Posted on by lbarron

August 4- 10, 2025

To see full descriptions for any item in the summary list, please click on the continue reading link below the list

This Week’s Events: 

  1. GLC CAFÉ – Thursday

Administrative Announcements:   

  1. TAKE YOUR RESEARCH TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH GRAD 5124! – 1st posting
  2. REGISTER NOW FOR FALL 2025 LEADERSHIP COURSES – 1st posting
  3. VAST’S FAST TRACK TO SEMICONDUCTOR CAREERS PROGRAM REGISTRATION (FALL SESSION) IS NOW OPEN! – 1st posting
  4. GLC FOOD SHARE CABINET NOW AVAILABLE – 2nd posting
  5. GET CERTIFIED TO TEACH COMPUTING AND DATA SKILLS- 3rd  posting
  6. TOOLS AND APPROACHES FOR POLICY MAKING IN STEM-H DOMAINS – 3rd posting

Jobs:

  1. GA POSITION IN SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – CINEMA EQUIPMENT – 1st posting (1/1)
  2. GA POSITION IN THE SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – ADMINISTRATIVE & PRODUCTION OPERATIONS – 1st posting (1/1)
  3. GA POSITION MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY CENTER – 2nd posting (2/2)

    Funding Opportunities
  4. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD – DEADLINE: August 22, 2025

    Volunteers and Research Participants Sought

    1. SEEKING PARTICIPANTS WITH EXPERIENCE GUIDING OTHERS IN STRENGTH TRAINING – 1st posting (1/2)VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR DRONE CONSPICUITY PROJECT – 1st posting
    2. RECRUITING ADULT ATHLETES FOR CLEATS & PLANTAR LOADING STUDY – 2nd posting
    3. SEEKING VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS FOR A STUDY ON NEURODIVERGENT MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS – 2nd posting
    4. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MRI STUDY – 2nd posting
    5. AN EXPLORATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISABILITIES & SEXUALITIES – 2nd posting
    6. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON MASCULINITY IN FAMILIES – 3rd posting
    7. TRACKING RESEARCH FOR SEARCH & RESCUE – 3rd posting
    8. RECRUITING ADULT ATHLETES FOR CLEATS & PLANTAR LOADING STUDY – 3rd posting

      Upcoming Events
    9. NEW FACULTY HIRE CONVERSATION WITH KAYLA ALWARD – August 6
    10. FREE COMPUTING AND DATA WORKSHOPS – August 13
    11. GRADUATE STUDENT MEETUP – MINGLE AT THE MARKET – August 13
    12. PREPARING FOR THE FALL FACULTY JOB MARKET AND BEYOND – August 14
    13. GEARUP! – August 19
    14. GPSS WELCOME BACK SOCIAL – FREE FOOD! – August 22

         0. Ongoing Services – updated May 2025 

        • GRADUATE SCHOOL: Graduate School hours: In-person advising, drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials, and a space to study and take a break! Visit 120 GLC, June 2, 2025, through August 1, 2025, walk-in hours will be held on Monday and Thursday, 11am- 3pm. Phone 540 231-8636 or email grads@vt.edu. If you prefer Zoom advising: request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.   
        • CAREER ADVISING: schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html.
        • COOK COUNSELING: Students can call 540-231-6557 to schedule an appointment with the Embedded Counselor at the GLC or the embedded counselor with their program.  
        • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/   
        • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573   

          This Week’s Events   

        1. GLC CAFÉ
        Thursday, August 7, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
        Enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of your grad student and Grad School colleagues. Relax, network, and load up on caffeine and/or carbs. Bring your own mug if you can. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Barron (lbarron@vt.edu).

        Administrative Announcements   

        2. TAKE YOUR RESEARCH TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH GRAD 5124! – 1st posting
        Take your research to the next level! GRAD 5124 (Research Skills for Graduate Students) is an asynchronous, one-credit, fully-online course offered by the University Libraries in Fall 2025. Students will develop skills that will prepare them for research in graduate school and beyond. Three 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 Russell at (lisab5@vt.edu).

