October 16, 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.
This Week’s Events and Activities:
1. PLANNING YOUR POSTDOC OR FIRST FACULTY JOB
2. INFORMATION SESSION ON GRADUATING IN FALL 2023
3. DEI PANEL DISCUSSION
4. INFORMATION SESSION ON NETWORKING
5. THURSDAY WALKING GROUP WITH MINDFULNESS
6. BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
7. ONLINE POWER HOUR OF WRITING
Administrative Announcements:
8. ACCESSING QUALITY EARLY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION SURVEY
9. COVES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
10. REGISTER NOW SPRING LEADERSHIP COURSES
11. DIVERSITY SCHOLARS INFORMATION SESSIONS
12. GRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKERS NEEDED FOR FALL COMMENCEMENT
13. ASPECT STUDENT CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPERS
14. VIRGINIA TECH AFFINITY GROUPS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA
Job Opportunities
No Job opportunities listed this week.
External Funding Opportunities
15. NNSA MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS INTERNSHIP
16. 2024 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
17. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS
18. VIRGINIA SEA GRANT PROGRAM
19. VIRGINIA SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM (VSGC) 2023-2024 SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Upcoming Events:
20. INVESTIGATOR SERIES: ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ONBOARDING AT VIRGINIA TECH
21. CONNECTING THE OPENS: OPEN ACCESS, OPEN DATA, AND OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
22. HOKIE WELLNESS FOR RESEARCHERS: HELPING COLLEAGUES AND COLLABORATORS IN DISTRESS
23. GRAD PARENTS FALL FESTIVAL PLAYDATE
24. WORKSHOP ON INTERVIEW SKILLS
25. SHIPPING AND RECEIVING BIOLOGICAL AND HAZARDOUS RESEARCH MATERIALS
26. NEGOTIATING A JOB OFFER
27. DIVERSITY CHALLENGE GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE
28. DOES RACE REALLY MATTER IN ACADEMIA?
29. HOKIE WELLNESS FOR RESEARCHERS: CULTIVATING A GROWTH MINDSET
Volunteers and research participants sought:
30. SEEKING STUDY PARTICIPANTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AUTISM LANGUAGE PREFERENCES
31. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR AN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ATTITUDES STUDY
Ongoing Services
· GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA
· CAREER ADVISING
· COOK COUNSELING
· SERENITY SPACE
· 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. PLANNING YOUR POSTDOC OR FIRST FACULTY JOB
Oct. 16, 12 p.m. Virtual (Zoom)
A professional development workshop designed to help students successfully navigate graduate school and their professional development. Dr. John Palmore, assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, is the guest speaker. Registration link:
(https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS)
2. INFORMATION SESSION ON GRADUATING IN FALL 2023
Oct. 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)
Student focused session geared to assist students planning to graduate for Fall 2023. All students are welcome to get information about the degree completion steps for degree completion. Submitted by the Graduate School Admissions and Academic Progress team. Use this link to register: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/89548454073
3. DEI PANEL DISCUSSION
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Virtual
The Virginia Tech community is invited to attend a keynote featuring DEI consultant Catarina Rivera and a panel discussion with speakers from the university’s Office for Inclusion and Diversity, Office for Equity and Accessibility, ADA and Accessibility Services, and Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) teams. Use this link to register: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/84616475082 Summitted by Gennelle Chatman.
4. INFORMATION SESSION ON NETWORKING
Oct. 17, 1-2 p.m., Virtual
What is networking, why does it matter, and how do you do it? This workshop answers these questions and more. The session will also cover how to utilize LinkedIn for networking and the job search. Register on Handshake or find out more information here https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html Submitted by Susanne Shelburne.
5. THURSDAY WALKING GROUP WITH MINDFULNESS
Thursday, Oct. 19, 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.
6. BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
Friday, Oct. 20, 9-10 a.m., Virtual
This workshop is designed to help you build, communicate, and maintain your personal brand both online and offline. Submitted by Career and Professional Development
Register on Handshake or find more information at https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html
7. ONLINE POWER HOUR OF WRITING
Friday, Oct.20, 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., weekly series throughout the semester, Virtual
The Virginia Tech Writing Center offers a Power Hour that aims to empower writers to protect short but regular time slots to work toward their writing projects with the support of an online community. Writers can choose the time slot that best fits their needs. The format is split into three parts: the check in, where participants outline their goals verbally or by writing in the chat box; the 60-minute power hour, where cameras and microphones are muted while people engage in their projects; and the follow-up, where participants come together to share their experiences, facilitated by the session’s host. Find out more and register at https://vt.mywconline.com
Administrative Announcements
8. ACCESSING QUALITY EARLY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION SURVEY
The university’s Early Childhood Education Initiatives team wants to help Virginia Tech employees and students across all campuses access quality early childcare and education. This has been identified as a university priority. As part of the group’s ongoing work to address this important issue, all Virginia Tech faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students at all Virginia Tech locations are encouraged to complete a child care survey to gauge the current use and needs regarding child care across our university communities. Even if you do not use child care, please take a moment to complete the survey, available via this link (https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=O2KuSig6RloECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D). Please complete the survey by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. All responses are anonymous. Visit the university’s caregiving site (https://caregiving.vt.edu/) for information, resources, and more.
