Home

EducationUSA Offers Europe Open Office Hours for Recruitment Assistance

November 02, 2021 by White, Brian

Join advisers from across Western and Northern Europe for open office hours on Dec. 7 and 9. The advisers will be ready to answer questions from representatives from U.S. higher education institutions about recruitment strategies, scholarship programs, upcoming events, and other items. Dates, times, and countries featured on each day are listed below.

Dec. 7 (Tues.) | 11–12:30 p.m. EST | Featured countries: Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg | https://iie-org.zoom.us/j/96208267010

Dec. 9 (Thurs.) | 11-12:30 p.m. EST | Featured countries: Finland, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Spain | https://iie-org.zoom.us/j/95713161140

Germany to Hold Graduate Studies Recruitment Fair in November
EducationUSA will host its first virtual Graduate Studies Fair for Germany on Tues., Nov. 23, 4-8 p.m. CET. U.S. higher education institutions will have a virtual booth and host group and one-on-one sessions with Germany’s top students. EducationUSA advisers will facilitate the event and share educational and funding opportunities. For more information on how to participate, please contact germany@educationusa.org.

Portugal to Hold Recruitment Fair in November
The Fulbright Commission and EducationUSA Portugal are inviting U.S. higher education institutions to join the EducationUSA Portugal Fair, which will take place virtually Nov. 18. The fair will offer an opportunity to connect with prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Registration is now open. For more information about the event, please contact EducationUSA Portugal adviser Dorian Rosca.

ISSO Details COVID Travel Rules to Incoming Students

November 02, 2021 by White, Brian

The International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) recently reached out to new students who intend to enroll for the spring 2022 semester to explain new requirements relating to the COVID-10 pandemic.

Following is the text of the ISSO message:

As the Spring 2022 semester approaches, we look forward to welcoming you to UNC Charlotte. As you can expect, COVID-19 will impact your travel plans. Please review the information below BEFORE you commit to international travel. Obtain your COVID vaccine(s) before entering the U.S. After November 8, 2021, all foreign nationals, including F-1 and J-1 students wishing to enter the U.S. must show proof that they are FULLY VACCINATED against COVID-19. See the U.S. government’s October 12, 2021 announcement. In addition to proof of vaccination, travelers entering the U.S. must also show proof of a negative COVID test administered within the 3 days prior to travel to the U.S.

Documentation requirements: Your COVID vaccine must be FDA or WHO approved Your vaccine and COVID test documentation should be hard copy (not on your phone) and in English It is fine to carry back up electronic copies on your phone Your name on your records should match your name as listed on your passport. Note: ISSO staff are not healthcare professionals; you should research what works for you in consultation with your doctor or medical care provider.

What should NEWLY ADMITTED students consider when planning travel to the U.S.?
1. Complete the Financial Certification Form (FCF).
2. Apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate.
3. Pay the SEVIS fee online 3-5 days before your visa appointment and print out the receipt.
4. Follow the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ CDC Requirement for Proof of a Negative COVID test before entering the U.S.
5. Upon entering the U.S., carefully follow the CDC ‘After International Travel’ instructions and obtain a COVID test 3-5 days after travel.
6. Arrive in Charlotte (Charlotte Douglas International Airport-CLT) by January 5th. Arriving by this date allows you to participate in international student orientation before classes begin on January 10th.
7. Follow UNC Charlotte On-Campus protocols, such as wearing a face covering while participating in UNC Charlotte indoor activities.

Check official websites for up to date information: COVID related travel requirements can change quickly. Therefore, be sure to check official websites for update to date information before you leave home. We hope you all are staying safe and well,

Updated U.S. Travel Policy Requires Vaccination

November 01, 2021 by White, Brian

On Oct. 25 the White House and Centers for Disease Control announced a new vaccination policy that will go into effect for international travelers to the United States on Nov. 8 at 12:01 a.m. EST. As of that date, foreign national air travelers will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding a plane to the United States. The guidelines also include new protocols for testing. Exemptions will be made for noncitizens who are citizens of a foreign country where the availability of COVID-19 vaccination is limited. Details can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Admissions Application and eGRAD Unavailable Nov 16-21 for Slate Migration

November 01, 2021 by White, Brian

Graduate Admissions is transitioning to a new recruitment and admissions system (Slate) and mygradschool.uncc.edu AND eGRAD will be brought down on Nov. 16 at 12 am.

Graduate Program Directors are encouraged to make recommendations on all Ready for Review applications prior to Nov. 16 or wait until after the Slate go-live on Nov. 22.

