Sept. 5-10, 2023
Welcome to the Graduate School’s D.C. Area weekly newsletter for graduate students. We share events, services, administrative announcements, and job opportunities. The newsletter is published on Mondays. When the university is closed for a holiday on Monday, the newsletter will be emailed on Tuesday. Posts must be relevant to graduate students in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area and other Northern Virginia campuses. Posts must include the name and contact of the requesting organization or person; not exceed 150 words; and not include attachments (no fliers or photos). Submissions will be edited to fit newsletter style and formatting requirements.
Submit post requests by 3 p.m. Friday before the Monday on which the post is to appear using this Google form: https://gs.vt.edu/weeklylistserv.
The D.C. Area Weekly newsletters are also available at:
https://dcareaweekly.graduateschool.vt.edu/.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact the reference in the posting at least 10 business days prior to the event.
To see full descriptions for items in the summary list, please scroll down past the list to find matching numbered posts for each item in the list.
Ongoing Services
- GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA
- CAREER ADVISING
- COOK COUNSELING:
- CRANWELL INTERNATIONAL CENTER
- GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON
- AFFINITY GROUPS
- NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER LIBRARY
- HOKIE ONE STOP
- WRITING CENTER
- EXPERIENCE VT WITH EMILY T
This Week’s Events and Activities:
1. SCIENCE POLICY AND ADVOCACY CLUB MEETING
2. HANDSHAKE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
3. THURSDAY WALKING GROUP WITH MINDFULNESS
4. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING SEMINAR SERIES WITH DR. ALIREZA HAGHIGHAT
Administrative Announcements:
5. HEALTH PLAN OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS, 1st posting
6. JOIN THE STUDENT TITLE IX ADVISORY BOARD, 1st posting
7. VT-BOEING MOU FOR STUDENT VETERANS, 1st posting
8. JOIN THE CLIMATE ACTION LIVING LABORATORY, 1st posting
9. CIRTL AT VIRGINIA TECH OFFERS TEACHING ASSOCIATE BADGE PROGRAM, 1st posting
10. GUIDANCE REGARDING GENERATIVE AI AND CHATGPT, 2nd posting
11. UPASS PROGRAM LAUNCHES FOR D.C. AREA GRADUATE STUDENTS, 2nd posting
12. USING THE ILLiad SYSTEM THROUGH VIRGINIA TECH’S UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, 2nd posting
13. VIRGINIA TECH AFFINITY GROUPS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA, 2nd posting
14. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT NOMINATIONS OPEN, 3rd posting
Job Opportunities
15. GRADUATE SCHOOL WAGE POSITION, GRAPHICS DESIGNER, 2nd posting
External Funding Opportunities
16. SIGMA XI GRANTS IN AID OF RESEARCH, 3rd posting
17. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS, 3rd posting
Upcoming Events:
18. MASTER YOUR FUTURE WORKSHOP SERIES, 3rd posting
19. INTRODUCTION TO CAREER EXPLORATION FOR PHDS
20. GHS PANELIST TRAINING
21. SAVE THE DATE: COMMONWEALTH CYBER INITIATIVE INTERNSHIP AND JOB FAIR, 3rd posting
22: SAVE THE DATE: DIVERSITY CHALLENGE GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE, 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A BOOK READING EXPERIENCE RESEARCH STUDY, 2nd posting
Ongoing Services (updated 09/0523)
- GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA: Schedule an in-person or virtual advising appointment with a Graduate School Academic Progress and Admissions advisor at https://rb.gy/80frn or send your questions to gssoncr@vt.edu. Offices are located on the fourth floor of the Northern Virginia Center (NVC) in Falls Church.
- CAREER ADVISING: Schedule a career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html
- COOK COUNSELING: Schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with the Northern Virginia Embedded Counselor, Julie Kaplan, Ph.D. by emailing jskaplan@vt.edu or calling 703-635-9957. After hours support can be found by calling 540-231-657 or visiting ucc.vt.edu/timelycare
- CRANWELL INTERNATIONAL CENTER: Schedule an appointment by emailing international@vt.edu or calling 540-231-6527.
- GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: Contact for a virtual appointment at gradombud@vt.edu or 540-231-9573.
- AFFINITY GROUPS: Contact Assistant Dean Chontrese Hayes at chontresehayes@vt.edu for information about these student groups.
- NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER LIBRARY: Located on the 1st floor of the Northern Virginia Center (NVC) in Falls Church. Open Monday through Thursday from 11-9, Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-5. Visit lib.vt.edu/nvc to book a study time/seat.
