Graduate School Newsblog

Author: Debra Charlesworth

Spring 2018 KCP Fellowship Applications Sought

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Applications are being sought for Spring 2018 KCP Future Faculty Fellowships, a program funded by the State of Michigan.  Applications are due no later than 4pm on September 12, 2017.  KCP fellowships provide students up to $20,000 (MS students) or $35,000 (PhD students) to pursue their degrees.  The Graduate School and nominating department must also contribute matching funds to help support the student.

The goal of the KCP Future Faculty Fellowship program is to increase traditionally underrepresented candidates pursuing teaching careers in postsecondary education.

To be eligible, an applicant must:

  • Be a US citizen.
  • Be a Michigan resident (contact the Graduate School for questions).
  • Be accepted into his or her Michigan Tech graduate program of choice.
  • Be planning and able to teach or secure an administrative position in postsecondary education. Fellows who do not obtain such a position after graduation will have the KCP fellowship funds converted to a loan.
  • Not have received another KCP Fellowship award for the same degree level (master’s or doctorate).
  • Not be in default status on any guaranteed student loan and/or a KCP fellowship.

A complete application will include:

  • A 1-2 page statement of purpose written by the student as it applies to the KCP fellowship goals
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae that includes positions held, fellowships received, current funding, and expected funding, if applicable
  • A letter of support from the graduate program (chair, dean, program director, or advisor) detailing:
    • the merit of the candidate.
    • how the student will contribute to the diversity of the program.
    • willingness to provide financial support to supplement the KCP funds
    • the mentoring plan for the student.

Please submit complete applications to the Graduate School, attention Dr. Debra Charlesworth (a single PDF via e-mail to gradschool@mtu.edu is preferred).  The review panel will also consider the candidate’s application to Graduate School and current Michigan Tech transcript (if applicable).

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by a panel consisting of one faculty member from each college or school on the following criteria:

  • Academic merit of the candidate.
  • Ability of the candidate to conduct independent research.
  • Level of commitment to pursuing a career in postsecondary education.
  • Level of support from the graduate program.

A priority will be placed on first time students.

Additional information is available online.

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Formatting 101 Seminar Series Continues

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The Graduate School is pleased to announce the final two seminars in its summer seminar series, “Formatting 101.” These short seminars (approximately 30-minutes, followed by time for your questions) are designed for students formatting their dissertation, thesis, or report.  Each seminar will be held in Fisher 138 beginning at 2:30pm and will also be live streamed. Please register so we can plan for your attendance and provide information about the live stream for our off campus participants.

  • June 14, 2017 – Copyright for Dissertations and Theses – the basics of using copyrighted material in your document
  • June 28, 2017 – How to Check and Fix your Document – how to check and fix your document using Adobe Acrobat

Seminar materials are archived online if you’re unable to attend the live event.

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Nominations open for the 2017 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

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Nominations are now open for the 2017 Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award. Please submit nominations to the Graduate School no later than 4pm, June 27, 2017, following our online instructions. This year, nominations are being accepted from dissertations in the fields of:

  1. Biological Sciences (including Forestry)
  2. Humanities and Fine Arts

Michigan Tech may nominate one student in each field. PhD students who have completed all of their degree requirements between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2017, are eligible. The fields of competition for 2018 will be mathematics, physical sciences, engineering, and social sciences.

Nominations must be delivered to Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School no later than 4 p.m. on June 27, 2017; e-mail nominations to gradschool@mtu.edu are preferred.  Contact Debra Charlesworth (gradschool@mtu.edu) if you have any questions about the competition.

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Formatting 101: New Summer Seminar Series

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Students preparing a dissertation, thesis, or report are invited to a new seminar series this summer designed to answer the questions we most commonly see in the Graduate School.  Faculty and staff who assist students are also welcome to attend.  The general format will be a 30 minute presentation with time for your questions.

