December 16 – 22, 2019

Recurring Events:
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS

This Week’s (and Next Week’s) Events:
3. GLC CAFÉ – LAST OF THE SEMESTER
4. GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 4. YALDA NIGHT CELEBERATION (Register by 12/14)
5. YALDA NIGHT CELEBERATION

Administrative Announcements:
6. FAFSA AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REMINDER – 1st posting
7. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 1st posting
8. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM (GSARS) ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPEN – 1st posting
9. REGISTER FOR RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRAD STUDENTS WORKSHOP SERIES – 1st posting
10. COMMON GROUND – INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM – 1st posting
11. QUIET STUDY SPACES AVAILABLE FOR EXAM WEEK – 2nd posting
12. WRITING SUBMISSIONS INVITED – 2nd posting

Jobs:
13. TOEFL TEST ADMINISTRATOR/PROCTOR NEEDED – 1st posting
14. PART-TIME (30 hr) WAGE POSITION IN HNFE AVAILABLE – 2nd posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
None at this time

Upcoming events:
— AMPLIFYING UNHEARD VOICES
— GRADUATE STUDENT LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE (Registration required)

Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES
– Career Advising: Thursdays, 3:00-5:00pm, GLC Lobby, Also see: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/.
– Cook Counseling: Thursdays & Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm. Will begin Friday Aug 30
– Graduate School advising hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30-4:00, 120 GLC
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm, Room 120 GLC
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html

2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– WRITING STRATEGIES FOR GRADUATE WRITERS – On hiatus for break
–    CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH SUPPORT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – On hiatus for break
–    GLC CAFÉ – last café Dec 19; on hiatus until Jan 2
2nd and 4th Wednesday and every Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm, 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. See below for This Week’s Special Editions.
– FREE CHILDCARE – KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – On hiatus for winter break

This Week’s Events
3. GLC CAFÉ – LAST OF THE SEMESTER
Thursday, Dec 19, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee, tea, cookies and a surprise treat in the company of fellow grad students and Grad School staff; network, socialize, relax! Bring your own mug if you can.

4. GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Friday, Dec 20, 2:30pm Cassell Coliseum
Celebrate graduating master’s and doctoral students for their achievements. The ceremony will be live streamed on VT’s website. Learn more at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/what-you-need-to-graduate/commencement.html.

5. YALDA NIGHT CELEBERATION
Saturday, Dec 21, 6:00-10:00pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballroom
Celebrate the longest night of the year (Yalda) with friends, food, Persian music and dance. All are welcome. Please RSVP before Dec 14: https://forms.gle/GK8E9NUPZeQ7RERj8. Posted on behalf of grad student Neda Moayerian mneda14@vt.edu.

Administrative Announcements:
6. FAFSA AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REMINDER – 1st posting
This is just a quick reminder that the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now.  The 2020-21 FAFSA will determine your federal aid eligibility for Fall 2020, Spring and Summer 2021.  While our March 1st priority deadline does not impact graduate students, we recommend you submit the FAFSA by early spring semester so we have time to process it and prepare your aid for the new academic year.   The FAFSA is available at https://fafsa.gov.  Please keep in mind, you must be enrolled half-time (5 credits) per semester to be eligible to receive federal loans.

7. JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN STUDENTS – 1st posting
The Jean B. Duerr Memorial Fund awards scholarships to women in an accredited college or university for the entire 2020-2021 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 9, 2020 for scholarships awarded for the 2020/21 academic year.  No applications, including those with Mar 9, 2019 postmarks, will be accepted after for consideration after Mar 11,2020. Please use USPS – do not send via registered mail. 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 or call 540-552-2307.

8. GSA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM (GSARS) ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS OPEN – 1st posting
Start crafting your submissions for the Graduate Student Association’s 36th Annual Research Symposium and Exposition! This year’s theme is “Innovation and Creativity in Research”. Come compete in oral and poster presentations, as well as Flash Talks and Installations, in order to gain experience and win cash prizes.  ALL degree programs are welcome to apply before the early abstract deadline of January 27 for a chance to receive feedback, revise, and resubmit. Our “Annual Research Symposium and Exposition” webpage has more details and a link to the submission form.  All other abstracts will be due by February 14.  Contact either of the co-chairs with questions or comments: Callie Clayton (callc13@vt.edu) and Keely Ledford (keelyl1@vt.edu), or contact the GSA Director of Programs, Sharon Stidham (sharon62@vt.edu).

9. REGISTER FOR RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRAD STUDENTS WORKSHOP SERIES – 1st posting
There’s a lot to learn in graduate school, and the library can help! This spring, the library will offer a series of free workshops (offered both in-person and through Zoom) to help you develop the research skills you need to succeed in graduate school. Learn about literature reviews and database searching, citation management, data management, and developing your scholarly presence. For registration links and detailed information about each workshop, visit guides.lib.vt.edu/gradworkshops.