All current eGRAD users will have access to Slate as soon as the system is live; training documentation for decision makers and committee members will be provided online. Virtual and face-to-face Slate training will be available beginning the week of Nov 22. Details will be provided soon.

Prospective students are encouraged to submit their application and supporting materials (via mygradschool.uncc.edu) on or before Nov. 16, otherwise they can submit materials in Slate beginning Nov. 22. Similarly, recommendation providers who have not submitted a reference for a prospective student are encouraged to do so by Nov. 16. Otherwise, they will be sent a link to complete the recommendation in Slate.

Between Nov. 16-21:

Data and supporting documents in AdmissionPros will be migrated to Slate
Prospective students for 2022 will be emailed new system credentials to access the system
Recommendation providers who have not submitted a reference will be provided information to do so in Slate
Graduate Program Directors and admissions committee members will be emailed the link to access Slate.

Registration Open for GRAD Courses

November 01, 2021 by White, Brian

GRAD courses administered by the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL) are available for registration.

The courses, including Academic Writing and Intrapreneurship for Non-Business Majors, address important subjects important to career success.

For more information please visit the CGLL.

Finalists Named in 3MT Competition

October 26, 2021 by White, Brian

Finalists selected for the 2021 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) final competition Nov. came from a wide range of programs.

The finals competition, which begins at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Rowe Auditorium (130), will include:

Roshanak Ashrafi, Infrastructure & Environmental Systems
David Brown, Bioinformatics
Varsha Godakhini, Nanoscale Science
Shanique Lee, Curriculum and Instruction
Jeanne-Marie Linker, Bioinformatics
Rittika Mallik, Bioinformatics
Keith Murphy, Health Services Research
Amanda Sargent, Organizational Science
Kelsey Sikon, Civil Engineering
Samantha Taylor, Bioinformatics
Farida Yasmin, Biology

The 3-Minute Thesis (3MT), hosted by the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL), is an international academic competition that challenges graduate students to describe their research in three minutes or less, using only one static slide. 3MT allows our graduate students to practice communicating the importance of their work to policy makers, potential funders, and the media.

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

Reports Out on Student Loan Debt, Enrollment and Degrees

October 26, 2021 by White, Brian

2020-2021 and 2019-2020 Graduate Loan Summary Report

This report, available for download, provides details on federal loan debt by students in graduate programs based on enrollment status by aid year. Have questions about the data? Insights into how the information should be considered and/or compiled for 2021-2021? Join the Graduate School for a Graduate Student Debt Question and Answer Workshop on Wednesday, October 27th, between 11 am and noon. Feel free to drop in (virtually!) anytime.

CGS/GRE 2020 Survey of Graduate Enrollment & Degrees
The downloadable document is the only national survey that annually collects data on first-time and total graduate enrollment across 1) all fields of study and 2) by degree level. The Fall 2020 survey was sent to 763 U.S. institutions and received a 73.1% response rate.

Message on Projections from Johnna Watson

October 26, 2021 by White, Brian

Dear Colleagues,

The Projections Manager, located in GPDNet, is now open for enrollment and graduation projection submissions. The information you provide is used to help guide efforts to effectively manage your graduate program enrollment; it’s also vital from a University perspective to better understand program capacity/delivery, future enrollments/graduations, and resources required to support graduate education.

Based on information provided last year, the Graduate School made a request for resources to help two programs grow enrollments, which Academic Affairs provided beginning fall 2021. Additionally, resources and training were strategically provided to support students and programs and aid work to increase recruitment and retention. Given the University’s strategic plan to enroll 7,613 graduate students by 2031, careful planning to achieve the goal is more important now than ever.

Similarly, affirming UNC Charlotte’s commitment to foster access, diversity, equity and inclusion in graduate education, please pay particular attention to ways your program enrollments might reflect a breadth of gender identities, races and ethnicities, nationalities, faith traditions, and other social categories and backgrounds. A new question has been added to better understand program efforts in this regard.

Four open swims are planned to help program directors establish projections and answer any questions related to program capacity and effective enrollment management. For details on the workshops as well as the projections process, please see the attached document. In advance, thank you for your strong support of graduate education and your participation in this year’s cycle to better understand opportunities and challenges in building and retaining the graduate class next year.

Warm regards,

Johnna Watson

P.S. – More details are available for download.

