March 4, 2024 D.C. Area Weekly Newsletter for Virginia Tech Graduate Students

March 4, 2024

Welcome to the Virginia Tech 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.

You’ll find posts under the following headings:

This Week’s Events and Activities
Administrative Announcements
Job Opportunities
External Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
Volunteers and research participants sought
Ongoing Services

This Week’s Events and Activities

No events scheduled. Enjoy your Spring Break!

Administrative Announcements

1. STUDENT ADVISING APPOINTMENTS WITH D.C. GRADUATE SCHOOL TEAM VIA NAVIGATE

The Graduate Admissions and Advancement team has transitioned its advising appointment scheduling for graduate students to Navigate for students in the D.C. Metro Area. The Graduate School staff can be reached for In Person and Virtual Appointments to discuss various topics under admissions and academic progress. Students should use our webpage to access the link to schedule appointments directly and select Northern Virginia for an advising appointment and select the service needed. Visit this site to schedule an appointment via Navigate: https://www.nvc.vt.edu/Current-Students/gsso.html.

2. ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR CAREER FAIRS FROM GSA

Get ready to excel at upcoming career fairs with essential tips from the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA Spring 2024). Discover how to make the most out of your experience in just three simple steps. Learn the importance of pre-fair preparation, including researching companies and polishing your resume for maximum impact. During the event, master the art of engaging with recruiters confidently and professionally. Afterward, solidify connections by following up promptly and exploring additional job opportunities.
Access our comprehensive list of upcoming career fairs and mark your calendars to stay ahead in your career journey. Elevate your career fair game with expert guidance from GSA Spring 2024.
Career Tips Link: http://tinyurl.com/yapwktnh

Join the GSA for learn more about events: http://tinyurl.com/2czzdhxx

Job Opportunities

No job postings at this time.

Funding Opportunities

All external funding opportunities that we are aware of can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships.html

3. SIGMA XI GRANTS IN AID OF RESEARCH

Deadline: March 15

Sigma Xi, a research honor society, is awarding grants to assist graduate students with their research. The amounts range from $500-$5,000. Information about the grant opportunities can be found on this webpage, which includes links to tips on applying for a grant and application resources: https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/grants-in-aid-of-research

4. National Institute of Justice Graduate Research Fellowship Program Accepting Applications

Deadlines: April 10 and 17

NIJ’s Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) program supports doctoral research with relevance to criminal or juvenile justice in the United States. This includes criminology, forensic science, technology for law enforcement, and more. Applications from all science and engineering fields are welcome.

Students must be enrolled full time in a Ph.D. program in a science or engineering field and propose dissertation research relevant to improving criminal or juvenile justice practice or policy in the United States. Applications are submitted by the university, which must be an accredited academic institution in the United States or its territories. The fellowship provides up to three years of support within a five-year period and includes:

$41,000/year student salary
$16,000/year cost of education allowance
$3,000/year research expenses

To learn more and see profiles of past and present GRF fellows, visit https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/fellowships/graduate-research-fellowship-program.

The grants.gov deadline is April 10 and the JustGrants deadline is April 17, 2024.

5. SUMMER CUNNINGHAM FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE

Deadline: May 1.

In combination with the Cunningham Doctoral Scholarship and the Graduate School Annual Fund, we are delighted to announce the availability of summer fellowships in the amount of $7,500 each. This supplement will be awarded as a lump sum fellowship (see note below) at the beginning of the summer. This is a one-time award, cannot be renewed, and is awarded without the expectation of any additional work on your part. Awardees must be current Ph.D. students who are working on their dissertations during the summer months. This award cannot be combined with other Virginia Tech funding sources. Priority will be given to those toward the end of their program. Financial need will be considered as a secondary factor.

Applications will be accepted until May 1. Awards will be announced soon thereafter. For more information and to apply, use this form: https://forms.gle/6vYKM9AHizoAgKeN8

NOTE: Fellowships are not considered employment. No taxes are withheld and you will not receive a W2 form at the end of the year. Fellowships will show on your 1098-T from the university and may have to be reported to the IRS on your 1040 form. However, different tax rules apply to international students. For them, the university is required to collect taxes on the fellowship and to report those amounts at year-end to the IRS on form 1042S. For more information, see IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education.

6. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARDS

Deadline: May 1.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science is accepting applications for the 2024 solicitation 1 cycle for its Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. Applications are due on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

The award program is open to current Ph.D. students in qualified graduate programs at accredited U.S. academic institutions, who are conducting their graduate research in targeted areas of importance to the DOE’s Office of Science.

https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships/dept-of-energy-office-of-science-research-grant.html

The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to U.S. graduate students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE national laboratory or facility in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist. The goal of the program is to prepare graduate students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the mission of DOE’s Office of Science. Supplemental awards are intended to cover incremental costs associated with living and travel expenses during the award period.

