Graduate School Newsblog

Nominations Sought for KCP Future Faculty Fellowships

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Applications are being accepted for the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship, a program funded by the State of Michigan.  The purpose of the King-Chávez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program is to increase the pool of academically and economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty teaching careers in post-secondary education.  

Funding may begin in fall of 2026. Applications are due no later than 4pm on April 20, 2026.

Applicants will complete the following steps:

KCP fellowships provide students up to $20,000 (MS students) or $35,000 (PhD students) to pursue their degrees.  Funds may be used to support students, including faculty and staff, pursuing degrees at Michigan Tech.  For Michigan Tech students, the Graduate School and nominating department must also contribute matching funds to help support the student.
Complete information about eligibility criteria and materials needed for an application is available on our web page. Please note that applications will be submitted through the MILogin Citizens Portal. Questions about eligibility or the application procedure can be directed to Dr. Debra Charlesworth. Applicants may work with Lea Marlor to prepare their educational and career goal statement.

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Caleb Swain – MAGS Excellence in Teaching Award (Nominee representing Michigan Tech)

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Caleb Swain, PhD in Computer Science, 2026

I am a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science under the advisement of Dr. Soner Onder. My primary research focuses on microarchitectural memory optimization techniques and, more broadly, computer architecture. In addition to my research, I have had numerous opportunities to teach courses within the Computer Science Department, including Introduction to Programming and Systems Programming. These experiences have helped me grow not only as an instructor, but also as a researcher.

I would like to thank the Computer Science Department for the many teaching opportunities provided over the years. I am also grateful to everyone who has contributed to my development as an instructor, including my advisor, fellow PhD colleagues, and of course the many students I have had in my classes. Finally, I would like to thank the Department and Michigan Tech for the opportunity to represent the university in the MAGS competition.

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Tucker D. Nielsen Represents MTU for MAGS Distinguished Thesis Award!

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Tucker D. Nielsen, MS in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture, 2026

I’m fascinated by how we communicate ideas, narratives, and discourse. While I started my undergraduate in Computer Engineering and Computer Sciences, I eventually switched to English in 2020 to better study written and spoken communications. After graduating, I decided to pursue a master’s in Rhetoric, Theory and Culture to research writing center and composition pedagogy, as these are vital spots where students learn to articulate their work and themselves. My undergraduate work in the Writing Center and seeing students complain about first-year composition inspired me to research methods to make the class more relatable to STEM students and those with visual/tactile learning methods.

“Four Lessons to Build Upon” introduces tactile learning methods amongst the abstract concepts of first-year university composition courses. Students in the course I taught used LEGO bricks paired up with the four core assignments to reinforce the communicated abstract concepts. The study aimed to improve students’ understanding of rhetorical concepts used throughout their lives, such as critical thinking, analysis, and visualization. I hope this research is used as a starting ground for college instructors and professors to adopt similar methods for connecting students to rhetorical concepts.

I continue studying rhetoric in my second master’s degree in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology, and my research focus has shifted to authorized heritage narratives within West Lake Superior tourism. My current research involves how people communicate their stories and the agencies at work to utilize these stories across West Lake Superior. My full-time position as the Thompson Scholar Program Coordinator also requires me to engage with rhetoric in assisting students with program requirements, establishing community through public service, and creating programs/recruitment materials.

I’m thankful to the Humanities Graduate Department for nominating me and the Graduate Deans Award Advisory Panel for selecting me to represent Michigan Technological University. I felt the Humanities Department’s support through both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I especially want to thank my advisor Dr. Holly Hassel for her insight into composition pedagogy studies and thorough experience in pedagogical research; she assisted me greatly from the initial research design to the final defense. My committee of Dr. Jennifer Nish, Dr. Mark Rouleau, and M. Bartley Seigel also helped through the defense process and provided their industry insight for my work. I finally thank all the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Michigan Tech who I’ve worked with for their guidance and support.

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Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Graduate Assistantship – Spring 2026 – Brandon Woolman

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Brandon Woolman, PhD in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors, 2026

I joined the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors department at Michigan Tech in Fall 2021. With a background in cognitive neuroscience, I was interested in joining the Aging, Cognition, and Action lab. After some training I was onboarded for a project, funded by the National Institute of Health, investigating early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease and long-term retention in two types of movement adaptation: visuomotor rotation and force-field adaptation. The ultimate goal of this work was to identify behavioral markers of cognitive impairment in pre-clinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease that could facilitate earlier diagnosis. This work helped me not only learn valuable research skills but fueled my passion for research.

