Category Archives: Academics

Michigan Tech Nominations Now Open for DeVlieg Foundation Fellowships

Due to the generous support of the DeVlieg Foundation, the Graduate School is now accepting nominations for 2019 summer fellowships.

All graduate programs may nominate one eligible PhD student. There will be two recipients—each will receive a stipend for summer 2019 plus tuition support (one credit or three research credits in Research Mode).  Eligible students will meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Must be a graduate student in one of the fields supported by the DeVlieg Foundation:
    • Engineering or a closely related field
    • Biology/Wildlife (2019 Summer Research Award in Biology/Wildlife)
  2. Must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
  3. Must be enrolled in a PhD program.
  4. Must be nominated by student’s graduate program.  Each PhD program may nominate one student.

Nominations are due no later than 4 p.m. Jan. 24 to the Graduate School. Email to gradschool@mtu.edu is preferred.

See our web page for details on the application procedure and materials needed. Each program may determine its own internal selection procedure.

Contact Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School with any questions.

World Water Day 2019 at Michigan Tech

World Water Day 2019 will be celebrated at Michigan Tech from March 21 to March 26 with a poster session, keynote lecture, art show and panel discussion related to the UN World Water Day theme, “Leaving No One Behind – Human Rights: Near and Far.”

On Thursday, March 21, the green film “Marathon for Justice” will be shown from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Forestry Building G002.

On Monday, March 25, a keynote lecture by Monica Lewis-Patrick, co-founder, president and CEO of We the People of Detroit will take place at 4 p.m. in the MUB Ballroom. Lewis-Patrick is an active member of the People’s Water Board Coalition, US Human Rights Network, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and D-REM.org, and was named to the World Water Justice Council in October 2015. The keynote lecture will open with a Welcome to Traditional Homelands by members of the Keeweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Woodland Singers.

Also on Monday, March 25, the World Water Day Poster Competition will take place from noon to 2 p.m. The Poster Competition includes entries from graduate and undergraduate students in two categories: Original Research and Coursework/Informational. Faculty are welcome to assign individual or group posters in their courses if applicable to the course. Click here to download Poster Registrations.

On Tuesday, March 26, a panel discussion, an art reception and closing ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. in the GLRC 202. Valoree Gagnon (GLRC) and Emily Shaw (CEE) will moderate the panel alongside Lewis-Patrick. Other panelists have yet to be determined.

The World Water Day events will close with a reception following the panel discussion and a closing ceremony by the Woodland Singers.

From March 15 through June 15, an art show featuring Daniel Hill, Josh Jaehnig and Jonathan Soper will be on display in the first and second floors of the GLRC.

Visit the World Water Day website for more information about the upcoming events.

Pavlis Accepting Applications for Honors Pathway Program at Michigan Tech

The Pavlis Honors College is currently accepting applications to the Honors Pathway Program for Spring 2019. While applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the semester, students planning to begin the Honors Pathway Program in the spring should apply by Sunday, Nov. 25. Students are eligible to apply if they have 5-6 semesters remaining on campus.

Pavlis offers 6 distinct pathways on which students may build their honors program:

  • Global Leadership
  • Community Engagement
  • Research Scholars
  • Enhanced Enterprise Experience
  • New Venture
  • Custom Pathway

Each of these pathways provides a framework of support, exceptional resources, and a community of scholars for students interested in challenging themselves and making a difference.

If you know of a student who may be interested in the Pavlis Honors College, please encourage them to apply. Students considering applying, should stop by the Pavlis Honors College in M&M 722 from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for open advising to learn more about the program requirements and application process.

If you would like to request more information regarding the Honors Pathway Program and the components required to graduate with honors from Michigan Tech, email us at honors@mtu.edu.

By Pavlis Honors College.

SURF Applications Now Open

Applications for 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs) are now open. Fellowship recipients will spend the summer on an individual research project under the guidance of a Michigan Tech faculty mentor. SURFs are open to all Tech undergraduates who have at least one semester remaining after the summer term. Awards are up to $4,000. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on January 25, 2019.

A workshop on writing effective SURF proposals is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Fisher 132.

For more information and access to the application materials and instructions, visit the webpage or contact Paige Hackney.

Michigan Tech Business Model Canvas Bootcamp

The Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship will host Business Model Canvas Bootcamp, a two-part workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 14 and 28 in Rekhi 214.

Using the Business Model Canvas, students will work with members of the Michigan Tech I-Corps Site Program teaching team to develop a business model for their technology or idea.

The Business Model Canvas is a tool developed by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. It emphasizes the relationships of the nine components of a business model:

  1. Customer Segments
  2. Value Propositions
  3. Channels
  4. Customer Relationships
  5. Revenue Streams
  6. Key Resources
  7. Key Activities
  8. Key Partnerships
  9. Cost Structure.

Check out this short video for a brief overview of the Business Model Canvas. The idea is that business plans are static while a successful business model needs to be dynamic. A successful business venture requires a tool that allows one to quickly assess the impact of changes and adjust accordingly.

