The 2020-2021 CTL Instructional Award for Curriculum Development has been presented to Katrina Black. Her presentation, “Curriculum Design, Assessment, and Beliefs about Learning,” will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. To register for this event and receive the zoom link to the presentation, register here.
by Sarah Isaacson, GLAS Program Director
Graduate Language Assessment and Support (GLAS) is a free program designed for international graduate students who wish to improve their English communication and cultural skills.
Through small-group conversations that matter, students gain experience participating in class discussions, responding to questions, and listening effectively.
GLAS coaches work with students to help them better understand U.S. university expectations and gain insight into what students and instructors expect from each other in the classroom. GLAS students who are already teaching can practice lectures or lab presentations with their coach. All international graduate students are welcome to attend and participate in the program.
The GLAS Spring 2021 appointment schedule is now available. Visit our page to learn more and to sign up for a weekly appointment.
Writing in the Discipline (Write-D) announces a new partnership with the Chemical Engineering Department beginning with the Spring semester.
Write-D provides a dedicated time and space (currently via Zoom) for graduate students to get work done and receive support on writing projects within their discipline, such as manuscripts, research proposals, etc. Guest speakers from the Department and industry visit to present briefly on research, writing, and publishing tips.
Currently participating departments and facilitators include:
- Biological Sciences: Ruby Alhajjar
- Biomedical Engineering: Ami Kling
- Chemical Engineering: Daniel Kulas
- Civil & Environmental Engineering: Jessica Daignault
Contact your department’s Write-D facilitator or Write-D Coordinator Sarah Isaacson, for more information.
Graduate advisors and students:
The Graduate School is providing support, including personalized writing support along with a Canvas course, for the U.S. Department of Defense science, mathematics, and research for transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service.
About the SMART Scholarship for Service:
The program offers scholarships for bachelors, masters and Ph.D. students pursuing STEM. While in school, students will receive full tuition, monthly stipends ($25,000 – $38,000 per year), health insurance and book allowances, as well as summer internships that range from eight to 12 weeks. Upon degree completion, scholars begin working in a civilian position with their sponsoring facility. For complete details, visit: https://www.smartscholarship.org/smart
Application due date: 5 p.m. (EST), Tuesday, Dec.
Support Provided:
Interested applicants will receive individualized writing support from qualified staff members on their application drafts. In addition, applicants will be added to a Canvas course designed to support them throughout their application process. Questions? Contact Sarah Isaacson, GLAS Program Director.
The DoD is providing a free SMART Application Webinar at 1 p.m. Tuesday, (Nov. 10). Register here.
by Sarah Isaacson, Graduate School
As a student or a researcher, a necessary component of your work is applying for a multitude of grants to obtain funding for future projects. Peter Larson, director of research development at Michigan Tech, will conduct a seminar on Grant Writing from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 via Zoom.
Larson specializes in creating effective grant and research proposals, particularly in the non-technical proposal sections that researchers often struggle with. Please send any topics or questions you wish to see discussed to gsg-prodev@mtu.edu so we can structure the seminar to better suit your needs.
Those who participate in the seminar will get a chance to enter a raffle draw. Space is not really limited but just so we know how many students to expect, be sure to register.
by Graduate Student Government
The Graduate Student Government announces this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition. The competition is being held on Thursday, (Nov. 5). Registration is now open, and will be closed Friday, Oct. 23.
A training workshop for the participants will be provided on Wednesday, Oct. 28. This competition offers a great opportunity for graduate students across the university to present their research to a general audience. Participants are required to present their research within three minutes, hence the name ‘Three Minute Thesis’.
This contest is open to all graduate students at any stage/path of their graduate studies. They are not required to have a finished thesis, or even a proposal to present — even coursework track students can participate. Participants are judged on their communication and presentation skills while delivering their content in just three minutes with one static PowerPoint slide.
The 3MT competition was started by the University of Queensland, Australia in 2008. Success and the growing popularity of the competition spread the idea across more than 200 universities around the globe. The winner of the local Michigan Tech competition will earn the opportunity to present at the regional 3MT competition.
It is divided into two phases: preliminary rounds and a final round. The preliminary round will be held virtually. The format for the final round is yet to be determined. The winner and runners-up will receive cash prizes of $300 and $150 respectively.
Additionally, a People’s Choice award will be given to a speaker selected by the event’s audience, with a cash prize of $100. GSG invites and encourages all graduate students to take advantage of this amazing competition. Full event information and the registration link can be found here.
by Graduate Student Government
September 16, 2020:
Being well prepared for a Career Fair can make a big difference in your employment opportunities. And with the recent changes related to COVID-19, you might wonder what the best ways to prepare look like.
The GSG will be hosting a Career Fair Prep workshop on Wednesday, September 16th, from 4 to 6pm. Chris Hohnholt, Assistant Director of Career Services and Career Advisor, will be leading the discussion and answering your questions about resume writing, (virtual) interviews, internships and co-ops, and professional grooming.
Feel free to contact Yasasya Batugedara at gsg-prodev@mtu.edu with any questions.
Dear graduate students:
The Graduate School is offering support services to assist graduate students in applying for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program, including workshops and one-on-one writing support. Fellowship recipients earn an annual stipend of $34,000 from this prestigious NSF program.
Applications are due to the NSF between Oct. 19 – 22, depending on your discipline.
Workshop 1:
- Overview and tips from a former NSF program manager
- When: 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4th
- Presenter: Pushpalatha Murthy
- Meeting link: Make sure to sign in with your MTU account before joining the meeting to be admitted. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android
Workshop 2:
- Crafting your statements: Content and organization
- When: 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept.
- Presenter: Sarah Isaacson
- Zoom meeting link: Make sure to sign in with your MTU account before joining the meeting to be admitted. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android
Personalized support:
- Workshop participants will receive support via an NSF GRFP Canvas Course as well as individualized writing support from qualified staff members on application drafts. Click here for more details. Questions? Contact Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP Support Coordinator.