February 19 – 25

Events:
1.   WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 1/22/18
2. WRITING STRATEGIES CONSULTATIONS
3. COMMUNITY VOICES PRESENTS “JANESVILLE: AN AMERICAN STORY”
4. GRAD MINDFULNESS
5. NEWMAN LIBRARY STUDIOS NETWORK OPEN HOUSE
6. ASK THE ACADEMY: GTA WALK-IN ADVISING
7. DINING ETIQUETTE
8. INTERVARSITY GRAD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES
9. CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH PRACTICE FOR GRADS
10. LIVE OPEN DOOR REHEARSAL IN THE CUBE AT THE MOSS ART CENTER
11. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN EVANGELICAL, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
12. FLAMENCO AND SPANISH TRADITIONAL DANCE
13. GLC CAFÉ
14. VINYASA YOGA WITH JOE SCAPARCI
15. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT (REGISTRATION NOW REQUIRED)
16. THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY IN AN AGE OF SCIENCE SKEPTICISM AND “FAKE NEWS”

Administrative Announcements:
17. GSA GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GRDP) – 2nd posting
18. GRAD STUDENT INPUT REQUESTED ON SURVEY OF BLACKSBURG TRANSIT – 3rd posting
19. 20TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR – 3rd posting
20. BRIDGING THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 3rd posting

Jobs:
21. CLASSROOM AIDE FOR LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – 1st posting
22. UNPAID STUDENT INTERNSHIPS AT THE EXECTUVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT – 1st posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
23. VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION STUDY – 2nd posting
24. PARTICIPANTS AGES 18-30 NEEDED: JUMPING & LANDING BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 3rd posting
25. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: CO-LISTEN TO MUSIC WITH YOUR FRIENDS – 3rd posting

Upcoming events:
— SAVE THE DATE-IN CELEBRATION OF YOU
— “A SCIENCE COMEDIAN’S GUIDE TO COMMUNICATING SCIENCE”
— AN EVENING OF HUMOR WITH SCIENCE COMEDIAN BRIAN MALOW
— ASK THE ACADEMY: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
— WOMEN’S ALLIANCE ANTI-ACADEMIC BULLYING CONVERSATION WITH DEAN DEPAUW
— ADHD INTEREST MEETING FOR GRADS

Events
1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 1/22/2018
– 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
Every Monday, 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. COMMUNITY VOICES PRESENTS “JANESVILLE: AN AMERICAN STORY”
Monday, Feb 19, Various times and locations noted below
Award-winning Washington Post reporter Amy Goldstein will discuss her book Janesville: An American Story about economic pain and community resilience at three Community Voices events. See https://communityvoices.info/ for more info.
12:00–1:00pm roundtable discussion, GLC Room F. Snacks will be provided.
2:00-3:00pm Public interview session, GLC Room F.
7:00-8:00pm Reflections on Janesville: An American Story, Squires Student Center, Colonial Hall

4. GRAD MINDFULNESS
Every Tuesday, 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. NEWMAN LIBRARY STUDIOS NETWORK OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, Feb 20, 3:00-6:00pm. Grab a guide in the 2nd floor lobby, then explore spaces to design, make and collaborate! Food and prizes will be available! For more information, visit lib.vt.edu/spaces/studios or email us at librarystudios@vt.edu. Studios in Newman Library include Media Design Studio (A&B), 3D Design Studio, Data Transformation Studio, Data Visualization Studio, Fusion Studio, and Virtual Environments Studio

6. ASK THE ACADEMY: GTA WALK-IN ADVISING
Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 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.

7. DINING ETIQUETTE
Tuesday, Feb 20, 6:30-8:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Learn how to conduct yourself during a formal meal in a professional setting, whether the dinner is part of an interview, a conference, or other engagement. The program will include a presentation, helpful tips, and a pizza meal during which you can network with graduate students and VT staff. Free pizza!  Co-sponsored by Career and Professional Development and the Graduate School. Register here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3KNVWn5hhntcfJP

8. INTERVARSITY GRAD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES
Every Tuesday & Wednesday – 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.

9. CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH PRACTICE FOR GRADS
Every Wednesday and Friday, 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. Discussions include American Culture on Wednesdays and the news on Fridays.  Whether just learning English or wanting to practice with Native speakers, all levels of English are welcome. For more information (and to sign up), see Writing Center website:  https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html or contact Fred (eichelman@gmail.com).

10. LIVE OPEN DOOR REHEARSAL IN THE CUBE AT THE MOSS ART CENTER
Wednesday, Feb 21, 4:00-5:00pm, Moss Arts Center
Grad student Ryan McHugh invites you to a free open rehearsal in the Cube at the Moss Arts Center, Virginia Tech by artist Valgeir Sigurðsson. This is a rare opportunity to experience the Cube’s unique spatial audio environment. Sigurðsson, based in Reykjavík, Iceland, is a composer, producer, engineer, musician, and founder of Greenhouse Studios and the Bedroom Community record label.

11. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN EVANGELICAL, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Wednesday, Feb 21, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room C
Grad student Marjory Clement invites you to come hear two perspectives on what it means to be an evangelical Christian today. Where does evangelicalism come from and does it have a future? Mike Weaver, director of the Bradley Study Center, and Jonathan Tagg, pastor of the River Anglican Church, will offer brief talks, followed by interactive discussion. Dinner will be provided and a $4 donation will be accepted.  Hosted by the Bradley Study Center at Virginia Tech.