9. COVES FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Policy Fellowship is a science policy fellowship for Virginia that is hosted by the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM). COVES fellows are graduate students or postdoctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering, math and health (STEM-H) fields at Virginian Universities who spend 12 weeks over the summer working with Host Offices in the Virginia legislative and executive branches or in the policy offices of NGOs and scientific industries in Virginia. In addition to their work in their Host Offices, fellows are paired with a science policy mentor from VASEM, trained through an orientation at the start of their fellowship, and participate in networking and career development activities throughout the fellowship. The application deadline for Virginia Tech is Dec. 1, 2023. More information can be found on our website https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/funding-sponsored-by-the-graduate-school.html
10. REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING LEADERSHIP COURSES
All graduate students are encouraged to enroll in Leadership courses for Spring 2024 during course request. The following courses are available:
LDRS 4514 Skills for Nonprofit Leaders;
LDRS 4984 Toxic Leadership;
LDRS 5004 Ethics in Leader/Follower Relationships;
LDRS 5454 Leadership Diverse Contexts;
LDRS 5464 Leadership in a Global Society;
LDRS 5544 Leading Teams through Change;
LDRS 5554 Leading Social Change.
Please see the university Timetable of Classes for course descriptions and CRNs. Questions? Contact Dr Jerald Walz at jhwalz@vt.edu.
11. DIVERSITY SCHOLARS INFORMATION SESSIONS
Diversity Scholars propose, design, and implement projects that enhance the quality of life at Virginia Tech. They are graduate students who specialize in and advocate for the awareness, knowledge, and skills associated with diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School and greater community. These projects can take many forms and can be specific to a particular curriculum or department, or it can be more global. Virtual info sessions will be held on Monday, Oct. 30, 2-3pm and Tuesday, Oct. 31, 12-1 p.m. To learn more about the program and the application process, please register for one of our virtual information sessions: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/DiversityScholarsInfoSession2023
For additional information, email the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Strategic Partnerships at DISP@vt.edu
12. GRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKERS NEEDED FOR FALL COMMENCEMENT
The Graduate School is seeking 1-3 graduate student speakers for the Fall 2023 Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 15, 2:30 p.m., at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va. The speeches are modeled after the talks at the Center for Communicating Science’s Nutshell Games, with individual speeches lasting about 90 seconds. Student speakers share a brief experience of their own that depicts graduate student life as they experience(d) it. Students at all campuses may apply; speakers must give their speech in-person in Blacksburg at commencement on Dec. 15. If you are interested in being considered for this role, please complete this form by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023: https://forms.gle/6ogGUuvoCzWxot1L7 Submitted by Lauren Surface, Director of Graduate Student Services.
13. ASPECT STUDENT CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPERS
The Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought (ASPECT) program’s student planning committee is pleased to share the Call for Papers for the 2024 ASPECT Student Conference to be held on March 21 and 22, 2024. The conference theme, Reimagine Relationality, invites submissions from a wide range of approaches to key questions about how relationships shape our world and ourselves. The committee welcomes any and all submissions from graduate students, as the interdisciplinary nature of ASPECT champions a variety of approaches to these pertinent and provocative questions. Thank you in advance for your support of the conference. In the meantime, should you have any questions or desire further information about the ASPECT conference or program, please contact us at aspectconferencevt@gmail.com.
14. VIRGINIA TECH AFFINITY GROUPS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA
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.
Job Opportunities
No Job opportunities at this time.
