February 5 – February 11

Events:
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 1/22/18
2. WRITING STRATEGIES CONSULTATIONS
3. SIX MONTHS AFTER CHARLOTTESVILLE: CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS ON RACE & POLITICS
4. GRAD MINDFULNESS
5. ASK THE ACADEMY: GTA WALK-IN ADVISING
6. INTERVARSITY GRAD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES
7. HOW DO WE SEE THE FUTURE (OF ARCHITECTURE)?
8. CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH PRACTICE FOR GRADS
9. RESEARCH À LA MODE PRESENTATION: TAKE A DEEP BREATH
10. FLAMENCO AND SPANISH TRADITIONAL DANCE
11. GLC CAFÉ
12. JOB SEARCHES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
13. VINYASA YOGA WITH JOE SCAPARCI
14. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT (REGISTRATION NOW REQUIRED)

Administrative Announcements:
15. GRAD STUDENT INPUT REQUESTED ON SURVEY OF BLACKSBURG TRANSIT – 1st posting
16. 20TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR – 1st posting
17. BRIDGING THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 1st posting
18. 6TH ANNUAL FACULTY WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE ACADEMY NAT’L CONFERENCE – 2nd posting
19. WRITING SESSIONS ADDED: SPRING ’18 PROF. DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR – 2nd posting
20. CITIZEN SCHOLAR ENGAGEMENT – APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW – 1st posting
21. ON-CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY – 3rd posting
22. CALL FOR RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM APPLICANTS – 3rd posting

Jobs:
23. GRA – CENTER FOR GERONTOLOGY – 2nd posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
24. PARTICIPANTS AGES 18-30 NEEDED: JUMPING & LANDING BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st posting
25. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: CO-LISTEN TO MUSIC WITH YOUR FRIENDS – 1st posting
26. PARTICIPANTS AGES 14-18 NEEDED: CELEBRITY CREDIBILITY RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting

Upcoming events:
— INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY’S 1st COFFEE HOUR OF SEMESTER – Feb 14
— THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY IN AN AGE OF SCIENCE SKEPTICISM AND “FAKE NEWS”
— SAVE THE DATE-IN CELEBRATION OF YOU
— AN EVENING OF HUMOR WITH SCIENCE COMEDIAN BRIAN MALOW
— SPEED INTERVIEWING – REGISTER NOW!—Feb 28 PLEASE NOTE RESCHEDULED DATE

Events
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 1/22/2017
– 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. WRITING STRATEGIES CONSULTATIONS
Monday, Feb 5, 10:30am-12:00pm, GLC Room A
Sign up through the Writing Center website https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html to talk about the dissertation or thesis writing process with coach, Prabin Lama (himself graduating this spring with a PhD in Rhetoric & Composition), who can help you with multiple topics– from setting an agenda (writing planning and preparation), to building a support system through writing groups and writing center services, to diagnosing and working towards managing writing difficulties. You are limited to two 1.5-hr (or shorter) appointments with Prabin per semester, (although you can always make a follow-up appointment with him in the Writing Center).

3.  SIX MONTHS AFTER CHARLOTTESVILLE: CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS ON RACE AND POLITICS
Monday, Feb 5, 7-8:30 pm, GLC Auditorium
In light of the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville six months ago, Virginia Tech political scholar Brandy Faulkner and Christian theologian Kristopher Norris will examine the role of religion in both perpetuating and resisting racism. In dialogue with each other and the audience, they will reflect on their experiences in Charlottesville on August 12 and, drawing from that event, discuss questions such as: Do black and white Christians conceptualize justice in the same way? How do African American Christians make sense of their engagement in a religion that all too often has been used to perpetuate racism? How do white Christians examine their history and think seriously about what reconciliation requires?  Co-sponsored by the Bradley Study Center, InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship, Wesley at Virginia Tech, the Department of Political Science, and the Black Caucus of Virginia Tech.

4. GRAD MINDFULNESS
Tuesday, Feb 6, 11:00-11:30am, 5071 Derring Hall
Meets every Tuesday (change from last semester.) 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: https://app.stopbreathethink.org/. Email lashley@vt.edu with any questions.

5. ASK THE ACADEMY: GTA WALK-IN ADVISING
Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb 6 & 7, 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.