        3. REGISTER NOW FOR FALL 2025 LEADERSHIP COURSES – 1st posting
        Graduate students—Enroll now in Leadership courses for Fall 2025: LDRS 5454 (CRN 87226) virtual: Leadership Diverse Contexts Identification and definition of leadership in education settings, communities, & organizations. LDRS 5464 (CRN 91823) in-person: Leadership in a Global Society Identification and development of the personal and professional competencies required for effective leadership in an increasingly global, diverse and multicultural society. LDRS 5534 (CRN 87227) virtual: Leading with Cognitive Diversity Theoretical perspectives, processes and techniques utilized in problem solving, both adaptively and innovatively. Individual cognitive preference for working to effect change in institutional structures. LDRS 5544 (CRN 87228) virtual: Leading Teams through Change Theory and techniques for leading tactical, creative, and problem-solving teams through change. Improving leadership within small groups or teams. Questions? Contact Dr Jerald Walz at (jhwalz@vt.edu).

        4. VAST’S FAST TRACK TO SEMICONDUCTOR CAREERS PROGRAM REGISTRATION (FALL SESSION) IS NOW OPEN! – 1st posting
        Fall Session: September 8th – November 21, 2025. Registration closes: September 1st
        Courses available:
        § Chip Fabrication and Nano Characterization (available at UVA, VT (Blacksburg), GMU, ODU, and VCU)
        § Chip Packaging and Characterization (available at VMI and VT – Arlington)
        VAST’s new online version of the program, allows students to begin now and complete the hands-on training another season—making participation even more flexible and accessible. Certifications are backed by IEEE micro credentials.
        Program Highlights:
        § Job-Ready Skills in 10 weeks
        § Hands-On Training with industry-standard equipment
        § Guaranteed Recruiter Meetings with partner companies (Micron, Northrop Grumman)
        § Tuition: $5,000 per certificate
        § Average Salary $75K+ post-graduation
        § Special Discounts available (Military: $600, Students/Teachers: 60% off) This program is heavily subsidized for students, teachers and military families. Discount information can be found on our website.  Learn more: https://vast-alliance.org/fast-track-to-semiconductor-careers.html?utm_source=social-media&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ftsc-fall25&utm_content=registration-opens

        5. GLC FOOD SHARE CABINET NOW AVAILABLE – 2nd posting
        There is a new resource open to Graduate Students with shelf-stable snacks and food called the GLC Food Share Cabinet. The cabinet is located in the GLC Wellness room (room G). This food share cabinet is open to all graduate students, and we encourage you to come by to take what you need and share when you can. Our goal is to share the best of what we have to help all Hokies with food access. To access the GLC Food Share Cabinet, you will need to swipe into the Wellness room with your Hokie Passport.   We welcome contributions to our cabinet using the following guidelines:  
        – Factory-sealed, non-perishable foods (e.g. canned goods, pasta, flours, rice, grains, cereal, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, shelf-stable milk, tea)
        – Shelf stable produce (e.g. apples, bananas, winter squash, onions, citrus
        –  Sealed toiletries and personal items.
        Please note: The cabinet CANNOT accept any perishable goods that require refrigeration, prepared foods, or foods with opened packaging. Donations can be dropped off in GLC 120, beginning August 4th Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Barron (lbarron@vt.edu).

        6. GET CERTIFIED TO TEACH COMPUTING AND DATA SKILLS – 3rd posting
        The VT Carpentries community is seeking new volunteer instructors for workshops on R, Python, Bash, Git, spreadsheets, OpenRefine, and qualitative data analysis software. New instructors will take part in a four half-day instructor training event to learn pedagogy and live coding skills to earn instructor certification through The Carpentries (carpentries.org). The Carpentries is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to teaching foundational coding and data science skills to researchers worldwide. Contact Dr. Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu) and Dr. Jesse Sadler (jrsadler@vt.edu) for more information.

        7. TOOLS AND APPROACHES FOR POLICY MAKING IN STEM-H DOMAINS – 3rd posting
        Spaces still remain in the graduate elective STAT/PSCI/SPIA 5134 this fall, meeting Monday evenings online. The course surveys key methods in policy relevant analysis, such as system dynamic and agent-based models, systematic review, and network science and is aimed toward students in STEM and health domains seeking to perform research with policy implications. For more information before registering, contact Dr. Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu).

        Jobs   

        8. GA POSITION IN SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – CINEMA EQUIPMENT  posting (1/1)
        Responsible for checkout, maintenance, inventory, and servicing of cinema equipment for students and faculty. Working with Cinema faculty in the School of Performing Arts, the GA will ensure cinema equipment is ready and available for students to check out for production work, class assignments, etc. The equipment inventory is maintained in a database, Connect2. Qualifications: Excellent time management, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to prioritize and perform multiple tasks, and to work cooperatively in a team atmosphere. Experience with cameras and lighting equipment. Database experience. The checkout room will operate Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to allow students to access equipment. The specific schedule for the 2025–2026 academic year can be tailored to align with the Graduate Assistant’s availability. This is a 20 hour/week Assistantship and will begin Monday, August 18.
        Please send letter of interest and current resume to Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert (loeffert@vt.edu). Application deadline, August 8, 2025.