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
15. NNSA MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
DEADLINE: Oct. 22
Are you looking for a summer or year-long internship to boost your future career opportunities? Apply to join NNSA’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIIP) Class of 2024-25 today. MSIIP is open to all academic backgrounds. Internships begin on June 3, 2024. Application materials are due by 11:59 p.m. EST, Oct. 22, 2023. Register here: https://orise.orau.gov/NNSA-MSIIP/
16. 2024 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
DEADLINE: Nov. 1
Fellowships are offered to graduate students, predoctoral students, and postdoctoral and senior investigators to conduct independent research utilizing the Smithsonian collections, facilities, and/or staff expertise. Members of the Smithsonian professional research staff serve as advisors and hosts to fellows. Fields of research include animal behavior, ecology, and environmental science, including an emphasis on the tropics; Anthropology, including archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and physical anthropology; Astrophysics and astronomy; Earth sciences and paleobiology; evolutionary & systematic biology; folklife; History of science and technology; history of art, especially American, contemporary, African, and Asian art, twentieth-century American crafts, and decorative arts; materials research; molecular biology; social and cultural history of the United States. https://fellowships.si.edu/SIFP
17. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS
DEADLINE: Nov. 8, 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.
For more information and how to apply, visit the website: https://science.osti.gov/wdts/scgsr
18. VIRGINIA SEA GRANT PROGRAM
DEADLINE (registration): Dec. 1
DEADLINE (application): Dec. 8
The VASG Graduate Fellowship invests in people and supports graduate students in education, evidence-based inquiry, and community engagement that further the goals of VASG. Graduate Fellows address issues relevant to Virginia communities and of importance to coastal and marine resources – including but not limited to: natural or social sciences, engineering and design, policy and legal analysis, architecture, business, education, arts and humanities, etc. The fellowship builds skills and competencies through professional development training and provides hands-on experience in translating research results to stakeholders through a professional mentor.
The fellowship provides up to $40,000 per year for two years and professional development opportunities. VASG expects to fund up to eight fellowships for the 2024–2026 academic years. Visit this site to learn more about the program, including how to apply: https://action.vaseagrant.org/c1.pl?778ff086b67b1bdbf698d51d3dc1a2796182c340b1faf97b
19. VIRGINIA SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM GRADUATE RESEARCH STEM FELLOWSHIPS
DEADLINE: FEB. 9, 2024
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is accepting applications for its Graduate Research STEM Fellowship program. A major goal of VSGC is to help produce the engineers and scientists of the future and to promote diversity in the STEM workforce. The consortium provides fellowships of $6,000 in add-on support to graduate students to supplement and enhance basic research support. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be enrolled full-time in a program of study in STEM, have a specific faculty-mentored research project that has NASA or aerospace relevance, and are not graduating sooner than May 2025. For more information and to apply, visit https://vsgc.odu.edu/graduatefellowships/
Deadline: February 9, 2024
Upcoming Events
20. INVESTIGATOR SERIES: ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ONBOARDING AT VIRGINIA TECH
Monday, Oct. 23, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)
A shared partnership exists among University leadership, faculty, researchers, laboratory staff, students, and Environmental Health and Safety to support a strong culture of safety; a culture in which all individuals responsibly embrace safety as a core value for long-term health and safety. As a principal investigator, supervisor or researcher, you are responsible for the safety of yourself and your colleagues.
This webinar will review the Environmental Health and Safety onboarding recommendations for the responsible for the oversight of laboratory safety and responsible for administration and implementation of the university’s research and training requirements, safety programs, policies, and procedures. For more information, contact Kory Trott (ktrott@vt.edu). https://www.research.vt.edu/events/2023/environment–health-and-safety-onboarding-at-virginia-tech.html
21. CONNECTING THE OPENS: OPEN ACCESS, OPEN DATA, AND OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Monday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m., Zoom
Join the University Libraries and invited guests for a discussion for future professors regarding open access, open educational resources, and open data.
University Libraries’ faculty, Philip Young, Anita Walz, and Jonathan Petters will provide brief overviews of open access, open educational resources, and open data to provide some general information on the topics. Finally, presenters will discuss how aspects of open have impacted their career development as well as how they have incorporated open practices into their research and scholarship, and the audience will be invited to participate in the robust conversation. All are welcome! https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/11361438
For information about other events happening during Open Access Week, visit https://guides.lib.vt.edu/oa/week.
22. HOKIE WELLNESS FOR RESEARCHERS: HELPING COLLEAGUES AND COLLABORATORS IN DISTRESS
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Virtual (Zoom)
Are you concerned about a friend, family member, or colleague who is struggling and wish you knew what to do and say to help them? During your lifetime, you will interact with folks that experience loss, sadness, or depression.
This workshop can help attendees understand and intervene in those situations, even though it is not designed to teach how to treat the persons loss or sadness. In the workshop, attendees will learn how to recognize the symptoms of sadness and depression, how to engage with a person, and discuss ways to get them further help.
