Events, services and opportunities for graduate students

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. GRADUATE STUDENT PHOTO & ART DISPLAY FALL 2010 – enter by Oct 15
To celebrate the 5-year anniversary of the opening of the Graduate Life Center, the Graduate School is inviting submissions of photography and artwork by graduate students for display in the GLC. Selected pieces will be displayed from November 1, 2010 through March 21, 2011. Submissions are limited to three pieces (art and/or photography) per graduate student. Learn more here, or contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu with questions.

3. FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS
Tuesday, Sep 28, 5:00-6:00pm, GLC Room F
Interested in learning self defense? Participate in this free self-defense class taught by VTPD Officer Hamilton. Lots of learning, as well as light refreshments provided. This event is sponsored by the GLC Fellows, so please send questions or requests for more information to Nicole Engel at nme001@vt.edu. 

4. PATENTS AND PATENT LAW: HOW DO SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS GET LEGAL PROTECTION FOR THEIR INNOVATIONS

Tuesday, Sep 28, 6:15-7:30pm, 1760 Litton Reaves
Student Intellectual Property Society at Virginia Tech invites graduate students to this presentation by Michael Greenbaum, registered patent attorney and partner at Blank Rome LLP in Washington, DC, to explore how engineers and scientists can get legal protection for their innovations.

5. ACOUSTIC CAFÉ
Tuesday, Sep 28, 7:00-9:30pm, GLC Student Lounge
The Graduate Student Assembly is co-sponsoring an Acoustic Café in conjunction with VTU, and they want graduate students to participate by sharing their gifts (spoken word, instrumental, voice, etc.)!  For more information or interested talent, please contact vtualtsd@vt.edu.

6. START SMART: HOW TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS

Wednesday, Sep 29, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Guest speaker: Brandi Quesenberry, Director of Public Speaking and CommLab. Hosted by the Cranwell International Center, this lunch series helps new international graduate students become familiar with various elements of the American higher education system, expectations and culture. Students who attend at least three Start Smart sessions will receive a gift card to Kroger or Food Lion. Bring your own lunch.

7. HOW TO THRIVE IN GRAD SCHOOL: THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME

Thursday, Sep 30, 1:30-3:00pm, GLC Room C
Do you ever wonder about your own competence? Worry about being found out, that you are not good enough for graduate school after all? There are ways to accurately assess yourself and your abilities, overcome the doubts the “imposter syndrome” can plant in your head, and become the successful student you can be. Attend this workshop and learn more about how to empower yourself. 

8. LATIN AMERICA ART EXPOSITION: “FRAGMENTOS TROPICALES”

Thu-Sat, Sep 30-Oct 2, Cranwell International Center (Th 5-9p; F 9am-7pm; Sa 9a-12n)
The Latin American and Iberian Graduate Student Association invites you to this exhibit of Latin American art. Meet with the artists and enjoy some Latin American food. The artists are from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Spain. This event is co-sponsored by LAIGSA and Multicultural Programs and Services. Attendance free.

9. 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.

10. GSA POTLUCK AND POT PAINTING
Thursday, Sep 30, 6:00-7:30pm, GLC Room B
Join GSA for a potluck dinner and artistic escape: use your creativity to paint a terra cotta pot and relax with friends while enjoying a potluck dinner. Pots, paints, and brushes will be provided, but feel free to bring your own paint or decorations to add to the rainbow of choices. All guests are asked to bring a covered dish to add to the collective dinner.  Be sure to wear clothes you can paint in!  Children, spouses, and friends are welcome. Please register  here. Contact Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs, at ajcronin@vt.edu with any questions.

11. OUTDOOR CLUB WHITEWATER RAFTING – SIGN UP NOW!
Sunday, Oct 3, 7:00am to 6:30pm.
The Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech (OCVT) is organizing a whitewater rafting trip to raft the entire Gauley, upper and lower; 23 miles of river, over a 100 rapids, in 1 day.  Experience one of the best whitewater rafting in the country!  Rafters have to be at base camp in WV, at 7:00am and will finish rafting at 6:30 pm. For detailed trip information and costs please check the OCVT website http://www.outdoor.org.vt.edu/trips/gauley_2.htm. Sign up deadline is Sep 30 and you must know how to swim. Sign up  or send questions to  Nimal, nlobo@vt.edu.

12. PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWSHIP (PMF) OPPORTUNITY – 1st posting 
The PMF Program helps federal agencies attract outstanding master’s and doctoral students who have a clear interest in excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs. Students who meet all graduate degree requirements, including the completion or successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation, between Sep 1, 2010 and Aug 31, 2011, are eligible to apply in fall 2010 for the PMF class of 2011. Apply online. Applicants must be nominated by Graduate Dean Karen P. DePauw. Applicants should send by email to grads@vt.edu a completed PMF Form 1300 along with their CV and a brief essay that addresses:  1) breadth and quality of accomplishments;  2) capacity for leadership;  3) commitment to excellence in leadership and management of public policies and programs, or fax these to 540-231-3714 by Oct 15. Do not send directly to Dean DePauw. For questions call 540-231-4558.