        9. GA POSITION IN THE SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – ADMINISTRATIVE & PRODUCTION OPERATIONS – 1st posting (1/1)
        This assistantship offers an exciting, skill-building opportunity to support both the administrative and production operations of the School of Performing Arts, with responsibilities that will vary between the fall and spring semesters.
        **Fall Semester Responsibilities**
        During the fall, the GA will provide administrative support in several key areas, including:
        • The Costume Shop, Scene Shop, and Props Shop within the Theatre program
        • General administrative support in the SOPA main office
        Tasks may include scheduling, inventory tracking, communications, and assisting with day-to-day operations in each area.
        **Spring Semester Responsibilities**
        In the spring, the focus of the assistantship will shift to supporting the Theatre Management Office, with an emphasis on:
        • Front of House operations during theatre productions
        • Assisting with publicity and marketing efforts for SOPA events
        Some evening and weekend hours will be required during production periods in the spring semester.
        **Qualifications:** Excellent time management, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize and perform multiple tasks, and work cooperatively in a team environment.
        Please send letter of interest and current resume to Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert (loeffert@vt.edu). Application deadline, August 8, 2025.

        11. GA POSITION MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY CENTER – 2nd posting (2/2)
        The Indigenous Community Center (ICC) at Virginia Tech is seeking a motivated and creative graduate student to serve as a Graduate Assistant for Marketing & Communications. This 20-hour per week position will support the promotion of ICC programs, events, and initiatives to enhance outreach and student engagement. Key Responsibilities:Design graphics and flyers for ICC events and programs; Ensure timely and accurate event listings on GobblerConnect; Create, schedule, and manage content across ICC social media channels; Assist with the development and distribution of the ICC newsletter; Draft and submit mockups for website updates and improvements; Support general marketing efforts and other duties as assigned. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite); Familiarity with social media management platforms; Strong written and verbal communication skills; Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines; Interest in student support, community-building, and/or cultural programming. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student engagement while developing skills in marketing, communications, and cultural programming. It includes tuition waiver and stipend.  To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Dr. Faircloth (missy86@vt.edu) by August 8, 2025.

        Funding Opportunities:

        12. P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARD – DEADLINE: August 22, 2025
        P.E.O. Scholar Awards provides substantial merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing doctoral-level degrees at an accredited college or university. The award amount is $25,000. P.E.O. Scholars are those who are at the top of their fields and will have a positive impact on society. They have demonstrated abilities to make significant contributions in their field of study, having assumed leadership positions in university academics, scientific research, medicine, law, performing arts, economics, history, literature, government or other demanding fields.
        The nomination process in 2025 is for the academic year 2026-2027. Nominees should have a
        graduation date range of May 2027 to August 2028. Nominations must go through a local P.E.O. chapter. If interested in applying, respond to this notice to, (sandi825@yahoo.com), before August 1st. Final applications to local chapters must be completed by August 22nd to be considered. More information is at www.peointernational.org.

        Volunteers and Research Participants Sought    

        13. SEEKING PARTICIPANTS WITH EXPERIENCE GUIDING OTHERS IN STRENGTH TRAINING – 1st posting (1/2)
        Are you someone who has helped others with strength training—formally or informally? We’re conducting a co-design workshop that pairs people with training experience (like you!) with trainees to help us design future wearable technologies that provide feedback during strength training. If you’re interested, please complete a short survey to help us learn more about your background. Participants should have experience helping/spotting others with strength training (e.g., resistance training, weightlifting, etc.). Compensation $25/hr. Study survey link: https://forms.gle/mScjFugWEhNYgFAd7. Submitted by graduate student Panayu Keelawat (panayu@vt.edu).

        14. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR DRONE CONSPICUITY PROJECT – 1st posting
        VT researchers with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership are recruiting volunteers to participate in research that seeks to identify factors that increase the visual conspicuity of small uncrewed aircraft systems, or drones, to human observers in airport environments. The initial sessions (~2 hours) will be held August 4-6 at Kentland Farms, with additional test events in late August and mid-September. Participation is entirely voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time without penalty. Participants will be compensated $18 per hour, with a minimum of two hours. Compensation will be provided in the form of an e-gift card. All procedures have been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and personal information will be kept strictly confidential. Participant qualifications: resident of the U.S. and 18 years of age or older. For more information, contact Matt Delano at (mdelano@vt.edu).

