December 3 – 9, 2018

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

This Week’s Events
3. FREE FLU VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE
4. END OF SEMESTER POTLUCK
5. READING DAY DONUTS
6. WINTER LIGHTS, MUSIC, & PARADE

Administrative Announcements:
7. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 1st posting
8. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE INT’L STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY – deadline 12/14
9. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 1st posting
10. WOMEN & GENDER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 1st posting
11. 2019 MLK ORATION COMPETITION: GRADUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS NEEDED – 1st posting
12. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15044) – 1st posting
13. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’19 – 1st posting
14. GRADUATE STUDENT PHOTOS NEEDED – 1st posting
15. CALL FOR PAPERS – COMMUNITY CHANGE – VOL.3, NO.1 (2019) – 3rd posting
16. SPRING GRADUATE COURSES IN COMMUNICATING SCIENCE – 3rd posting
17. DONATE TO CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE – 3rd posting

Jobs:
18. ACADEMIC COACH – UNIVERSITY STUDIES ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM – 1st posting
19. SENIOR ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS (PART-TIME POSITION) – 1st posting
20. SPRING 2019 GLC FELLOW POSITION OPENING – 2nd posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
21. VIRGINIA TECH ECONOMICS LABORATORY IS RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS – 2nd posting

Upcoming events:
GLC CAFÉ – RECIPE SWAP
GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP

Recurring Events
1. WEEKLY DROP-IN SERVICES:
– Career Advising: Wednesdays, 2:00-5:00pm. See the Grad Students Career Ops blog for more info on career opportunities: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/gradcareeropportunity/
– Cook Counseling: Thursday & Friday, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room, GLC
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00am-5:00pm, W 9:30am-5:00pm
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Engage with the Academy: GTA Co-Working Space Wednesdays, 4-6pm GLC Graduate Student Lounge and Thursdays, 4-5pm GLC Meeting Room D & 5-6pm GLC Reading Room

2. WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS:
– GRAD MINDFULNESS – ON HIATUS FOR REST OF SEMESTER
Each meeting will consist of a short (about 5 mins.) guided mindfulness exercise followed by time to practice. It is not necessary to stay for the whole time. Contact Lisa Whalen for more info at lashley@vt.edu. Here is a link https://app.stopbreathethink.org/ to a cool free mindfulness app.
– WRITING STRATEGIES FOR GRADUATE WRITERS
Mondays, 9:30-11:00am and Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm, GLC, Room A
Session can last up to 1.5 hours; you are limited to two of these special appointments at the GLC per semester. Ends Dec 2. Make an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com.
ENGAGE WITH THE ACADEMY: GTA CO-WORKING SPACE 
Wednesdays, 4-6pm, GLC Graduate Student Lounge
Thursdays, 4-5pm GLC Meeting Room D; 5-6p GLC Reading Room
Need to finish grading and looking for a change in workspace? Doing class prep and would like to bounce off ideas with another GTA? Or looking to de-brief after teaching? Come join the Academy for GTA Excellence (VTGrATE) and let’s get work done together – or just hang out with other GTAs! You can also send questions to http://vtgrate.org/ask-a-fellow/.
– GLC CAFÉ 
2nd and 4th Wednesday and every Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Every Thursday, 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.
– KIDS’ NIGHT OUT – ON HIATUS FOR REST OF SEMESTER
– Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm, VT Women’s Center, 206 Washington St., B’burg
Kids aged 2+ (must be potty trained) enjoy fun activities with volunteer sitters. For additional information, and to sign up, visit the doodle poll at https://doodle.com/poll/qphrhazi6cg4im7g. Please note that spots are limited. Contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu for more info.
– LUTHERAN TRADITIONAL DIVINE SERVICE
Sundays, 3:30pm, War Memorial Chapel
For more information, contact Nathaniel at nhall28@vt.edu.

This Week’s Events
3. FREE FLU VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE
Tuesday, Dec 4, 7:30am-2:00pm, Squires Student Center, 3rd floor, Brush Mountain B
Sponsored by The New River Valley Health District, in partnership with Hokie Wellness. The clinic is open to everyone especially for those employees and students who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover flu vaccinations. Walk-ins are welcome. Supplies are limited so vaccinations will be given on a first come, first served basis until supplies are exhausted. For more info, contact Hokie Wellness at hokiewellness@vt.edu or call 540-231-8878.

4. END OF SEMESTER POTLUCK
Thursday, Dec 6, 5:00-7:00pm, American Indian and Indigenous Community Center (122 Squires)
Grad student Melissa Faircloth invite you to join the American Indian and Indigenous Community Center for an end of semester potluck.  Open to all! Bring your favorite dish to share. Sponsored by the American Indian and Indigenous Community Center. For more information, email Melissa Faircloth at missy86@vt.edu. Cost is free.

5. READING DAY DONUTS
Thursday, Dec 6th, 6:00 pm – until out of donuts, GLC Reading Room!
The GLC Fellows are sponsoring donuts from Carol Lee on Reading Day. Come take a break and enjoy a free donut!

