This Week’s Events:
0. Ongoing Services – updated 9/21/20
1. ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN (APIDA) CAUCUS SOCIAL LUNCH HOURS
2. VTGRAD2GRAD FIRESIDE CHAT – INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
3. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) LIVE Q&A
4. LITTLE HOKIE(tm) HAND-ME-DOWN TWO DAY EVENT
5. WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION: WHERE ARE THEY NOW
6. GETTING UNSTUCK – WORKSHOP WITH COOK COUNSELING CENTER
7. GLC CAFÉ
8. INTERFAITH COOPERATION & CIVIL RIGHTS – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
9. ITSA WILDCARD WORKSHOP: BEGINNING ARABIC
10. DANCE OF NATIONS
11. WHEN HOME IS UTTAINABLE, WHAT REPLACES IT? PUBLIC LECTURE AND PANEL FEATURING ALIA MALEK
12. AFRICAN GRADUATE STUDENT MENTORING FORUM
13. MOVING BEYOND OUR INFORMATION SILOS – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
14. THANKFUL THREE-MILER
Administrative Announcements:
15. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING 2021 – 1st posting
16. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY FALL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS – 2nd posting
17. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY BUY BLACKSBURG INITIATIVE – 3rd posting
18. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT SPRING 2021 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN – 3rd posting
19. GSA TRAVEL FUND FALL CYCLE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
20. INVITATION FOR ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN GRADUATE STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR MENTORING EXPERIENCE – 3rd posting
21. EDWARD BOUCHET HONOR SOCIETY NOMINATION PERIOD OPEN – 3rd posting
22. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – 3rd posting
23. GRADUATE COMMUNITY MURAL – MORE ARTISTS NEEDED – 3rd posting
Jobs:
24. GRADUATE STUDENT WAGE POSITION OPENING IN OFFICE FOR INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY – 2nd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
25. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! LITTLE HOKIE ™ HAND-ME-DOWN: NOVEMBER 10-12 – 1st posting
26. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HNFE RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
27. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR EXOSKELETON RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
28. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON EXOSKELETONS – 2nd posting
29. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR COVID-10 CONTACT TRACING SURVEY – 2nd posting
30. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: RESEARCH STUDY ON EFFECTS OF IN-VEHICLE AGENT LANGUAGE IN SELF-DRIVING CARS – 3rd posting
Upcoming Events:
31. “HEAVEN: I TOURED THERE” TWO-DAY WEBINAR – Nov. 18
32. STARTING YOUR ETD – Nov. 18
0. Ongoing Services – updated 9/21/20
· GRADUATE SCHOOL ADVISING: No walk-in advising during Fall 2020. Request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.
· CAREER ADVISING: schedule virtual career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html
· COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, 1-5pm Thursdays and Fridays, Zoom links found here.
· WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
· GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN (APIDA) CAUCUS SOCIAL LUNCH HOURS
Tuesday, November 10, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
Come and join the APIDA Caucus for virtual lunch hours where APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) community members and their allies can socialize and network! All faculty, staff, students, and community members are welcome. Lunch hours are Tuesday’s 12:30pm – 1:30pm on 11/10, 12/1, and 12/15 this semester. Register here: https://bit.ly/3odS26V. Please contact hxc419@vt.edu with any questions.