        15. RECRUITING ADULT ATHLETES FOR CLEATS & PLANTAR LOADING STUDY – 2nd posting
        The Granata Lab is investigating how cleat type and sex affect plantar loading and performance in adult athletes! Participation consists of a one-time, one-hour commitment that will take place outside on campus to complete two different movement tasks in two different cleat types. To be eligible, participants must 1) be between 18-35yo, 2) wear a shoe size between 7-12M or 8.5-13.5W, 3) currently play a cleated sport at least once a week, 4) have not had any leg injuries in the past 6 months, 5) have not had surgery in the past 3 months and 6) not be pregnant. If you are interested, please submit this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Rzp6yWANzt. Submitted by graduate student Alexandra Stibler (astibler@vt.edu).

        16. SEEKING VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS FOR A STUDY ON NEURODIVERGENT MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS – 2nd posting
        An autistic graduate student is seeking participants for research on the experiences of neurodivergent (i.e., autistic, ADHD, bipolar, OCD, dyslexic, etc.) people who are medical school applicants. [VT IRB# 25-507]. Participants will compete a pre-interview timeline activity and participate in a 60-90 minute, semi-structured interview on Zoom. Participants can be either self- or professionally-diagnosed with a neurodivergent condition. They must currently be working on or recently submitted their medical school application to U.S. based medical schools and speak English. https://virginiatechmy.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/rebecca22_vt_edu/EbFiM9aBe4dHmJ7gdMobxKoBi0OCGxJyOC6twz3-0b-SgA?e=BQbZI1.

        17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR MRI STUDY – 2nd posting
        Researchers at Virginia Tech are seeking participants for a research study (IRB#24-646) on the relationship between the brain and mental health. This study involves 3 sessions lasting up to 9 hours, one of which involves an MRI scan. To participate, individuals must be between the ages of 14 and 25. Compensation up to $200 is available. Eligibility screening survey: https://redcap.link/brain-mentalhealth.Submitted by Spanlab (spanlab@vt.edu).

        18. AN EXPLORATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISABILITIES & SEXUALITIES – 2nd posting
        Our study, “An Exploration into the Relationship Between Disabilities and Sexualities”, is looking for individuals interested in participating in research based on lived experiences! The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the different ways that disabilities and sexualities can intersect and/or influence one another across people’s lifetimes. This can mean many things as both sexualities and disabilities have multiple ways of impacting individuals! Participants will participate in a 60-90 minute Zoom interview. Individuals must be 18+ years old, identify with at least one disability, and have had previous experiences with romantic/sexual relationships. Participants will receive a $30 electronic gift card after participation! If you are interested in participating in a Zoom interview, please fill out this brief survey to see if you are eligible: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/VT25644Diss. Submitted by graduate student Madelyn Toman (maddie99@vt.edu).

        19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY ON MASCULINITY IN FAMILIES – 3rd posting
        Participants needed for a study of how men learn masculinity in their families of origin. Participants will participate in a 60-90 minute, semi-structured interview either in person or on Zoom (camera on). After the interview, participants will be compensated with a $30 Amazon gift card. To participate, individuals must identify as a man, currently live in the United States, and be between the ages of 21 and 30. Compensation $30 Amazon gift card. Eligibility survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AVVVtZ6aH6.

        20. TRACKING RESEARCH FOR SEARCH & RESCUE – 3rd posting
        A graduate student at Virginia Tech is seeking volunteer participants for research regarding Search and Rescue tracking (IRB #24-1149). Participants are asked to make tracks with shoes or boots then barefoot and provide access to their footwear. The researcher will travel to your location in Blacksburg or Christiansburg to measure tracks in a portable sandbox and most pairs of participants’ footwear collections. The measurements take 30-60 minutes per participant. There are no age limits for involvement in this study. Your contribution to advancing the science of tracking is appreciated. Please, if interested, contact Rob Speiden for more details (robert72@vt.edu).

        21. RECRUITING ADULT ATHLETES FOR CLEATS & PLANTAR LOADING STUDY – 3rd
        The Granata Lab is investigating how cleat type and sex affect plantar loading and performance in adult athletes! Participation consists of a one-time, one-hour commitment that will take place outside on campus to complete two different movement tasks in two different cleat types. To be eligible, participants must: 1) be between 18-35 years old; 2) wear a shoe size between 7-12M or 8.5-13.5W; 3) currently play a cleated sport at least once a week;  4) have not had any leg injuries in the past 6 months; 5) have not had surgery in the past 3 months and 6) not be pregnant. If you are interested, please submit this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Rzp6yWANzt.