10. COMMON GROUND – INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM – 1st posting
Apply to be an Interfaith Leader at Virginia Tech! Interfaith leaders work to promote constructive dialogue and build relationships among people from diverse religious, spiritual, and secular worldviews. They also engage people across lines of difference in social action for the common good. The training program will include preparatory sessions, a 2-day trip, and engagement in interfaith service project. Deadline for applications: 20 December 2019. Learn more about the opportunity and apply at  blogs.lt.vt.edu/interfaithprogram/commonground. Posted on behalf of the Dean of Students office.

11. QUIET STUDY SPACES AVAILABLE FOR EXAM WEEK – 2nd posting
If you are looking for somewhere to study and work during exam time, the following resources are available:
Graduate Life Center (GLC) – All meeting rooms are open without reservation on Thursday, Dec 12, Friday, Dec. 13, and Monday – Wednesday, Dec 16-18 from 7:30am-10:00pm. Room D, Reading Room, Wellness Room and Lounges are available 24/7 with Hokie Passport.
Smith Career Center (Washington St.) – Thursday, Dec 12, Friday, Dec 13, and Monday-Wednesday, Dec 16-18 from 8:00am-4:30pm: 27 private rooms that can accommodate up to three students each on a first-come, first-served basis as well as a common area for larger study groups.
Squires Student Center – A variety of spaces and resources are available to all undergraduate and graduate students, including snacks after 8:00pm. Go to https://vt.edu/finals.html for more details.

12. WRITING SUBMISSIONS INVITED – 2nd posting
The student blog RE: Reflections and Explorations, offered through the VT Institute for Policy and Governance, is a great vehicle to share research ideas and theories with a broader audience. All VT graduate students are eligible to offer essays as long as they 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.  Find examples of past topics, at archived essays. 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 (parrish1@vt.edu).

Jobs:
13. TOEFL TEST ADMINISTRATOR/PROCTOR NEEDED – 1st posting
The Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute is looking for a graduate student to administer and/or proctor TOEFL tests on some Saturday mornings in 2020. Around four tests are scheduled each semester, with about seven hours required for each test session. Tests occur at the VTLCI facility located just off campus on University City Blvd near the Kroger gas station. We are especially looking for someone with interest in areas such as testing, assessment, education, statistics, or foreign languages, but a background or studies in any area is fine. We hope to find someone who has some experience in administering or taking standardized tests and has experience with non-native speakers of English. If interested or have any questions, please contact Eric Moore at elmoore8@vt.edu.

14. PART-TIME (30 hr) WAGE POSITION IN HNFE AVAILABLE – 2nd posting
The Metabolism Core at HNFE is looking for an immediate hire (start around Jan 15th, end around May 15th) to assist with a large research project. Selected candidate is expected to work both with other team members and independently; will have some laboratory/bench experience; some experience with small rodents in a laboratory setting; an outstanding work ethic. An individual with a B.S. in a STEM field is preferred. Part time (~30 hours per week), $15 per hour, no additional benefits. Background check will be required. Send resume and cover letter describing your interest, experience and earliest availability to metabolism@vt.edu.

Volunteers and research participants sought:
None at this time

Upcoming events:
AMPLIFYING UNHEARD VOICES
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 9:00am-3:00 p.m., Newman Library Multipurpose Room
Listen, partner, change. Academics and community members are invited to listen to and honor local stories that have been missing from media and research. Speakers include Hannah Martin (LGBT veteran, farmer and potter), Victoria Ferguson (Monacan Indian tribal elder), Chris Alderman (recovering substance user and peer advocate), Hothaifa Abu Samra (Syrian refugee and NRCC student), and Julia Dinsmore (poet and poverty abolitionist). Following lunch (provided), you will have the chance to partner directly in community-based research through facilitated conversations. More details and registration at https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/calendar/events/silencedvoices or email ndporter@vt.edu. Sponsored by University Libraries.

GRADUATE STUDENT LIBRARY OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020, 2:00-4:00pm, Newman Library Multipurpose Room (101)
Who can help me at the library? How many books can I check out? What support do you offer for data management? Come find out the answers to these questions and more at the Graduate Student Library Open House! Stop in any time between 2:00-4:00pm to chat with representatives from across the library, ask questions, and learn about all the ways that the University Libraries support graduate students throughout their time at the university, from their first semester all the way to finishing a thesis or dissertation. We estimate that it will take around 30 minutes to visit each station. Talk to someone at each station, and you’ll be entered to win a library prize pack. Snacks and drinks will be served. Registration is requested. To register, visit tinyurl.com/libgradopenhousespring.