- HOKIE ONE STOP: Online links to additional resources and services available to graduate students in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area and Northern Virginia campuses. https://graduateschool.vt.edu/current-students/dc-hokieonestop.html
- WRITING CENTER: Virginia Tech Libraries house The Writing Center, a free service for all students, faculty, and staff at the university. The center offers real-time, face-to-face online synchronous sessions as well as online asynchronous sessions. For more information: https://lib.vt.edu/study-learn/writing-center.html
- EXPERIENCE VT WITH EMILY T: Every Tuesday at 9 a.m., Virtual (Zoom) Join Graduate and Professional Student Board of Visitors Representative Emily Tirrell for her weekly office hours. Come and learn more about the graduate school, the student senate, the Board of Visitors, and campus resources! Online link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/emilytirrell
This Week’s Events and Activities
1. SCIENCE POLICY, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY CLUB MEETING
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 5:30 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)
Do you want to utilize your technical knowledge to benefit society in further-reaching, more meaningful ways? The Science Policy, Education, and Advocacy Club (SPEAC) will hold an interest meeting with in-person and Zoom options. Come join us to learn what we have in store for this semester and offer feedback on programming that you want to see. Zoom Meeting ID: 829 8756 1114. Submit questions to SPEACVT@gmail.com
2. HANDSHAKE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Sept. 7, 2023 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)
Career and professional Development is offering a workshop that will cover how to navigate Handshake. The platform can be used to schedule appointments with career advisors, find career-related events, and search for jobs.
https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html
3. THURSDAY WALKING GROUP WITH MINDFULNESS
Sept. 7, 12:30-1 p.m., in person (Falls Church)
The Walking Group with Mindfulness moments meets at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church, every Thursday. Take a break, de-stress, meet other students, faculty, and staff, and walk in the neighborhoods and parks near the NVC. Meet at the security desk at the entrance of the NVC on the second floor. Contact Julie Kaplan, Ph.D., Embedded Counselor for the greater Washington, D.C. metro area, for more information, at jskaplan@vt.edu.
4. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING SEMINAR SERIES WITH DR. ALIREZA HAGHIGHAT
Friday, Sept. 8, 10:10-11 a.m. Foggy Bottom Room at VTRC-Arlington, or Zoom
Dr. Haghighat, professor and director of the Nuclear Engineering program, will give a talk entitled, “New paradigm for real-time, high-fidelity particle transport simulation with Monte Carlo accuracy.” Zoom information: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/86087882847
Administrative announcements
5. HEALTH PLAN OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS, 1st posting
Deadline: Monday, Sept. 11.
The Aetna Student Health plan will close its open enrollment on September 11th. If you are a Graduate Assistant, this is the only option to use your insurance benefits. Please visit risk. https://risk.vt.edu/smi.html for more information.
6. JOIN THE STUDENT TITLE IX ADVISORY BOARD, 1st posting
The Office for Equity and Accessibility (oea.vt.edu) invites students to join the Student Title IX Advisory Board, a group that convenes regularly to provide feedback on the university’s response to reports of gender-based harassment and violence. The board will meet three to four times each semester to discuss issues and engage directly with the university’s Title IX coordinator. Topics will include policies and procedures, resources available to students, and communication and outreach efforts, including SAFE at VT (https://safe.vt.edu). Diverse student voices, experiences, and insights are essential to informing the work of the Title IX team. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Interested students should submit a short statement of interest to Title IX Coordinator Katie Polidoro at polidoro@vt.edu by Sept. 8.
7. VT-BOEING MOU FOR STUDENT VETERANS, 1st posting
Virginia Tech and Boeing have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that offers job interviews with Boeing to VT student veterans. All candidates must meet the minimum qualification of the position(s) being applied to for interview preference. Review details and guidance at https://www.veterans.vt.edu/students/career-resources.html
8. JOIN THE CLIMATE ACTION LIVING LABORATORY, 1st posting
The Climate Action Living Laboratory (CALL) is an inclusive and interdisciplinary research group that uses the campus environment in Blacksburg and beyond to do cutting edge research and teaching within the broad category of climate action. Joining the CALL will help the university meet its goals and also provide some key benefits for faculty and graduate student researchers/educators, and will create more funding and interdisciplinary partnership opportunities to increase the scale of environmental research at Virginia Tech. For more information about the CALL, visit this website: https://www.vt.edu/sustainability/academics.html.
To receive CALL emails, please fill out this survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/CALL2023-2024.
For more information about getting involved with the living laboratory, contact Climate Action Fellow Jack Leff: leffjr@vt.edu.
