Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2017

Events
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 9/25/2017
– Career Advising: Wednesday, 2:00-5:00pm, Info kiosk in lobby
– Ask the Academy: GTA Walk-In Advising: Tuesday and Wednesday, GLC Room A, 4:00-6:00pm
– Cook Counseling: Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00-5:00pm, W 9:30-5:00
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html

2. PREPARING TO TEACH FOR THE FIRST TIME DISCUSSION PANEL
Monday, Nov 27, GLC Room F, 5:30-7:00p.m
Teaching for the first time this Spring? Have questions? The Virginia Teach Academy of Graduate Teaching Excellence is happy to host a panel of experienced teachers to talk about the first time teaching experience! Come ask questions and engage in some seriously fun pedagogical discussion!

3. ASK THE ACADEMY: GTA WALK-IN ADVISING
Tuesday & Wednesday, Nov 28 & Nov 29, GLC Room A, 4:00-6:00pm
Do you have questions about teaching or grading? Are you experiencing a challenge in the classroom that you don’t know how to resolve? Drop by to chat, share experiences, and get advice from Fellows of the Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence. Light refreshments will be provided; bring your own mug if you can. Can’t make it in person? Send your questions and comments to Ask a Fellow.

4. INKING ON TABLET COMPUTERS: OFFICE AND ONENOTE TRAINING
Wednesday, Nov 29, 10:30am-12:30pm, Torgersen 1100
We are conducting a 2-hour NLI training session to familiarize participants with Pen-Enabled features of their tablet PC, and to demonstrate the practical uses of inking through Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and especially OneNote. To register, please visit https://app.nli.tlos.vt.edu/registration/all_courses/#?offering=6105. Course Credits: 2

5. GRAD MINDFULNESS

Wednesday, Nov 29, 11:00-11:30am, 5071 Derring Hall
Meets every Wednesday. At each meeting there will be a short guided mindfulness exercise followed by time to practice on your own. You don’t need to stay for the whole time. Feel free to just drop in, just take care to not disturb others.  Here is a link to a cool free mindfulness app! Email lashley@vt.edu with any questions.

6. ADVANCING THE HUMAN CONDITION SYMPOSIUM
Wednesday, Nov 29, 9:00am-Noon, Smithfield Room, Inn at Virginia Tech
Please join the Office for Inclusion and Diversity and the Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives for a research poster session on topics relevant to the theme of advancing the human condition. To register please go to: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Smi6yDiWX2xVXL or contact Christian Matheis at matheisc@vt.edu.

7. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Nov 30, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room       
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and snacks.  Join your fellow graduate students and GLC staff.  Socialize and relax!   Bring your own mug if you can.

8. EPORTFOLIO STUDENT SHOWCASE
Thursday, Nov 30, 5:30-8:00pm, Newman Library Multipurpose Room
Come and explore ePortfolios created by undergraduate and graduate students at Virginia Tech. This open house showcase will highlight the experiences of students and best practices to create effective ePortfolios. This event is open to students, faculty, and staff. Refreshments will be provided. For registration, go to https://goo.gl/a34KQ2 or contact Miko Nino at mnino@vt.edu.

9. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – FREE WEEKLY DROP IN CHILD CARE (REGISTRATION NOW REQUIRED)
Thursday, Nov 30, 6:00-8:30pm, Women’s Center, 206 Washington St., Bburg
On a trial basis Kids’ Night Out (KNO) is going to try a system of preregistering. Each week there will be a link on the home page (www.womenscenter.vt.edu) where parents can sign kids up. The aim is to have the link posted to the website by Monday afternoon each week. There will a “Doodle Poll” with a limited number of spots and when that is full, additional children for that week will no longer be accepted. Because of this, the following is requested: 1) Please only register if you are sure you are going to be able to make it; 2) so that everyone can have a chance to utilize KNO, if you have been coming regularly, perhaps wait until later in the week to see if there are still spots available. For more information, contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu or 231-7806.

10. AMERICAN INDIAN CONNECT LUNCH
Friday, Dec 1, 12:00-1:00pm, Graduate Life Center, Room F
Join the Graduate School Office of Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives for lunch in honor of Native American Heritage Month and connect with fellow Native American faculty, staff and students while enjoying some free food! RSVP here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fe8LAuRh2E5Ed7. All are welcome to attend! Questions? Contact Luisa at luisab93@vt.edu.