13. RESEARCH SUBJECTS AGES 6-7-8 SOUGHT FOR STUDY- 1st posting
The Cognitive, Affect and Psychophysiology (C.A.P.) Laboratory in the Psychology
Department is recruiting 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds for a fun new study examining emotion and memory. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 gift certificate to a local store of choice as well as receive a small gift card for Books-A-Million. If you have a 6-, 7- or 8-year-old and would like to participate or learn more about the study, please contact Anjolii Diaz at adiaz07@vt.edu for more information.

14. CITIZEN SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE
Have you used your research to benefit society in any way? If so, consider applying for the Citizen Scholar award.  If not, why not consider designing a Citizen Scholar project?  Learn more about program requirements.  Applications are due December 2.  For more information, email Eric Hodges at hodgeseb@vt.edu.

15. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY
With the objective of establishing the nation’s first honor society to recognize and promote interdisciplinary research, a group of graduate students are starting a student-led focus group to discuss and pursue this objective. If you are involved in or believe in the value of interdisciplinary research, if you have insights about the challenges and benefits of pursuing interdisciplinary research, you are strongly encouraged to join this student-led effort. Please submit your contact information and you will be contacted about scheduling the first meeting: . Contact Aly Tawfik at tawfik@vt.edu with questions.

16. VT’S PHI BETA KAPPA CHAPTER INVITES GRAD STUDENT PARTICIPATION
Graduate students who became members of Phi Beta Kappa as undergraduates are invited to join in the activities of VT’s Mu of Virginia chapter, which has been active on campus since 1977, sponsoring public forums and more intimate luncheon talks, initiating students, and awarding endowed prizes for student writing and for faculty research and creative achievement. If you are a PBK member who would enjoy the opportunity to meet your fellow VT members in an atmosphere of discovery and dialogue, please contact Paul Metz  for more information.

17. PROPOSALS DUE FOR CONFERENCE ON HIGHER ED PEDAGOGY – 2nd posting
Proposals are due on Oct 7 for the 3rd annual Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy, focused on teaching excellence, best practices, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Sessions address disciplinary and interdisciplinary instructional strategies, outcomes, and research. Proposals are invited for Research, Practice or Poster sessions.

  •    Proposals Due: October 7, 2010
  •    Notification of Acceptance: October 21, 2010
  •    Registration Due: January 21, 2011
  •    Conference Date: February 3-4, 2011

There is no registration fee; however, both presenters and participants must register. For more information and registration visit the conference website.

18. GSA TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM (TFP): Cycle I
The Travel Fund Program (TFP) is here to help relieve some of your financial burdens associated with traveling to conferences to present your research. If you are traveling to present between July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, you are eligible to apply to the TFP to be reimbursed up to $350 as a master’s or $500 as a doctoral student. Applications open Sep 6-Oct 15, 2010 (5pm). There will be a joint workshop with the GRDP program to answer any of your questions about the application process on Wednesday, Sep 14. Please review http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/travel_fund for more information or email Courtney Gleason at GSATFPChair@gmail.com.

19. GSA-GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GRDP); CYCLE I

The GSA-GRDP is a competitive research funding program administered by the GSA to support qualified research and innovative ideas proposed by VT graduate students. Applications go through a rigorous review process by a panel of graduate students and faculty. Visit http://www.gsa.uusa.vt.edu/programs/research_program to learn more about this opportunity. A joint workshop with GSA-TFP program will be held on Sep 14 to answer any questions you may have about the application process. All questions should be directed to the GRDP chair, Ranjana Mehta, at GSAGRDPChair@gmail.com 

20. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAN
Tuesday, Oct 5, 5:30-7:00pm, GLC Room F
Discuss graduate student life and university policies over dinner with Dean DePauw. This is your opportunity to bring up issues that matter most to you! Space is limited, so please register here: https://survey.vt.edu/survey/entry.jsp?id=1284307471940. Questions? Contact: Amanda Cronin Rumore, VP of Programs arumore@vt.edu. This event is sponsored by the GSA.

ETIQUETTE DINNER – register by Oct 8
Monday, Oct 25, 5:30-8:00pm, The Inn at Virginia Tech
Career Services offers this learning experience/etiquette dinner to help you practice your networking skills over dinner. The theme is “Meet, greet, and eat: A networking and fine dining experience.” Register by Oct 8 at the Smith Career Center. Space is limited, so sign up early. A $10 registration fee includes light hors d’oeuvres and a three course meal. Business attire required. 

TECHNICAL WRITING WORKSHOP – SIGN UP NOW!
Saturday, Oct 30, 10:00am-2:30pm, Fralin Auditorium
Sponsored by the Fralin Life Science Institute and the Graduate School, this technical writing workshop allows faculty and students to work together. Topics include: components of a manuscript; searching literature; technical writing and grammar, plagiarism and referencing, and editor’s perspective. A handbook and a pizza lunch will be provided to participants. Must register by Oct 15 by emailing to Dr. Janet Webster, jbwebste@vt.edu.