October 2020 Edition

GEM
Graduate College Update
Greetings from the Graduate College:
Dr. Jennifer Waldron, Graduate College Dean
As the pandemic continues, most of us are experiencing isolation and struggling to maintain social relationships. Our graduate students may feel less connected with their faculty, their mentors, their peers, and others across campus. Connection is critical to the wellbeing and success of our students. During October, the Graduate College will provide opportunities for our graduate students to connect.
We ask that you, faculty and staff, encourage your students to take part in these opportunities – we know students are more willing to participate when they receive that nudge.
  • Virtual fall-themed trivia night with a autumn drink and sweet treat: Thursday, October 15th from 7:00-8:00 PM 
  • Affinity groups: The Graduate College is offering a multicultural affinity group and LGBTQ+ affinity group for graduate students. These will start in mid-October. 
  • Diversity Book Read: Join the Grad College GA, Tabitha, and the Dean or join the Associate Dean for discussion of the book, How to Be An Antiracist. These will start in mid-October. 
  • Thesis and Dissertation Formatting Workshop: This workshop will help students learn and understand formatting guidelines. 
The Graduate College is committed to the certainty within the uncertainty. Don’t hesitate to contact the Graduate College, members of the Graduate Council, or Graduate Faculty Leaders with questions or concerns.
Together, we create a strong graduate community that supports our students.
Hot Off the Press- Fall Graduation
  • Please remind your students that they must apply for graduation in order for their degree to be conferred. Applications for graduation (and or RSVPing for commencement) prior to November 1 will ensure inclusion in the electronic ceremony. 
  • Graduate students have until November 10 to apply for graduation without a late fee. Students must apply by December 9 to be eligible for fall term as an exception to policy for the current semester (late fees apply after November 10). 
  • Details on the process will be updated on the Registrar's website.
Important Information Regarding GAs
  • Spring 2021 calendar updates for Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships have already been posted on the Graduate College's Forward Together page for Graduate Faculty
  • Spring 2021 GA and TS addendums have been sent to all GA and TS awardees.
  • Remember that the Graduate College has updated Forward Together sites for:
Important Dates to Remember
  • Faculty Summer Research Fellowship, 2020-2021
    Probationary, tenure-track faculty, who have not received other on-campus research/scholarship funding or course release for their scholarship, are eligible to apply for only May or June four-week awards.

    Submit to workflow by Tuesday, October 13, 2020, by 4:30 p.m.
    Should reach Graduate College by Thursday, October 15, 2020 by 4:30 p.m.
  • James F. Lubker Research Award (faculty research/creative activity)
    Dept. head nominates a maximum of one faculty member to Dean, includes faculty CV.

    Nominations to Deans by Friday, October 23, 2020, by 4:30 p.m.
  • Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching Award
    Official nomination letters submitted as a PDF from graduate students, graduate faculty, or the Department Graduate Program Coordinator to the Graduate College by email gradcollege@uni.edu

    Official Nominations due: Friday, November 13, 2020
  • Distinguished Scholar Award
    Nominations originate with department Graduate Faculty and official nomination letter(s) as a PDF must be submitted to the Graduate College by email gradcollege@uni.edu

    Official Nominations due: Friday, November 13, 2020
  • Student Awards https://grad.uni.edu/student-awards
    Official Nominations due: Friday, October 23, 2020, by 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday, November 6: Thesis & Dissertation Review Deadline (does not need to be defended before this date).
  • Friday, December 4: Last day to submit a defended thesis/dissertation to Graduate College.
Events
  1. Graduate Program Coordinator meetings (via Zoom)
    • Topics: Got Data? A Presentation from Institutional Research & Effectiveness
      • Wednesday, October 14th, from 3:30-4:25 p.m.
      • Friday, October 16th from Noon-12:55 p.m.
  2. Graduate Program Coordinator meetings (via Zoom)
    • Topics: Discussion with the Office of the Registrar
      • Wednesday, November 18th, from 3:30-4:25 p.m.
      • Friday, November 20th, from Noon-12:55 p.m.
Spotlight on DEI Initiatives
For this month’s issue, we talked to Dr. Darcie Davis-Gage about how diversity, equity and inclusion is integrated into their program. Dr. Davis-Gage is the program coordinator for School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In their program, the faculty came up with a systematic review process. Last summer, they created an inclusivity statement that was sent out to their students. The Graduate Faculty wanted to communicate to their students that all thoughts are represented.
During this process, Graduate Faculty worked to define what DEI means in the program and counselling profession. Even though diversity is embedded throughout the curriculum and the program, the faculty discussed how each of them are integrating these ideas into their work. One outcome of this discussion was to feature a multicultural textbook. The plan is to have each faculty cover chapters in the book throughout the curriculum. When the students take the Multicultural Counseling course, they will have read the entire text and can focus on sharpening their skills in the Multicultural Counseling class. Dr. Davis-Gage says that training culturally competent counselors involves self-awareness, knowledge and skills.
Faculty in the Counseling program are committed to disseminating what they are doing to intentionally and systematically incorporate DEI, when they are doing it, and how they are doing. These are just a few examples of the DEI initiatives in progress in the Counseling program.
Tip(s) of the Month
  • Continuing & Distance Education provides a resource for their students titled ‘8 Tips for Succeeding in Online Classes’. These tips are relevant to all students and faculty during these times of in-person, online, and hybrid learning. On-campus programs not familiar with this resource may want to share this link with any students who are navigating screen overload and other challenges as they continue to adapt to online coursework. This list also references the helpful pomodoro technique.
  • Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, the Rod Library created this Virtual Care Package with a variety of resources for relaxation and light-hearted distractions for students, staff, and faculty.
Kudos
This month’s spotlight is on our MA in Kinesiology and Sport Performance program for the recent accomplishments of its current students/faculty:
  • Four Spring-2020 graduates have moved on to doctorate programs: Kylie Wilson (Arizona State University), Sydney Cindrich (Iowa State University), Aubri Keese (University of Western State), and Alex Long (East Tennessee State University)
  • We are proud that 25% of the new graduate students identify as members of underrepresented groups.
  • Congratulations to professor Jacob Reed for successfully chairing 8 culminating research projects during the past year and a half.

 

Graduate College
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