11. GRAD WOMEN’S ALLIANCE COOKIE EXCHANGE
Friday, Dec 1, 12:00 – 2:00pm, Norris 325
Bake and bring a dozen (or two!) of your favorite cookies to share with the Graduate Student Women’s Alliance in our First Annual Cookie Exchange. Be sure to bring a copy of your recipe so we can make a recipe book and send it to all of the attendees! Happy Holidays!

12. WINTER LIGHTS, MUSIC, & PARADE
Friday, Dec 1, 5:25-8pm, GLC Lobby/Henderson Lawn
Come join the Graduate Fellows and fellow students for the Blacksburg Tree Lighting Ceremony (5:40pm), followed by Tuba Christmas (6pm), and Holiday Parade (7pm)! We will meet in GLC Lobby at 5:25pm and then walk over to Henderson Lawn. Anyone is welcome to join us for this family friendly event! Contact Athulya Simon at aasimon@vt.edu with any questions.

13. SYMPOSIUM ON ART & ICONOGRAPHY
Saturday, Dec 2, 2:00pm, St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 306 Progress Street NE, Blacksburg
Graduate Student Rebecca Williams invites you to a free symposium on art and iconography with Russian Orthodox, Los Angeles-based professor and iconographer Jonathan Edwards. This event will explore the continuing relevance of antiquity to the modern day and provide an opportunity for discourse on the topic. There will be a discussion panel and Q&A session along with the talk. This is the perfect event for historians, artists, philosophers, theologians, and humanists of all backgrounds to expand their knowledge of an ancient art form and contribute their own insights. Visit the website for more information!

14. JOIN IN THE LAIGSA WINTER DINNER
Saturday, Dec 2, 7:00pm, Zeppoli’s Restaurant, 810 University City Blvd #22, Blacksburg.
LAIGSA, Latin American and Iberian Graduate Students Association, invites you to celebrate the Holiday Season. Tickets available ($20) at https://tinyurl.com/y73gxkaf, for kids ($8)  https://tinyurl.com/y837gbag.  Cocktail/Semi-Formal attire, limited tickets available. This event is open to all graduate students. There will not be tickets available at the event.

15. GLC LASER TAG AT PANDAPAS POND (OUTDOOR AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY)

Sunday, Dec 3, 1:30pm–5:30pm
It is time for bonding fun, teamwork collaboration, and stress relief physical activity. Rain or shine, we will run around outdoors and play laser tag, a family friendly outdoor game! Join your fellow grad students on a free trip to Pandapas Pond. This event is hosted by your graduate fellows and LCAT: Laser Tag Club at Virginia Tech. To sign up, fill out this survey: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_29lrhw99HAkD5Ix. Contact GLC fellow Erik Fendik at ef@vt.edu if you have any questions.

Administrative Announcements
16. TFP APPLICATION REVIEW – 1st posting
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is looking for graduate student volunteers to review applications for the Travel Fund Program (TFP). To review applications, you must be a graduate student, and you must be one that did not apply to the fall 2017 TFP application cycle. Although we cannot compensate you with money, we do compensate with free food and eternal gratitude. To sign up, visit: bit.ly/TFP-fall2017-appreview.

17. UH3004: IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR ART, DATA, AND RESEARCH – 2nd posting
This winter semester class in the Cube at the Moss Arts Center, hosted by the Honors College and the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, is now open to Graduate Students. This class provides students with a unique Wintermester experience in Blacksburg to receive hands on experience learning about immersive environments in the Cube, a facility like no other in the world. By the end of this class, you will create a project that includes: motion capture, virtual reality, immersive projection, and spatial audio.  e course will demonstrate the applicability of virtual environments across a wide range of disciplines. Course meets Jan 2-13, 2018 on MTWHF from 9:00am – 12:45pm and is instructed by Zachary Duer, School of Visual Arts (zachduer@vt.edu) and Tanner Upthegrove, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (tannerupthegrove@vt.edu). For more info, go to  http://icat.vt.edu/uh3004/. To register, visit www.winter.edm.vt.edu

18. FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION NOW OPEN – 2nd posting
The 2018-2019 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open now for US citizens and permanent resident.  The 18-19 FAFSA will determine your federal aid eligibility for Fall 2018, Spring 2019 and Summer 2019.  While there is not a specific deadline for graduate students, it is recommended that you submit the FAFSA by early spring semester so that the financial aid office has time to process the application and prepare your aid for the new academic year.   The FAFSA is available at http://www.fafsa.gov .  If you need help with your FAFSA, stop by the financial aid office during one of their FAFSA Friday events on Dec 1  from 3:00-7:00pm. Staff will be available to help you submit the FAFSA as well as answer any questions you may have.  Posted on behalf of Stephanie Breeding, sbreed@vt.edu.