Two application assistance workshops on Zoom are scheduled to assist students. The first will be on Saturday, March 9, 2-3:30 p.m. The second will be on Saturday, April 20, 2-4:30 p.m.

The first workshop will provide a general overview of the program and the application requirements. It and will also include a time for discussing potential research topics with the program managers; register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdeqhrj8tG70eb-wK0GmooGB_T6WNTcI#/registration

The second workshop will guide attendees through the application process, answer general questions, provide guidance on proposal writing, and feature discussions with scientists and former awardees; register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscu6rqT4oGzObcYFT24tieAsFM-vAHqg#/registration

More information on the SCGSR program can be found at by visiting the SCGSR program website: https://science.osti.gov/wdts/scgsr. You’ll also find information on this webpage: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships/dept-of-energy-office-of-science-research-grant.html

Upcoming Events

7. APPLYING FOR NSF FUNDING: AN OVERVIEW FROM THE SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES

Tuesday, March 12, 2 p.m., Virtual for D.C. Area students

The Center for Future Work Places and Practices hosts Dr. Alan Tompkins, NSF acting division director, social and economic sciences, and directorate for social, behavioral, and economic sciences, will talk about the NSF grant process and provide tips for writing a competitive proposal and will discuss different types of grants. There will be time for questions. The event is part of the center’s speaker series. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-zBJRxFBNrpSV4G9JtjDpvUlzKUrwE9190lAsPT-w84VTBg/viewform

8. INAUGURAL D.C VT WOMEN CONNECT EVENT

Thursday, March 14, 1-2 p.m. Three locations and virtual

Come connect and network! Employees and Students are invited to attend Dessert & Discussions on March 14 @ 1PM to connect with Virginia Tech Women in the Greater DC Metro Area. This event will be held across multiple locations in the DC area and via Zoom. Please choose one to attend and register for the event. (Dessert will be provided to those in person). This is a casual event designed to celebrate women at Virginia Tech, plan future events, and bring some fun to a Thursday afternoon!

Locations:
Arlington Research Center: 2nd Floor East/West Falls Church Room
Northern Virginia Center: Room T-4
Innovation Campus HQ: Board Room
attend via Zoom meeting 829 8292 0608

Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjegHq3lTiFYRBrWL3KliKfOlUM1QwSjlGRlFZS0Q3RUxGSzJBSjhHTDJUWC4u

9. METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO DISSERTATION (MAD) WORKSHOP

Thursday, March 14, 1-2:30 p.m. Virtual

WISE invites you to attend our upcoming practical dissertation workshop that will focus on gathering the requirements stipulated by Virginia Tech, your department and your committee for your dissertation. We will also devise a tailored plan for their implementation in your specific case. This stage of dissertation work directly impacts the success of your research and defense. Properly executed, it sets the foundation for developing your own step-by-step work plan. It provides you with a comprehensive understanding of what your dissertation should entail and where to focus your research efforts.

The workshop will be online: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/87983612381?pwd=VUc0dDBpTk4ranlpVVA4UHdZU1dzQT09
Meeting ID: 879 8361 2381
Passcode: 731267

19. 3M RISE RESUME AND RESEARCH STATEMENT WORKSHOP

Monday, March 18, 8 a.m. Virtual

Students who are applying to the 3M RISE symposium have the opportunity to sign up for a Resume and Research Statement Workshop. The workshop aims to help students avoid common mistakes that are seen in resumes and answer any questions they may have about research statements before they apply to RISE. Information and registration can be found here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xMPK-qXiV0KvdiBcioId202SyahOKoBGsgbqizwTK3xUOFNYQ0pDTlBMQVFEUzRFN04xWFBFTDkzOS4u

20. INTRODUCTION TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Monday, March 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Virtual

Virginia Tech’s Patent and Trademark Resource Center presents a workshop intended for anyone interested in learning more about the different forms of intellectual property (IP). This introductory workshop will be especially helpful for those who are own or looking to start their own business, or those who have an invention they would like to patent.

Attendees will learn about the four main types of intellectual property (trademarks, patents, copyright, and trade secrets), including examples and how to get started with applying or registering their IP. Register for the workshop here: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/12111505

21. SPRING STUDENTS’ POP-UP PANTRY

Thursday, March 21, 3-6 p.m. Northern Virginia Center, room 471, Falls Church

The DC Metro Black Caucus will hold a pop-up pantry at the Northern Virginia Center campus, offering food and toiletries free to all Virginia Tech graduate students in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Students must present a valid Virginia Tech student ID (known as a Hokie Passport).