9. CIRTL AT VIRGINIA TECH OFFERS TEACHING ASSOCIATE BADGE PROGRAM, 1st posting
The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) at Virginia Tech offers a new Teaching Associate badge program. Participants will engage in programming focused on foundational knowledge about teaching and complete a teaching philosophy activity to start building their teaching portfolios. Upon completing program requirements, participants will receive a digital badge recognizing their connection and association with effective teaching practices. The program is open to graduate students and postdoctoral associates regardless of teaching experience or responsibilities. Multiple options for program completion are available. To be eligible, you must be a current graduate student or postdoctoral associate at Virginia Tech, and you must complete the program requirements during your time as a graduate student or postdoctoral associate at the university. Applications will open on Sept. 5, 2023, at 9 a.m. For more information about the Associate Badge program, visit https://cirtl.vt.edu/.
10. GUIDANCE REGARDING GENERATIVE AI AND CHATGPT, 2nd posting
Graduate School Dean Aimée Surprenant and Dale Pike, associate vice provost for Technology-enhanced Learning (TLOS), posted a statement providing guidance regarding generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, and how these emerging technologies might impact teaching and research. As graduate instructors and graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) consider how to address these issues in their classes, they are encouraged to keep the guidelines in mind. Those include familiarizing themselves with the technology and its implications; having open discussions with students on responsible AI use and citation expectations. updating syllabi to directly address use of generative AI and establish policies for citing its use; focusing assignments on applying skills and knowledge over reciting facts, emphasizing critical analysis, individual perspectives, and personal reflection where appropriate; and considering formative assessment strategies that emphasize learning processes over summative assessment strategies that emphasize the finished product. Read the statement here:
https://tlos.vt.edu/resources/generative-ai/graduate-school-statement.html
11. UPASS PROGRAM LAUNCHES FOR D.C. AREA GRADUATE STUDENTS, 2nd posting
The U-Pass program is a joint effort between Virginia Tech and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro). The program aims to provide eligible full-time enrolled students with alternative transportation options, stimulate new transit ridership, reduce the demand for on-campus parking, decrease emissions, and increase student access to their campus and the region. Students who are eligible for this program have been contacted by VT Transportation Services. Card pick up is happening now at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church (NVC) Library. If full-time, “in person” students at the NVC, Virginia Tech Research Center-A (VTRC-A), or the WAAC think they are eligible and have not been contacted, please reach out to gettingaround@vt.edu. Read more here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2023/08/ops-u-pass-program-announcement.html
12. USING THE ILLiad SYSTEM THROUGH VIRGINIA TECH’S UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES, 2nd posting
The beginning of the semester is a great time to make sure your address in your ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan system) account is correct before making any requests. Physical items (books and DVDs) are sent via UPS to your address at no additional charge. Use ILLiad for all your requests by choosing “Extended campus users request via ILLiad” from the system’s menu for books available in Blacksburg. ILLiad is also great for requesting articles or a single chapter from a book when those items are not available online.
To update your address, choose the last option on the left of the main page, “Change Account Information” on your account: https://vt.hosts.atlas-sys.com/logon.
For more information see this guide: https://guides.lib.vt.edu/ill , or contact the NVC Library: nvclibrary@vt.edu, or call 703-538-8340
13. VIRGINIA TECH AFFINITY GROUPS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA, 2nd posting
The graduate school has established six affinity groups for the campuses in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area to foster environments of support and to assist with degree completion and professional development outcomes. The overarching goal is to build an enhanced sense of community and provide a forum for an exchange of ideas on issues of common interest for students who identify with these communities. The six groups are the Black Affinity Group, First Generation Affinity Group, GRAD Parents Affinity Group, Latinx Affinity Group, Veterans Affinity Group, and Women in TECH Affinity Group. You can join any of them using this form: https://forms.gle/pynU7sgtemmDowhg9.
14. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT NOMINATIONS OPEN, 3rd posting
Nominate yourself, a friend, or fellow graduate student to be recognized on the Graduate School website as a Featured Graduate Student! This program is designed to showcase the diversity of perspectives graduate students bring to our community and to present a more personal side of graduate student life. To view the Graduate School’s current featured graduate student visit: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/fgsa.html. Use this form to nominate a graduate student: https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/fgsa/#/visitor.
Job Opportunities
15. GRADUATE SCHOOL WAGE POSITION, GRAPHICS DESIGNER, 2nd posting
DEADLINE: Sept. 6; Start date: Sept. 15 or after.
Design and produce print and online publications and visual media, including brochures, flyers, posters, website graphics, and videos, and assists with updates on social media platforms. Take photos and videos for projects. Assist with the creation of annual report, recruitment brochure, and social media campaigns; regularly update supervisor; assure accuracy of designed materials; archive all deliverables.