19. NOMINATIONS & APPLICATIONS FOR 2017-2018 DIVERSITY SCHOLARS INVITED – 3rd posting

Diversity scholars are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. Diversity scholars propose, design, and implement projects that enhance the quality of life at Virginia Tech. Nominations are due by Friday, December 1st (self-nominations accepted). Applications are due by Friday, December 15th, and must include: 1) A recent copy of your C.V./Resume. 2) A brief proposal (overview/extended abstract). 3) A one-page, draft timeline of the steps required to carry out the project. Additional information and instructions available at the Application website: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJ3zc4T21iUnORL. Contact Christian Matheis at matheisc@vt.edu for more info.

20. GSA "DR. RICH" CAP & GOWN LOTTERY – 3rd posting
Open until Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 11:59pm
If you are participating in commencement ceremonies this fall, you are eligible to borrow a graduate cap and gown from the GSA for $10! Note that the $10 fee helps us to keep the program running. You can access the lottery by visiting this link: bit.ly/capandgown_fall2017. The lottery (and the link) will close this Wednesday, November 29th at 11:59pm. Those chosen in the lottery will be notified no later than December 6th, and must still purchase their own hoods, tassels, and any other required regalia. All items are used, but gowns have been steam-cleaned, and caps have been disinfected. Email GSA Director of Programs Brittany Boribong at boribong@vt.edu with questions.

21. EPORTFOLIO STUDENT SHOWCASE – 3rd posting
As part of the ePortfolio initiative at Virginia Tech, the Libraries and its partners invite you to participate in the Fall 2017 Showcase. There will be 3 cash awards for graduate students: $500 for the 1st place, $250 for the second place, and $100 for the third place. Participating is pretty simple: Join the Portfolium network, add at least 5 samples of your work, and reflect on the learning in each one of these entries. For more information, visit eportfolios.vt.edu/showcase or email Miko Nino (mnino@vt.edu).

22. JOIN THE NANOTECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE – 3rd posting
NanoEarth, an NSF center on earth and environmental nanotechnology housed here at VT-ICTAS, is hosting a Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Challenge. All VT students are eligible to enter to complete with a business idea that utilizes nanotechnology to tackle sustainability challenges in aras like public health, agriculture, clean water, renewable energy, and beyond. Winners will be awarded a $2,500 grant to help turn the business idea into reality. Proposals are due Dec 1. Check out the top of the NanoEarth news page for more details and application forms www.nanoearth.ictas.vt.edu/news.html. For more information please contact Dr. Matt Hull at mahull@vt.edu.

23. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: $10,000 PHI KAPPA PHI DISSERTATION FELLOWSHIP – 3rd posting

Writing your dissertation? Apply for a $10,000 Phi Kappa Phi #DissertationFellowship by Nov 30 at www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation. Ten fellowships of $10,000 each will be awarded in 2018. To be eligible, applicants must be an active Phi Kappa Phi member in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. All pre-dissertation requirements should be met by the November 30 deadline including approval of the dissertation proposal. The selection process for a dissertation fellowship examines how the fellowship will contribute to the completion of the dissertation, the significance of original research, and endorsement by the dissertation chair. Recipients will receive $10,000 to apply toward 12 months of dissertation writing. Click here, to start your application. For more information read the Dissertation Fellowship FAQs or download the Dissertation Fellowship fact sheet. If you have additional questions, please contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

24. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED SPRING ’18 – 3rd posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. 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, Online Lecture.