2. VTGRAD2GRAD FIRESIDE CHAT – INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Tuesday, November 10, 1-2 pm, Zoom
The Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion (ORDI), the Asian Cultural Engagement Center (ACEC), & El Centro – Hispanic and Latinx Cultural Center presents VTGRAD2GRAD Fireside Chat-International Student Experiences. Are you a new or returning international student? Come learn, share, and discuss experiences of graduate students from International backgrounds. Register for the event at bit.ly/2HlLx17
3. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) LIVE Q&A
Wednesday, November 11, 1pm, Zoom
Welcome to the Graduate Student Services IRB Series. If you are new to IRB or just need a refresher course, join us as we get the opportunity to learn from the IRB professionals themselves. This is the second event in a four-part series. Students will have the opportunity to ask any and all questions that you have about the IRB process. What should I do if I do not know if my project needs IRB review? What if I need to make changes to my research after I have IRB approval? What are my responsibilities as an investigator conducting human subjects research? Take a moment to fill out the form below and let us know that you will be joining us! https://forms.gle/15f8DaFNCiDa18eT7
4. LITTLE HOKIE(tm) HAND-ME-DOWN TWO DAY EVENT
Wednesday, November 11, 10am – 6pm, Graduate Students only, GLC Multipurpose Room
Thursday, November 12, 10am – 2pm Graduate Students and Staff, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Graduate School, Graduate Student Assembly, and Women’s Center at Virginia Tech sponsor this event and members of the university and Blacksburg communities make the event possible, donating gently used or new items for families. Graduate Students are welcome to come select items on November 11th from 10am to 6pm. Pre-registration is preferred; walk-in availability will be limited. Graduate Students and Staff are welcome on November 12th from 10am to 2pm. Walk-ins with limited capacity. Sign up for your time slot starting on November 4th. https://bit.ly/2020_LHHMD
5. WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION: WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Thursday, November 11, 6:30pm, Zoom
If you are interested in transportation, consider joining women in transportation (all are welcome even if you did not join earlier)! Our November meeting features VT Women in Transportation Alumni. We will be hosting a casual chat with two recent Virginia Tech grads who have started their careers in the transportation industry. Come learn about their journey through Blacksburg and beyond, and come with any questions you may have! Please email Eileen at wts-at-virginia-tech@googlegroups.com or join the google group at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wts-at-virginia-tech/join to receive an event notification.
6. GETTING UNSTUCK – WORKSHOP WITH COOK COUNSELING CENTER
Thursdays, November 12, 3:30-4:30pm, Zoom
This three session workshop focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy skills for depression. Please intend to be present at all three sessions if you sign up. This workshop will be hosted via Zoom. You will receive an email with the information to log into the Zoom meeting 24 hours prior to the sessions. Attendance is limited to those who have registered;
Register at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4NpiPg10Q4jDbSZ.
7. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, November 12, 4:00pm, Zoom https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/97678968202
While the pandemic put a stop to our in-person café, we want to keep the GLC café running so that students may continue to meet informally and share their experiences. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and join fellow grads and Grad School staff for some casual conversation and the occasional game. If you have questions or concerns about this event, email Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu.
8. INTERFAITH COOPERATION & CIVIL RIGHTS – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
Thursday, November 12, 5:00-6:00pm, Zoom
Join us for a 4-session series on Interfaith Cooperation & Civil Rights. The curriculum explores the connections between interfaith cooperation and the historic movement for civil rights in the U.S. context. RSVP at dos.vt.edu/weareeachothers Open for students, faculty, staff & community members.
9. ITSA WILDCARD WORKSHOP: BEGINNING ARABIC
Thursday, November 12, 6-7pm, Zoom
Ever wanted to speak Arabic? Join us to learn the basics! Our class for beginners will be led by Kamla Al Amri. The workshop will walk you through greetings and introductory vocabulary. The event is pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $5 to the Instructional Technology Student Association (ITSA). | Register for Zoom details. | Donate to ITSA. | Add to Google Calendar. | Questions? Contact Ginny Clark at vclark@vt.edu.
10. DANCE OF NATIONS
Thursday, November 12, 8pm, Youtube Live
The Council of International Students is partnering up with the Cranwell International Center to present Dance of Nations! Follow CISO on Instagram and Facebook @vtciso for more information and updates as we approach the date. This is a fun event that all are welcome and encouraged to attend!
11. WHEN HOME IS UTTAINABLE, WHAT REPLACES IT? PUBLIC LECTURE AND PANEL FEATURING ALIA MALEK
Friday, November 13, 12-1:30pm, Zoom
Alia Malek is a journalist, civil rights lawyer and author of “The Home That Was Our Country: A Memoir of Syria.” Since 2015, Malek has been reporting on Syrian refugees’ lives and displacement across Netherlands, Sweden and Germany as part of a 10 year reporting project. Drawing on this work, she will consider what replaces the very idea of home when home itself becomes unattainable and its permanence illusory. The public lecture will be from 12-12:45pm, follow by a panel from 12:45-1:30pm. The panel, moderated by Katherine Randall, includes Alia Malek, Nadine Sinno and Jake Keyel and will discuss how working with displaced populations can be a mutually enriching experience, rather than one of “saving” others. They will speak to the refugee experience from a variety of perspectives. Register here to attend: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtf-uqrjsuH9Ktk72h0JC7JzdTZ1ovhek6 Sponsored by the Community Change Collaborative and the VT Institute for Policy and Governance, the VT Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies and the Center for Rhetoric in Society. Please contact mneda14@vt.edu with questions.
