1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 11/28
- Career Advising: W 2:00-5:00pm, Info kiosk in lobby
- Cook Counseling: Th, F 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
- Graduate School regular hours: 8:00am-5:00pm;
- Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-5:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm;
- Peer to peer support coaching: M 1:00-3:00pm, Room F, F 11:00am-1:00pm, Room A (email grads@vt.edu for more info)
- Writing assistance: Wednesdays, 2-4:30pm, Room A; reserve appointment at http://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing/.
2. GLC TUESDAY TEA: FIRST EDITION
Tuesday, Dec 6, 10:00-11:30am, GLC Reading Room
You’ve (nearly) made it to the end of the semester; come and enjoy an end-of-the-semester Tea Party to celebrate the last week of classes. Hosted by the Graduate School, Tuesday Teas are a chance to both unwind and refuel on caffeine. Homemade cookies will be provided. Bring your own mug if you are able. If you can never make it to the Café on Thursday afternoons, Tuesday morning tea might just be the cure!
3. DECEMBER RECHARGE
Wednesday, Dec 7, 4:00-7:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
De-stress with the GLC Fellows before final exams begin! There will be healthy snacks and tea set up to enjoy while you relax by coloring, crafting, playing board games and more. The therapy dogs will also be making an appearance at 6 pm. If you have any questions, email Julia Vasquez at juliav@vt.edu.
4. LOAN REPAYMENT INFO SESSION
Thursday, Dec 8, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room D
If you are graduating this December and have some questions about repaying your student loans, this session might be perfect for you. Staff from University Scholarships and Financial Aid will have a brief presentation and will be available to answer questions regarding different loan repayment options. Feel free to bring your lunch and get your loan repayment questions answered before graduation!
5. GLC CAFÉ: HOLIDAY EDITION TAKE II
Thursday, Dec 8, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy a few minutes away from your books with some holiday crafts and coloring in addition to fueling your brain and body with caffeine and carbs. Bring a book to share or grab a book from the Reading Room collection to enjoy during the winter break. Usual coffee/tea and cookies as well as craft supplies provided.
6. RGSA AND HOKIE WELLNESS END OF SEMESTER EXTRAVAGANZA
Friday, Dec 9, 1:00-3:00pm, VT CRI Atrium
The Roanoke Graduate Student Associations (RGSA) and Hokie Wellness are hosting this end-of-semester extravaganza in the VT Carilion Research Institute’s Atrium to de-stress and have some fun! Take a study break, tet a free chair massage, play with therapy dogs, have fun, color, take part in a mindfulness session! Presented by Hokie Wellness, Cook Counseling, Massage Envy, and the RGSA. For more information contact grad student Libbie Sonnier-Netto, libbie78@vt.edu.
7. FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2017-18 – 1st posting
For U.S. citizens and permanent residents: Now is the time to start the application process if you will need financial aid in 2017-18! The FAFSA is available from Oct 1 each year and for 2017-18 it will use your 2015 federal income tax information. It is recommended that you use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to transfer your tax information from the IRS website to the FAFSA. While there is no specific FAFSA deadline for graduate students, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible so financial aid advisors have time to review your FAFSA and prepare your financial aid award for the upcoming year. Contact Stephanie Breeding at USFA, sbreed@vt.edu with questions.
8. GSA "DR. RICH" CAP AND GOWN PROGRAM—STILL AVAILABLE
Graduating next week but don’t want to purchase a cap and gown? GSA offers free caps and gowns on loan for commencement through the "Dr. Rich" Cap and Gown Program. There are still caps and gowns available! Find details and fill out the sign-up at gsa.vt.edu/what-we-can-offer-you. Remaining gowns will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Email Alex and Kasey at gsacapgown@gmail.com.
9. OPENINGS IN LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT COOPERATIVE CHILD CARE CTR FOR SPRING – 1st posting
The Little Hokie Hangout–the Graduate School’s Parent-cooperative child care center–has a few openings for the Spring 2017 semester, but they are filling up fast! Children turning 2 during the semester up through age 5 are eligible to apply. If you would like more information, or to schedule a visit to the center, please email childcare@vt.edu.
10. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR BOV GRAD REP POSITION – 1st posting
Applications for Graduate Student Representative to the VT Board of Visitors are accepted until Feb 10, 2017. All currently enrolled graduate students in good standing are encouraged to consider this great leadership and service opportunity to represent graduate students’ voices, needs and interest on the VT Board of Visitors. Learn more at www.dsa.vt.edu/BOV/apply.
11. NOMINATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS NOW OPEN – 1st posting
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($200-$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) STEM fields (1) social sciences/business/humanities
- Preston Society Master’s Thesis Awards (3)
- GTA Excellence (1) instructor of record (1) GTA instructor assistant
- Graduate Student Service Excellence
- Graduate Student of the Year (up to three)
- Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs.
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination are at: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/student.html.
12. NOMINATE OUTSTANDING FACULTY MENTOR(S) FOR MENTOR AWARD – 1st posting
The Graduate School is introducing this new award to recognize one faculty member from each college for their role in supporting, encouraging, and promoting a positive and inclusive scholarly and teaching environment, and for contributing to professional and personal development of graduate students within or outside their research or degree programs. Learn more about the award and nomination process at http://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/outstanding-mentor-award.html
13. GRAD-UGRAD MENTORSHIP PROGRAM SEEKING MENTORS – 3rd posting
The Grad–Undergrad Mentorship Program (GUMP) is seeking mentors from all fields to mentor undergrad students considering graduate school. Ugrads and grads are matched according to their area of study, allowing the undergrad to get a taste for graduate school and to ask questions of current graduate students. Each graduate mentor will be matched with 1–3 mentees, who will shadow them at convenient times during the spring semester. Mentoring can help build leadership skills and provide an experience to discuss with future employers. Graduate students will coordinate mentoring activities independently with their undergraduate mentees. GUMP is sponsored by the Graduate Student Association (GSA). For more information and to apply, visit tinyurl.com/VT-GUMP. If you have any questions, contact gump@vt.edu .
14. NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR DIVERSITY SCHOLARS – 3rd posting
Learn more about the diversity scholars program and consider applying if you are a full-time graduate student in good standing and have a demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity. See http://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/diversity/diversity-scholars/how-to-apply.html for details. Contact Dannette@vt.edu with questions. Applications are due Dec 20.
15. PROGRAM ASSISTANT WAGE POSITION OPENING – 3rd posting
The VT Language and Culture is seeking a program assistant to work primarily with 25 Argentine college students to coordinate transportation, travel, program calendar, and events; help lead trips and activities (mainly on weekends); process invoices and keep accurate program accounting records; maintain participant files; and collect data and documents for registration and reporting purposes. Position begins Jan 2 and ends Feb 29. Must have experience providing administrative or program support in a professional office environment; excellent interpersonal and communications skills to effectively work with faculty, staff and international students; working knowledge of VT policies and procedures; have acceptable and safe driving record. Should be able to drive a 12-passenger van. Hours are flexible, including evenings and weekends, up to 40 hours weekly. Hourly pay up to $15/hr. If interested, contact Ernesto Waines a1nesto@vt.edu for more information.
16. STUDENT AIDE WAGE POSITION OPENING – 3rd posting
VT LCI seeks a student aide to work closely with the Program Assistant and help 25 Argentine students adjust to their new surroundings in the US and on campus. The SA will accompany participants to area activities and trips, help students obtain ID cards, assist with shopping and understanding housing rules and regulations. Other duties include driving a state vehicle to events and assisting with administrative duties as needed. Position begins Jan 2 and ends Feb 29. Must have excellent interpersonal and communications skills; working knowledge of VT policies and procedures; have an acceptable and safe driving record and be able to drive a 12-passenger van. Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, up to 40 hrs/wk, up to $11/hr. If interested, contact Ernesto Waines a1nesto@vt.edu for more information.
17. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP OPENING IN BUDGET & FIN PLANNING – 3rd posting
The Office of Budget and Financial Planning is seeking an inter/grad assistant for the Auxiliary budget functions of the office for a 9-month assistantship with paid summer internship possibility to assist in budget development, monitoring and reporting processes. Position provides exposure to central financial and admin functions and offers insight into state budgeting process. Must have interest/focus in public budgeting, strong oral and written communication skills, analytical skills, experience with Excel, and ability to perform work of a varied difficulty to include data analysis and compilation and presentation of reports. If interested, submit cover letter, resume and 3 professional references to Jean Cumminsat Jeanc9@vt.edu.
18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MULTI-VIEW MANAGEMENT OF DATA STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for a study to determine the best multi-view management of multivariate data from cognitive radio nodes’ spectrum in a 3D visualization on the web. Participants will be presented a series of image pairs and asked to answer questions about them. Participation takes about 30 minutes. Must be 18 or older and can see properly (not blind nor visually impaired). If interested, take this survey using your personal computer: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_8vUsuvAlfr2d6YZ. The study session will last approximately 30 minutes. The results of the study may be published and used in a dissertation. For more information contact Ayat Mohammed (maaayat@vt.edu) (5405059317).
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HEAD-WORN DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES STUDY – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a study assessing the use of head-worn display technologies in industry. Must be 18-65 years old; have no current or recent history (1 year) of musculoskeletal disorders. The project involves two lab-based experiments, and you will be invited to participate in one or both. The first experiment involves navigating in a simulated warehouse environment using both a paper list and “smart” glasses in several experimental conditions in two sessions, a 1-hr preliminary and a 3.5-hr data collection. The second involves simulation of an order-picking task – retrieving boxes from shelves, loading/unloading boxes onto/from a hand cart, and maneuvering a hand cart. Weights will range 10-35 lbs. Completing the study requires two sessions: a training session (~1-1.5 hrs) and a data collection session (~1.5-2 hrs). Compensation = $10 per hour. Contact 540-557-7763 at sunwook@vt.edu if interested.
20. PARENTS AND ADOLESCENTS SOUGHT FOR SOCIAL & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES SUTDY – 3rd posting
Parents and adolescents (ages 13-18) are needed for VT study of social and academic experiences. With their parent and a same-gender close friend, teens will be asked to complete questionnaires, conversation tasks, and a speech task. Participation should last 1.5 hours. Study is located on VT Blacksburg campus. Teens, their participating friend, and participating parent are each given $10 gift certificate. Interested? Call the Virginia Tech Social Development Lab at 231-8179 or e-mail rlm527@vt.edu.
Upcoming events:
WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, Dec 14, 10:00-11:30am, GLC Reading Room
Join the Graduate School in celebrating the end of the Fall Semester while taking a break from your studies, grading, lab work and other commitments! Enjoy hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and an assortment of goodies, as well as good company with other graduate students.
GLC CAFÉ: BOOK SWAP EDITION WITH HOT CIDER AND CHOCOLATE
Thursday, Dec 15, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Celebrate the end of the semester and the end of the year with the final café of 2016, combined with a book swap. Bring books and take some, or just take books to read during the break. Share your favorite titles with grad students and Grad School colleagues over coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot cider, and cookies. And whipped cream. And marshmellows. The café will be on a break on Dec 29, but will return on Jan 5, 2017!
GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, Dec 16, 2:30pm, Cassell Coliseum
Join in the celebration of our graduating master’s and doctoral students and certificate recipients. For details visit http://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/what-you-need-to-graduate/commencement.html. This event will be live streamed.
BIG DATA SCIENCE WORKSHOP 2017
Thursday, Jan 12, 9:00am-4:30pm, Newman Library Multipurpose Room
In an era of Big Data, reproducible research and efficient workflows become vitally important to the research process. Graduate students are invited to join University Libraries and Advanced Research Computing at Virginia Tech, and the Center for Open Science for a workshop and discussion on Big Data and Data Science. Featuring sessions on big data workflows, data visualization, data publishing, and reproducible research practices, the 2017 Big Data Science Workshop will also incorporate a brainstorming/strategy session aimed at improving research workflows, a networking breakfast, lightning talks, and a poster reception. This workshop is offered with the support of partners from the University of Virginia. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. Must register in advance at: goo.gl/rNwpum. For current information: https://researchinformatics.lib.vt.edu/project/big-data-science-workshop/