Graduate School Newsblog

Women Helping Women at Ignite Night

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The President’s Council of Alumnae and the Michigan Tech chapter of the Society of Women Engineers are bringing 10 successful women to campus for Ignite Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. There will be a question-and-answer session, refreshments and a chance to chat informally with the speakers after the program. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

Oil company vice presidents, automotive engineers, geologists, professors and other female leaders in their fields will talk about the challenges they’ve faced and how they’ve handled them.

Speakers include Colleen Cervantes, vice president of product supply and trading for Chevron; Diane Doser, professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso; Birgit Sorgenfrei, a professional engineer at Ford Motor Co.; Patricia Henderson, president of Cygany Inc.; Shanon Lemke, a senior geologist at Vitruvian Exploration II; Marilyn Clark, CEO of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone; Christine Manninen, director of the Great Lakes Commission’s Great Lakes Information Network; and Lee Rouse, president and CEO of Omni Tech International.

Their topics include: “What I Wish I had Known at the Beginning of My Career”; “From Wallflower to Sunflower–Why Networking is Important, Even for Shy People”; “Why You Don’t Need to Know What You Want to Be When You Grow Up”; “Communicate Early and Often”; and “Putting Your Best Foot Forward.”

Published in Tech Today

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Fulbright Opportunities

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The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study, conduct research or be an English teaching assistant abroad for one academic year. In addition, Critical Language Enhancement Awards are available to grantees for study of critical need foreign languages before or concurrently with their grant period. More than 1,500 Americans receive grants to study, research or teach abroad with either full or partial support from the Fulbright Program.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers three kinds of grants: study/research, English Teaching Assistantships (ETAs) and travel-only grants.

Applying: The application for all grants (except the Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship and the Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship) in academic year 2012-2013 is now closed.  The application cycle for 2013-2014 grants will open in spring 2012 with a due date in mid-October 2012.  All participants must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent by the start of their grant. Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university must apply through the Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA) on campus, whose deadline may be earlier. Prospective applicants who are not enrolled students may apply at-large or though their alma mater’s FPA. Visit the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website for complete application, eligibility and program details.

Study/Research Grants

These fellowships offer up to one academic year of support for study and/or research in academic fields and the creative and performing arts. Applicants propose their own research and/or graduate study project and find their own host affiliation. Grants to study at specific universities are also available for some host countries.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (ETA)

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program places recent college graduates and young professionals as English teaching assistants in primary and secondary schools or universities overseas, thus improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States while increasing the U.S. student’s own language skills and knowledge of the host country. ETAs may also pursue individual study/research plans in addition to their teaching responsibilities.

Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health

Offered in partnership with the Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institute of Health, Fulbright-Fogarty fellowships grant medical students and graduate students interested in global health the opportunity to conduct research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.  Fellows spend nine months in one of twelve countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia or South America.  Applying: The application for awards that begin in the 2012-2013 academic year is now closed; the application cycle will open again in spring 2012 for 2013-2014 academic year grants. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and may apply only to one country; applicants for Fulbright-Fogarty fellowships should apply to the general Fulbright Student program in the field of Public Health. Visit the Fulbright-Fogarty webpage for complete application, eligibility and program details.

Travel-Only Grants

Grants for international travel are available to Germany, Hungary and Italy to supplement other fellowships that do not include travel costs or to supplement a student’s own funds for study/research.

Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship

The Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship is a special opportunity for up to four U.S. students to pursue projects around an aspect of international contemporary or popular music as a cultural force for expression. Applying: The application cycle is open from December until March each year for grants in the following academic year; the application and selection are separate from those of the other Fulbright U.S. Student Program opportunities described above. Visit the Fulbright-mtvU Fellowship website for complete application, eligibility and program details.

Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship

The new Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship affords participants the opportunity to serve in professional placements in foreign government ministries or institutions and gain hands-on public sector experience while also carrying out an academic research/study project. The application for awards for the 2012-2013 academic year is now open; all application materials must be submitted by February 1, 2012.