12. FLAMENCO AND SPANISH TRADITIONAL DANCE
Every Wednesday, 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

13. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Feb 22, 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.

14. 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

15. KIDS’ NIGHT OUT (REGISTRATION NOW REQUIRED)
Every Thursday, 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/mbxa8mifrv2aszr9 (poll links change weekly) 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.

16. 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.

Administrative Announcements:
17. GSA GRADUATE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (GRDP) – 2nd posting
Do you have a research idea that deserves funding? The GSA Graduate Research Development Program (GRDP) provides research grant funds to support graduate research. PhD students may be awarded up to $1,000 and Master’s students up to $750 to support their projects. The application will open at 12:00am on February 21, and will close on March 2 at 11:59pm. To learn more, visit the GRDP page for the GSA website at bit.ly/GRDP-Spring2018. To access this year’s application materials, visit bit.ly/GRDP-Spring2018-materials. Questions? Contact GRDP Chair at gsaGRDP@gmail.com.
18. GRAD STUDENT INPUT REQUESTED ON SURVEY OF BLACKSBURG TRANSIT – 3rd 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

19. 20TH ANNUAL EBONY AFFAIR – 3rd 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

20. BRIDGING THE DREAM SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 3rd 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.

Jobs:
21. CLASSROOM AIDE FOR LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – 1st posting
Little Hokie Hangout is hiring Classroom Aides for Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Pay is $8/hr. Any interested students should email childcare@vt.edu immediately.

22. UNPAID STUDENT INTERNSHIPS AT THE EXECTUVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT – 1st posting
The Office of Administration (OA) is currently seeking enthusiastic and dedicated students to serve as unpaid student interns to assist in the performance of its mission of providing support services for the Executive Office of the President (EOP). The EOP is comprised of The White House Office, Executive Residence, Office of the Vice President, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of the National Drug Control Policy, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Administration, National Security Council, Council on Environmental Quality, and Council of Economic Advisers. The EOP is responsible for a multitude of tasks ranging from communicating the President’s Message to the American people, to promoting our trade interests abroad.

Volunteers and research participants sought:
23. VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION STUDY – 2nd posting
The Psychology Department at Virginia Tech is currently conducting a research study examining a program designed improve health and well-being. The program is called Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction (MBSR), and it involves an 8-week class on meditation and mindful movement techniques such as tai-chi and yoga.  This study will test the impact of MBSR on stress, emotion and attention functions, and on the physical factors that affect these processes. The purpose of this study is to find out if MBSR classes will decrease negative emotions, increase attention, decrease stress levels and boost your immune system. For more information:  www.scanlab.org/mbsr.pdf or email hokiemindfulness@gmail.com.

24. PARTICIPANTS AGES 18-30 NEEDED: JUMPING AND LANDING BIOMECHANICS STUDY – 3rd 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 – 3rd 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.

Upcoming events:
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 of 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.

 “A SCIENCE COMEDIAN’S GUIDE TO COMMUNICATING SCIENCE”  
Monday, Feb 26, 2:00pm, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, VetMed Commons
Brian Malow draws on two decades as a stand-up comedian to help scientists communicate better with general audiences. Grad student Carrie Kroehler invites you to a presentation that promises both to amuse and to educate. Brian will offer advice on a range of topics including stage presence, connecting with audiences, using analogies, and abusing PowerPoint. Malow has presented on this topic for the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the California Academy of Sciences, the University of Michigan, and many other organizations and universities.

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.

ASK THE ACADEMY: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Beginning Tuesday, Feb 27 and Wednesday, Feb 28, Torgersen 1080, Assistive Technology Office
VTGrATE will hold its weekly walk-in advising time in the Assistive Technology office in TORG 1080. Drop by to chat with VTGrATE fellows and Assistive Technology employees to learn about and try out the different types of assistive technologies such as screen readers, speech recognition software, note-taking software and more that are made available to students and employees. Regular VTGrATE walk-in advising will resume in GLC Room A on April 6th and 7th.

WOMEN’S ALLIANCE ANTI-ACADEMIC BULLYING CONVERSATION WITH DEAN DEPAUW
Wednesday, February 28 from 12-1:30pm in GLC Room B
Come join a discussion with graduate Dean DePauw about the new disrupting academic bullying initiative. Faculty, grads, and all are welcome to come engage in this discussion about how we can best be allies for other females. Snacks/coffee will be provided…bring $1 to contribute to goodies.

ADHD INTEREST MEETING FOR GRADS
Wednesday, Feb 28, 4:30-5:30pm, GLC Room C
Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurological disorder that causes a person to have difficulties in attention and focus. Graduate students are especially affected by ADHD and other learning disabilities as they are not only students but adults and professionals with many responsibilities. Support from the university is crucial to help graduate students with ADHD and other learning disabilities succeed in grad school. If you think you have faced challenges in grad school related to learning disabilities and feel like you did not find the support you needed, we would like to hear from you.  This interest meeting provides a forum for your concerns and suggestions about actions that could be taken to improve resources that may be helpful for graduate students with a learning disability or to better prepare TAs on how to deal with students with disabilities. If you have questions or are interested but cannot attend, contact Tamara Guimarães, tgbucalo@vt.edu, 540-808-3293.