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Graduate School Forms Now Digital

The Graduate School is happy to announce the end of yet another paper-based system.  Also known as the Doctoral Form Series, all Exam Reports, Committee Appointment, Proposal/Final Defense, ETD and Embargo forms will be transitioning to DocuSigneffective October 14. DocuSign, a University-supported digital system, allows for the secure collection of signatures and proper electronic routing. These forms can be accessed on the Graduate School Forms website. Scanned paper forms will still be accepted throughout the Spring 2021 semester however.

Important: In order to ensure proper routing, please make sure to only use the Graduate School’s Form Series and NOT a Form previously developed by an academic unit or otherwise. In addition, DocuSign’s routing system only recognizes UNC Charlotte NinerNet username email addresses and NOT alias email addresses (use format:  jdoe@uncc.edu, NOT jane.doe@uncc.edu).

Please refer to the university’s FAQ website for more information about DocuSign.

Oct. 15 Deadline for Master's Thesis Awards

Faculty may nominate students for the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award through Oct. 15, 2019.

The Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award is a part of the Graduate School’s focus on enhancing research skills.  For more information, please visit the Center for Graduate Life’s Research Skills website.

Nomination information, fields of competition and more is available from the Graduate School.

If you have questions, please contact Julie Green, jhgreen@uncc.edu, Master’s Thesis Student Services and Fellowship Specialist.

Negotiations & Networking Session Planned

The Center for Graduate Life will host the session Negotiations & Networking Essentials
Oct. 9, 11-12:30 p.m.
The session will be facilitated by Amir Ismail, VP-Senior Financial Analyst at Bank of America and founder of AIC Mindsight, a career coaching and professional branding company.
For more information and to register, please visit AIC Mindset’s registration page.

Global Panel To Address International Graduate School

The Young Professionals of the World Affairs Council of Charlotte (YPWACC) and the Office of International Programs will host a panel discussion on graduate school via Zoom Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.  Panelists will address how to select an internationally-focused program, prepare a competitive application.

For more information and to register, please visit the YPWACC registration page.

 

Assessing Election News Topic of Atkins Webinar

BuzzFeed News Editor Craig Silverman addresses “Election 2020: How to Verify What You Read, See and Hear Online,” in a Zoom conference Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. hosted by J. Murray Atkins Library.

For more information and to register, please visit Atkins Library.

Webinar Addresses Recruiting Best Practices

Graduate Admissions will host a webinar Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. to share best practices for recruiting  graduate students.  Admissions staff continually monitor nationwide recruiting trends in graduate education and will share effective strategies for recruiting the most diverse and best qualified applicants.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://uncc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMoce-trD8uHNQo5SpVGMAyW7p6b89GVCJU

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

International Student Impact of Chancellor's 9/22/2020 Announcement

The ISSO has fielded several inquiries related to the Chancellor’s recent announcement and its impact on international student enrollment. They offer some clarifications as follows:

Per Tarek Elshayeb, ISSO Director, “Based on our standing interpretation of the Fall 2020 SEVP-issued immigration guidance, newly admitted international students (excluding transfers and change of education level) who entered the U.S. before the Chancellor’s September 22nd  announcement, and who meet both requirements below, remain in valid F-1 status.”

The requirements are:

  1. Pursuing a full course load (12 credits for undergrad and 9 credits for graduate) or have been approved for a Reduced Course Load; and
  2. Are enrolled in at least 1 course classified in Banner as either hybrid or completely in-person.

“As long as these students meet the criteria above, their immigration status will not be adversely affected if their courses classified as either “in-person” or “hybrid” remain fully online from October 1st to December 23rd in light of UNC Charlotte’s September 22nd announcement, adds Elshayeb.  “These students will be able to fulfill the U.S. government’s Fall 2020 COVID-19 enrollment requirements and maintain their F-1 status.”

Additional questions can be sent to ISSO or found on their FAQs.

3MT Competition Planned

Graduate students will have an opportunity again this year to compact their thesis or dissertation into a powerful, three-minute presentation.

Through the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) program offered by the Center for Graduate Life (CGL), contestants vie for the most compelling presentation of research to an audience that may not share the same expertise.

More information is available from the Center for Graduate Life.

Fall Ventureprise Research Projects Sought

Ventureprise is seeking research ideas with potential commercial application from UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students. The program provides commercialization training and up to an initial $5000 in NSF funding.

The goal of the program is to identify potential commercial uses and prepare for more substantial commercialization funding opportunities.  Ventureprise® is UNC Charlotte’s innovation and entrepreneurship center serving the campus and Charlotte region as a center of excellence for evidence based entrepreneurship.

The next stage is a six month $50,000 NSF I-Corps Teams grant. The cohort will begin October 8 (rolling applications; last day to submit is October 2). A complete schedule and application form can be found on the NSF I-Corps webpage. Contact: Devin Collins or Laura Smailes.

Graduate School Virtually Honors its Fellowship Recipients

Congratulations to the 2020 Graduate School Fellowship Award Recipients! We are so proud of you, your academic accomplishments, as well as your dedication and commitment in attaining your advanced degrees. We also want to say thank you to the generous donors who have the vision and foresight to give selflessly of their time and treasure in order to help our graduate students be successful. Your gifts also help support research that cannot be found anywhere else in the region and bring internationally recognized faculty to instruct our students on cutting edge issues. We couldn’t do this without you. Thank You!