6. INTERVARSITY GRAD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES
Tuesdays & Wednesdays – various locations
Our small group Bible studies meet in grad students’ homes. Get connected with a group of friends on a journey of faith through grad school! See a list of current groups: http://gcfvt.wordpress.com/small-groups/ or contact Robert Howe (robahowe@gmail.com) for more information.

7. HOW DO WE SEE THE FUTURE (OF ARCHITECTURE)?
Tuesday, Feb 6, 5:30pm, Moss Arts Center
Macromolecules Innovation Institute and the College of Architecture and Urban Studies are hosting a world renowned architect for a university wide interdisciplinary lecture. KieranTimberlake Architecture seeks ways to improve the art, quality, and craft of architecture by developing new materials, processes, assemblies, and products. This leads the firm to conduct deep investigations during design that bring together the diverse fields of architecture, environmental management, chemical physics, materials science, and more. In this talk, James Timberlake will discuss ways the firm seeks great specificity of information to inform thoughtful and beautiful design.

8. CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH PRACTICE FOR GRADS
Wednesday and Friday, Feb 7 & 9, 2:30-3:30pm, GLC Room D (or Room A on some dates)
On Wednesdays and Fridays, community volunteers will help you practice conversational English in a group setting. For more information (and to sign up), see Writing Center website: https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html.

9. RESEARCH À LA MODE PRESENTATION: TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Wednesday, Feb 7, 5:00-6:00pm, Museum of Geosciences, Derring Hall Rm. 2062
Remember the last time you had to present your research, give a talk, or do public speaking of any kind? You might be stressed out just thinking about it! Graduate student Lauren Kennedy will talk about her research which focuses on some of the changes taking place when we’re in a state of stress, and some of the ways we can address and control these changes to create better outcomes. Come support graduate students learning to communicate their science. Enjoy free Ice Cream during the talk!

10. FLAMENCO AND SPANISH TRADITIONAL DANCE
Wednesday, Feb 7, 6:45pm – 8pm, Williams Hall 120
Interested in learning Flamenco, Tango, Fandango and other forms of Spanish dance? Come join ‘Olé at VT’ every Wednesday for our practice sessions. No prior experience or partner necessary. Free and open to all. For further information contact grad student Jenni Green at  jennig@vt.edu.

11. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Feb 8, 3:30-5:00 pm, 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.

12. JOB SEARCHES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Thursday, Feb 8, 4:15-5:15pm, GLC Room F
Career Services advisors will discuss the issues that international students face when job searching in the U.S. Sponsored by Career and Professional Development.  Register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4VqdGj6MXjvYp7v&Q_JFE=0.

13. VINYASA YOGA WITH JOE SCAPARCI
Every Thursday, 5:30pm-6:15pm, Graduate Life Center, Health & Wellness Room (Rm G). El Centro, Virginia Tech’s Hispanic & Latino Cultural Center, invites you to join Joe, a 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor, to relax with some yoga! No experience or yoga mat needed. Free and open all graduate students. Questions? Contact Veronica at vmontes@vt.edu.

14. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT (REGISTRATION NOW REQUIRED)
Thursday, Feb 8, 6:30-8:30, VT Women’s Center, 206 Washington Street, B’burg
Please note newly revised hours: 6:30-8:30. Go to “Doodle Poll” at https://doodle.com/poll/dkwqyk85bhcina5x to preregister your child(ren) on a first come basis. KNO is an evening of fun for kids aged 2-12 (kids should be toilet trained) and takes place at the. Park in the back and come up the stairs at the back of the parking lot.

Administrative Announcements
15. GRAD STUDENT INPUT REQUESTED ON SURVEY OF BLACKSBURG TRANSIT – 1st posting
As a part of CS/ISE 5714 Usability Engineering course, a group of graduate students is working with Blacksburg Transit on various ways to improve the User Experience of the Blacksburg Transit Mobile/Web app. They are requesting students to complete a short 3 minute survey. Your response will help Blacksburg Transit improve the overall user experience. To complete the survey go to: https://goo.gl/forms/eKlqx4wMTFVxMfV13

16. 20TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR – 1st posting
Grad student Kayla Harris announces the 20th Annual Ebony Affair: “Black Legacy: Looking Back While Moving Forward.” This year’s Ebony Affair will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 7:00 PM located at The Inn at Virginia Tech. The Ebony Affair is a formal dinner banquet recognizing outstanding faculty members, students, and community members who embody their motto, “Lifting As We Climb.” This year’s committee is working incredibly hard to bring the best speaker, entertainment, and all around good vibes.
Please take a few moments to fill out the survey found in the link below:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GoQ1Pzk4YaXc8Z.

