GPD Only

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Returns to Pre-COVID Guidance for Spring 2023

The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) recently reported that SEVP allowances made for COVID that allowed F-1 and J-1 international students to enroll in more than one online class have ended. As of the spring 2023 semester, pre-COVID regulations will apply.  International students may count only one online course towards full-time enrollment. 

ISSO Director Tarek Elshayeb provided the following additional details:

  • As of spring-23, only ONE online course per semester can count towards F-1/J-1 course enrollment minimums.
  • Undergraduates – at least 9 of 12 credits must be in-person or hybrid
  • Graduates – at least 6 of 9 credits must be in-person or hybrid

Since taking full-course load of only online courses will no longer be possible, starting in Spring-2023:

  • In-person F-1 CPT internships will need to be within 1.5 hours driving distance from Charlotte.
  • All students, both new and continuing, will need to reside in the Charlotte metro area to attend their in-person courses.

Students with questions may schedule an appointment during ISSO Advising Hours.

3MT Prep Session Planned

The Center for Graduate Life and Learning will offer a workshop on Preparing Your 3-Minute Thesis Presentation Oct. 7 at 2:30 in Atkins 146.

The session will address how to effectively explain research to a lay audience in 3 minutes or less, using only one static slide.

For more information and to register, visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.

Education Leadership Information Series Planned

The Department of Education Leadership is hosting a weekly webinar series running late-October into December to share information on graduate degrees.

The sessions will address admission requirements, testing, funding options and more. For more information and to register, please visit the Department of Education Leadership.

Graduate Education Summit Resources

Graduate Education Summit Attendees – September 23, 2022

Thank you to all who attended the Graduate Education Summit. You now have access to view the slide deck and read the additional resources that you’ll find helpful to your efforts as a Graduate Program Director or affiliate staff member.

Participate in 2022-23 Recruiting Events

Graduate Admissions staff participate in several recruiting fairs each year and maintain a list of high quality events that provide great opportunities to connect with prospective students. For more information, review the recruiting tips on GPDNet or contact MaryanneMaree-Sams@uncc.edu.  

Seeking Nominations: First Citizens Bank Scholars Award and the Harshini de Silva Graduate Mentor Award

The Graduate School is seeking nominations for the First Citizens Bank Scholars Award and the Harshini de Silva Graduate Mentor Award.

The Graduate School invites nominations for the 2023 First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal. This award recognizes a senior full-time faculty member for outstanding scholarship, creativity, and/or research. Nominations may come from any UNC Charlotte faculty member. The First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal has been awarded since 1988, with last year’s honoree being Dr. Jean-Claude Thill, Geography and Earth Sciences.

The award — consisting of a cash prize, framed citation and a medal — will be presented in the spring semester at a ceremony and reception presided over by the Chancellor, officials of First Citizens Bank, the Interim Dean of the Graduate School and University officers.

We invite you to view more information on this year’s nomination form and the selection process. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022.

The Graduate School is also seeking nominations for the annual competition for the 2023 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award. This award recognizes a full-time member of the graduate faculty who exemplifies outstanding graduate mentoring. Nominations should come from a chair of the academic department. This award was established in memory of Dr. Harshini de Silva, an associate professor of biology, who was noted for her dedication to the academic and professional development of graduate students. The 2022 award recipient was Dr. Adam Reitzel, Department of Biological Sciences. 

The award  — consisting of a crystal obelisk, a framed citation and a cash prize — will be presented in the spring semester at a ceremony and reception presided over by the Chancellor, the Interim Dean of the Graduate School and University officers.

View more information on this year’s nomination form and the selection processThe deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022.

CGLL Offers Virtual Dissertation Writing Workshop

The Dissertation Writing Group (DWG) is a supportive writing group that helps dissertation writers form or refine productive writing and work habits, break isolation, build community, and take advantage of structured writing time. The workshop is intended for doctoral students actively working on their dissertation and able to attend the virtual 2 ½-hour session weekly for seven weeks.

For more information and to register, please visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.

Participants Sought for 3MT Competition

Graduate researchers have an opportunity to sharpen their presentation skills and compete for cash prizes through the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) program offered by the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL).  The competition kicks off in November.

For more information and to register, visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.

CGLL Seminar Addresses Institutional Review Board Process

The Center for Graduate Life and Learning presents “Understanding IRBs: How to be an Ethical Researcher” Sept 14 from 12-1 pm in Atkins 146.

The workshop, led by Cat Runden, IRB Manager at the Office of Research Protections and Integrity (ORPI), will cover the IRB process.

For more information and to register, visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.

Fall Career Fair will Host 230 Employers

The largest career fair of the year, free and open to all majors and all class levels, will be held Sept. 23 from 10-2 at the Student Activity Center.

This year’s Fall Career & Internship Fair will include more than 230 employers including Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, school districts and growing businesses.