12. AFRICAN GRADUATE STUDENT MENTORING FORUM
Friday, November 13, 3pm, Zoom
The Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion Diversity Scholars program invites the VT Graduate community members to attend “Embracing your Identity in a Foreign Space,” an interdisciplinary forum about mentoring African graduate students and students of African-descent. The forum will consist of a panel discussion on how to navigate graduate school, transition into the workplace as an international student, and learn tools to create a sense of belonging for academic success. To participate in this free virtual forum, please register HERE by Tuesday, November 10, 2020. For further information, please contact Johnny C. Woods, Jr. at johnnycw@vt.edu.
13. MOVING BEYOND OUR INFORMATION SILOS – DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE
Friday, November 13, 5-6pm, Zoom
Join us for a talk: Moving Beyond Our Information Silos: A Humanist Approach to Bridging Religious and Non-Religious Divides for Cooperative Action, with M L Clark. Open to students, faculty, staff & community members. Partnership of Virginia Tech Interfaith Program and Synergy: Interfaith Collective at Virginia Tech. Register at dos.vt.edu/beyondsilos.
14. THANKFUL THREE-MILER
Sunday, November 15, 1-4pm, VT Cross Country Course
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports is hosting this outdoor run/walk. The Thankful Three-Miler is an in-person event with a staggered start to ensure that safety guidelines are met. Participants will enter the course in groups of 5, every 5 minutes between 1-4pm. Registration is $20 per person and participants will receive a long-sleeve t-shirt. Register, and learn more details, here: https://recsports.vt.edu/content/recsports_vt_edu/en/announcements/2020_2021_announcements/thankful-three-miler.html
15. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING 2021 – 1st posting
Improve your data management skills towards your thesis/dissertation! Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. 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.
8-week course, 1-credit. Pass/ Fail Only. Pre: Graduate Standing.
16. INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH HONOR SOCIETY FALL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS – 2nd posting
Do you do Interdisciplinary Research? Join other researchers and a wide network of alumni by applying to the Interdisciplinary Research Honors Society, Iota Delta Rho (or IDR). We foster interdisciplinary research and networking here at Virginia Tech and out in the real world. Applications are open until November 30. Apply here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_blTeV21TJGIFISV
17. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY BUY BLACKSBURG INITIATIVE – 3rd posting
The Graduate Student Assembly is committed to supporting you, and to supporting our surrounding communities. To this end, we are partnering with local businesses, each of which is offering a discount to our GSA members. Our first three partners are the Hethwood Market, the Blacksburg Farmers Market, and Glade Road Growing. To take advantage of their special offers, however, you MUST display our sticker on your HokieP. Stop by the GLC to pick yours up today! For more details, see our webpage at http://bit.ly/GSA_Buy_Blacksburg
18. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT SPRING 2021 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN – 3rd posting
Little Hokie Hangout is now accepting enrollment applications for Spring 2021. Preference for enrollment will go to current and former LHH families through Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving break, enrollment will be open to all interested families. Complete the enrollment form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchm4dz7A1aWZhnB6g_oEcb12XMguKrBD_dv9bVv0v71oSwnw/viewform
19. GSA TRAVEL FUND FALL CYCLE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
Have you presented or plan to present at a conference between July 1and December 31, 2020? The VT GSA “Travel: Fund Program (TFP) will partially support the monetary costs associated with presenting at virtual conferences including registration and abstract fees. The Fall cycle application will be open beginning October 26th. The deadline for application is November 13th, 2020 at 11:59pm. For further details, updates, and the application, please see our website at https://gsa.vt.edu/programs/tfp.html For questions, support, or insights, please email GSA-TFP-G@VT.EDU.
