Posted on by lbarron

December 8 – 14, 2025

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

0.   Ongoing Services – updated August 2025    

This Week’s Events: 

  1. REUS PATHWAYS TO GRADUATE STUDY – Wednesday
  2. GEARUP! TALKING ABOUT GRAD SCHOOL WHEN YOU GO HOME – Wednesday
  3. GLC CAFÉ – Thursday

    Administrative Announcements:   
  4. WINTER WEATHER TO AFFECT VIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS OPERATIONS; BLACKSBURG CAMPUS CLOSED MONDAY, DEC. 8 – 1st posting (1/1)
  5. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT SPRING APPLICATION NOW OPEN – 1st posting
  6. CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT: TAKE A MINDFUL MINUTE  – 1st posting (1/1)
  7. FALL 2025 GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY – 3rd  posting
  8. GRADUATE SCHOOL CLOSING – 3rd posting
  9. BACK-UP CARE THROUGH CARE.COM – 3rd posting

    Jobs:
  10. GA IN SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – 1st posting
  11. APPLY TO CARE.COM AS A CAREGIVER – 3rd posting

    Funding Opportunities:
  12. COVES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM – DEADLINE: DECEMBER 11, 2025
  13. VASG 2026 GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS – DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2026
  14. THE CATHERINE HINMAN MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP – DEADLINE: JANUARY 9, 2026
  15. ALEXIS TAYLOR BREAUX FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY – DEADLINE: JANUARY

    Volunteers and research participants sought: 
  16. LOOKING FOR SECOND AND FIFTH GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VT LEARNING STUDY – 1st posting
  17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH STUDY ON SLEEP AND BRAIN-MACHINE INTERFACE LEARNING – 1st posting (1/1)
  18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A VOLLEYBALL JUMP SPIKE RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
  19. SPEAKER-AWARE AFFECTIVE CAPTIONING (SAAC) – 1st posting

 0. Ongoing Services – updated October 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 for walk-in hours, 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday, 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 a 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 with their program, or other Cook counselors.  
  • FOOD SHARE CABINET: Located in GLC Wellness Room (Room G). Accessible to graduate students 24/7 byswiping in with your Hokie Passport
  • WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/   
  • WRITING DROP-IN: Held most Mondays and Thursdays in GLC Room C. Drop in between 9am-4pm to work at your own pace in a quiet, supportive environment— no registration required! For more information: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/professional-development/professional-development-series.html
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573   

This Week’s Events   

1. REUS PATHWAYS TO GRADUATE STUDY
Wednesday, December 10, 11am, GLC B, & January 30, 2026, 11am-12:30pm, GLC Room B
Do you know any undergraduate students who are curious about research or who are planning for graduate school? Please encourage them to join us for a dynamic webinar exploring Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs).  Attendees will learn where to find REU opportunities and how to showcase REU experiences in their grad school applications. There are two upcoming sessions taking place in GLC Meeting Room B on December 10, 2025 12pm-1:30pm and January 30, 2026 11am-12:30pm. Registration requested:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjegopL1BGoxVPpxA-NeUMvptUN1NOMkU5T01KQlZINzJCVTZOSEUzVjhFMC4u&route=shorturl. Cosponsored by the Graduate School and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

2. GEARUP! TALKING ABOUT GRAD SCHOOL WHEN YOU GO HOME
Wednesday, December 10, 2-3:30pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
This GearUp! session will be a discussion about how to share your research and projects with communities outside of academic settings. Sharing your academic experience with your community outside of grad school is part of establishing a foundation of overall well-being. Conversations will focus on how students integrate their professional and personal experiences, while also bridging two separate environments to make space for the person in graduate school and intentionally think about how support and community is found in both. Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/6MzQ9TRbd8

3. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, December 11, 3:30-5:00 pm, 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   

4. WINTER WEATHER TO AFFECT VIRGINIA TECH CAMPUS OPERATIONS; BLACKSBURG CAMPUS CLOSED MONDAY, DEC. 8 – 1st posting (1/1)
For the latest information, visit the Virginia Tech status page: https://vt.edu/status

5. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT SPRING APPLICATION NOW OPEN – 1st posting
The Little Hokie Hangout spring 2026 application is now available online. We have recently expanded our program into an additional classroom, and have space for children 20 months through 5 years of age. We offer affordable, accessible care that meets specific scheduling needs. For more information contact Marin Riegger by email: childcare@vt.edu or phone: 540 231 9382. Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJMTvQ3Fn3evAs5zEiyk2_ZPcPGpJduOpqDKtI1OUKKSFOMQ/viewform?usp=header

6. CONNECTIONS THAT COUNT: TAKE A MINDFUL MINUTE  – 1st posting (1/1)
Brought to you by the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education (SVPE)
Take a few minutes this week for yourself. Try to create a few moments of peace for yourself. Use the box breathing technique to give yourself a little break!
You breathe in specific counts, while visualizing a box:
1) Inhale to the count of 4 as you visualize the top edge of a box.
2) Hold your breath for a count of 4, as you go down along the right side.
3) Exhale for a count of 4, moving from right to left along the bottom edge.
4) Hold for another count of 4, going up along the left side, back to the top.
Repeat for several cycles for at least 1 minute. Here’s to finishing out the semester!

7. FALL 2025 GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY – 3rd posting
The fall 2025 Graduate School commencement ceremony for all masters and doctoral students is scheduled on Friday, December 19th at 2:30pm in Cassell Coliseum. All graduates wanting to participate should complete the Commencement Intentions form through their HokieSPA degree menu no later than December 1st. Doctoral students wanting to participate must meet the participation deadlines listed at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/what-you-need-to-graduate/deadlines-for-academic-progress.html. There is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite to attend and the Graduate School ceremony will be live streamed on the University website as well. Additional information on the fall ceremony can be found online at https://vt.edu/commencement.html. Questions may be directed to Graduate Admissions and Academic Progress staff at grads@vt.edu.

8.  GRADUATE SCHOOL CLOSINGS – 3rd posting
Tuesday, December 9, opening at 11:45am
Friday, December 12, closed 11am-2pm
Friday, December 19, closing at 12:00pm

9. BACK-UP CARE THROUGH CARE.COM – 3rd posting
Virginia Tech full-time faculty/staff and non-student wage employees across all locations have unlimited, premium access to the Care.com network for finding child care, adult care, pet care, housekeeping, and tutoring. You can book short- and long-term care, with a wide range of provider types including those with experience assisting children and adults with special needs. All caregivers within Care.com’s network have completed a background check (see CareCheck to learn more). Employees are able to search for caregivers, post jobs, purchase additional screening, and pay caregivers in real-time through the platform. If you have questions about Care.com, contact their Member Care team at careteam@care.com. Be sure to register with your VT email.

Jobs   

10. GA IN SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – 1st posting
The costume Graduate Assistant is responsible for building and altering costumes for theatre productions and assisting undergraduate instruction in costume construction. The assistantship is 20 hours/week and the exact days/times will be coordinated with the Costume Shop Manager. The assistant is most needed from 12:00-5:30, Monday through Thursday, and 2:00 to 5:00 on Friday. Work over breaks and weekends may be required and is planned in advance. Graduate Assistant expectations:
-Assist Costume Shop Manager in instructing undergraduate students in costume construction
-Build/alter costumes under the direction of Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designer
-Maintain clean and organized Costume Shop and Costume Storage
-Complete Virginia Tech’s E.H.S. training courses
Please send letter of interest and current resume to Stacy Blackburn (sblackburn1@vt.edu)

11. APPLY TO CARE.COM AS A CAREGIVER – 3rd  posting
Create a profile, detailing the kind of services you provide, your rate, and your qualifications — and let people know you are a Virginia Tech student to stand out as a Hokie. Get an annual background check through the site, costing $23.99. Set your location, and work from anywhere, whether it’s in Virginia or beyond Care.com/caregiver. For questions or more information contact Ana Agud hokiewellness@vt.edu.

