December 17 – 31, 2018

Recurring Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES

This Week’s Events
2. GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP – LAST OF 2018!

Administrative Announcements:
3. GRADUATE SCHOOL WINTER BREAK CLOSING
4. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 2nd posting
5. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 2nd posting
6. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING ’19 – 2nd posting
7. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 3rd posting
8. INT’L STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE INT’L STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY – deadline extended to 12/31 – 3rd posting
9. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 3rd posting
10. WOMEN & GENDER IN INT’L DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 3rd posting
11. 2019 MLK ORATION COMPETITION: GRADUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS NEEDED – 3rd posting
12. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15044) – 3rd posting
13. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’19 – 3rd posting

Jobs:
14. BUILDING MANAGER – THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (SPRING 2019) – 2nd posting
15. SENIOR ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS (PART-TIME POSITION) – 3rd posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LIFTING STUDY WITH WEARABLE EXOSKELETONS – 2nd posting

Upcoming events:
— GLC CAFÉ 2019: 1/3/2019
— CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY: 1/30-2/1, register now!


Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES:
Drop-in services are on hiatus for the winter break. The Graduate School will be closed from 5:00pm on Friday, Dec 21 through 8:00am on Wednesday, Jan 2, 2019.
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30am-5:00pm
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120

This Week’s Events
2. GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP – LAST OF 2018!
Thursday, Dec 20, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Celebrate the end of the semester and the year with some home-baked cookies, coffee, tea and cider. Grab a book from the Reading Room collection to enjoy during the break, or share a book recommendation with others.

Administrative Announcements:
3. GRADUATE SCHOOL WINTER BREAK CLOSING
The Graduate School will be closed from 5:00pm Dec 21, through Jan 1, 2019. We will reopen with regular business hours at 8:00am on Wednesday, Jan 2. The student services suite will open at 9:30am on Wednesday. Graduate students with a valid Hokie Passport may continue to access the first-level areas of the GLC during the break, including the Reading Room, computer lab, health and wellness room, and lounges.

4. GRADUATE STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITING – 2nd posting
The student blog RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the VT Institute for Policy and Governance, is a vehicle to share research ideas and theories with a broader audience. All VT graduate students may offer essays that address a policy, politics or governance issue or concern. Students in ALCE, ASPECT, GIA, HD, PGG, Natural Resources, PAPP, Political Science, Rhetoric and Writing, Sociology and Urban Affairs and Planning are particularly encouraged to submit essays. See past topics and read archived essays at https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/reflectionsandexplorations/. Dr. Max Stephenson, Professor of Public and International Affairs, serves as editor and final arbiter of all submissions. Sign up now using this Google Spreadsheet. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Contact Heather Parrish at parrish1@vt.edu.

5. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 2nd posting
The Jean B. Duerr Memorial Fund awards scholarships to women in an accredited college or university for the entire 2019-2020 academic year. Awards of $2,000 will be given to those applicants who best demonstrate academic achievement and community service. Must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.6. Include a full official transcript with the application and postmark it by Mar 1, 2019 for scholarships awarded for the 2019/20 academic year.  No applications, including those with Mar 1, 2019 postmarks, will be accepted after Mar 5, 2019. For more information and a link to the application go to https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/types-of-funding/assistantships/benefits.html. Questions? Contact Susan Butler at smcbutler@aol.com.

6. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING ’19 – 2nd posting
Little Hokie Hangout has limited spaces available for Spring ’19 semester. These spots will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, so don’t wait! Apply at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjj_SLm9-q62aNvKch5HlTZfGoL4dj-HoUN4DybjN1-n4KOg/viewform?usp=sf_link.

7. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 3rd posting
The Academy for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Excellence (Academy) invites applications for membership and advancement. Founded in fall 2014, the Academy enhances the knowledge and skills in teaching through advanced education and training in innovative teaching and learning techniques, and recognizes excellence in teaching by graduate students. The Academy is open to all graduate students from all VT campuses. Descriptions of membership levels, application requirements, and application can be found at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kLLo4k5DYhXZ3v . Apply by Feb 3, 2019.

8. INT’L STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE INT’L STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY – deadline extended to 12/31 – 3rd posting
International students received an invitation to complete the “International Student Barometer,” a survey designed to collect data on international student decision-making, expectations, perceptions, and intentions across their university experience inside and outside the classroom. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete; responses are confidential and anonymous. For more information, visit http://www.international.vt.edu/advocacyandsupport/ISB.html. The intl grad response rate has passed 50%, so home-baked cookies for all at the GLC cafés for the rest of the year.

9. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 3rd posting
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$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) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities – Preston Society Master’s Thesis Award
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence (1) for GTA instructor of record (1) GTA instructor assistant
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Student of the Year (up to three awards given)
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs.
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination are at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/student.html.