The Northern Virginia Center is located at 7054 Haycock Road and is accessible via the Metro system.

22. COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY GRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Thursday, March 21, In person at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

The Arts &Sciences Graduate Center and the Charles Center for Academic Excellence at William & Mary invite doctoral and master’s degree students in Arts & Sciences disciplines from Virginia universities to present their research at an interdisciplinary symposium at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, March 21-22, 2024. Learn more here: https://www.wm.edu/as/graduate/graduate-symposium/

23. GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT SENATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Wednesday, March 27, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Graduate Life Center on the Blacksburg campus, with opportunities to present research virtually.

The symposium theme is Horizons of Tomorrow: Innovation, Diversity, Collaboration, and Advancement. There will be an opportunity for virtual flash-talk presentations and travel awards may be available. Students are encouraged to present abstracts for virtual flash talks by March 4. Projects can be fully complete with analyses, proposed studies, or research that has been started but not complete.

More information about the symposium and the events can be found on the GPSS website: https://gpss.vt.edu/programs/gsars.html

Contact the co-chairs with any questions: jennphill@vt.ed, and niveda@vt.edu

Volunteers and research participants sought

24. POKEMON GO USAGE AND PLAY STYLE SURVEY

A research team in Industrial & Systems Engineering is surveying to understand the way people engage with and play PokémonGo. If you have thoughts or opinions you’d like to share, please check out our survey: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/pokemongo

It should take no more than 20-35 minutes and is anonymous. All questions (except the age confirmation) can be skipped. If you have any questions, please contact Cassidy Nelson via cassidynelson@vt.edu.
You must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

This work is a Virginia Tech research study approved under IRB 23-630. If you have any concerns you’d prefer to speak with someone else about, please contact irb@vt.edu

25. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR GRADUATE STUDENT HOUSING SURVEY

The Virginia Tech Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) graduate students are competing in the Solar Decathlon. This project involves a fictional proposal and design for student housing next to the WAAC, and we would love to get some feedback from the student body in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area to collect data on student housing for our project. The survey is 13 multiple-choice questions and will take just a few minutes to complete. The requirement for participating is to be a registered graduate student. If you have questions, contact jasminec@vt.edu.
The link to the survey is here: https://forms.office.com/r/hJ4kgRXQsJ

26. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY OF SONS OF SINGLE MOTHERS STUDY

The Relationship Experiences Strengths and Strains (REST) Lab is recruiting men who were raised by single mothers to participate in 1.5-2 hour interviews about their lived experiences, definitions of masculinity, and how personal experiences shaped masculine identities.

Participants must identify as a man who was raised by a single mother without a residential father figure (biological, step, adoptive, etc.) and be willing to complete a 1.5-2 hour long qualitative interview. Compensation, if applicable, will be a $25 Amazon gift card. More details and application information can be found here: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/t/AVVVtZ1Yr4

27. U.S. DRONE SOCCER COMPETITIONS NEED VOLUNTEERS

In partnership with Boeing, Virginia Tech is hosting three US Drone Soccer competitions in the D.C. area for middle- and high-school students. These events will showcase the skills and agility of remotely operated drones in a soccer-like game. See more about Drone Soccer programs here: https://www.dronesoccer.us/u19-youth. As a volunteer, your assistance will be invaluable in ensuring the smooth running of the events and providing a memorable experience for all participants. Event dates are March 16, April 27, and April 28. Information and the volunteer form may be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2u-xcmUcj9Y1VfAKMusBy-yUpJ_YOIbHFWaRtGeP1Xu-nEw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Ongoing Services

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. Drop-in hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. No appointment needed to meet with an advisor for Drop-In hours.

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. All students can use this room 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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: The affinity groups are:

Asian Affinity Group
Black Affinity Group
First-Generation Affinity Group
GRAD Parents Affinity Group
Latinx Affinity Group
Veterans Affinity Group
Women in TECH Affinity Group

Join an affinity group here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdW61FGWCbuhwUhsSF2NK0rqtjSxzqz_eTFhhpJf8W74ykaKA/viewform. For more information, contact Dr. Hayes at chontresehayes@vt.edu

NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER LIBRARY: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday, 10a.m.-6p.m.; Saturday, 10a.m.-5p.m.; Sunday, Closed

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

About the Newsletter and How to Submit a Post

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 information of the requesting organization or person; not exceed 150 words; and not include attachments, QR codes or embedded links (no fliers or photos). Submissions will be edited to fit newsletter style and formatting requirements.

Please 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.