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Let’s Talk About it: Facilitating Difficult Conversations for Graduate Students

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Are you a graduate student interested in developing skills that will assist you in facilitating difficult conversations? Please join us on March 5, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. for a Facilitating Difficult Conversations workshop.

This in-person workshop is open to all graduate students and includes instruction, practice, and discussion with your peers. If you’ve ever wondered how to approach a difficult conversation with your advisor, a peer, or roommate, we’ll discuss tips and strategies for getting started in a respectful and professional manner.

​The number of participants is limited to facilitate discussion, so please complete the registration form to save your spot. When you register, you’re expected to attend or let us know if your plans change. You will receive an email reminder before the event which will confirm the location. 

For more information, contact the Graduate School (gradschool@mtu.edu).

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Tech’s Enrollment Tops 7,000

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With well over 7,000 students, enrollment is at its second-highest point since 1983.

Data reported to the State Budget Office on Wednesday, Sept. 7, show total enrollment at 7,031, a 1 percent increase over fall 2010’s official figure of 6,976.

Female enrollment is up for the sixth straight year to an all-time high of 1,837, or 26.1 percent of the student body.

Graduate enrollment increased approximately 5 percent, with a record 1,303 students seeking master’s and PhD degrees, up from 1,256 in fall 2010. “We broke through 1,300 for the first time and processed 3,000 applications, another record number,” said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. “Graduate enrollment continues to increase in accordance with our strategic-plan goal of having 3,000 grad students by 2035.”

“Of our on-campus enrollment, growth is strongest among international students, and we are very pleased that students are drawn here from all over the world to pursue a graduate degree,” she said. Many are self-supporting or are supported by their employers or home countries, she noted. “They provide an economic boost both to the University and to the local community.”

Another area of growth is distance learning. The number of students seeking a graduate degree online is up markedly, from 58 to 106.

Undergraduate enrollment is up as well, with 5,728 students compared to last year’s 5,720. The number of new first-year students grew from 1,115 to 1,161, an increase of approximately 4 percent. The freshman class will also include more women: 288 as compared to 273 in 2010.

In addition, the academic credentials of the entering freshman class are up for the sixth straight year, with a record-setting average ACT composite score of 26.4, compared to last year’s 26.1.

“Smart, adventurous students want to study with other smart, adventurous students,” explained John Lehman, assistant vice president of enrollment services.

The enrollment count also reflects the fact that more students are staying at the University. The retention rate from undergraduates’ first to second year of study has risen to 83.3 percent, approximately 2.5 percent higher than 2010’s 80.9 percent.

The COMPASS program employs a variety of strategies to improve student retention. “Our orientation program helps new students acclimate to the community and learn about the resources that can make them successful,” said Director Susan Liebau. The office offers special services for transfer and commuter students, along with the ExSEL program, which combines leadership development with tips for improving academic performance.

In addition, the University tracks first-year students’ mid-term grades and has stepped up efforts to reach out to those who are struggling. “That’s been one of our most effective efforts to ensure the success of students,” Liebau said.

Published in Tech Today
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer

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Professional Skills Workshop – From Cover Letter to Interview

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Professional Development Day is coming up this Friday, September 19.

“From Cover Letter to Interview: Professional Skills Workshop”

GSG and the Michigan Tech Career Center are teaming up to help you market yourself to prospective employers with the following:

  • CV & Resume Writing Workshop
  • Interview & Career Fair Tips
  • Questionnaire Session with International students
Date: Friday, September, 19th
Time: 11 AM – 2 PM
Place: Library East Reading Room

A catered lunch ( Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian) will be provided.

All graduate students are invited to attend. No RSVP is necessary. We hope to see you all there!
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Michigan Space Grant Consortium graduate fellowship application support

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The Graduate School is offering support services to assist graduate students in applying for the Michigan Space Grant Consortium’s Graduate Fellowship, including a workshop and one-on-one writing support.

MSGC’s Graduate Fellowship opportunity supports graduate students from affiliate
institutions who are conducting research and public service projects relevant to NASA’s strategic interests as expressed in NASA’s 2014 & 2018 Strategic Plans, specifically, research focused on aerospace, space science, and earth system science. Graduate students working in other, related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields are also eligible to apply. Starting this year, MSGC is piloting an expanded definition of STEM to include support for interdisciplinary projects that include art, so graduate students conducting research and projects relevant to NASA’s strategic interests in disciplines not traditionally considered STEM, such as the humanities or social sciences, are likewise encouraged to apply.

Fellowship recipients are awarded $5,000. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. nationals, have a good academic record, and be in good academic standing. Women, under-represented minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Students currently receiving MSGC Fellowships are eligible to reapply.

Workshop information: Overview and tips from an MSGC Fellowship reviewer
Date and Time: Friday, September 17th, from 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Location: Admin 404
Presenter: Will Cantrell, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
Host: Sarah Isaacson, GLAS Program Director, sisaacso@mtu.edu
Register here: https://forms.gle/RSPYtUHVD6Yjimou6
A recording of the workshop will be available beginning September 21st.

Deadlines:
Wednesday, Nov. 3 at noon — Internal deadline for undergraduate and graduate fellowship proposals
Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. — Final materials, after review and approval by SPO, must be uploaded to MSGC by the applicant

For more information and specific application instructions, visit the MSGC website and the MTU Graduate School’s MSGC web page.

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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Application Support

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The Graduate School is offering support services to assist graduate students in applying for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program, including workshops and one-on-one writing support.  Fellowship recipients earn an annual stipend of $34,000.  To be eligible, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, have never previously applied to GRFP while enrolled in a graduate degree program, have never earned a master’s or professional degree in any field, or completed more than one academic year in a graduate degree-granting program.  Applications are due October 18th – 22nd.  See https://www.nsfgrfp.org/ for full benefits and eligibility details.