More information, including a complete list of participating employers is available from the University Career Center.

Graduate School Offers Help for NSF Funding

The Graduate School is looking for qualified candidates for the $37,000 annual stipend from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).

UNC Charlotte has ranked fourth in North Carolina for the number of NSF Graduate Research Fellows since 2010, behind Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State.

Graduate School Director of Funding and Fellowships Dr. Julie Goodliffe contacted almost 2,000 potential candidates this fall offering expertise in completing a competitive application.  In addition to the annual stipend, qualified students can earn $12,000 annually in cost of education allowance.

An experienced NSF reviewer at the national level, Dr. Goodliffe offers live information sessions and assistance in completing the NSF GRFP Fellowship application.  Interested students should participate in an upcoming workshop via Zoom:

Tuesday, September 13th 3-4pm

Wednesday, September 14th, 3-4pm

More information about the NSF GRFP is available for download, on the Graduate School’s Funding for Graduate Graduation website or by contacting Julie Goodliffe, jmgoodli@uncc.edu.

Boost Writing Progress with CGLL Friday Morning Writing Session

The Aug. 26 Friday Morning Writing session at the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL) provides a morning opportunity for graduate students, faculty and staff, and members of the community who want to make progress on a large writing project. The session runs from 9-12 p.m.

Offering a quiet space to work, structured writing time, and writing-related resources, Friday Morning Writing makes writing less isolating.

Coffee, snacks and the use of a microwave oven will be provided in the Atkins 146 session.

To register, visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.

CGLL Course Addresses Setting Good Writing Habits

The Center for Graduate Life and Learning will host Dr. Lisa Russell-Pinson, Associate Teaching Professor of Writing in a course entitled Establishing and Maintaining Strong Writing Habits Wednesday, Aug. 24 in Atkins 146.

Dr. Russell-Pinson will show how to develop and stick to a writing process and cover tips for consistent and efficient writing.

To register, please visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.

Upcoming Funding Q&A Sessions for Faculty and Staff

Are you wondering about compensation packages, GASP, graduate assistantships or paying for fees? Join a Funding Q&A Session and let the Graduate Admissions funding and assistantships team answer all your questions.

The first session for the fall will begin on August 15. These sessions are held on the first and third Mondays of every month from 3-4 p.m.

Lists for Outreach to New and Continuing Students

As outreach continues to encourage new and continuing students to register, we invite Graduate Program Directors to personally connect with these students. Personal outreach typically leads to a greater impact. For more information about updated contact lists, please email Maryanne Maree-Sams.

Q&A Session on the New Policy on Graduate Student Compensation

Q A or Questions and answers on block squares with sunshine

Have questions about the new Policy on Graduate Student Compensation? Join us in a Zoom meeting on Thursday, July 28th, at 10:30 a.m., with members of the Graduate School and RED teams to get answers.

Holistic Admissions Master Class

Are you recruiting and admitting students who fit your program goals and who are ready to succeed? Are you concerned about bias in the admissions process?

As part of ETS’ mission to advance quality and equity in education, they have launched the Holistic Admissions Master Class. This free, self-paced course blends ETS thought leadership with guidance and case studies from graduate education leaders experienced in implementing holistic admissions at various institutions.

The course addresses every step in the admissions process, from planning through execution and post-cycle evaluation. Whether you’re new to holistic admissions or an experienced hand, you’ll learn how small changes can help you minimize bias while maximizing student fit.

Learn more about the Holistic Admissions Master Class

June 28 Seminar Offered on Thesis, Dissertation Formatting and Submission

Students planning to submit a thesis or dissertation within the next semester may benefit from this session addressing common questions about formatting, defense and submission procedures.

These workshops are held approximately every two weeks at the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL). Register for the June 28 session, visit the CGLL for a schedule of sessions and visit YouTube for previous recordings.

ISSO Offers Fall Preview for Program Directors

The International Student & Scholar Office (ISSO) will host a webinar on July 13 to provide a preview of topics concerning international students this fall.

Topics include:

  • Anticipated numbers of international students for Fall
  • Visa processes and anticipated delays
  • Late arrivals
  • Re-applications for admissions

Register via Zoom to receive a confirmation email with more details.

Duke’s Mayo Career Fair will join Aggie Eagle Classic in September

The first-ever Duke’s Mayo Classic College & Career Fair will invite prospective students from across the region to the Charlotte Convention Center from 10:30-4:30 Sept. 2.

The Fair will provide students the opportunity to learn more about the importance of furthering their education and to explore and discover the exciting programs and experiences colleges and universities have to offer.

The Career Fair will be followed by the Duke’s Mayo Classic – Aggie Eagle Classic on Sept. 3 where North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University at Bank of America Stadium will vie for the title.

Vendor registration is open through July 22 and is available through the Career Fair event site.  Visit http://dukesmayoclassic.com for general information about the Classic.