Fulbright Canada Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Award

The Fulbright Canada STEM Award offers U.S. students support for three years of doctoral study at one of six leading Canadian research universities (McGill University, Université de Montéal, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and University of Waterloo) in both basic and applied fields of science, engineering and mathematics. Applying: The application for awards that begin in the 2012-2013 academic year is now closed; the application and selection are separate from those of the other programs described above. Visit the Fulbright Canada STEM Award website for complete application, eligibility and program details.

Application Advice

Fulbright U.S. Student Alumni Ambassador Program

Fulbright U.S. Student Alumni Ambassadors represent the program’s rich diversity and play a key role in increasing knowledge about Fulbright opportunities to prospective applicants. They provide testimonials about their Fulbright experiences at conferences and campus presentations and offer application tips in written articles, video and podcast interviews, Webinars, and at special events throughout the United States.

Meet the Fulbright U.S. Student Alumni Ambassadors

Fulbright U.S. Student Program Blog

U.S. Student Program applicants can read testimonials and application tips from current grantees and alumni on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program Blog.

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Michigan Space Grant Consortium

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Michigan Tech is a long standing member of the Michigan Space Grant Consortium.  Many or our students, faculty and staff have received grants from MSGC over the past 15 years.  The annual conference and the RFP for future funding opportunities are described below:

The MSGC funding opportunities for Fellowship, Pre-College Education, Public Outreach, Teacher Training, and Research Seed Grant.
Deadline for proposals packages is no later than Friday, November 16, 2012.
Please visit the MSGC website, http://www.mi.spacegrant.org

Note – MSGC Fellowship Program:  Only US Citizens may apply for an MSGC Fellowship.

The MSGC Annual Fall Conference is scheduled for Saturday, October, 6, 2012

Please visit the MSGC website (http://www.mi.spacegrant.org) and click on the Annual Conference tab.
Registration is due no later than September 24th.
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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

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The National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity.  The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited US institutions.

Sponsored Program Enhancement will offer a seminar/workshop series to mentor students in developing competitive applications.

All sessions are from 12:00 to 12:50 and are located in the Pat Nelson Graduate Conference Center on the fourth floor of the Administration Building.  Please contact Jodi Lehman (jglehman@mtu.edu) with any questions. Feel free to bring your lunch!

September 13th  “Overview of Different Funding Opportunities and Resources for Domestic and International Students”

Dr. Jodi Lehman, Coordinator of Proposal and Fellowship Development, Sponsored Program Enhancement (SPE)

  • Why apply
  • Eligibility and Benefits of Diverse Funding Opportunities
  • Resources for finding funding
  • Resources for developing competitive application material

September 20th  “Pulling Together Competitive NSF GRFP Application Material”

Dr. Jodi Lehman, Coordinator of Proposal and Fellowship Development, SPE

  • Broader Impacts and Intellectual Merit
  • The Personal Statement: A 5 point elevator speech
  • Previous Research Experience: Thinking outside the traditional lab experience
  • Proposed Plan of Research: A template for success
  • Exceptional Letters of Recommendation

September 27th   “Harness Your Brilliance: A Revision Process”

Mark Hopkins, NSF Fellow (awarded fellowship after second submission and tons of hard work) and PhD Candidate

Kara Sokol, Director of Integrated Marketing, University Marketing and Communication

  • Why start early
  • Who needs to be involved in the revision process
  • Writing strategies and revision processes that worked

Tentative: October 4th   “An Insider’s Perspective on the Review Process”

Dr. Debra Charlesworth, Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School for Professional Development, Biomedical NSF GRFP Panel Chair

  • Understand the review process
  • High impact tips to make your reviewer happy J

October 11th   “Broader Impacts…huh?”

NSF GRFP Reviewer and Tech Alumni, Dr. Caryn Heldt

  • How to address broader impacts
  • What activities and projects reflect clear interdisciplinary initiatives or implications, benefits to society, engagement with diverse groups, strong collaborations and partnerships, current and consistent outreach, ability to publish and present and future plans to do so.

