This Week’s Events:
0. Ongoing Services – updated 8/2/21
1. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT SENATE (GPSS) LISTENING SESSIONS
2. SOFTWARE CARPENTRY WORKSHOPS – DEVELOP COMPUTING AND DATA SKILLS
3. GLC CAFÉ
4. GRADUATE STUDENT ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Administrative Announcements:
5. REGISTER NOW FOR GRAD 5124: RESEARCH SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 1st posting
6. RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WORKSHOP SERIES – 1st posting
7. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GROUP SEEKS GRAD STUDENT MEMBERS – 2nd posting
Jobs:
8. STARTUP HOKIES AMBASSADOR GRADUATE STUDENT POSITIONS – 1st posting
9. PEACE CORPS CAMPUS RECRUITER GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP- 1st posting
10. VT CREW TEAM SEEKS COACH – 2nd posting
11. COACH NEEDED FOR VT WOMEN’S CLUB BASKETBALL – 3rd posting
12. RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS THREE TUTORS FLUENT IN RUSSIAN – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
13. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GPSS FALL BBQ – 1st posting
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STORYTELLING STUDY – 1st posting
Upcoming Events:
15. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT SENATE (GPSS) FALL BBQ – August 17
16. GRADUATE ORIENTATION, WATCH PARTY AND SOCIAL HOUR – August 20
17. GAME CHANGER WEEK – August 23-27
0. Ongoing Services – updated 8/2/21
- GRADUATE SCHOOL: In person drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials M-F 9:00-4:00pm, 120 GLC. Request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session. Graduate Life Center meeting rooms and lobby are still closed for repair.
- CAREER ADVISING: schedule virtual career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html
- COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-5pm, Zoom links found here. To make an appointment, visit: https://vt-ucc.titaniumhwc.com/ScheduleGraduateFirstCookConnect (Students must pay the summer health fee or daily use fee which can be reimbursed through Aetna. Students must be in Virginia)
- WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
- GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT SENATE (GPSS) LISTENING SESSIONS
Variety of dates in August, Starting August 2, Zoom
The GPSS Executive Board is holding listening sessions during the first two weeks of August! For new graduate students, this is a great way to meet others in your college and hear about the E-Board’s plans for the new school year. For returning students, this is a place to pitch us ideas for events and new policies, and brainstorm together about how we can make the VT grad student experience better, more engaging, and more inclusive. The person with the best idea suggested in each meeting (as voted on by other attendees) will win a $10 gift card to Southpaw Cafe in downtown Blacksburg. Listening Session dates/times and the Zoom link can be found here: https://gsa.vt.edu/index/2021GPSSListeningSessions.html For more information, email Amanda Burroughs at aburroughs1@vt.edu. If you cannot attend the session for your department but have an idea you’d like to share, email Jack Leff at leffjr@vt.edu.
2. SOFTWARE CARPENTRY WORKSHOPS – DEVELOP COMPUTING AND DATA SKILLS
Variety of dates in August, Newman Library 207A/Zoom
Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to join us for two-day workshops on the Unix Shell, Version Control with Git, and Programming in R or Python hosted by the University Libraries. All workshops are introductory-level, cover a range of fundamental skills so you can start working with tools right away, and open to anyone! To learn more about the curriculum, visit Software Carpentry or contact Data Education Coordinator Nathaniel Porter. Visit the Library Calendar to sign up: Unix, Git and R (Zoom, August 3-4, 9:00-5:00); Unix, Git and Python (Zoom, August 3-4, 9:00-5:00); R for Reproducible Scientific Analysis (Newman Library 207A, August 9-10, 9:00-5:00); Plotting and Programming in Python (Newman Library 207A, August 11-12, 9:00-5:00)
3. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, August 5, 3:30-5:00pm, Graduate School Lobby/Patio
Enjoy tea, coffee, cookies and conversation with other graduate students. Bring your friends and your own mug if you can.