Funding Opportunities:

12. COVES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM – DEADLINE: DECEMBER 11, 2025
Interested graduate students may apply for the Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) summer fellowship until December 11, 2025. The COVES Fellowship is a 12-week full-time summer fellowship program (May 17-August 6) operated by the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (the Academy) and open to STEM graduate students. According to the Academy, the aim of the program is to strengthen ties between the scientific community and Virginia’s state government, and to encourage and train more scientists and engineers to be effective advisors for public policy and programs in the Commonwealth. During the program, fellows will receive training in science policy and science communication, spend time in legislative offices, executive agencies, companies, or nonprofits in the state, and will be paired with an Academy mentor and involved in briefings, meetings, and the Academy’s annual summit in August. The program begins with a week-long boot camp on science policy, governance, and policy-making in Virginia. Thereafter, fellows spend their time with the entity with which they are matched, and are also paired with a mentor. The program includes a stipend. The Graduate School will submit five finalists for the fellowship program to the Academy, which will then choose one to represent the university in the program. To learn more about the program and to access the application materials, visit the COVES Fellowship webpage on the Graduate School website, https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html

13. VASG 2026 GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS – DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2026. The VASG Graduate Fellowship invests in people and supports graduate students in research, education, evidence-based inquiry, and community engagement that further the goals of VASG. Graduate Fellows address issues relevant to Virginia communities and of importance to coastal and marine resources – broadly defined (e.g., natural or social sciences, engineering and design, policy and legal analysis, architecture, business, education, arts and humanities, etc.). The fellowship builds skills and competencies through professional development training and provides hands-on experience in translating research results to stakeholders through a professional mentor. Important Dates: Final applications are due January 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST, and the fellowship begins September 1, 2026. Learn more and apply here: https://vaseagrant.org/graduate-fellowships/

14. THE CATHERINE HINMAN MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP – DEADLINE: JANUARY 9, 2026

A  fully funded program that enables talented students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience a summer in Washington, DC. Entering its fourth year in 2026, the Fellowship is open to graduate students with backgrounds in public policy, economics, applied sciences, and international affairs who have little or no prior experience working and living in Washington.  Silverado helps these students gain practical professional experience and build a Washington network. Fellows develop technical writing and research skills, become immersed in federal and international policy-making, and sow seeds for career growth. Fellowship benefits include: 

  • Covered round-trip transportation from anywhere in the U.S.
  • Fully furnished housing for the duration of the program
  • Extensive professional development, including seminars and networking events with experts from government, nonprofits, industry, and academia
  • $5,000 stipend
    Applications open on October 14th, 2025, will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting November 30th, until the close on January 9th, 2026. For more information: https://silverado.org/hinmanfellowship/

15. ALEXIS TAYLOR BREAUX FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY – DEADLINE: JANUARY 30
The Breaux fund is to provide support for study abroad opportunities for graduate students and to enhance international experiences at Virginia Tech.  Eligibility Requirements:  Must be a Virginia Tech graduate student enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program; Student must be engaging in a formal study abroad program; Financial need: Funds are available for 7 awards of $500. Nomination: Student must submit an Application  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lSlKEKwrWjHDWw5EalUyiLUHTnavmtHrQOK3UFrlXZs/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1  by January 30.

Volunteers and Research Participants Sought    

16. LOOKING FOR SECOND AND FIFTH GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VT LEARNING STUDY (IRB #24-1349) – 1st posting
Second and fifth graders are needed for a Virginia Tech Human Development and Family Science research study (IRB # 24-1349). The purpose of this research is to learn more about their literacy, math, self-regulation, and executive function skills, and how those skills are related to each other. We are also interested in the role that life experiences play in the development of those skills so that educators and/or parents can better support their children’s literacy and math learning. Participation involves one 60-minute video-recorded session. During the session, children will play with a Lego set, do reading and math activities, play iPad games, and play a Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulder game. Meanwhile, parents complete two surveys lasting about 15 minutes. Sessions can take place at a lab located in the Blacksburg campus, Roanoke, or the participant’s home. Qualifications: 2nd and 5th graders this fall, and their parents, who speak and read English. Compensation: Participants will be compensated with $20 for their time and effort upon completion of the session and surveys. Complete interest form here: https://forms.gle/kHLdTAcf8x4gnyPW9

17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH STUDY ON SLEEP AND BRAIN-MACHINE INTERFACE LEARNING – 1st posting (1/1)
This Virginia Tech study (VT IRB # 17-860) aims to uncover what events occur in the brain during sleep that help facilitate the learning of a new task. To meet this goal, we utilize a number of physiological recordings in the lab, such as EEG, EMG, and EOG recordings. The Brain-machine interface learning translates neural data into commands to control external software or hardwire, like controlling a moving ball on a computer screen with your thoughts. Participants that are assigned to the experimental group must sleep in the lab, either by taking a nap or by sleeping overnight. If you are assigned to the control group, you will watch a documentary during nap. Total study time is approximately 11 hours for overnights or 5 hours for naps. Qualifications: People between 18 and 26 years with no history of significant chronic neurological disease, diabetic problems, severe mental illness, or any DSM-IV axis I disorders, and no hearing or sleep disorders. Compensation: Compensation is $50 (overnight) or $25 (nap) cash upon completion of the study. Please email ndnestudies@gmail.com  for more information!

