REVIEW THE FAQs REGARDING COVID-19 DIRECTIVES AT https://graduateschool.vt.edu/covid-faqs.html.
Ongoing Services – updated 7/20/20
This Week’s Events:
1.CHINESE STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP
2. PRESIDENT SANDS HOSTS GRADUATE EDUCATION TOWN HALL MEETING
3. MY VT GRADUATE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
4. GENERAL BODY MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
5. VIRTUAL HEALING SPACES FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY: UPLIFTING THE COMMUNITY AFTER A TRAGIC LOSS – weekly in July
Administrative Announcements:
6. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 1st posting
7. SIGN-UP FOR GRAD 5124 (FALL 2020) – 1st posting
8. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD FOR 2020-2021 – 2nd posting
9. FINANCIAL COACHING FOR GRAD STUDENTS- 3rd posting
Jobs:
10. BUILDING MANAGER POSTION AT THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER FOR FALL 2020 – 1st posting
11. GA OPPORTUNITY: VIRGINIA TECH TRIO PROGRAMS – 2nd posting
12. GA OPPORTUNITY: VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS STUDIO -3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
13. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR AUGMENTED REALITY SURVEY- 1st posting
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR EVALUATING AUDITORY DISPLAY EXPERIMENT – 1st posting
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION STUDY – 1st posting
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED RECREATION SURVEY – 2nd posting
Upcoming Events:
17. NRV SCIENCE ON TAP: CELEBRATES BLACK SCIENTISTS
18. CETL & TLOS FALL COURSE DESIGN CLINIC FOR GTAs AND INSTRUCTORS – August dates
0. Ongoing Services – updated 7/20/20
· ALL WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
· CAREER ADVISING: schedule virtual career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html
· COOK COUNSELING: Contact McComas Hall offices at mailto:counseling@vt.edu or 540-231-6557
· IMMIGRATION ADVISING: email international@vt.edu or call 540.231.6527. (updated 7/20/20)
· WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
· GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at mailto:gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. CHINESE STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP
Wednesdays, starting July 1, 1:30-3:30pm
Dr. Claire Shen with Cook Counseling will be starting a weekly support group for Chinese students. This group will be using Mandarin Chinese. If you are a Chinese speaking student or know any Chinese speaking students, please sign-up and encourage others to do so! Sign-up here: https://tinyurl.com/y8685vgm
2. PRESIDENT SANDS HOSTS GRADUATE EDUCATION TOWN HALL MEETING
Tuesday, July 21, 1pm, Online
President Sands will be joined by Provost Cyril Clarke, Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education Karen DePauw, and Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Don Taylor. They will discuss and take questions related to Graduate Student education ahead of the return to campus for the fall 2020 semester. View the town hall here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IeMFfzFl0U&feature=youtu.be Students can submit questions here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8H5y2f2ngbP3dLD
3. MY VT GRADUATE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
Wednesday, July 22, 3-4pm, Online
Join the Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion for a Graduate Student led panel discussion. Receive first-hand feedback from exemplary members of our graduate community, gain perspective of valuable resources, and more! This event is for both current and prospective students. Please register here: https://slate.to/iA9N0dYS Questions? Contact Dr. Shernita Lee at shernita@vt.edu.
4. GENERAL BODY MEETING: SCIENCE POLICY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CLUB (SPEAC) AT VT
Thursday, July 23rd, 5:00-6:00pm, Zoom
Curious about science policy? Attend SPEAC’s next meeting! We will be having an informal Q&A with guest speaker Dr. Megan O’Rourke. Dr. O’Rourke is an associate professor of Sustainable Food Production Systems at Virginia Tech. She has extensive policy experience through her work with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Services as the organization’s climate change advisor. She has also worked as a Foreign Service Officer for the United States Agency for International Development in Cambodia on food security and environmental programs. Please register for this event here: https://forms.gle/Doj8XBaSvMyTncL98. For more information or to join our Listserv, email speacvt@gmail.com. Also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook (@speacvt)!
5. VIRTUAL HEALING SPACES FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY: UPLIFTING THE COMMUNITY AFTER A TRAGIC LOSS
Tuesdays, 6pm, (June 16th – July 28th)
This program focuses on unique ways in which the national crisis impacts students, a space to process emotions, an opportunity to learn self-care related skills, and community. Email yasmin18@vt.edu or camen@vt.edu of Cook Counseling Center for the zoom link.
6. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 1st posting
The online platform for graduate student essays, RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the VT Institute for Policy and Governance (VTIPG), is a great vehicle to share your research ideas and work with a broader audience and to hone your analytical and writing capabilities too. All VT graduate students are eligible to offer essays as long as they address a policy, politics or governance issue or concern. Please read the submission guidelines here:https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1FkKKB8IDxpMLM-EnJvvNTfUqxsvLkVIwo-yCJ2T28ls/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1 Dr. Max Stephenson, Professor of Public and International Affairs and Director of VTIPG, serves as editor and final arbiter of all submissions. Sign up now for a time slot for publication that suits your schedule using this Google Spreadsheet. When you sign up, please also send a brief 100-150 word abstract outlining what topic or concern you believe you will be considering in your submission to Heather Parrish (parrish1@vt.edu). That effort should provide a working title and clearly treat what policy or governance issue you expect to consider and suggest why it is significant. Available dates will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Please contact Ms. Parrish at the Institute for Policy and Governance.
7. SIGN-UP FOR GRAD 5124 (FALL 2020) – 1st posting
Take your research to the next level! Sign up in Hokie SPA for GRAD 5124: Research Skills for Graduate Students, a 1-credit, pass/fail, fully-online course offered by University Libraries in fall 2020. Five discipline-specific sections are offered: Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, & Life Sciences; Engineering & Physical Sciences; Health Sciences; Social & Behavioral Sciences; and Arts & Humanities. Be sure to sign up for the section that relates to your subject area. Questions? Contact Lisa Becksford at lisab5@vt.edu.
8. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD FOR 2020-2021 – 2nd posting
P.E.O. International is a philanthropic education organization that provides financial aid for the education of women. These merit-based scholarships offer $15,000 for outstanding women in doctoral programs. More information about the scholarship and the application process can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/funding-opportunities/PEO.html
9. FINANCIAL COACHING FOR GRAD STUDENTS- 3rd posting
Financial questions or stress? Set up an appointment to discuss your financial wellness. Kevin Sutton, the Assistant Director of Financial Wellness on the Hokie Wellness team, presents and meets with both graduate and undergraduate students to discuss topics such as budgeting, credit scores, debt management strategies, financial stress, and short-term financial planning. Some potential topics for discussion include how to maximize your credit score without carrying a credit card balance as well as how you can use this summer to plan financially for end-of-year holiday expenses (they always come up so fast!) and for experiences you want to have next summer. You can contact Kevin by email to schedule an appointment around your schedule or sign up for an appointment here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054eaeae22a7ff2-financial
10. BUILDING MANAGER POSTION AT THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER FOR FALL 2020 – 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. Building managers must possess strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to move event equipment (tables and chairs). Currently we are looking for flexible staff members that are willing to work at least two shifts a week and have weekend availability. Building managers are paid $12/hr. To apply, please visit Virginia Tech’s Handshake page https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html . Search for the “SECL – Graduate Life Center Building Manager” position. If you have any questions, please email Steve Buchner (satlbuch@vt.edu).
11. GA OPPORTUNITY: VIRGINIA TECH TRIO PROGRAMS – 2nd posting
Virginia Tech TRIO Programs is hiring a Graduate Assistant for the 2020-2021 academic year to assist the Upward Bound programs and Talent Search. These federally-funded educational opportunity programs help middle and high school students, veterans, and out-of-school clients overcome academic, social, and cultural barriers to postsecondary education. This is an academic year position (August to May) for 20 hours per week, and includes tuition remission and stipend (Step 10). Candidates must be able to successfully pass a criminal and driving background check, and will need to possess a valid driver’s license. Application review will begin on July 10th and will continue until the position is filled. Please apply through Handshake (#3732326 TRIO Programs Graduate Assistant).
12. GA OPPORTUNITY: VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS STUDIO -3rd posting
The goal of this position is to help maintain, support, and grow the Virtual Environments Studio in Newman Library by teaching workshops, taking consultations from faculty and students about immersive environments, performing basic maintenance tasks, and assisting with AR/VR related projects associated with the University Libraries. Required qualifications include experience with VR/AR related software and hardware, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and good customer service skills. Preferred skills include experience with 3D modeling, game development and virtual reality hardware maintenance, experience conducting research involving augmented or virtual reality, supervisory experience, formal or informal teaching and tutoring experience. This is a 9-month appointment and the pay is $1523 a month. To apply, fill out this application and attach your resume to the end of it where prompted by July 31, 2020. If you have questions, please contact Jonathan Bradley at bradley1@vt.edu.
13. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR AUGMENTED REALITY SURVEY- 1st posting
The 3D Interaction (3DI) research group at Virginia Tech invites you to participate in an online survey. Our team is investigating promising ways to interact with Augmented Reality displays in the future. In the survey, we would ask you to provide feedback on a video prototype we developed that showcases our visions of using Augmented Reality interfaces in everyday scenarios. The survey should take less than 30 minutes. Here is the link to the survey: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9t0ImMk5rCA9Gw5. Participants need to be at least 18 years of age and proficient English speakers. To participants who are students at Virginia Tech, your involvement in the study will not impact your grades or academic performance in any way. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Feiyu Lu at feiyulu@vt.edu. This experiment has been reviewed, as required, by the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board under protocol #20-519.
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR EVALUATING AUDITORY DISPLAY EXPERIMENT – 1st posting
Volunteers needed for the Mind Music Machine Lab’s study in evaluating in-vehicle auditory. This is a Virginia Tech research study (IRB Number: 19-642). The objective of this study is to evaluate usability and user perception on in-vehicle auditory displays. During the study, you will be asked to rate different auditory displays based on subjective measures. Eligibility: Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing; You will be excluded if you are a minor, a prisoner or an adult not capable to consent on their own behalf. The study should take about 1 hour. Participation in this study is voluntary and confidential, you will not be compensated for taking part in this study. If you are interested in participating, please contact Chihab Nadri (cnadri@vt.edu).
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION STUDY – 1st posting
The Dietary Assessment Lab of Professor Valisa E. Hedrick, PhD., RDN., is conducting a study (Research Study: 20-237) to determine the effects of online social support on beverage consumption behaviors. You may be eligible to participate if you are 18 years of age or older, are an employee or paid graduate student of Virginia Tech, and have access to the internet through a mobile phone, computer or tablet. All study procedures will take place online and at your convenience. The study involves self-reported weight & height, as well as a short demographics survey. Participants will be asked to complete several questionnaires on topics such as beverage consumption and social media usage. Participants will be entered into a raffle with a 1 in 10 chance to win a $50 Visa gift card upon successful completion of all virtual study visits over a 12-week period. For more information and to complete eligibility screening, please contact PhD student researcher, Anna Fausnacht at annalg16@vt.edu.
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR TECHNOLOGY-MEDIATED RECREATION SURVEY – 2nd posting
Volunteers (aged 18 and up) are needed to take part in a Virginia Tech research study titled “Technology-mediated recreation - habits and perspectives before, during, and after COVID-19” (IRB Protocol #20-318). If you agree to be in this study you will be asked to complete an online survey. This survey study aims to learn about strategies, habits, and perspectives, with respect to your current (and desired) approach to maintaining connections with nature and loved ones, through the use of technology, before, during, and after COVID-19. The survey will take between 20 minutes to 25 minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a drawing for one of four $25 Amazon gift cards (the approximate odds of being selected are 1 in 100). https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6VDruf5C5GmEDlj For more information, please email Derek Haqq at dhaqq@vt.edu.
17. NRV SCIENCE ON TAP: CELEBRATES BLACK SCIENTISTS
Thurs. July 30, 5:30-6:30PM. Zoom
Join five Black scientists from different fields, institutions, and career levels as they share their experiences in science and academic professions. Each panelist will introduce themselves, their research passions, and their workplace concerns, and then we’ll hold an audience Q&A. Our panelists are Amber Wendler, Daniel Smith, Korin Jones, Dr. Emmanuel Frimpong, and Dr. Shaz Zamore. Register via Zoom at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvfu2urTssEtOVz_KBuIynSq0dMGxgQeEE
18. CETL & TLOS FALL COURSE DESIGN CLINIC FOR GTAs AND INSTRUCTORS
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Technology Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) are offering course design clinics to help instructors and GTAs plan for an environment requiring flexibility between remote and face to face instruction. The workshops are being offered multiple times this summer. Please enroll at the links below to participate. Contact the VT Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence (VTGrATE) if you have questions (mailto:vtgrate@vt.edu) or find us online at vtgrate.org.
August 10th: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/courses/cetl11-081020
August 17th: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/courses/cetl11-081720