October 18th or 25th “The Review Process”

Workshop: Gain a hands-on reviewer’s perspective and understand the importance of addressing the merit criteria – all in 45 minutes

TBA in early November “Mock Review”

Evening Workshop: Review applicant drafts while receiving feedback on your own drafts

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Washington Monthly Rates Michigan Tech Among Top 100

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Michigan Tech has been named one of the top 100 universities in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine. The publication ranked Michigan Tech 63rd overall and 4th in the country for encouraging students to give service to their country through its ROTC programs.

Tech placed third of only 5 Michigan universities ranked in the top 100. The other Michigan rankings were: University of Michigan, 13th, Michigan State, 34th, Western Michigan, 90th, and Wayne State University, 95th.

The magazine says its ratings differ significantly from other national publications’ rankings. According to its website, “the Washington Monthly rates schools based on what they are doing for their students and the country–on whether they’re improving social mobility, producing research and promoting public service.”

The rankings are further defined by contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students); research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs); and service (encouraging students to give something back to their country).

“We are particularly gratified by our excellent showing in this ranking because the criteria align so closely with our University’s strategic plan and goals,” said President Glenn Mroz. “Recruiting and graduating disadvantaged students in spite of declining state support, conducting cutting-edge research, growing our Graduate School and encouraging students to give back are at the heart of the Michigan Tech philosophy.”

In a news release announcing the rankings, Washington Monthly explained its criteria: “The main flaw in most college rankings is that they tend to measure how prestigious institutions are rather than how effectively they serve their students.”

by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor
Published in Tech Today

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First Friday Social – at the Graduate School!

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Faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to attend the September First Friday University Social from 4 to 6 p.m., Sept. 7, at the Pat Nelson Graduate Conference Center on the fourth floor of the Administration Building. Complimentary soda, beer and wine will be served, along with Asian appetizers.

The Graduate School and Graduate Student Government are this month’s sponsors. Plan to come and mingle with your colleagues and see the recently donated conference room and the new GSG offices. Along with the Graduate School and GSG, the conference center was funded by the late Patricia Nelson, wife of Michigan Tech Chemical Engineering graduate Charles J. Nelson (’36, deceased).

The First Friday University Socials began in 2006 to provide a casual setting for members of the campus community to get together informally, share their work and get to know each other. Such informal gatherings often lead to more productive work relationships and an appreciation for diversity.

In an effort to increase the effectiveness of the initiative, this academic year will continue to feature campus partners who will sponsor each month’s event. International Programs and Services will host the next social on Friday, Oct. 5. If your department is interested in hosting a social or would like more information, please contact Megan Ross at 487-3123 or mrross@mtu.edu .

Published in Tech Today.

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Introducing Husky Motor’s Free Shuttle Service

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Husky Motors will now be operating a free shuttle service between the SDC, Daniell Heights, Wadsworth Hall and the Memorial Union Building every 20 minutes on weekday mornings and afternoons.

Taking the shuttle is a great way to get from perimeter lots down to campus and from campus up to the SDC.

For the current shuttle route and time schedule, please visit Transportation Services.

Rollout of the new service will be at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22.

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Productivity and Technology

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Academics are lucky – they get two (or three if you count summer) chances to start a fresh leaf every year. Each new start is an opportunity to re-energize yourself and be more productive.  Are you looking for some inspiration on how to use technology to be more productive?  If so, check out these two resources:

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Paper is among most read articles

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A paper by Yun Hang Hu and graduate student Yan Huo was among the most-read articles in the Journal of Physical Chemistry during the second quarter of 2012. “Fast and Exothermic Reaction of CO2 and Li3N into C–N-Containing Solid Materials” showed that carbon nitride could be made in an exothermic reaction of carbon dioxide and a lithium compound. Read more about Hu’s discovery at Carbon Nitride.

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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dissertation

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This article from Inside Higher Ed’s blog will show you how to love your dissertation (or thesis). Writing can be an overwhelming task, and everyone can use tips on how to manage the writing process and motivate yourself to do just a little bit every day. These tips also apply to any large-scale project, like writing a proposal or journal article.

One of the pieces of advice that we often give students is that the best dissertation is a finished dissertation. Focus on completing your degree and starting the next stage in your career rather than seeking perfection.

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