6. WINTER LIGHTS, MUSIC, & PARADE
Friday, Dec 7, 5:30pm, GLC Lobby/Henderson Lawn
Come join the GLC Fellows and fellow graduate students for the Blacksburg Winter Lights Festival. Everyone is welcome to join us for this family friendly event! Please complete this survey for more details and to help us gage interest. Feel free to contact Athulya Simon at aasimon@vt.edu with any questions.

Administrative Announcements:
7. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP – 1st posting
The Academy for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Excellence (Academy) invites applications for membership and advancement. The Academy was founded Fall 2014 to enhance the knowledge and skills in teaching through the provision of opportunities for graduate students to receive advanced education and training in innovative teaching and learning techniques and to recognize excellence in teaching by graduate students. The Academy is open to all graduate students from all VT campuses. Descriptions of membership levels, application requirements, and application can be found at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kLLo4k5DYhXZ3v . Applications due Feb 3, 2019.

8. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE INT’L STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY – deadline 12/14
International students received an invitation to complete the “International Student Barometer,” a survey designed to collect data on international student decision-making, expectations, perceptions, and intentions across their university experience inside and outside the classroom. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete; responses are confidential and anonymous. For more information, visit http://www.international.vt.edu/advocacyandsupport/ISB.html. If the response rate by intl grad students exceeds 40%, Monika Gibson will bake Hungarian cookies for the remaining GLC cafés for the rest of the year.

9. NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS – 1st posting
A number of prestigious awards are granted to graduate students each year, carrying a monetary prize ($500-$1000 each) and award certificate. Discuss the possibility of your nomination with your advisor/department for any of the following awards:
– Outstanding Dissertation in (1) math, sciences and engineering, and (1) in social sciences, business and humanities – Preston Society Master’s Thesis Award
– Graduate Student Teaching Excellence (1) for GTA instructor of record (1) GTA instructor assistant
– Graduate Student Service Excellence
– Graduate Student of the Year (up to three awards given)
– Outstanding master’s and doctoral student in each college and in interdisciplinary programs.
More information about criteria, forms, and process for nomination are at: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/about/awards/student.html.

10. WOMEN & GENDER IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT POSTER COMPETITION – 1st posting
The deadline for poster abstract submissions for the Women and Gender in Development Conference 2019 at Virginia Tech on February 28-March 1, 2019 is February 1, 2019. We are seeking posters that explore the intersection between gender equality, women’s empowerment, and international development. The poster session seeks to create a networking venue for scholars, students, and practitioners to share diverse methods, discuss ongoing challenges, and opportunities to advancing gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment and foster new partnerships. Spaces are limited. See the conference website www.wgdconf.org for more information on the conference, to submit a poster abstract and register. Early bird registration for the conference ends January 21, 2019.

11. 2019 MLK ORATION COMPETITION: GRADUATE STUDENT SUBMISSIONS NEEDED – 1st posting
With the craft and sophistication of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in mind, the two-stage oration process includes writing, memorizing, and performing a speech. Graduate students are encouraged to apply, with four top prizes of $500 on the theme based on Dr. King’s letter from a Birmingham jail. Complete the submission form https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abnaA4nMZRFRdFb by Jan 6. For questions, contact Kimberly Williams at knwilliams@vt.edu and visit https://ccc.vt.edu/awareness/mlk/MLK_Oration_Competition.html

12. GRAD 5124 – LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS (CRN 15044) – 1st posting
An online, Health Sciences / Biomedical section of this elective, pass / fail, 1-credit course is being offered this Spring 2019. Anyone can join regardless of disciplinary or degree focus; however, those who have a research interest related to health or biomedical sciences will benefit most. Course is designed to increase successful completion of comprehensive literature reviews and project proposals. Identify key information sources, use advanced searching skills and citation management tools, and explore important research planning topics such as building professional identity, evidence-based practice, data management, sharing research results, and authorship.

13. GRAD 5024 DATA MANAGEMENT SKILLS COURSE OFFERED FOR SPRING ’19 – 1st posting
Learn about the importance and benefits of data management including creating a data management plan. This 8-week course covers 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. Pass/ Fail Only, 1 Credit Hour. Offered collaboratively with JMU via 4VA. Course begins Jan 23 and ends on Mar 26; meets 10:00am-noon on Tuesdays in Torg 1100C.  Possibility of remote access; non-Blacksburg students should email alop@vt.edu before enrolling.

14. GRADUATE STUDENT PHOTOS NEEDED – 1st posting
The Graduate School needs graduate student photos! We are looking for pictures related to graduate research, teaching, social events, or anything else that is part of your life as a graduate student. Photos will be displayed in a slideshow during commencement, which will also be live streamed online. Please only send us photos if you agree to having them displayed in this manner. We need these by December 6! Photos received after that date may be used in the spring commencement slideshow. Photos can be emailed to grads@vt.edu.