        Upcoming Events   

        22. NEW FACULTY HIRE CONVERSATION WITH KAYLA ALWARD
        Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 4-5pm Zoom
        Dr. Kayla Alward received her Ph.D. in Dairy Science from Virginia Tech where she investigated environmental impacts on colostrum production in dairy cattle. While working on her Ph.D., Kayla worked as a Graduate Teaching Scholar in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. After her Ph.D., Kayla received a USDA Post-doctoral Fellowship Grant and stayed at Virginia Tech to investigate bovine oocyte and embryo production. Kayla joined the Department of Agricultural Sciences at West Texas A&M University in January 2025 as an Assistant Professor of Animal Science where she has a role in teaching, research and outreach. Come hear about her experience on the faculty job market! https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZmlMqRhUSXG03jGvh2cx8A.

        23. FREE COMPUTING AND DATA WORKSHOPS|
        Wednesday, August 13 – Tuesday, August 19, in person at TLOS or remotely via Zoom
        Interested in improving your research data and computing skills before the start of the new academic year? Join us for a hands-on workshop in August 2025 in Blacksburg or online. Workshops are 9am to 4:30pm with lunch from 12:30 to 1:30. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for in-person participants. The workshops are open to all VT community members. You do not need any experience with the software to participate, but you will need access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. Take the whole series of workshops or choose the one that best fits your needs.

        Workshops offered:
        Intro to Unix and Git (Wed, 13 August),
        Intro to Python and JupyterLab (Thur, 14 August),
        Intro to R and RStudio (Mon, 18 August),
        Intro to Excel and OpenRefine (Tue, 19 August).
        Register through the Library Calendar: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu or PDN: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/?query=carpentries.

        24. GRADUATE STUDENT MEETUP – MINGLE AT THE MARKET
        Wednesday, August 13, 4:30-6:30pm, Blacksburg Farmers Market, Corner of Roanoke St. & Draper Rd.
        Whether you are a new student, just arrived in Blacksburg, or a returning student, join us for this casual Graduate Student Meet Up at Mingle at the Blacksburg Farmers Market. Enjoy live music and browse the Farmers Market vendors. The graduate school will provide a sampling of refreshments made from farmers’ market fresh ingredients. Market vendors will offer food and adult beverages (for those over 21) available for individual purchase. Sponsored by the Graduate School’s Student Services, Inclusion, and Strategic Partnerships team.  Please register here to help us plan for refreshments! https://forms.office.com/r/harSsMMm51.

        25. PREPARING FOR THE FALL FACULTY JOB MARKET AND BEYOND
        Thursday, August 14, 3-4:30pm, Zoom
        In this talk Chris Smith, postdoctoral affairs program administrator at Virginia Tech, will speak about resources and insights that could be useful to graduate students and postdoctoral associates planning to apply for faculty positions in Fall 2025. He will share data from a faculty applicant survey ran annually from 2018 to the present and highlight a data dashboard the team created to assist applicants in bench marking their competitiveness for faculty positions. https://www.research.vt.edu/about/postdoctoral-associates/postdoctoral-events-programs/2025/preparing-for-the-fall-2025-faculty-job-market.html.

        26. GEARUP!
        Tuesday, August 19, 8:30am-4:30pm, Graduate Life Center
        Join us for GearUp!, a full-day workshop of multiple introductory programs for new graduate students. From an overview of the Ombuds office to wellness activities, the sessions in GearUp! are meant to give students the tools to navigate their graduate experience at Virginia Tech. If you have disability accommodation needs, please let us know at least 10 business days before the event. For more information visit https://graduateschool.vt.edu/student-services/gearup-fall-2025.html. Register at the link provided. https://forms.office.com/r/kBuwYy2mEJ.

        27. GPSS WELCOME BACK SOCIAL – FREE FOOD!
        Friday, August, 22, 4:30-6:00pm, GLC Multipurpose Room and Lawn
        All new and returning VT graduate and professional students are invited! Join us for free food, lawn games, and good company. Come hang out, reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and have a blast before the semester begins! Be sure to RSVP at: https://forms.office.com/r/QJNUpFqAU7. If you have any accessibility needs, feel free to reach out to gpss@vt.edu.  We’d love to see you there!