Jobs: 
25. GA (WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT) IN ACADEMIC DECISION SUPPORT – 1st posting
VT’s Office of Academic Decision Support is looking for a full-time (20 hrs/wk) Graduate Assistant for Spring 2018. GA’s primary responsibilities include designing and creating web site/web-application. Must have strong and verifiable UI/UX and web programming skills. Other requirements include UI/UX design and development skills; knowledge of web markup and scripting languages (HTML5, CSS3, Javascript and jQuery) with an understanding translating mockups to code; demonstrated evidence in UI/UX design and development; evidence of creativity and innovation; ability to work in collaborative environment and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Preferred skills include knowledge of server-side CSS pre-processing platforms, such as LESS and SASS; experience with web frameworks/CMS; experience in Javascript/jQuery; experience in Django; and web app design and/or development experience. Interested students can email their CV with links to supplementary materials such as sample websites/applications and code repositories along names and contact information of two to three references to Daniel Hung at chung@vt.edu.

Volunteers and research participants sought
26. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR TRANSPORT SATISFACTION STUDY – 1st posting
(Dis)satisfied with your commute? We are seeking participants for a study on neighborhood and transport satisfaction. Participants will (1) install an Android GPS app called Daynamica, (2) answer a 10-minute entry survey, and (3) use the app to track transportation mode, route, and distance of your daily travel. Upon completing each trip, you will report your satisfaction with a 1-minute survey. Must be 18 or older. A $25 Amazon gift card will be awarded to each participant who completes an entrance survey and at least 5 trip surveys, and upload all trip data in one week. If interested, visit the study website at http://uap.vt.edu/travelmood or contact Steve Hankey at hankey@vt.edu, (540) 231-7508.

27. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR OSTEOPATHIC ASSESSMENT & MANIPULATION – 1st posting

The Kevin P. Granata Lab is seeking volunteers for a study examining osteopathic assessment and manipulation. Participation in the study would include an osteopathic assessment and a biomechanical assessment; osteopathic manipulation and a second biomechanical assessment may also be included in participation. Volunteers must be 1) between 18 and 35 years of age, 2) have no history of lower limb musculoskeletal surgery or disease, 3) and have no lower limb musculoskeletal injuries in the past 3 months that restricted physical activity for more than 1-2 days. If you meet these requirements and are interested in participating, please contact Cherice Hughes-Oliver at granata-lab-g@vt.edu or (540) 231-4294.

28. FACIAL EMOTION RECOGNITION INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH ASD – 2nd posting

The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of an attention modification intervention to attenuate deficits in facial emotion recognition and expression in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We are enrolling children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 9 to 12 years of age, who may show difficulties recognizing facial expressions for 5 week, 10 session computer treatment. Parent and child will also be asked to complete three assessment sessions during the course of the treatment. Participants will receive $20 per assessment session, in addition to $20 for completing all treatment sessions, for up to $80 total. Study will take place at the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech. If interested, contact Andrea Trubanova Wieckowski at atruban@vt.edu or call (540) 231-2024.

29. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND CAUSES OF FEAR – 2nd posting

Yes, Halloween is gone but our study is still here. We are looking for participants over 18 years old to measure their physiological changes while they watching video clips that cause fear, as defined in entertainment industry. We are exploring ways to build a stimulus that arose fear. If you are interested, please email rtasooji@vt.edu.

30. SHORT WALKING AND RUNNING STUDY – 3rd posting
Male and female participants are needed for a study that requires two short (20-40 minutes) visits. Participants must be 18-30 years old and able to run at a 9 minute/mile pace for a short time. If you are interested, please email us at granata-la-g@vt.edu

31. 2 AND 4 MILE RUNNING STUDY – 3rd posting
Female participants are needed for a study that requires two visits (less than 1 hour each). Participants must be 18-30 years old and able to complete a 4 mile outdoor run. If you are interested, please email us at granata-la-g@vt.edu.

Upcoming events:
INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ HOUR: ISRAEL
Friday, Dec 8, 4:00-5:30pm, Deet’s Place, Dietrick Dining Center
The International Café Hour is an opportunity for all to engage in conversations, create friendships, share their culture, and to connect with the VT community in a casual and comfortable environment. The program is designed to be both social and educational so join us. This program is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect and learn across cultures! This month’s café hour is sponsored by Hillel at Virginia Tech. For more info, see our webpage: International Café Hour.

YOGA AND MEDITATION

Friday Dec 15, 3:00-4:00pm; Monday, Dec 18, 8:00-9:00am, GLC Wellness Room
Take a study break and unwind with yoga and meditation in the new GLC Wellness Room. Open to all graduate students – no need to register. Sponsored by Recreational Sports.