17. BRIDGING THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 1st posting
Between January 10, 2018 and February 14, 2018, Sallie Mae® is accepting applications from future and current graduate students for a $20,000 Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students. They are looking for upcoming or current graduate students who have a specific dream they know can achieve, have an interesting story to tell and could use financial help to further their education. Students can enter to win the Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students at SallieMae.com/BridgingtheDreamGrad.

18. 6TH ANNUAL FACULTY WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE ACADEMY NAT’L CONFERENCE – 2nd posting
Please join us for the 6th annual Faculty Women of Color in the Academy national conference, April 5-6, in Blacksburg, Virginia. The FWCA conference offers women of color faculty, university administrators, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates a unique educational and professional opportunity to network, engage, and learn with peers from around the country. Register at http://www.cpe.vt.edu/fwca/.  Graduate students who want to attend but need assistance with the conference fee may contact fwca@vt.edu. The Graduate School is sponsoring 10 doctoral level WOC to participate in the post-conference Academic Writing Retreat to be held on April 7. If you wish to attend the writing retreat, contact Michele Deramo at Deramo@vt.edu.

19. WRITING SESSIONS ADDED: SPRING 2018 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR – 2nd posting
The initial Spring 2018 Professional Development calendar is ready to check out:  https://graduateschool.vt.edu/student-life/professional-development/professional-development-series.html.  You must register to attend.  More workshops will be added shortly.

20. CITIZEN SCHOLAR ENGAGEMENT – APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW – 2nd posting
Have you used your research to benefit society in any way? Are you currently working, or have worked on a project in the past year, that has community impact, either locally or globally? If so, consider applying for the Citizen Scholar Engagement Recognition. If not, consider designing a Citizen Scholar Project so your efforts can be recognized next year! Program requirements are described on the CSE website: http://graduateschool.vt.edu/transformative-graduate-education-experience/citizen-scholar-engagement/program-requirements.html. Applications are due 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2018. For more information and to apply, email Helen Kamandhari at helen74@vt.edu.

21. ON-CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY – 3rd posting
209 Manna Ministries is VT’s on-campus food pantry that provides food, toiletries, and school supplies to students. A donation-based pantry, there are opportunities to hold a food drive, shop in the pantry, or volunteer. Located at 209 W Roanoke St on the 3rd floor, the hours are 4:00-6:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Find more information on Facebook or at www.209mannaministries.org.  Questions? Contact 209MannaVT@gmail.com.

22. CALL FOR RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM APPLICANTS – 3rd posting
The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is looking for graduate students eager to present their research in a friendly, interdisciplinary atmosphere. This year, we are accepting applications for posters, talks, flash talks, and creative installations. Want to apply? Visit bit.ly/GSARS2018-instructions to learn more about the application process, and bit.ly/GSARS2018-apply to submit your application. The application cycle opens Monday, January 22, 2018, at 12:00am, and closes on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at 11:59pm. The Symposium itself will take place on Wednesday, March 28, with a keynote on Thursday, March 29.

Jobs:
23. GRA – CENTER FOR GERONTOLOGY – 2nd posting
Drs. Roberto and Savla at the Center for Gerontology received funding from the National Institute of Health to increase understanding of how families in rural Appalachia manage care for older relatives with Alzheimer’s disease. Initial appointment is for August 10, 2018 through May 9, 2019; schedule is 20 hrs. per week. Work involves weekends and evenings. Requires Self-motivated and high level of responsibility to complete tasks in a timely manner and the ability to Make significant progress without direct supervision. Also requires Developed research and interviewing skills, Strong basic computer skills especially with Microsoft Office, Internet, Electronic Media, Search Engines. Data management and analyses skills using SPSS, STATA or other statistical software is desirable. Additional work on this and other projects is also available starting February 16, 2018 through end of Spring semester (wage position). If interested contact Dr. Roberto at kroberto@vt.edu or Dr. Salva at jsalva@vt.edu.