15. CALL FOR PAPERS – COMMUNITY CHANGE – VOL.3, NO.1 (2019) –3rd posting
Building on issues 1 and 2, Community Change’s third issue seeks to continue unpacking the notion of ‘community change’—its complexities, transformations, and challenges in recent decades of intensified economic, environmental, and political instabilities. This issue will also feature a themed section with scholarly works on environmental issues, climate change and its consequences, and sustainability.
Key Dates: Call for submissions open – November 5, 2018; Full submission deadline – February 8, 2019
Author notification of selection- March 8, 2019; Online publication – May 2019. Please submit preliminary articles of the chosen format to communitychange@vt.edu. For submission information, please visit https://www.communitychange.ipg.vt.edu

16. SPRING GRADUATE COURSES IN COMMUNICATING SCIENCE (GRAD 5144, CRN 15049 and CRN 15050) – 3rd posting
One section of the 2-credit participatory course will be taught by Professor Patricia Raun (Tuesdays 4:00-7:00pm), and the other will be taught by Dr. Carrie Kroehler (Thursdays 12:00-3:00pm). The course responds to the conviction that scientists and scholars have a responsibility to share the meaning and implications of their work, and that an engaged public encourages sound public decision-making. Our work at the Center for Communicating Science supports opportunities for scientists and scholars to learn to communicate about their work personally, directly, and vividly.  These skills can enhance the specialist’s career prospects, help them secure funding, support interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance the broader impacts of their work.

17. DONATE TO CHILDREN’S BOOK DRIVE – 3rd posting
Open Book for the New River Valley is a community book-sharing project that donates thousands of books each year to local families in need through Head Start, Children’s Health Improvement Project (CHIP), and other programs. Grad student Joseph Daniel asks you to help them reach 10,000 books this year. Donate to their online fundraiser: https://support.firstbook.org/fundraiser/1616932 or donate new or gently used books for children of all ages, especially babies and preschoolers at the nearest collection point of 323 Shanks Hall. Questions? Contact: Penny Livesay (plivesay@vt.edu). Go to https://openbooknrv.org for more info.

Jobs:
18. ACADEMIC COACH – UNIVERSITY STUDIES ACADEMIC COACHING PROGRAM – 1st posting
This program is designed to assist University Studies students on first academic probation in Spring 2019 in their pursuit of academic success. Academic Coaches meet with a roster of 8-10 students at least 3-4 times per semester along with weekly email check-ins. Coaches collaborate with their students to create individualized goals and educational plans for the semester, focusing on time management, use of existing campus resources, and problem solving. Additionally, as the population of University Studies is comprised of undeclared and undecided students, Academic Coaches will aid students in exploring majors and career paths. Coaches support students and supplement academic advising through ongoing communication with US advisors. Up to 10 hours per week. Please send resume and cover letter to Nick Sano-Franchini by Dec 14 at nicks5@vt.edu.

19. SENIOR ASSISTANT, ALUMNI RELATIONS (PART-TIME POSITION) – 1st posting
Supports the Director of Alumni Relations for Diversity and Inclusion within the VT Alumni Association. Responsible for planning and implementing alumni events, communicating professionally with alumni and other stakeholders, managing volunteers, and other office tasks as assigned. Will also assist with long-term projects such as event data collection, social media management, and strategic planning. Must have comprehensive understanding of event planning; experience creating, implementing and assessing programs; ability to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures; able to work efficiently and independently while managing multiple projects. Requires strong collaborative skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; and strong organization and event/project management skills. Must be available to work 20 hrs/wk, mornings and afternoons. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Submit resume with and three letters of reference to Latanya Walker at latanya@vt.edu, AND complete this brief application: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abHHU4BJY38d6e1.

20. SPRING 2019 GLC FELLOW POSITION OPENING –3rd posting
Residence Life and the Graduate School are seeking a motivated graduate student who is committed to building graduate community, for a GLC Fellow position for the Spring 2019 semester. An ideal candidate would have previous residence life and/or event planning experience, though it is not a requirement. Applicants must submit a formal cover letter, resume and letter of recommendation, and fully complete the following application: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_094TQ4kWGTnt0zj  Information about cover letter requirements is detailed in the application and the full job description is at https://graduatelifecenter.vt.edu/residence-life-in-the-glc/Fellows.html Apply by midnight on Monday, December 3, 2018. Contact Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu or Asa Mack at amack@vt.edu if you have questions.

Volunteers and research participants sought:
21. VIRGINIA TECH ECONOMICS LABORATORY IS RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS – 2nd posting
The Virginia Tech Economics Laboratory is recruiting participants aged 18+ for experiments. These studies will involve making interactive decisions on a computer and/or completing surveys, and will typically take 1-2 hours. Participants will earn a fixed fee, and may earn additional money depending on decisions made during the experiment. Typical compensation rates are between $10-20/hour, depending on the study. To sign up to be notified about upcoming experiments, go to: https://vteconlab.sona-systems.com.

Upcoming events:
GLC CAFÉ – RECIPE SWAP
Wednesday, Dec 12, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Have a favorite recipe to share? You prepare the food and bring the recipe and the Grad School will make copies of your recipe and provide coffee, tea and cookies. Everyone will get to taste some new treats and go home with recipes to try over winter break.

GLC CAFÉ AND BOOK SWAP
Thursday, Dec 13, 3:30-5:00pm, GLC Reading Room
Stop by and take some books from our Reading Room collection to enjoy during the break! As always, enjoy some hot beverages, home-baked goodies, and good conversation in good company.