4. GRADUATE STUDENT ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Friday, August 6, 2:30-3:30pm, Grad School Lobby and Lawn
Stop by the Graduate School Lobby for a popsicle or ice cream bar and play some games on the lawn. Afterwards, head downtown and check out Blacksburg’s Steppin’ Out Festival. Let us know you are coming to the ice cream social here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0W0pb1L1oua4AOG Learn more about the Steppin’ Out Festival here: http://www.blacksburgsteppinout.com/
5. REGISTER NOW FOR GRAD 5124: RESEARCH SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 1st posting
Take your research to the next level! GRAD 5124 (Research Skills for Graduate Students) is a one-credit, fully-online course offered by the University Libraries in fall 2021. Students will develop skills that will prepare them for research in graduate school and beyond and have the option to take the class either for credit or as pass/fail. Four discipline-specific sections are offered, so students should be sure to sign up in HokieSPA for the one that relates to their subject area. Questions should be directed to Lisa Becksford at lisab5@vt.edu.
6. RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WORKSHOP SERIES – 1st posting
There’s a lot to learn in graduate school, and the library can help! This fall, the library will offer a series of free workshops (offered live via 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.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GROUP SEEKS GRAD STUDENT MEMBERS – 2nd posting
A group of grad students are seeking to promote environmental justice (EJ) in public policy, especially through robust evaluation methods and standards for infrastructure projects. Right now, we are writing recommendations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about how to improve an EJ screening tool used to evaluate the impacts of gas pipeline projects. We’d love more help from people interested in EJ, public health, policy, and modeling — no experience needed. Law students and economists are especially welcome. Get involved by emailing emilyplunkett@vt.edu or coming to our next meeting! We meet every Wednesday at 5:30pm ET over Zoom: https://virginia.zoom.us/j/9169600929?pwd=VGtXcVU3NG8wSjRUYzBTVVZBTU5XUT09 Find out more about the Virginia Scientist-Community Interface on our website: https://virginiasci.org/
8. STARTUP HOKIES AMBASSADOR GRADUATE STUDENT POSITIONS – 1st posting
The Apex Center for Entrepreneurs is hiring several graduate student workers in support of their new programmatic space downtown (North Main St., above PKs) for the fall and spring semesters. The “Startup Hokies Ambassador” positions are designed to be fun, high-impact and hands on with student entrepreneurs. Please see the live posting in Handshake (position #5074762): https://app.joinhandshake.com/postings?page=1&per_page=25&sort_direction=desc&sort_column=default&query=5074762 Contact apexcenter@vt.edu with questions.
9. PEACE CORPS CAMPUS RECRUITER GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP- 1st posting
The Center for International Research, Education, and Development (CIRED) at VT is searching for a graduate student who is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer to serve as the part-time Campus Peace Corps Recruiter (20 hours/week). The recruiter will be the main point of contact for people interested in joining Peace Corps. Subject to the availability of funding, the position will begin as early as August 2021 and run through Spring Semester 2022 with the possibility of working through Summer Semester 2022. The successful candidate will receive graduate school tuition remission and a stipend. For further information go to: https://cired.vt.edu/About/job-opportunities.html. Applicants should send a cover letter and CV to larryjv@vt.edu with the subject heading “Peace Corps Recruiter application”.
10. VT CREW TEAM SEEKS COACH – 2nd posting
The Virginia Tech Crew Team is seeking enthusiastic, dedicated coaches of any level (novice or varsity) to join its staff for the fall 2021 season. The VT Crew Team is a student organization based in Blacksburg, VA that has been operating for 26 years. After great recent success this spring and the promise for future excellence next year, VT Crew is looking for coaches to expand its rapidly growing program. Rowers at VT have experience ranging from novice to 8+ years. Responsibilities include planning and executing an effective training regimen in order to prepare rowers for a competitive racing season and collaborating with student executives to help ensure a well-run program. This program has a great tradition of creating a culture of hard work and dedication among the team. The team is looking to add someone who will strengthen the team in every aspect. The VT Crew Team will provide coaches with coaches’ pay, a travel stipend for regattas, and the opportunity to attend US Rowing coaching clinics. If interested at all, please reach out to Ryan Anderson at 302-519-6514 or rand101299@vt.edu we would love to talk more about this opportunity.