Workshop 1: Overview and tips from a former NSF program manager and reviewer
Date and Time: Friday, September 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Presenter: Dr. Pushpalatha Murthy, former NSF program manager
Co-hosts: Dr. Debra Charlesworth, former NSF GRFP reviewer, and Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP Support Coordinator
Zoom meeting link: Please make sure to sign in with your MTU account before joining the meeting to be admitted.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/83018958000

Workshop 2: Crafting your statements: Content and organization
Date and Time: Friday, September 10th, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Presenter: Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP Support Coordinator
Zoom meeting link: Please make sure to sign in with your MTU account before joining the meeting to be admitted.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/82410509516

Personalized writing support:
Applicants will receive support via an NSF GRFP Canvas course as well as individualized writing support on application drafts from qualified staff members.

See https://www.nsfgrfp.org/ for more details. Questions? Contact Sarah Isaacson, NSF GRFP Support Coordinator: sisaacso@mtu.edu

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GSG Professional Development Workshop – Publishing Your Research

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by Ami Kling, Professional Development Chair, Graduate Student Government

Join the Graduate Student Government for a professional development workshop designed to prepare you to navigate the publication process from 4 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Nov. 20) in Admin 404. Many graduate students are unaware of the issues, complications, and amount of time involved in the publication process until they actually begin to prepare or submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

GSG is continuing its 2019 professional development series with a professional development workshop entitled “Publishing Your Research.” This workshop will consist of an informal panel discussion with on-campus journal contributors and reviewers. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain useful tips and advice regarding manuscript preparation and submission, publication timelines, and addressing reviewer comments.

This event is open to all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Refreshments provided. Space is limited so be sure to register here for the event.

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR U.S. GRADUATE STUDENTS

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2011 APPLICATION NOW OPEN

(Link: www.nsfsi.org )

The National Science Foundation (NSF) East Asia and Pacific Summer
Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI) is a flagship
international fellowship program for developing the next generation of
globally  engaged U.S. scientists and engineers knowledgeable about the
Asian and Pacific regions. The Summer Institutes are hosted by foreign
counterparts committed to increasing opportunities for young U.S.
researchers to work in research facilities and with host mentors abroad.
Fellows are supported to participate in eight-week research experiences
at host laboratories in Australia, China, Japan (10 weeks), Korea, New
Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan from June to August. The program provides
a $5,000 summer stipend, round-trip airfare to the host location, living
expenses abroad, and an introduction to the society, culture, language,
and research environment of the host location.

The 2011 application is now open and will close at 5:00 pm local time on
November 10, 2010.  Application instructions are available online at
www.nsfsi.org. For further information concerning benefits, eligibility,
and tips on applying, applicants are encouraged to visit
www.nsf.gov/eapsi or www.nsfsi.org.

NSF recognizes the importance of enabling U.S. researchers and educators
to advance their work through international collaborations and the value
of ensuring that future generations of U.S. scientists and engineers
gain professional experience beyond this nation’s borders early in their
careers. The program is intended for U.S. graduate students pursuing
studies in fields supported by the National Science Foundation. Women,
minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to
apply for the EAPSI. Applicants must be enrolled in a research-oriented
master’s or PhD program and be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents
by the application deadline date. Students in combined bachelor/master
degree programs must have matriculated from the undergraduate degree
program by the application deadline date.

The first Summer Institutes began in Japan in 1990, and to date over
2,000 U.S. graduate students have participated in the program.

Should you have any questions, please contact the EAPSI Help Desk by
email at eapsi@nsfsi.org or by phone at 1-866-501-2922.

If you are interested in applying please contact Jodi Lehman (jglehman@mtu.edu)

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Seminar on Competitive Fellowships

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Many federal agencies solicit highly competitive graduate fellowship/scholarship applications. In particular, Michigan Tech students have had success with the following:

The Sponsored Program Enhancement office is offering a series of seminars/workshops to help eligible domestic first-year graduate students and senior undergraduate students understand what opportunities are available and help them develop a competitive application.

  • Overview of Funding Opportunities
    Sept. 8, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Writing the Personal Essay and References
    Sept. 15, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Tips from Real Panel Reviewers
    Sept. 22, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom B3
  • Writing Research Essays
    Sept. 6, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Peer Review Workshop
    Sept. 13, 4 to 5 p.m., Memorial Union Peninsula Room
  • Peer Review Workshop
    Sept. 20, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom A2

For more information, contact Jodi Lehman at jglehman@mtu.edu .

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Houghton Held Chemistry for Thai Undergraduate Interns

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Nattasak Sukkasam and Tapee Saowalakkul left hot, humid Bangkok, Thailand, in March for a two-month internship at Michigan Tech. They landed in Houghton in a snowstorm.

But their mentor, Parinya “Prince” Chakartnarodom, had prepared them, with snow survival tips—and coats and boots. Prince is a Michigan Tech alumnus and the Thai undergraduates’ materials engineering professor at Kasetsart University in Bangkok.

The interns were invited to Tech by Komar Kawatra, chair of chemical engineering. The idea for the exchange program arose when Jennifer Donovan, director of news and media relations at Michigan Tech, spent a month at Kasetsart University on a Fulbright specialist grant last November. She returned to Michigan Tech determined to help develop some exchanges between the Michigan and Thai universities. This was the first of what she hopes will be ongoing student and faculty exchanges.

Read the full news story.

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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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