Important Deadlines for Spring

October 25, 2021 by White, Brian

Please note the following deadlines for spring semester:

November 23-Graduate Program Directors: Last day to recommend admission for an international applicant who resides outside the U.S. and requires a F or J visa.
December 1-Prospective Students: Last day to submit a degree or certificate application.
December 12-Newly Admitted International Students who reside outside the U.S. and require a F or J visa: Last day to submit a financial certificate form. (https://isso.charlotte.edu/future-students/newly-admitted-students/obtain-unc-charlotte-i-20).
December 22-Graduate Program Directors: Last day to recommend admission for applicants.
January 10-Prospective Students: Final date to submit a post-baccalaureate application.

Update Your "Apply Now" Links

October 25, 2021 by White, Brian

In preparation for the Graduate Admissions migration to Slate (go-live date TBD), please update all “Apply Now” links on your webpages, communications, and materials to the URL below.

https://gradadmissions.charlotte.edu/apply

Nationwide, Graduate Enrollment Projected to Grow less than 1% through 2029

October 18, 2021 by White, Brian

Nationwide, graduate enrollment is projected to grow by less than 1% from 2021-2029.

The Education Advisory Board (EAB) compiled a downloadable white paper to help institutions better understand the future needs of adult learners and develop strategies to recruit, enroll and retain them. Charlotte’s graduate enrollment is projected to grow 20% over the next ten years, so the work to strategically serve this unique audience must begin now.

Take Action Soon on Catalog Changes

October 18, 2021 by White, Brian

If you need to make changes to next year’s Graduate Catalog for standardized test requirements/changes, please note that October 31 is the strongly recommended deadline for ‘Course Revision’ proposals to be launched and approved by the originator via Curriculog. The earlier you start, the more likely the proposal will reach final approval in time for Fall 2022 implementation, registration, and publication in the 2022-2023 Catalogs. See all Course and Curriculum Deadlines.

Help Students Get Funding: eGPS Refresher Training

October 13, 2021 by White, Brian

Do you know and/or remember how to use eGPS to nominate students for funding from the Graduate School? If you hesitated to think “yes!”, you are invited to one of two training/refresher sessions about how to use eGPS. Please click a link below to attend, and also send this to others who use eGPS on your behalf.

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m.: https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=NmpoZ3I3ZzB0aG5jMW5icXRxa2E2dWR0cGQgam1nb29kbGlAdW5jYy5lZHU&tmsrc=jmgoodli%40uncc.edu

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 3 p.m.: https://calendar.google.com/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=N2VycHFjdWozbnQ3aWpkZ3Y3dWNvODM2aXAgam1nb29kbGlAdW5jYy5lZHU&tmsrc=jmgoodli%40uncc.edu

October A2I Sessions Planned at CGLL

October 12, 2021 by White, Brian

The Center for Graduate Life and Learning kicked off their Fall Accelerate to Industry (A2i) series on October 1 with an informative interactive presentation on professional communication from industry partner JELD-WEN. There are two more sessions scheduled:

Thriving in a Hybrid Workforce: How to Adapt and Grow

Friday, October 15, 2021

Graduate students can register here for zoom link

11:00-12:30

While teleworking has been around for a while, the need for so many people to work remotely during the pandemic has vastly expanded its use. As students graduate and enter the workforce, they will likely face many workplace options including face-to-face, remote, and hybrid environments. Each one has its own challenges, etiquette, and opportunities. All graduate students are invited to join professional development specialist, Kim Harris for an interactive session that will teach them how to figure out which environment will best support their professional success and how to navigate and thrive in each of these settings.

Tresata-Giving and Receiving Feedback in a Professional Setting

Friday, October 22, 2021

11:00-12:30

Graduate students can register here for zoom link

By Application Only

We’ve all heard the expression, “feedback is a gift,” but it’s a gift that can be difficult to give and difficult to receive. When we receive feedback, it’s easy to become defensive and stubborn or insecure. When we need to give feedback, we may feel hesitant to criticize a team member who has worked hard on a deliverable. Yet, figuring out how to use feedback to improve ourselves and our teams is one of the most important keys to professional success. This Accelerate to Industry(A2i) session, run by our industry partner, Tresata will be a 90-minute interactive workshop, in which participants will learn how to have honest discussions about improvement without damaging important relationships.

There will be a presentation and then practice in small-group breakout rooms where participants will receive (you guessed it) feedback from Tresata leaders. We will provide Tresata with a resume book of attendees after the event. Space is limited and an application with a resume upload is required. Applications are due by October 19.

How to Conduct the Job Search for International Students

October 11, 2021 by White, Brian

The job search is tricky for everyone, but even more so for international students. This session offers specific insights and tips on how to approach and navigate the job search. Food will be served!