I have spent my years at Tech investigating the impacts of aging and cognitive decline on motor learning. My dissertation seeks to distinguish the overlapping- and unique- neural networks involved in motor sequence learning and movement adaptation. We plan to measure changes in oxygenated hemoglobin in the pre-frontal cortex using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We expect this region to be of importance to the explicit memory systems involved in motor learning. This work will contribute to our understanding of how healthy aging impacts motor learning, and how this knowledge may help us improve cognitive assessment and neuropsychological evaluations in neurodegenerative diseases in later adulthood.

I am grateful for the support from the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation for helping fund my final semester at Michigan Tech. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Kevin Trewartha, for his support and guidance throughout my graduate school journey. I am excited to complete my PhD and continue my passion for health-related research.

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Good News From The Graduate School

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Good NewLetter from the Graduate School Header Image

All of us in the Graduate School are excited to support you and help you succeed. Be sure to check your email frequently for updates from the Graduate School. Throughout the year, visit the Graduate School Blog for news, updates, and funding opportunities.

Academic Audit

Take a moment to explore and bookmark the Experience page and save the “My Graduate Degree” card under the Academics tab to your homepage (shown at right) for easy access.

The Academic Audit is a helpful tool on the My Graduate Degree card that allows graduate students to easily track their progress toward degree completion. It provides a clear overview of completed coursework, remaining program and Graduate School requirements, and a direct link to the graduation application. Reviewing your Academic Audit regularly can help you plan ahead, avoid surprises, and stay on track toward completing your graduate degree.

What you’ll also find on Experience:

  • Registration and Class Details
  • Forms and Deadlines
  • Degree Progress Checklist – where you can update your expected graduation term
  • Hold Information – see items that may prevent you from registering or graduating
  • Billing Information
  • Payroll and Direct Deposit Information
My Graduate Degree MTU Experience Card Image

Additional Resources

Upcoming Deadlines:

Deadline Date Description
February 6, 2026 Submit your Graduation Application – required to complete your degree in spring or participate in spring commencement
February 23, 2026 Summer 2026 CSCHF Graduate Assistantship applications due
February 24, 2026 Summer 2026 Finishing Fellowship applications due

Upcoming Events

  • Michigan Tech is hosting Engineering Ethics: What Every Engineer Needs to Know, a seminar designed to introduce students and professionals to the ethical responsibilities that guide engineering practice. This event is a great opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to reflect on the broader impact of engineering work and the importance of integrity, accountability, and public welfare in the profession.

  • The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is once again hosting this year’s Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC), taking place on Wednesday, March 18. The GRC offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research across the campus-wide community while developing their presentation skills for upcoming conferences.

Winter Carnival and Local Events

As winter settles into the Copper Country, Michigan Tech comes alive with one of its most iconic traditions, Winter Carnival. Held each February, this long-standing celebration showcases the creativity, resilience, and school spirit of the Michigan Tech community. From massive snow statues built by student organizations to campus-wide events, outdoor and indoor activities, Winter Carnival is the true highlight of the season.

For more ideas on how to spend your free time, be sure to check out the Local Area Events Calendar, there’s something for everyone. To explore additional seminars, workshops, and Graduate School sponsored events, visit the MTU Events Calendar. This calendar highlights upcoming opportunities across campus, making it easy to stay informed and engaged throughout the semester.

Beyond the Classroom

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is your key to connecting with the grad student community. They organize tons of activities, from professional development workshops and the Graduate Research Colloquium to social events and mixers. Getting involved with the GSG is a fantastic way to meet people from different departments, share your ideas, and help shape a fun and supportive campus environment.

The Graduate School offers resources focused on graduate life and well-being, including social connections, wellness support, and involvement opportunities. These resources are designed to help graduate students maintain balance and feel supported throughout their time at Michigan Tech. Learn more on the Graduate Life & Well-Being page.

Have any questions? Please reach out to the Graduate School anytime via email: gradschool@mtu.edu, phone: (906) 487-2327, or visit us in the Admin Building on the 4th floor.

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Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Graduate Assistantship – Spring 2026 – Natalia Krakhaleva

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Natalia Krakhaleva, PhD in Chemical Engineering, 2026

With sincere gratitude, I would like to thank the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me to receive the Graduate Assistantship. It is an honor to have my work recognized in this way.


My name is Natalia Krakhaleva, and I am a third-year Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. I am working on developing electrochemical biosensors that can be used for non-invasive vitamin D screening with tear fluid. Vitamin D deficiency is a common health concern linked to metabolic, immune, and neurological disorders. Improving access to early diagnostic technologies, particularly for rural populations in the Upper Peninsula with limited healthcare access and reduced sunlight exposure, is the long-term aim of this work to support preventive health strategies and improve regional well-being.
Through my graduate studies, I have had the privilege of working under the guidance of Dr. Adrienne R. Minerick and Dr. Yixin Liu, whose mentorship has shaped my scientific approach and encouraged the purposeful alignment of my research with community health needs. I am thankful to the Department of Chemical Engineering for their continuous support and for creating an environment that promotes scientific excellence and collaborative growth.


