participation consists of one visit that lasts approximately 60-90 minutes. Eligible subjects will be ages 18-30, have had no injury in the past 6 months that limited physical activity for more than 2 days, have no history of lower extremity surgery, and will be comfortable completing the athletic tasks. If you are interested in participating, please contact Laura Dickerson at lcdicker@vt.edu.
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: KNOWLEDGE/PERCEPTION OF HIBISCUS PRODUCTS – 1st posting
The Water INTERface Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Programs (IGEPs) is recruiting volunteers 18 years or older to participate in an online survey assessing consumers’ knowledge/perception of hibiscus products. Participants will be asked if they have consumed hibiscus products, under which form they have consumed such products, and their previous taste experience of those products. Participants will be provided with information on the benefits of hibiscus and asked how likely they are to purchase hibiscus drink products. The time commitment to this survey is approximately 15 minutes. For more information contact Dr. Valisa Hedrick (vhedrick@vt.edu) or Dr. Neill Clinton (cneill@vt.edu) or Oumoule Ndiaye (oumoule7@vt.edu).
23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: MIND MUSIC MACHINE LAB PAINTING SONIFICATION PROJECT – 2nd posting
The Mind Music and Machine Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a research study to determine the effects of different image and data processing techniques on user perception of visual artworks. Will be asked to rate music that was generated from each painting along different subjective questions. Study will last approximately one hour. Each participant will receive a compensation of $10 for participation. For more information and to participate in this study, contact Chihab Nadri (cnadri@vt.edu).
24. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: DRIVING SIMULATOR STUDY ON AUDITORY DISPLAYS AT RAIL CROSSINGS – 2nd posting
The Mind Music and Machine Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a study to determine the effects of in-vehicle auditory alerts on driver behaviors at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (HRGCs) on driver response. Will be asked to drive in a driving simulator environment for 2 to 3 minutes before listening to various auditory alerts. Study will last approximately one hour. Each participant will receive a compensation of $10 for participation. For more information, contact Chihab Nadri (cnadri@vt.edu). Sign up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aY09meRwbbMJ1Zj.
25. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON EXOSKELETONS – 2nd posting
Study will be assessing the effectiveness of wearable assistive devices. Must be 18-55 years old; have no current or recent history of musculoskeletal disorders that limit daily activities; and due to device fit, waist equal to 26” to 46”, torso length equal to 14.5” to 23”. Participant will be asked to bring shorts and t-shirt/sports bra. You will be asked to perform a series of overhead tasks without and with three exoskeletons. We will video record the sessions, but these videos will only be viewed by researchers on this study. One training session and two experimental sessions are required to complete this study (~3 hours each). Compensation: $10/hour. If interested, please email or call/text Denean Kelson at denean@vt.edu (225-717-0239).
26. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: HATE CRIME AND FRESHMEN – 2nd posting
Volunteers needed for a study to explore how bias offenses differ between young adults and older populations. Participants must be 18 or older and a first-year freshman at Virginia Tech. During the study, you will be asked to do the following: read and acknowledge an Informed Consent Form and then take a Qualtrics survey. The survey will last approximately 15 minutes. If graduate students know eligible students who are interested, please direct them to https://tinyurl.com/ygcftj5d. For more information, please email Jonathan LLoyd at lloydj16@vt.edu.
27. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: PHOBIA TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WHO FEAR DOGS – 3rd posting
Children with a specific phobia of dogs ages 4-7 years old needed. Involves 2-4 Assessment sessions, 1 parent training session, 2 follow-up sessions at the Virginia Tech, Child Study Center, 460 Turner St NW #207. No cost for treatment. Earn up to $200 for completing assessment, treatment and follow-up assessments to help with research. 4-Week Bibliotherapy Treatment completed by you and your child at home. You will participate in a training session in our clinic and will be given the book needed to complete the treatment with your child at home. One session treatment (OST) is an empirically supported intervention for children with phobias. If your child still exhibits high levels of fear following the Bibliotherapy Treatment they will be offered one 3-hour treatment session at our clinic. If interested, contact (540) 231-3514 or childstudycenter@gmail.com.
Upcoming events:
WOMEN’S CONNECT LUNCH
I Belong Here: Women’s Sense of Belonging in Academia and Society
Wednesday Mar 18, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Graduate Life Center, Room B
You are invited to this year’s Women’s Connect Lunch with Dr. Tish Ramlal-Lamble, Director of Assessment and Data Analytics. Student group leaders, faculty mentors, and members of the community are also invited to join us for lunch. The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Please register at: http://bit.ly/2020WomenConnectLunch by Friday, Mar 13. For accommodations related to disabilities, please contact Justin Grimes at jgrimes18@vt.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event.
GAUC TALK WITH THE DEAN
Thursday, Mar 19, 12:00-1:00pm, Graduate Life Center (GLC) Room C
How’s your semester going so far? What are your thoughts about the graduate life experience here at Virginia Tech? Get some face-to-face time with Dr. Karen DePauw, Dean of the Graduate School, and share your thoughts with her and other students in the graduate community. Lunch and Gauc will be provided, and the event is free to all graduate students. Brought to you by the Graduate Student Assembly. Contact Cortney Steele at cnsteele@vt.edu with any questions. Please RSVP here.
VT WOMEN’S TENNIS
Thursday, Mar 19, 4:00pm, Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center
The next game in the GLC Fellows’ sports series is the VT Women’s tennis match on Mar 19th. If interested fill out this survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_57OHWfVvY0rzri5. Please sign up if you need a ride as space in the vehicle from GLC to the tennis center is limited, you are also welcome to meet us there. This is a great opportunity to enjoy time with your fellow Hokies, watch a tennis match, and possibly learn something new!
2nd MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION & ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
Thursday, Mar 19, 5:00-6:00 pm, GLC Meeting Room C
Curious about science policy? Attend SPEAC’s next meeting! Guest speaker, Dr. Todd Schenk, will be explaining how policymaking works and how scientists and engineers can get involved in the process. The goal of SPEAC is to introduce members to careers and opportunities in science policy, help members develop effective communication skills, and empower members to get involved in shaping government and policy. SPEAC is a newly formed graduate student-run organization, but motivated undergraduate students and post-docs are also welcomed to join. For more information, email speacvt@gmail.com. Also connect on Twitter and Facebook (@speacvt).