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

CGLL Hosts Teaching Workshops

October 04, 2021 by White, Brian

Each semester the CGLL’s Faculty Associate for Graduate Teaching, Dr. Judith Krauss offers a professional development series in teaching to help students build critical skills. These workshops are helpful for graduate students who plan to recruit for tenure-track academic positions, those who will pursue teaching positions at the university level, and those who wish to be more effective as Teaching Assistants. Dr. Krauss is an invaluable resource for graduate students with questions about teaching and can be contacted at jkrauss@uncc.edu.This Fall, the virtual series will include the two workshops described below.

How to Write a Teaching Philosophy

October 13, 2021 4:00-5:00

Virtually all graduate students who apply for a position that involves teaching will need to prepare a statement of teaching philosophy. Faculty Associate for Graduate Teaching Dr. Judith Krauss, will guide graduate students through the process of creating this important document. Participants will be encouraged to share best practices they’ve encountered as students and explore their personal beliefs about effective classroom practices.

How to Conduct a Teaching Demonstration at an Academic Job Interview

October 26, 2021 12:00-1:00

Graduate students going on the academic job market in the near future will likely be asked to provide a teaching demonstration. Dr. Judith Krauss, Faculty Associate for Graduate Teaching will offer concrete guidelines for conducting an effective teaching demonstration for a variety of audiences, including multi-disciplinary hiring committees and student committees. Q&A will be encouraged.

NCCGS Fall Conference is Virtual and Free

October 01, 2021 by White, Brian

The 2021 North Carolina Conference of Graduate Schools (NCCGS) all virtual annual conference will be held Oct. 28 and 29 from 9 a.m.-Noon with no registration nor fee required.

Sessions include Engaging Graduate Students in Wellness
and Campus Activities, Mindfulness versus the Anxious Brain, Graduate Student Organizations’ Best Practices and more. Faculty, students and staff are encouraged to attend.

The full conference agenda with links to each session is available for download. For more information, please visit the NCCGS conference site.

GRE Changes Testing for China, Iran

October 01, 2021 by White, Brian

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) made a recent, and sudden, decision to suspend the computer-based GRE and reintroduce the paper-based version of the exam in China, effective Oct. 1.

The test administration change is apparently in response to security breaches in China. According to a press release by ETS, an investigation uncovered numerous websites offering questions and answers from live versions of the computer-based GRE.

Also, according to the ETS website, although the GRE General Test at home is not available to test takers in Iran, it is available at testing centers in country.

At Home Testing

The GRE® General Test at home is a safe and convenient option for test takers who prefer to take their test at home rather than at a test center. It’s offered everywhere that the test is normally available, based on the country of your account address, except Mainland China and Iran.

Testing Locations

The GRE® General Test is a computer-delivered test that is offered both at test centers and at home.

Test Center Testing

The GRE General Test is administered in a secure testing environment at more than 1,000 ETS-authorized test centers in 160-plus countries.

In most regions of the world, the test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year.
In Mainland China; Hong Kong, China; Taiwan, China; and Korea, the test is available up to three times per month.

New University Policy on Authorship

September 28, 2021 by White, Brian

The following is a message from Tom Reynolds, Dean of Graduate School, to University leadership:

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to share information with you about a Graduate School initiative to support a culture of research integrity through good authorship practices at UNC Charlotte.

When we surveyed UNC Charlotte faculty and graduate student researchers, we found a number of issues related to authorship in collaborative research. For example, faculty and student respondents reported issues with ghost and gift authorship, and fewer than 50% of respondents reported that authorship was discussed at the beginning of projects. Responses also indicated a desire for additional authorship guidance from the University.

One result of this work is University Policy 318, “Authorship Policy and Resolution Procedures,” approved in May 2021 by the University Faculty Council and the Provost.

The policy’s purpose is not to require a single set of authorship practices. Instead, it highlights significant areas of consensus, advances healthy authorship practices, and sets out institutional policies should disputes arise.

I invite you to watch Provost Joan Lorden’s introduction to the policy below for more information, or read the policy here. More information about authorship can also be found on the Graduate School’s Responsible Research page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvbGL9pyoHY

Graduate Program Directors, please forward this email to your graduate students.

Sincerely,

Tom

Thomas L. Reynolds, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Graduate Programs
Dean of the Graduate School

Hanover Research Materials Available to Support Graduate Student Recruitment and Program Management

September 27, 2021 by White, Brian

The following four documents by Hanover Research are now available in the Graduate School Data section of GPDNet:

Best Practices in Graduate Student Recruitment
Effective Strategies for Recruiting and Engaging Adult Learners
Program Capacity Management Strategies
Top 10 Degrees on the Rise in 2021