Author: Moriah Goodall

Expand Your World: GLAS Student Presentations at the Portage Lake District Library!

GLAS Teaching Practices Spring 2025 - March 10th at Portage District Library 5:15pm until 7:00pm
Interested in Graduate Language Assessment and Support (GLAS) and how to get involved? Read more on out GLAS webpage.

Are you curious about the world beyond Houghton? Do you want to connect with the diverse international community at Michigan Tech? Mark your calendars for an enriching experience at the Portage Lake District Library on March 10th, from 5:15 PM to 7:00 PM! The Graduate Language Assessment and Support (GLAS) program is thrilled to present an evening of student presentations that promise to broaden your horizons and spark new connections.

A Window to the World:

This isn’t your typical lecture. Our GLAS students, hailing from diverse corners of the globe, will share personal stories, cultural insights, and glimpses into their academic pursuits and passions. Imagine hearing firsthand accounts of traditions you’ve only read about, discovering unique perspectives on global issues, and learning about the fascinating research happening right here at Michigan Tech. This is a chance to experience the world without leaving Houghton!

Why You Should Be There:

This event is perfect for:

  • Michigan Tech Students: Connect with fellow students from around the world, learn about different cultures, and expand your network. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build friendships and find study partners with diverse perspectives.
  • Michigan Tech Faculty: Gain valuable insights into the experiences of international students at MTU and discover new ways to foster global understanding in the classroom.
  • Houghton Community Members: Engage with the vibrant international community that enriches our town. Learn about different cultures and build connections with your neighbors.
  • Anyone with a Curious Mind: If you’re interested in learning about different cultures, hearing inspiring stories, and expanding your understanding of the world, this event is for you!

What to Expect:

The GLAS Student Presentations will be a dynamic and engaging event. Expect:

  • Fascinating Stories: Hear firsthand accounts from GLAS students about their home cultures, academic journeys, and personal passions.
  • Cultural Exploration: Immerse yourself in different cultures and perspectives through the stories and experiences shared by our students.
  • Community Building: Connect with GLAS students, faculty, and fellow community members, fostering understanding and appreciation for global community.
  • Thought-Provoking Discussions: Engage in conversations about cultural exchange, global citizenship, and the importance of cross-cultural perspectives.

Event Details:

  • Date: March 10th
  • Time: 5:15 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: Portage Lake District Library
  • Registration: No registration required! Just come and enjoy!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the global community at Michigan Tech! Mark your calendars and invite your friends, family, classmates, and neighbors. Let’s celebrate diversity and learn from each other!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Seth Kriz Represents MTU for MAGS Excellence in Teaching Award!

We are pleased to announce that Seth Kriz has been selected to represent Michigan Technological University for the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Excellence in Teaching Award! Congratulations to Seth on this significant achievement!

Seth’s journey is a testament to his dedication to both research and teaching. He shares a powerful anecdote about his early college experience that ignited his passion for engineering and ultimately led him to Michigan Tech. A pivotal moment involved his engineering physics professor, Professor Joe, who spent two hours helping him debug a program. This experience instilled in Seth a deep appreciation for the impact of dedicated teaching.

Inspired by Professor Joe and other mentors, Seth pursued his own passion for education. He began as a writing center coach and later became the student coordinator of the chemical engineering learning center at Michigan Tech. His graduate advisor, Dr. Caryn Heldt provided him with the opportunity to teach a senior-level bioprocessing elective during the challenging lockdown period. This marked the beginning of his formal teaching career. Since then, Seth has served as instructor of record for four upper-level courses.

Seth’s philosophy of teaching strives to inspire his students, just as he was inspired, while also recognizing the valuable contributions they bring to the learning process. He believes that:

  • Effective teaching is student-centered.
  • Effective teaching is inspirational and empowering.
  • Effective teaching is a symbiotic relationship between an instructor and students.

We wish him the best of luck in the competition! His words resonate with the core values of education, highlighting the importance of mentorship, inspiration, and the dynamic exchange of knowledge.

Learn more about the MAGS awards and Mentoring resources to help you succeed.

Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship Winners

The Graduate School is thrilled to announce the winners of the Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship! This prestigious award recognizes the hard work and dedication of doctoral students in the final stages of their research. By providing financial support and valuable mentorship, the Finishing Fellowship empowers these exceptional scholars to complete their dissertations and make significant contributions to their fields of study. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited to see the impact of their research.