10. WOMEN & GENDER IN INT’L DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 3rd posting
The deadline is Feb 1, 2019 for poster abstract submissions for the Women and Gender in Development Conference 2019 at Virginia Tech on Feb 28-Mar 1, 2019. Posters should explore the intersection between gender equality, women’s empowerment, and international development. The poster session creates a networking venue for scholars, students, and practitioners to share diverse methods, discuss ongoing challenges, and opportunities to advancing gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment and foster new partnerships. Spaces are limited. See the conference website www.wgdconf.org for more information on the conference, to submit a poster abstract and register. Early bird registration for the conference ends Jan 21, 2019.

11. 2019 MLK ORATION COMPETITION: GRADUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS NEEDED – 3rd posting
With the craft and sophistication of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in mind, the two-stage oration process includes writing, memorizing, and performing a speech. Graduate students are encouraged to apply, with four top prizes of $500 on the theme based on Dr. King’s letter from a Birmingham jail. Complete the submission form https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abnaA4nMZRFRdFb by Jan 6. For questions, contact Kimberly Williams at knwilliams@vt.edu and visit https://ccc.vt.edu/awareness/mlk/MLK_Oration_Competition.html.

12. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15044) – 3rd posting
An online, Health Sciences / Biomedical section of this elective, P/F 1-credit course is offered Spring 2019. Open to all, regardless of disciplinary or degree focus; however, those who have a research interest related to health or biomedical sciences will benefit most. Course is designed to increase successful completion of comprehensive literature reviews and project proposals; identify key information sources, use advanced searching skills and citation management tools, and explore important research planning topics such as building professional identity, evidence-based practice, data management, sharing research results, and authorship.

13. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’19 – 3rd posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. This 8-week course 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. P/F only, 1 credit. Offered collaboratively with JMU via 4VA. Course begins Jan 23 and ends on Mar 26; meets 10:00am-noon on Tuesdays in Torg 1100C.  Possibility of remote access; non-Blacksburg students should email alop@vt.edu before enrolling.

Jobs:
14. BUILDING MANAGER – THE GRADUATE LIFE CENTER (SPRING 2019) – 2nd posting
SECL building managers oversee daily operations of the GLC by monitoring service, safety, and security of this space created for graduate students. Duties include walking rounds, responding to issues, and completing reports, in addition to the facilitation of the co-curricular and administrative programs of GLC services and events. GLC building managers are directly responsible for event bookings, opening & closing of the building, and submitting of facility work orders and daily reports. Must possess strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to move event equipment (tables and chairs). Looking for flexible staff members willing to work at least two shifts a week and have some weekend availability. Compensation is $12/hr. To apply, to “SECL VT Graduate Student Pool – Spring Semester” on jobs.vt.edu and submit an application and resume. Once applied, please send an email to Steve Buchner (satlbuch@vt.edu) to inform him of the submission.

15. SENIOR ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS (PART-TIME POSITION) – 3rd posting
Supports the Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion within the VT Alumni Association. Responsible for planning and implementing alumni events, communicating professionally with alumni and other stakeholders, managing volunteers, and other office tasks as assigned. Will also assist with long-term projects such as event data collection, social media management, and strategic planning. Must have comprehensive understanding of event planning; experience creating, implementing and assessing programs; ability to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures; able to work efficiently and independently while managing multiple projects. Requires strong collaborative skills; proficiency in MS Office Suite; and strong organization and event/project management skills. Must be available to work 20 hrs/wk, mornings and afternoons. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Submit resume with and three letters of reference to Latanya Walker at latanya@vt.edu, and complete this brief application: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abHHU4BJY38d6e1.

Volunteers and research participants sought:
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LIFTING STUDY WITH WEARABLE EXOSKELETONS – 2nd posting
Participants are sought for research study about lifting with and without wearable exoskeletons. Must be 18-35 years old with no recent or prior musculoskeletal disorders or back injuries. A height range of 5′ 5″- 6′ is preferred. Should be able to comfortably lift about 15 lbs from the floor to the waist height. Will perform a variety of lifting tasks both with and without the exoskeletons. Training session takes about 1.5 hours and the data collection session takes about 4-5 hours. The compensation rate is $10/hour. If interested, email Saman Madinei at madinei@vt.edu.

Upcoming events:
GLC CAFÉ 2019
Thursday, Jan 3, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Start the new year with the first GLC Café of the year and see what surprises it may bring in addition to the usual coffee, tea and cookies.

CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY
Wednesday – Friday, Jan 30 – Feb 1, The Inn at Virginia Tech
The 11th annual conference showcases best practices in teaching and learning and hosts hundreds of participants from across the U.S. and world. Offered in conjunction with the conference is the Symposium on Teaching Large Classes (Feb. 2, 2019), which focuses on issues affecting large class instruction. For more information about the conference, visit https://chep.teaching.vt.edu. To register for conference, visit https://chep.teaching.vt.edu/Registration.html.