Dean Tom Reynolds

 

Students Encouraged to Apply for NSF Grant

Eligible candidates recently received an email from the Graduate School encouraging them to apply for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
The message, sent by Director of Funding and Fellowships Julie Goodliffe, also offers assistance in completing application. Dr. Goodliffe also serves as a reviewer for NSF on a national level.
For more information, contact Julie Goodliffe, jmgoodli@uncc.edu.

ETS Expands GRE Testing Options

ETS recently announced updates on GRE testing through the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition and GRE® General Test at home, and the expansion of in-person testing in China.

TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the GRE General Test at home have been extended through October, possibly later. Home testing remains available even in areas where test centers have reopened so that students have a choice.

The Chinese government’s National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA) expanded the number of test dates and test centers through the end of September for the in-person TOEFL iBT test and GRE General Test.

  • The TOEFL iBT test will be offered on eight test dates at over 30 test centers, with more centers being added during the month. Prospective candidates can learn more at https://toefl.neea.cn/. Those unable to take the in-person test at this time due to limited availability are encouraged to register for the TOEFL ITP® Plus for China solution. Visit www.ets.org/toefl/itp-plus for details on the solution, setting score requirements and receiving scores, FAQs, and for the updated list of accepting institutions, now 565 worldwide.
  • The GRE General Test will be offered on five test dates at 25 test centers, with more centers being added during the month. Prospective candidates can learn more at https://gre.neea.cn/.

 

TEDxUNC Charlotte Events Set Sept. 15, 16, 17

TEDxUNCCharlotte will be held virtually Sept. 15, 16, and 17. Each night will feature 3-4 speakers.

Topics for the event include:

Sept. 15: Shifts in Paradigms

Sept. 16: Inclusion Drives Innovation

Sept. 17: Re-Imagining and Re-Examining

More information is available at TEDxUNCCharlotte.

$3,000 Stipend Offered STEM Fellows

The Center for Graduate Life is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 STEM Communication Fellows Program aimed at improving communications skills among STEM scholars.
Through the program, eight doctoral and postdoctoral scholars will be selected to receive intense communication training and experiential learning opportunities, plus a $3000 stipend.
For information and to apply, please visit the Center for Graduate Life.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Jill Huerta and Dr. Aura Young of the CGL.

Webinar Focus: Student Prospect Targeting

A free webinar scheduled at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 will provide tips on how to cost-effectively target graduate and professional students using the GRE Search Service.

To attend, complete the GRE online registration.

The Graduate School is available to assist with GRE searches.  Contact Maryanne Marie-Sams, MaryanneMaree-Sams@uncc.edu.

 

GPD Recruiting Training Session Planned

A recruiting orientation for new Graduate Program Directors is planned Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
The Zoom event is entitled Recruitment 101 an Orientation for New Graduate Program Directors.  Tips for successful recruitment.

Register to participate at Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

GPD Sought for Workplace Competencies Certificate

The Graduate School seeks a current faculty member (tenure-track or non-tenure track) to assume the part-time administrative role as Faculty Fellow, Graduate Program Director, Workplace Competencies, to develop and manage this new graduate certificate program.

Position: 0.50 FTE administrative assignment, which includes a stipend for summer; start date January 2021 (one-year appointment is negotiable and renewable).

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will serve as Graduate Program Director (GPD) for the new graduate Certificate in Workplace Competencies. The certificate is a short academic program focused on essential professional skills. The GPD will manage recruitment, admissions, enrollment, and services for the students in the certificate program. This will include developing and supporting communications efforts, conducting outreach to prospective students, and identifying new competencies and associated courses to add to the program.

Qualifications: Must be a current faculty member (tenure-track or non-tenure track) and be eligible for a graduate faculty appointment.

Compensation: Administrative stipend equal to one course buy-out for the fall and spring semester with optional summer salary, if needed, for a 12-month appointment. Office space will be provided along with access to an operating budget and administrative support.

Please submit a letter of interest to Jill Huerta, Executive Director, Center for Graduate Life, 704-687-7232, jhuerta2@uncc.edu.

Check Your Program Dashboard

As we move forward to recruiting the spring 2021 class, be sure your program information is correct in GPDNet’s Program Dashboard.  The text and information here feeds the Graduate Admissions Programs page.  Prospective students use this information to learn more about your programs and link to your websites.
If you have any questions about Program Dashboard information, please reach out to the Graduate Admissions counselors Maryanne Maree-Sams, MaryanneMaree-Sams@uncc.edu, and Ellie Ivey,  efeely@uncc.edu. Should you wish to discuss program web page content on your site, your College Communicator can assist you.

Call for Nominations Issued for Faculty Awards

The call for nominations has been issued for three distinguished faculty awards: The Harshini V. De Silva Graduate Mentor Award, the First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal and the Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award.

For more information and to nominate, please follow the links below to each program’s nomination page:

Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award – Nominations accepted through Dec. 11

Harshini V. De Silva Graduate Mentor Award – Nominations accepted through Nov. 6

First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal, Nominations accepted through Nov. 13.

Fall 2020 Students Targeted with NC Residency Message

A message informing new graduate students of the process to apply for North Carolina residency was sent recently, targeting those admitted for Fall 2020 who are classified as nonresidents.

Should your students have questions about residency, please direct them to  the centralized Residency Determination Service (RDS):

Phone:  844-319-3640

Email:  rdsinfo@ncresidency. org

Website:  www.NCresidency.org

 

Faculty with questions may contact Brenda.Sawyer@uncc.edu, 704-687-5122.

For more information on residency, please visit https://ncresidency.uncc.edu/.