Alongside my academic work, my commitment to community engagement and student support is reflected in my role as Chair of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers and as a Student Mental Health and Well-Being Ambassador, where I promote inclusion, leadership development, and resilience.
This assistantship will allow me to dedicate focused time to advancing my dissertation research and further strengthening the public health relevance of my work, particularly its application within local communities. I am grateful for the Foundation’s confidence in my work and remain determined to contribute engineering solutions that improve quality of life within the region.

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Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Graduate Assistantship – Spring 2026 – Shuo Sun

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Shuo Sun, PhD in Statistics, 2026

I began my Ph.D. journey in Statistics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Michigan Technological University in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, just after welcoming my newborn baby. Balancing academic life, research responsibilities, and family has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. Over the past several years, I have greatly enjoyed my experiences at Michigan Tech—teaching undergraduate statistics courses, assisting in math labs, conducting research, and engaging with the university community.

My research focuses on developing and applying advanced statistical and computational methods for biomedical and clinical data analysis. Specifically, I work on high-dimensional gene network modeling, machine learning–based fracture-risk prediction, domain adaptation for cross-cohort data, and reinforcement learning for personalized cardiac therapy. These projects combine theory, computation, and real-world health data to create interpretable and generalizable models that advance precision medicine and biomedical discovery.

Outside of academics, I enjoy sports and have been an active member of the Michigan Tech Basketball Club for three years. I also spend my free time reading, exploring music, and staying active with my family.

I am sincerely grateful for the support of the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation (CSCHF), which provides me with the valuable opportunity to focus more deeply on my research and complete meaningful work that connects statistical innovation with real-world health improvement.

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Spring 2026 – Yi Xu

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Yi Xu, PhD in Statistics, 2026

I am deeply honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship Award from the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel. I sincerely thank the Department of Mathematical Sciences for the academic advising and continued support. I am especially grateful to my advisor, Dr. Yeonwoo Rho, for her unwavering encouragement and guidance throughout my doctoral program. I also extend my thanks to the faculty in the math department for their professional instruction and feedback throughout my coursework.


I have had the privilege of working under my advisor, Dr. Yeonwoo Rho, on functional data analysis. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Rho for her invaluable guidance and mentorship, from shaping my research to encouraging my professional development. My research focuses on statistical methods for detecting change points in the mean or variance in high-dimensional or functional time series using random projections, with applications in finance, climate science, and biomedical science.


Alongside my research, I have worked as a Graduate Teaching Instructor for undergraduate math courses. I would like to thank my teaching supervisor, Ann Humes, who provided comprehensive training and helped me develop an instructional framework. I am also grateful to my teaching mentors, Tim Wagner and MaryFran Desrochers, for their guidance on effective teaching practices. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to high-quality instruction.

In addition, I have been proud to serve as the department representative in the graduate student government. I appreciate my colleagues for their participation and engagement, which have contributed to a supportive community. This service has also strengthened my leadership and collaboration skills.
I look forward to continuing to contribute through research, teaching, and service. This fellowship will provide crucial support as I complete my dissertation and prepare for the next stage of my academic career.

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Finishing Fellowship Award – Spring 2026 – Varsha Kumar

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Varsha Kumar, PhD in Electrical Engineering, 2026

I’m a PhD student in Electrical engineering. My research focus on understanding the effects of boundaries which lead to the formation of high-quality factor resonance in finite-size dielectric metasurface. I have performed theoretical studies and computational studies using electromagnetic full wave simulations to understand the nature of the complex resonance response from the fragmented metasurface. The high-quality factors enabled by the finite metasurface are beneficial for enhanced light matter interactions that are important for sensing, lasing, wave-guiding, filtering and imaging applications. I also had the opportunity to instruct labs as a graduate teaching assistant for many semesters, which helped me develop my teaching skills.

I sincerely thank the Graduate school and the Graduate Dean Advisory Panel for this fellowship. I’m grateful to my advisor Dr. Elena Semouchkina for her guidance and support.

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Setting Up a Non-Payroll Direct Deposit

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Non-Payroll Direct Deposit allows Michigan Tech to deposit non-payroll payments (such as travel expenses, flexible spending accounts, business meals and banquets) directly into your bank account.

Follow the steps below to set it up.

Important: Non-Payroll Direct Deposit is separate from payroll or stipend direct deposit.

Step 1

Log in to Experience using your Michigan Tech username and ISO password.

Find the Work tab from the top menu bar and scroll down to find the Payroll card

Payroll menu showing the Enable Direct Deposit Updates option.

Step 2

From the Payroll Card, select Enable Direct Deposit Updates.

Enable Direct Deposit Updates link in the Payroll menu.
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