Our first seminar will be “Formatting 101: Using the Guide and Template.”  We’ll discuss how you can use the Guide to find the formatting rules, and the template for signature/approval pages.  Additional details:

  • Date: May 24, 2017
  • Time: 2:30 – 3:25pm
  • Place: Fisher 138 or live stream

Please register to attend on campus or to view the live stream so that we can plan for your attendance.  Individuals who register for the live stream will receive log in information three hours before the event.

Dates and topics for the remaining two seminars in the series will be announced soon.  All materials (including video when available) from all Graduate School seminars are archived online.

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Fall 2017 PHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

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Applications for fall 2017 PHF Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due no later than 4pm, June 29, 2017 to Dr. 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.
  4. Must not have previously received a PHF Graduate Assistantship.

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.

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Fall 2017 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for fall 2017 finishing fellowships being accepted and are due no later than 4pm, July 6, 2017 to Dr. 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.
  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 ten 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.

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Seminar on Submitting your Dissertation, Thesis, or Report

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Students planning on finishing a dissertation, thesis, or report in summer or fall 2017 are invited a seminar designed to help students understand the submission process and answer questions about it. Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend.

  • When: May 17, 2017 at 2:05 – 2:55 pm
  • Who: Students defending in the summer or fall; faculty and staff who assist students with submission
  • Where: Fisher 139 or online as a live streaming event (please, off campus students only)
  • Register: Off Campus.  On campus.

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation three hours before the event with the location and a reminder of the date and time, or information on how to join us online.

If you are unable to join us, this seminar will be taped and available online after the event.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

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Keys to Graduate School Success

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In a recent article in Tomorrow’s Professor, the authors advocate that the three keys to success are:

  • Follow your passions and talents
  • Pick your advisor and lab wisely
  • Learn to write well

In the article, they expand on these ideas, and offer tips and suggestions to achieve them. One piece that particularly stood out to me is to “follow your passions.” Graduate school is challenging, but your goal is achievable if you lay a good foundation. One piece of that is to find a project that will motivate you even when the research is difficult and it seems like the project can’t be completed.

If you haven’t heard of Tomorrow’s Professor, it’s a great newsletter with tips and article for those pursuing or interested in careers in academia. It’s worth your time to read.

What are your keys to success in graduate school?  Do you agree with the authors?

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Formatting and submission help sessions for spring 2017

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Are you working on formatting corrections for your dissertation, thesis, or report? Do you need help? Are you unsure where to submit your dissertation, thesis, or report?

Join the Graduate School (gradschool@mtu.edu) for group work hours. These workshops are provided at no charge to students working on a dissertation, thesis, or report. Staff will able to help with the changes required by the Graduate School for these documents in MS Office.  Assistance will also be available for converting documents to PDF from Word and how to make simple corrections and check your document in Adobe Acrobat. The workshops will be in rooms with PCs with University software, or you may bring your own laptop. Distance students may contact gradschool@mtu.edu about remote assistance during these times via web conferencing.  If you need additional help outside of these times, please contact the Graduate School.  On a limited basis, one-on-one assistance may be available. Please contact the Graduate School for more information.

All workshops will be held from 1-3pm on the following dates in Dillman 101 unless otherwise noted:

  • Wednesday, April 5, 2017 | 9 – 11am | EERC 723
  • Thursday, April 6, 2017 | 9 – 11am | EERC 723
  • Monday, April 10, 2017 | 11am – 1pm | MEEM 202 – Deadline for spring 2017 is 4pm on April 10th
  • Tuesday, April 18, 2017 | 2 – 4pm | Dillman 208
  • Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | 12:45 – 2:45 pm | MEEM 202
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Summer 2017 PHF Graduate Assistantship Nominations Open

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Applications for summer 2017 PHF Graduate Assistantships are being accepted and are due no later than 4pm, February 14, 2017 to Dr. 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.
  4. Must not have previously received a PHF Graduate Assistantship.

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.

Continue Reading →