The following students have been selected to receive the 2025 Spring Fellowship:

  • Oluwatosin Ayo
  • Kendall Belopavlovich
  • Xinqian Chen
  • Alex Czarniecki
  • Yifu Deng
  • Steven Ding
  • Larissa Juip
  • Kazeem Kareem
  • Akash Kumar
  • Jessica LaReaux
  • Seth Nelson
  • Elizabeth Novotny
  • Kyle Parker-Mcglynn
  • Eileen Reeves
  • Abel Reyes Angulo
  • Ryne Rutherford
  • Rhiannon Turner
  • Brennan Vogl
  • Yogita Warkhade
  • Karlee Westrem
  • Junyao Yang
  • Meiling Zhou

Learn more about the students listed above on our blog under Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowships.

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.

Congratulations to all the Spring 2025 Finishing Fellowship winners! We are excited to see what you accomplish in the coming months and years.

Find out more about the Finishing Fellowship and other awards available for graduate students at Michigan Technological University. You can also find additional funding information on our financial information webpage.

Fall 2024 Dean’s Awards

The Graduate School announces the recipients of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Awards for the Fall 2024 semester. Congratulations to all recipients!

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship

The following recipients of the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship have demonstrated academic or professional qualities that set them apart within their academic program.

  • Nithin Allwayin – Physics
  • Jeffrey Kabel – Physics
  • Mohanish Chandurkar – Biomedical Engineering
  • Ronald Stempien – Computer Science
  • Shreya Joshi – Atmospheric Sciences
  • James Juip – Social Sciences
  • Hrishikesh Gosavi – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Eric E. Coon – College of Business
  • Casey Majhor – Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Jhuleyssy Sanchez Aguilar – Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences

Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

The following recipients of the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award are recognized for their excellence in teaching. 

  • Casey Aldrich – Physics
  • Philip Cuthbertson – Mathematical Sciences
  • Tom Panella – College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
  • Keenan Rivers – College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
  • Junyao Yang – Computer Science
  • Joseph Teahen – Computer Science
  • Yifu Deng – Computer Science
  • Caitlyn Sutherlin – Social Sciences
  • Jack Smitterberg – Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Ian Quin Mattson – Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Eugene Brown Agyei – Humanities
  • Sepehr Mohammadi – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Libia Hazra – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Kipkorir Yano – Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
  • Karl Schneider – Biological Sciences
  • Kara Hardy – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Ellie Zimmerman – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Cora Taylor – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Troy Metz – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Sazzad Hossain – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Laura Albrant – Psychology and Human Factors
  • Fatemeh Razaviamri – Biomedical Engineering
  • Sananda Ray – Geological Mining Engineering and Sciences

Knauss Fellowship Finalist Ola Ayeni

Michigan Sea Grant has announced that Master of Engineering Management candidate Ola Ayeni has been named a finalist for the 2025 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.

The Knauss program matches graduate students and recent graduates with host agencies in Washington, D.C., such as congressional offices, the National Marine Fisheries Service, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For one year, fellows work on a range of policy and management projects related to ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources. Fellows can be placed in the federal, legislative or executive branches.

After spending six years as a network infrastructure engineer and another six as an environmentalist and circular economy practitioner in Nigeria, Ayeni wanted to strengthen her skills in sustainability and leadership. This led her to pursue a master’s in engineering management at Michigan Tech — a program where she could combine her technical expertise with managerial insights.

In addition to being a graduate student, Ayeni is also the founder of a social enterprise called Hopcyku, which won the Social Impact Award during the 2024 Bob Mark Pitch Competition. Hopcyku’s work focuses on waste diversion and pollution prevention through the principles of the circular economy.

Ayeni’s passion for sustainability and waste management perfectly aligns with broader environmental conservation goals, which inspired her to apply for the Knauss Sea Grant Fellowship. She is honored to join over 1,680 fellows who have, over the program’s 45-year history, significantly contributed to environmental policy and management, building impactful careers in national policy making.

Ayeni is also deeply thankful to Sarah Isaacson (GS) for providing unwavering guidance and support throughout the Knauss Fellowship application process. Isaacson’s commitment ensured Ayeni had everything she needed to succeed. She would also like to express her gratitude to Robert Hutchinson (COB) for his recommendation and ongoing support throughout her time in Houghton.

Read more in the Michigan Sea Grant press release.

Graduate Language Assessment and Support (GLAS) Language Coaching Job

GLAS Language Coach Job Flyer for Spring 2025

Undergraduate Student Coaches

Are you looking for an on-campus position that allows you to:

  • Meet with students from all around the world
  • Be introduced to various cultures
  • Earn a competitive wage ($16/hr)
  • Improve your communication and tutoring skills
  • Work in a friendly environment with other supportive undergraduate students?

What is GLAS?

A free program designed for international graduate students who wish to improve their English oral communication skills.

For more information about GLAS and how to schedule an appointment please visit the GLAS Webpage.