Recurring Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
This Week’s Events
2. AFTERNOON COLORING PROJECT
3. POST-GTA WORKSHOP GLC CAFÉ
4. NEW GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION AND GLC CAFÉ SPECIAL EDITION
Administrative Announcements:
5. AETNA STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT – 1st posting
6. THE GSA’S 35TH ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION – 1st posting
7. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 3rd posting
8. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING ’19 – 3rd posting
9. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 3rd posting
10. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 3rd posting
11. WOMEN & GENDER IN INT’L DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 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:
Volunteers and research participants sought:
14. NEED VOLUNTEERS – STUDY ON REWARD & LOSS FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING – 1st posting
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON FATIGUE AND BALANCE – 1st posting
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LIFTING STUDY WITH WEARABLE EXOSKELETONS – 3rd posting
Upcoming events:
— FULL WOMEN’S ALLIANCE MEETING (1/25)
— LYRIC THEATER TOUR (1/29)
— LUNCH WITH THE DEAN (1/30)
— CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY: 1/30-2/1, Early bird registration ends 1/15!
— GSA SPRING BEER & WINE SOCIAL (2/1)
— SPRING KICK-OFF WELCOME CONNECT LUNCH (Register by 2/1)
Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES:
– 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
– Cook Counseling services will resume Jan 24
This Week’s Events
2. AFTERNOON COLORING PROJECT
Wednesday, Jan 16, 1:00-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
If you are on campus and don’t know what to do or you have work you are trying to escape, join us for an afternoon of coloring! A 24×36” poster of geometric design awaits your technical or artistic talents and patience. Color pencils and refreshments provided by the Graduate School all afternoon. Stop by and add your creative vision any time in the afternoon. Anyone who contributes to the coloring of the poster can sign their name on the bottom and enter into a raffle for a $10 gift certificate to Idego Coffee.
3. POST-GTA WORKSHOP GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Jan 17, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Lobby
After a hard day of training, enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of fellow grad students and Grad School staff; network, socialize, relax! Open to all grad students. Bring your own mug if you can.
4. NEW GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION AND GLC CAFÉ SPECIAL EDITION
Friday, Jan 18, 2:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
New grad students are invited to learn about the expectation for graduate education, discover resources that will keep them on track from start to finish, meet the Grad School dean and staff, and pick up materials about campus/local resources. The program will conclude with a special GLC Café at about 3:30, to which returning grad students are also welcome!
Administrative Announcements:
5. AETNA HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS – 1st posting
Spring enrollment is open for new students starting in Spring 2019. Deadline: Jan 31, 2019. Contact the Student Medical Insurance office with questions at smi@vt.edu, 231-6226. Visit their website at http://risk.controller.vt.edu/studentmedicalinsurance.html for more info.
6. THE GSA’S 35TH ANNUAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AND EXPOSITION – 1st posting
All graduate students are invited to “Discover New Perspectives” and apply for the Graduate Student Association’s 35th Annual Research Symposium and Exposition. Compete against other students in oral and poster presentations as well as Flash Talks and Installations to win cash prizes up to $1,000! ALL degree programs are welcome to apply before the early abstract deadline of February 1 for a chance to receive feedback and resubmit at gsa.vt.edu and clicking on “Annual Research Symposium and Exposition”. All other abstracts will be due by February 22. Contact Sharon Stidham (sharon62@vt.edu) and Kisha Greer (kiwi@vt.edu) with questions or comments.
7. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 3rd 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/funding-opportunities/duerr.html. Questions? Contact Susan Butler at smcbutler@aol.com.
8. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING ’19 – 3rd 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
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:
None at this time
Volunteers and research participants sought:
14. VOLUNTEERS NEED: STUDY ON REWARD & LOSS FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING – 1st posting
Must be between the ages of18 – 55. Study involves completing an online questionnaire, for which you will be entered into a raffle to receive a $50 Amazon gift card.You might then be contacted to complete an optional second part of the study, which will be conducted on the Virginia Tech campus, during which brain activity measurements will be taken while you make financial decisions. Compensation for this second optional study is between $10 and $30 dollars. Brain activity will be measured using FNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy). FNIRS leverages optical processes to enable the measurement of real-time neural activity. The link to complete the study (i.e., the online questionnaire) can be found on our lab website (http://www.scanlab.org/projects.html), under the section Reward and Loss Learning in Anxiety. Both anxious and non-anxious subjects are being recruited.
15. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON FATIGUE AND BALANCE – 1st posting
Volunteers are needed to participate in a research study on the effects of occupational fatigue on balance. Participation involves 2 sessions, totaling 4-5 hours. You are eligible to participate if you are 18-35 years old, have no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions that affect your balance or walking, are able to walk unassisted for 60 minutes, and are able to lift a 50-pound box. Participants will be compensated $67.50 for completing the study. For more information, please contact Leigh Allin at lallin@vt.edu.
16. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR LIFTING STUDY WITH WEARABLE EXOSKELETONS – 3rd 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:
FULL WOMEN’S ALLIANCE MEETING
Friday, Jan 25, 12:00pm, NEC Room 2470
All graduate students welcome to attend. Will be accessible through Zoom; please email rmorgant@vt.edu for zoom directions. For VT Women’s Alliance information: https://www.womenscenter.vt.edu/Support/vt-womens-alliance.html
LYRIC THEATER TOUR
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 4:00pm, The Lyric Theater lobby
Tour the Lyric Theatre to experience the 1930s design and learn about opportunities to volunteer. Everyone who attends will also receive a free movie pass. Please arrive at The Lyric five to ten minutes early. Register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_djsp2iKz4bP8kKN.
LUNCH WITH THE DEAN
Wednesday, Jan 30, 12:00-1:00pm, GLC Room C
Meet Graduate School Dean Dr. Karen DePauw and graduate students at a free lunch. Learn about the latest in graduate education and share your perspectives in a casual setting. Sign-up here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hvruhDBiI70nGZ .
CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION PEDAGOGY
Wednesday – Friday, Jan 30 – Feb 1, The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
The 11th annual conference showcases best practices in teaching and learning and hosts hundreds of participants from across the U.S. and world. Conference presentations will focus on topics such as student engagement, teaching strategies, diversity and inclusion in the classroom, universal design for learning, teaching with technology, and much more! Opening keynote speaker is Kathleen Gabriel, author of Creating the Path to Success in the Classroom: Teaching to Close the Graduation Gap for Minority, First-Generation, and Academically Unprepared Students. Online registration closes Jan 29. For more information and to register, please visit chep.teaching.vt.edu.
GSA SPRING BEER & WINE SOCIAL
Friday, Feb 1, 5:00-9:00pm, Lane Stadium South End Zone Club
The Graduate Student Assembly is gearing up for an exciting Spring Beer & Wine Social in Lane Stadium! Tickets will be $18 ahead of time, $20 at the door, and will include drinks, appetizers and an incredible DJ. There is also a non-alcohol-drinking entry option, which is $8 at the door. Come relax and enjoy the company of other graduate students! We encourage everyone to dress in semi-formal attire! Look sharp & dress to impress! Buy tickets online at https://campuslife.vt.edu/Events/Ticket_Office/Events_and_Tickets.html. For more info go to: https://www.facebook.com/pg/VTGraduateStudentAssembly/events/?ref=page_internal.
We are also in search of volunteers for this event. All volunteers will receive free admission to the social. To sign-up as a volunteer, visit: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8Hr8BKIl2PJgV81.
Questions? Contact Lehi Dowell, GSA Director of Events at ldowell@vt.edu.
SPRING KICK-OFF WELCOME CONNECT LUNCH
Monday, February 4, 12:00-1:00 PM, GLC Multipurpose Room
Come out and meet representatives from university offices, learn about student resources, and network with other new and returning students, faculty, and staff with lunch provided. Please register at http://bit.ly/NewStudentLunch by February 1. For accommodations related to disabilities, please contact Dr. Justin Grimes at jgrimes18@vt.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event.