Job requirements include working knowledge of graphic design for print and digital processes and experience with photography and video production. Significant experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Ability to work alone and in a team environment. Ability to produce creative, effective visual products for a variety of platforms following VT branding guidelines; meet deadlines; multitask. Use this application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXh1Gop7-qp6aE9iDhjtUlmfzk_ZtBJ8DhUcRd0ylVdC2Ckg/viewform
External Funding Opportunities
All external funding opportunities that we are aware of can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships.html
16. SIGMA XI GRANTS IN AID OF RESEARCH, 3rd posting
DEADLINE: October 1, 2023
Since 1922, the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research (GIAR) program has provided undergraduate and graduate students with valuable educational experiences. By encouraging close working relationships between students and mentors, the program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning.
Sigma Xi Members: Award amounts for members range from $500 to $5,000 for graduate applicants and $500 to $2,000 for undergraduate applicants.
Non-members: Award amounts for non-members, both graduate and undergraduate, are available up to $1,000.
https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/grants-in-aid-of-research
17. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS, 3rd posting
DEADLINE: November 8, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science is pleased to announce that the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for the 2023 Solicitation 2 cycle.
SCGSR application assistance workshops will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2-3:30 p.m. ET and Tuesday, October 10, 2–4:30 p.m. ET. The first workshop will provide a general overview of the program and the application requirements and will include a time for discussing potential research topics with the program managers; register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6prD8vHPF3KpL1C0P2s9y4uz044HI
Upcoming Events
18. MASTER YOUR FUTURE WORKSHOP SERIES, 2nd posting
Sept. 11; Oct. 16; Nov. 13; 12 p.m. each day, Virtual (Zoom)
Master Your Future is a series of professional development workshops designed to help students successfully navigate graduate school and their professional development. Registration links are listed below. The workshops are:
Sept. 11: Becoming La Professora: Building a Scholarly Identity (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS.)
Oct. 16: Planning your postdoc or first faculty job (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS)
Nov. 13: Does race matter in academia? (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS.)
19. INTRODUCTION TO CAREER EXPLORATION FOR PHDS
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 12-1 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)
This workshop will focus on assessing your skills, interests, and values and thinking about how they map to a variety of career paths after graduate school or a postdoc. During the session, information regarding a set of FREE online assessment and career exploration tools will be provided to help plan for a variety of career possibilities.
20. GHS PANELIST TRAINING, 1st posting
Thursday, Sept. 14, 12-1 p.m. Virtual (Zoom)
The Graduate Honor System relies on trained faculty and graduate students to hear academic integrity violation cases. It takes a one-hour training to become a panelist, and after that you can serve on preliminary review and review panels. Become a panelist to help hear cases, actively contribute to the ongoing conversation about standards of academic integrity, and build your skills and resume. Please indicate your interest in attending by completing this short registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeCtYx4s7Mc_zC8dSrAH1IDMt7zmdbBBmv73YjhfWhHw1etg/viewform.
21. SAVE THE DATE: COMMONWEALTH CYBER INITIATIVE INTERNSHIP AND JOB FAIR, 3rd posting
Sept. 27 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Virtual (hosted on Brazen)
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative is hosting a virtual job fair on September 27 with the aim of connecting students with internship and job opportunities with employers throughout the state of Virginia. The event is free. For information and registration: visit https://cyberinitiative.org/talent-development/internship-job-fair-2023.html
22. SAVE THE DATE: DIVERSITY CHALLENGE GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE, 3rd posting
November 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Virtual
A free, virtual event for graduate students to present their work and engage in discussion, community, and mentoring with leading scholars. Graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals for poster presentations, individual research papers, and symposia focused on various aspects of race, racism, anti-racism, and racial trauma. The symposia proposals should represent a collection of 3 presentations centered on a unifying theme and can comprise both research and conceptual presentations.
Volunteers and research participants sought
23. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A BOOK READING EXPERIENCE RESEARCH STUDY, 2nd posting
Virginia Tech Echo Lab
The Echolab at Virginia Tech is inviting children aged 3 to 6, along with their parents, to participate in a research study (IRB# 23-748) focused on shared book reading experiences. Children and their parents should be English speakers (native and nonnative). For the study, children will collaboratively read a storybook with their parents using the innovative TaleMate platform, an AI-driven system designed to enhance the reading experience. This research consists of two Zoom sessions, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. Within these sessions, both parents and children will read a book and answer subsequent questions. Additionally, parents will be asked to complete a 15-minute online survey that delves into their child’s background, media consumption, and reading habits. Overall, participants can expect a total time commitment ranging from 75 to 90 minutes, which includes the online survey (15-20 minutes) and both Zoom sessions (30-35 minutes each). As a token of appreciation, participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card upon completing the study.
Contact Daniel Vargas Diaz, danielvargasdiaz@vt.edu, for information and to register.