The I-Corps teaching team will guide students through the process of developing their unique business model. Students will map out their canvas with a specific focus on the value proposition and the customer segments after developing a hypothesis around the nine components, focusing on the customer segment and its “pain points.”

From there they will then test their hypothesis through customer interviews or customer discovery. “Does your solution create value for your customer segment?” Based on the customer discovery process, they will understand if they need to adjust their value proposition and pivot.

Business Model Bootcamp is part of Husky Innovate, a series of workshops and events that build on each other with the intention of guiding students through key phases of innovation or business development to help them prepare for future competitions, as well as future intrapreneurial and/or entrepreneurial business ventures. Registration for this workshop is required.

Students who participated in the Idea Pitch Competition and/or plan to compete in the upcoming Bob Mark Business Model Competition, are strongly encouraged to register for Business Model Canvas Bootcamp.

There is a cap of 25 contestants for the Bob Mark Business Model Competition. Priority will be given to those who have completed the Business Model Boot Camp. Husky Innovate is hosted by the Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, a collaboration between the School of Business and Economics, Pavlis Honors College and the Vice President for Research Office.

by Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship

Services at Michigan Tech IPS for Traveling Abroad

Are you planning to travel abroad anytime soon? If so, IPS has a few services to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

The first step towards international travel is obtaining a valid passport. IPS offers passport and visa photos right in our office, located in 200 Administration Building, during normal business hours.

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and under. You may pay for your passport photo through our online store. Bring the receipt to our office when you come in to have your photo taken.

Along with your passport, many countries also require a visa for entry. For your convenience, we have partnered with CIBTvisas, a travel visa and passport company with more than 50 years experience, to assist the Michigan Tech community in applying for and securing required visas at a discounted rate.

To check if your destination country requires a visa, go to the Michigan Tech portal on the CIBTvisas website. You can also contact CIBTvisas by phone at 1-800-929-2428 and reference the Michigan Tech account number 103930.

By International Programs and Services.

Michigan Space Grant Consortium Deadline is Nov. 7

The Michigan Space Grant Consortium offers funding opportunities in the following categories:

  • Undergraduate Fellowship
  • Graduate Fellowship
  • Pre-College Education
  • Public Outreach
  • Teacher Training
  • Research Seed Grant.

Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for fellowship grants.

The internal Michigan Tech deadline is noon Wednesday, Nov. 7. For instructions detailing proposal submission procedures and requirements, visit mtu.edu/honors/research/msgc/.

For more information, contact Paige Hackney in the Pavlis Honors College in M&M 722.

Note: Proposals must be submitted electronically after being approved by the Office of Sponsored Programs. Proposals exceeding stated page limits or submitted without prior review by Michigan Tech will not be considered for funding. Women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply to all MSGC funding opportunities.

By the Pavlis Honors College.

Pavlis Accepting Applications for Honors Pathway Program

The Pavlis Honors College is currently accepting applications to the Honors Pathway Program for Spring 2019. While applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the semester, we encourage any student planning to begin the Honors Pathway Program in spring 2019 to apply by Sunday (Oct. 21). Students are eligible to apply if they have five or six semesters remaining on campus.

Pavlis offers six distinct pathways on which students may build their honors program:

  • Global Leadership
  • Community Engagement
  • Research Scholars
  • Enhanced Enterprise Experience
  • New Venture
  • Custom Pathway

Each of these pathways provides a framework of support, exceptional resources and a community of scholars for students interested in challenging themselves and making a difference.

If you know of a student who may be interested in the Pavlis Honors College, encourage them to apply.

Students considering applying should stop by between 9 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Pavlis Honors College in M&M 722 for open advising to learn more about the program requirements and application process.

If you would like to request more information regarding the Honors Pathway Program and the components required to graduate with honors from Michigan Tech, email honors@mtu.edu.

By the Pavlis Honors College.

Michigan Tech Spring 2019 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

Applications for Spring 2019 Finishing Fellowships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m., Oct. 18, to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Materials emailed to gradschool@mtu.edu preferred. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for or in Research Mode at the time of application.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. The Graduate School anticipates funding up to 10 fellowships with support ranging from $2000 to full support (stipend + tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

Michigan Tech Spring 2019 PHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

Applications for Spring 2019 Portage Health Foundation (PHF) Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due no later than 4 p.m., Oct. 16, to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student participating in health-related research that is aligned with the PHF’s mission.
  2. Must be eligible for or in Research Mode at the time of application.
  3. Must be 2 years after starting the graduate program at the time of application.

Priority will be given to students originally from Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga or Ontonagon counties. Non-resident students and international students are encouraged to apply if their health research is applicable to health needs and job shortages of our local community (obesity research, rural health, medical informatics, drug delivery and lab testing, physical therapy, etc.).

These assistantships are available through the generosity of the Portage Health Foundation. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD talent in health-oriented research areas. Applicants should be a catalyst for promoting and improving the overall health of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga and Ontonagon communities through one of the following:

  • Health research and technology development
  • Health education or preventive and wellness initiatives
  • Rural healthcare access, informatics, and assessment of care

Students who receive full support through a PHF Graduate Assistantship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a PHF Graduate Assistantship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.