11. COACH NEEDED FOR VT WOMEN’S CLUB BASKETBALL – 3rd posting
Virginia Tech Women’s Club Basketball is looking for a coach for the upcoming season beginning in Fall of 2021! We are a competitive team that plays at the intercollegiate level against other schools, including UVA, UNC, NC State, JMU and UMD. We compete in about 3-4 tournaments per semester and practice 2-3 times a week. We are seeking someone who preferably has prior coaching experience, is well-versed and knowledgeable about the game of basketball, presents good communication and organization skills and is able to travel out of town for tournaments. Please reach out to Christina Green at greenc22@vt.edu if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity! Go Hokies!
12. RUSSIAN FLAGSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS THREE TUTORS FLUENT IN RUSSIAN – 3rd posting
The Russian Flagship Program is looking to hire three graduate students as tutors for our Flagship students. The tutors must be fluent in Russian and have previous tutoring experience. This is an hourly position that starts at $25.00/hour and goes up depending on your experience. You will need to be a US citizen, permanent resident or have a visa status that would allow you to work for the Flagship. If you are on an F1 visa and already have a 20h GA contract, you do not qualify for this position. If you are interested please contact Eni Ramaj at eramaj@vt.edu.
13. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GPSS FALL BBQ- 1st posting
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate needs help setting-up and tearing down tables and chairs on Tuesday, August 17 for the Graduate and Professional Student Senate Fall BBQ. Please sign-up to volunteer by Monday, August 16 at noon. Volunteers are needed from 3:30-5pm and 7-8:30pm. Contact Emily Burns at emilyb16@vt.edu with questions or any access needs/accommodation requests.
14. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STORYTELLING STUDY – 1st posting
The 3D Interaction (3DI) research group at Virginia Tech is seeking participants for a user study on learning immunology through interactive storytelling in immersive virtual reality (VR). In the main study session, participants will first play a storytelling-based VR learning app in an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset for 20-30 minutes, and then complete several questionnaires and answer a few interview questions to give feedback on their VR learning experience. To assess their understanding of the immunology concepts embedded in the VR learning app, participants will be asked to take three short quizzes (multiple-choices) before, right after, and one week after the main study session. The total estimated study time is about 90 minutes. The main study session will be conducted at a research lab in Moss Art Center. Participants will be compensated $20 after completing all activities in the study. The study has been approved by Virginia Tech IRB (IRB# 20-781). For more information please contact Lei Zhang (leiz@vt.edu).
15. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT SENATE (GPSS) FALL BBQ
Tuesday, August 17, 5-7pm, GLC Lawn
You are invited to the Graduate and Professional Student Senate Free Fall BBQ on the lawn of the Graduate Life Center. Come enjoy free food, outdoor games, and time to chat with fellow graduate students! Feel free to bring friends and family. Bring your Hokie ID for entrance. Please follow the GPSS website for event updates. Contact Emily Burns at emilyb16@vt.edu with questions or any access needs/accommodation requests.
16. GRADUATE ORIENTATION, WATCH PARTY AND SOCIAL HOUR
Orientation and Watch Party: Friday, August 20, 9-10:30am, Zoom and Owens Banquet Hall
Social Hour: Friday, August 20, 10:30-11:30am, Owens Banquet Hall
New, and returning, students are invited to watch orientation either via Zoom or at our orientation watch party in Owens Banquet Hall. Hear from incoming Vice President and Dean for Graduate Education, Dr. Aimee Surprenant, and interact with a graduate student panel. After orientation, meet and mingle with Graduate School and Student Affairs staff, graduate students, and graduate student leaders at our social hour. Representatives from the Student Medical Insurance office will also be on-site to help students sign-up for insurance. Registration is required for orientation. More information can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/admissions/orientation.html
17. GAME CHANGER WEEK
August 23-27, Corporate Research Center
Game changer week will bring together industry disruptors, entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers for a variety of online and in-person events. Events include webinars, happy hours, start-up mentoring, special guests, open houses, and more! Game Changer Week allows attendees to explore a variety of events specific to tracks such as game changer resources, aerospace and defense, university (VT), biotechnology, software, design and technology, and startups/early seed. Find more details, including how to register, here: https://www.vtcrc.com/about/marketing/gamechangers/