18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A VOLLEYBALL JUMP SPIKE RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
The Granata Biomechanics Lab is looking for volleyball athletes to complete jump spikes during two game-like scenarios. The scenarios include completing jump spikes with and without a defender attempting to block the attack as well as anticipated and unanticipated movements after completing a jump spike. Participation involves a single-visit, ~60-minute data collection session in Norris Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. Qualifications: Between the ages of 15 and 25 years (male) or 14 and 25 years (female); have played recreational or high-school volleyball for at least one year prior to testing; have played organized matches or practices for a minimum of 1 hour per week for the past two months or more; has a shoe size ranging from a men’s US 6 to US 12.5 or a women’s US 6 to US 12; are not pregnant; have no current physical pain; don’t have a prior major lower- or upper-extremity injury that required surgery; haven’t had a lower- or upper-extremity injury that has prevented you from playing volleyball with maximal effort for more than 2 weeks in the past 6 months. Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/r/aFrECEbrw2

19. SPEAKER-AWARE AFFECTIVE CAPTIONING (SAAC) – 1st posting
We invite you to participate in an IRB approved research study to help us evaluate a new real-time captioning system designed for group conversations and classrooms. (IRB Number: 25-112)
This study is part of a project titled: “Speaker-Aware Affective Captioning (SAAC): Addressing Multi-Speaker Identification in Inclusive STEM Education.” We are testing a new system that enhances live captions by showing who is speaking, adding cues about their tone of voice (e.g., “Happy,” “Surprised”), and providing short explanations for better understanding. The goal is to see if these features help people follow along more easily in fast-paced discussions, like those in STEM classrooms. The study will be conducted In-Person & remotely over Zoom and includes; Two short, live classroom discussions with the captioning system; Answering brief questions about your experience; Providing feedback; No technical experience required! Qualifications:  Adults (18+) who are: Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH), Regular users of live captions; Hearing adults for a comparison group; Comfortable joining a video call and viewing content on a shared screen. Study sessions will take place December 8- January 30, 2025; Format: 1. Remotely, via Zoom. A link will be provided upon sign-up; Format 2: In-person  for approximately 45 minutes at DVE Lab at Virginia Tech, – 220 Gilbert St, Room 3213, Blacksburg, VA. Compensation : $10 Amazon Gift Card. Interested? Please complete our brief sign-up form here: https://forms.office.com/r/70jDbmkvra

Upcoming Events   

20. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS DEEP DIVE -JAN. 12 – 15, 2026
Monday, January 12-15, 2026, 10am -3pm, Zoom
During this four-day workshop, participants will become familiar with the major required steps of this methodology, practice relevant skills, and consider the many decisions necessary for a successful comprehensive review and synthesis. Participants are welcome to bring a systematic review (and meta-analysis) to work on throughout the session. However, participants are not required to have a review in mind. https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/15700924

21. RESEARCH PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR GRADS
Wednesday, January 14, 1-5pm, in-person and virtual
This workshop is designed to help graduate students translate research ideas into formal written proposals to external sponsors. It will include a portfolio of activities tailored to the participants, regardless of their departmental affiliation or field. In-person and virtual attendance welcome. Registration required: https://forms.office.com/r/ZCkCc6J2LL

22. GPSS SPRING WELCOME BACK – BREAKZONE TAKEOVER
Wednesday, January 21, 5-7pm,Breakzone at the Squires Student Center
Join the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, in partnership with SECL, for FREE games, food, and awesome company at the Breakzone (https://campuslife.vt.edu/student_centers/Squires/BreakZone.html). Whether you’re reconnecting with old friends or meeting new ones, let’s kick off the spring semester with a blast! https://forms.office.com/r/S725fGFXdh