20. INVITATION FOR ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN GRADUATE STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR MENTORING EXPERIENCE – 3rd posting
Graduate students who identify as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) are invited to share their thoughts about their experiences with faculty mentoring at Virginia Tech. To participate, use this form: https://forms.gle/m737YCarz8Pui2116. All graduate students (including international students) who identify as Asian or Asian American are encouraged to respond and can enter a raffle to win a free padfolio from the Cultural and Community Centers upon survey completion. The survey will take 10-20 minutes to complete. For more information or if you have any questions, contact hxc419@vt.edu. This project is part of the Graduate School’s Diversity Scholars program.
21. EDWARD BOUCHET HONOR SOCIETY NOMINATION PERIOD OPEN – 3rd posting
The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (Bouchet Society) recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. We are seeking nominations for graduate students who are within 1-2 semesters of completing their doctoral degree. Find out more at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/diversity/bouchet-society.html. Nomination deadline is Nov. 23rd. Please email shernita@vt.edu if you have any questions.
22. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR JEAN B. DUERR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – 3rd posting
Undergraduate and graduate women who plan to attend, or are already enrolled in, and accredited college or university for the entire 2021-2022 academic year are invited to apply for the Jean B. Duerr Memorial Scholarship. Awards of approximately $2000 will be given to those applicants who best demonstrate academic achievement and community service. Applications must be postmarked by March 2021. For more information and to receive the application, contact the Scholarship Committee Chair, Winnie Drummond at JBDScholar@gmail.com.
23. GRADUATE COMMUNITY MURAL – MORE ARTISTS NEEDED – 3rd posting
The GLC Fellows still need artists willing to re-create a portion of an iconic VT photo for display in the GLC. Those who choose to participate are encouraged to use their creativity to make their section of the mural uniquely their own. You can view the murals in progress in the GLC hallway by the auditorium. Help us complete the images! Sign up Link Please contact Japnit Sethi at japss96@vt.edu with any questions.
24. GRADUATE STUDENT WAGE POSITION OPENING IN OFFICE FOR INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY – 2nd posting
The Office for Inclusion and Diversity is seeking a graduate student for a student wage position to support equity and inclusion efforts for the disability community at Virginia Tech. The position will include 20 hours per week at a rate of $20 per hour. Compensation for the position does not include tuition or fees. The successful candidate should have an interest and working knowledge of diversity and inclusion efforts, especially those relative to the disability community. Candidates identifying with the disability community are strongly encouraged to apply. Responsibilities include but are not limited to supporting Disability Alliance and Caucus initiatives, managing the disability community commencement ceremony, and other projects as assigned by Chief of Staff for Inclusion and Diversity. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and CV to Stacey Wilkerson, Chief of Staff, Inclusion and Diversity at stacey9@vt.edu.
25. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! LITTLE HOKIE ™ HAND-ME-DOWN: NOVEMBER 10-12 – 1st posting
Your help is need for the Little Hokie ™ Hand-Me-Down event. Volunteers are needed for setup on November 10, for helping your fellow grad students on the 11th, for helping grad students and staff on the 12th, and to help tear down and pack up all remaining items. An hour here, an hour there is all we ask. Many hands make light work. https://bit.ly/2020_LHHMD for full details and to contact the volunteer coordinator.
26. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR HNFE RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
Volunteers needed (particularly males) for a study looking at the relationship between your attitudes and perceptions about food and your health habits. You may be eligible to participate if you are: age 18 years or older, living in southwestern, VA, able to carry out usual activities of daily living (e.g., household activities), have internet access through a mobile phone, computer or tablet and not living in a dorm. Individuals with in-depth professional training in culinary arts (e.g., Chef) are not eligible for this study. This study will require 4 online sessions, with a total time commitment of ~2-4 hours. One session (using online surveys) will take place at your convenience. Three sessions will be scheduled with the study staff via email and will take place using video conferencing or phone call. You may receive information about your dietary intake, and you will receive a $20 gift card after completion of all study sessions. If you meet the above requirements and are interested, please contact Katelyn by email at: kbarks@vt.edu
27. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR EXOSKELETON RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
The Assistive Robotics Lab is recruiting participants for a research study (VT IRB #17-489) to test a back-support exoskeleton while performing various farming related tasks such as lifting, shoveling, and walking. Participants must be 18 years or older, be able to comfortably lift 25% of their body weight (ex. 40 lbs for 160 lbs person, similar to a large bag of dog food), and not have had any musculoskeletal injuries within the past year. There will be two sessions, a training session and a testing session which will take a combined time of around 3-4 hours. Participants will be compensated with Amazon gift cards at a rate of $10/hour. There is no other benefit from participating in this research study. Please sign up here https://bit.ly/34lctXu or contact Tim Pote at trpote@vt.edu or Athulya Simon at aasimon@vt.edu if you are interested in participating.
28. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON EXOSKELETONS – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a study assessing the effectiveness of wearable assistive devices. Requirements: male or female, age 18-55 years; have no current or recent history of musculoskeletal disorders that limit daily activities; due to device fit, waist must be 26” to 46”, torso length 14.5” to 23”; of note, you’ll be asked to bring your shorts and t-shirt/sports bra. Participants will be asked to perform a series of overhead tasks without and with three exoskeletons: (1) Static simulated drilling with a hand tool; (2) Dynamic simulated handwork. We will monitor muscle activity throughout this study. We will video record the sessions, but these videos will only be viewed by researchers on this study. One training session and two experimental sessions are required to complete this study (~3 hours each). Compensation: $10/hour. Participation is voluntary and confidential. This study is conducted in an Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics lab in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Research protocols have been approved by the VT IRB (#16-1138). If interested, please email or call/text Denean Kelson at denean@vt.edu (225-717-0239).
29. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR COVID-10 CONTACT TRACING SURVEY – 2nd posting
Researchers from ECE@VT are looking for participants in an online survey on questions related to digital contact tracing apps. The goal of this study is to gain your opinion about digital contact tracing apps, which can help us to produce design guidelines for futuristic contact tracing app that can be well accepted by the general public. This survey only contains 12 questions and will take around 15 minutes. Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/MGjSQLH9tXFudB1V8. The participant will be included in a drawing for a $20 gift card with a selected odds of one in 100. To be eligible to participate in the study, you must be at least 18 years old and able to give consent. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Xiang Cheng (xiangcheng@vt.edu). This experiment has been reviewed, as required, by the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board under protocol #20-349.
30. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: RESEARCH STUDY ON EFFECTS OF IN-VEHICLE AGENT LANGUAGE IN SELF-DRIVING CARS – 3rd posting
The Mind Music and Machine Lab at Virginia Tech is seeking individuals to participate in a study to determine the effect of the in-vehicle agent’s language on driver state and performance in an autonomous vehicle. During the study, you will be asked to drive in a driving simulator environment. This project protocol was reviewed by the VT Human Research Protections Program (#19-088). Criteria for eligibility include: fluent in Chinese OR Hindi, have a valid driving license, and should be above 18. The study will last approximately one hour. Each participant will receive a compensation of $10 for participation. For more information, please contact Sushmethaa Muhundan (msushmethaa@vt.edu). This study is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Myounghoon Jeon (myounghoonjeon@vt.edu).
Upcoming events:
31. “HEAVEN: I TOURED THERE” TWO-DAY WEBINAR
Wednesdays November 18, 5:30-7pm, Zoom
Pronounced dead from heart failure, Dean Braxton’s body was lifeless for 1 hour and 45 minutes. “It’s not about if I died, the doctors proved that,” says Braxton. “It’s about where I went when I died.” Intervarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship is pleased to host Dean Braxton for this two-day webinar. Come and hear the incredible story that has amazed audiences across the nation. Short Q&A allowed on both days. Registration is at www.gcfvt.org.
32. STARTING YOUR ETD
Wednesday, November 18, 7pm, Zoom
Learn how to format and structure your Electronic Theses or Dissertation (ETD) so that you can submit it after your defense and best meet Graduate School formatting guidelines. This presentation is aimed at students in the early stages of writing their thesis or dissertation but is relevant to students at any stage of the process. Zoom link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83655463064 Email grads@vt.ed if you have questions.