This program is interactive and attendees will get to practice techniques. For more information, contact Kory Trott (ktrott@vt.edu)
23. GRAD PARENTS FALL FESTIVAL PLAYDATE
Saturday, Oct. 28, 1-3 p.m., in person
Bring the family to the Reston Farm Garden Market, 10800 Baron Cameron Ave. in Reston. There will be train rides, a play area, petting zoo, and farm markets! The cost is $20 per child and $5 per adult. For more information, contact: chontresehayes@vt.edu
24. WORKSHOP ON INTERVIEW SKILLS
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Virtual
This workshop discusses the interview process, provides basic interview tips, and shares a formula for answering behavioral questions. The session will also offer strategies for dealing with interview anxiety. Submitted by Career and Professional Development
Register on Handshake or find more information at https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html
25. SHIPPING AND RECEIVING BIOLOGICAL AND HAZARDOUS RESEARCH MATERIALS
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Virtual
This webinar will discuss potential requirements for packing of biological and hazardous materials for national and international shipments. Advice and guidance on packing, documentation and permitting applications will be reviewed. Preparation for receiving of certain research materials will also be discussed.
26. NEGOTIATING A JOB OFFER
Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Virtual
This workshop identifies factors involved in career decisions and provides information on appropriate negotiating behaviors. Participants will also learn about follow-up practices for accepting or declining a job offer. Submitted by Career and Professional Development.
Register on Handshake or find more information at https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html
27. DIVERSITY CHALLENGE GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE
Saturday, Nov. 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.
28. DOES RACE REALLY MATTER IN ACADEMIA?
Monday, Nov. 13, 12 p.m. Virtual (Zoom)
A professional development workshop designed to help students successfully navigate graduate school and their professional development. Dr. Lance Collins, vice president and executive director of the innovation Campus, is the guest speaker. Registration link:
(https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS.)
29. HOKIE WELLNESS FOR RESEARCHERS: CULTIVATING A GROWTH MINDSET
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Virtual
Often when we’re struggling, our inner monologues can become critical and it takes practice to shift our mindsets about things like unsuccessful grant proposals and unexpected experimental outcomes. Believe it or not, the mindset we have and the way we talk to ourselves when we’re approaching difficult tasks has a big impact on our academic success and personal well-being.
In this workshop, attendees will learn how to develop a growth mindset and re-frame our automatic thoughts that can often be negative to help promote academic and professional success as well as personal well-being.
Volunteers and research participants sought
30. SEEKING STUDY PARTICIPANTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AUTISM LANGUAGE PREFERENCES
Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research (VTCAR)
We are seeking autistic adults or their caregivers as volunteer research
participants to complete an anonymous online survey about their language use preferences
about autistic identities! This is an unpaid research opportunity that involves online questionnaires, and should take up to 45 minutes total.
Requirements:
· Be at least 18 years old
· Be able to provide informed consent
· Identify as autistic/having autism or as a
caregiver of an autistic adult
· Be able to read English.
Email Naomi at vtautismcenter@vt.edu to complete the screening questions! Completing the screening questions does not mean that you are a research participant.
31. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR AN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ATTITUDES STUDY
Department of Food Science and Technology/Department of Plant and Environmental Science
Lauren Harrison is conducting research for her OMALS project and report on ‘Agricultural Practices Attitudes and Perceived Risk’ (IRB#23-753), under the supervision of Laura Strawn, Department of Food Science and Technology. She would appreciate your feedback in our online survey. All individuals over the age of 18 are encouraged to take this survey. All responses will remain confidential and secure. Thank you in advance for your valuable insights. The department has contracted with QuestionPro, an independent research firm, to field your confidential and anonymous survey responses. The deadline to complete the survey is Oct. 25. Please click on this link to complete the survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AYf81ZzjlH
Ongoing Services (updated 10/09/23)
· 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 540-231-6557 or visiting ucc.vt.edu/timelycare
· SERENITY SPACE: The Cook Counseling Center has created the Serenity Space at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church (NVC) in room 489, a peaceful, calm space for all graduate students to use, to take a break in the day, and to de-stress. Please feel free to relax, stretch, meditate, or do yoga there. All students can use this room from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday. It can also be used to relax before and after therapy sessions. Please contact Julie Kaplan, Ph.D., at jskaplan@vt.edu, if you have any questions related to this space.
· CRANWELL INTERNATIONAL CENTER: Schedule an appointment by emailing international@vt.edu or calling 540-231-6527.
· GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: The ombudsperson provides information about institutional policies and works to help individuals effectively navigate conflicts through informal, confidential conversations. Contact for a virtual appointment at gradombud@vt.edu or call 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. Beginning on Monday, October 2, the library will open earlier on weekdays and close later Monday through Thursday. New hours:
o Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
o Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
o Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
o Sunday: Building is closed
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://dcarea.vt.edu/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
Have a great week!