Volunteers and research participants sought:
24. PARTICIPANTS AGES 18-30 NEEDED: JUMPING AND LANDING BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 1st posting
Participants needed for a study aiming to determine the accuracy of a new shoe-insole force sensing device during athletic movements. Participants will complete a variety of unilateral and bilateral jumping tasks, while 3D marker based kinematics, ground reaction forces, and foot-shoe contact forces will be measured. If interested, please email us at granata-la-g@vt.edu.

25. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION IN  RESEARCH STUDY: CO-LISTEN TO MUSIC WITH YOUR FRIENDS – 1st posting
We are looking for people (ages 11 and up) who use Spotify to participate in our research study and get exclusive access to the first beta of a brand new iOS-only app “Colisten” that enables you to stream your Spotify music, but also to listen in-sync with your friends.We will ask you to recruit 3 friends/family members/significant other to join you in the study. Then we will ask that you all complete (~15 min) questionnaires prior to enrollment, use the app daily for 14 days completing a very short (<5 min) questionnaire each day, and complete questionnaires at the conclusion of the 14 days (~15 min).
For more information, contact Michael Stewart of the Third Lab of the Center for Human Computer Interaction tgm@vt.edu.

26. PARTICIPANTS AGES 14-18 NEEDED: CELEBRITY CREDIBILITY RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting
Do you have or know someone with a child between the ages 14-18 years? Participants between the ages of 14-18 years are needed for a research study comprised of four activities (beverage questionnaire, celebrity familiarity survey, card sort of celebrity images, post sort questionnaire). All participants will be compensated with a $10 gift card. The activities should last no more than 90 minutes. Please contact at sadas16@vt.edu or 571-217-6515 for more information or if you know anyone interested.

Upcoming events:
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY’S 1st COFFEE HOUR OF THE SEMESTER
Please come and join the IDR society’s first coffee hour (along with Carol Lee donuts) of the semester on the Valentines day, Feb 14th 2018, 10 to 11 am, at GLC room B. Current members, recently accepted members, and friends and family of the members are welcome!!

THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY IN AN AGE OF SCIENCE SKEPTICISM AND “FAKE NEWS”
Sunday, Feb 25, 3:00pm, Moss Arts Center, Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre
Grad student Carrie Kroehler invites you to a panel discussion featuring panelists Dr. Sally Morton, Dean of the College of Science; Dr. Audra Van Wart, director of education and training at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute; Dr. Sylvester Johnson, director of the Center for Humanities; and Robin Reed, anchor of the local CBS television affiliate. Free and open to the public. Go to https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu/Announcements.html for more information.

SAVE THE DATE: IN CELEBRATION OF YOU
Monday, Feb 26, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Graduate Life Center, Multipurpose Room
Join the Graduate School Office For Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion (ORDI) & The Black Graduate Student Organization (BGSO) for lunch. This event is in honor Black History Month and to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Graduate Students at Virginia Tech. Come connect with faculty, staff and students while enjoying some delicious free food! Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 21st through this link: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKJChDsBv6CYK3P. All are welcome to attend! Questions? Contact Luisa at luisab93@vt.edu or Bryan at whitebr1@vt.edu.

AN EVENING OF HUMOR WITH SCIENCE COMEDIAN BRIAN MALOW
Monday, Feb 26, 7:30pm, Moss Arts Center, Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre
Grad student Carrie Kroehler invites you to “An Evening of Humor with Science Comedian Brian Malow.” will Malow shares two decades’ worth of experience in making both scientists and non-scientists laugh–and appreciate science. Free and open to the public. For more information, go to https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu/Announcements.html.

SPEED INTERVIEWING – REGISTER NOW! PLEASE NOTE RESCHEDULED DATE
Wednesday, Feb 28, 6:30-8:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Looking to practice your interviewing skills? Take advantage of the opportunity to practice interviewing in a low-key environment and receive immediate feedback from career advisors and VT staff. Every 6 minutes you rotate from one interviewer to the next, answering a different question each time. Register for a time slot: 6:30–7:20pm or 7:30–8:20pm online at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3k2uBOBRv5ANNPL. Please arrive 10 minutes early to register and get a name tag. Space for this exciting opportunity is limited so please make sure you do attend if you register or email us if you need to cancel so that we can offer your spot to another graduate student.