The Center for Graduate Life and Learning has issued a call for students to speak at the 2022 spring commencement ceremonies.
More information and application information is available from the CGLL.
Student Affairs
CGLL Seeking 2022-23 Graduate Life Fellows
Each year the Graduate School’s Center for Graduate Life and Learning appoints a group of continuing graduate students to serve as Graduate Life Fellows (GLFs). GLFs are awarded $5,000 for the academic year. Applications for the 2022 – 2023 academic year are now open.
To learn more or apply, please visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.
Join CGLL’s Weekend Write Feb. 19
The Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL) will host Weekend Write Feb. 19, 9-11 am for graduate students working on dissertations, preparing to defend a thesis, writing a term paper or just looking for a productive writing environment.
The online event provides structured writing time, goal-setting and accountability to enhance motivation.
For more information and to register, please visit the CGLL.
Learn Networking for a Virtual World
In a world that has gone virtual, networking takes on a new meaning. This session addresses ways to connect and maintain relationships in a virtual environment.
Facilitated by Karen Arrington of the University Career Center, this session will be conducted virtually at 2:30 pm, Feb. 15.
To register, please visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.
Session to Focus on Small Talk Mastery
In this workshop, “Small Talk Series: The Essentials,” students will learn tricks and tips for making introductions and starting conversation.
Facilitated by Robin Boswell and Aura Young, the workshop will be available both online and live in the DuBois Center 201 (Auditorium) Feb. 1 from 4:45-5:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, please visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL).
CGLL Launches New Student Mentor Initiative
The Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL) is pleased to announce a new mentor/mentee program for doctoral students called Niner Doctoral Collective.
Funded through HERFF funds from the Division of Student Affairs, the Niner Doctoral Collective is intended to connect doctoral students who began their program during the pandemic with more advanced doctoral students in an effort to provide connections and community. We know that many graduate students felt isolated and lonely during the lockdowns due to Covid19. We hope that by facilitating these mentor/mentee relationships, doctoral students will find new support systems and may come to understand the “hidden” curriculum of doctoral education.
If you get questions about this initiative, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Jill Huerta, Executive Director of the CGLL. More information is available from the CGLL website.
Graduate Research Symposium Abstracts Accepted Through Jan. 21
The annual Graduate Research Symposium (GRS), set for March, is an interdisciplinary graduate student-run conference that showcases astounding research of graduate and professional students.
The GRS planning committee is accepting abstracts for its 2022 event through Jan. 21. For more information and to submit, please visit the Graduate and Professional Student Government website.
Personal Finance Course Registration is Live
Financial Literacy: Personal FinanceGRAD 6000/8000 |CRN 27835| 2.0 credits | 5:00-6:40 pm | Thur | Instructor: Dr. Brad Yeckley
Offered through the Center for Graduate Life and Learning (CGLL), this course provides students with a guided tour through financial concepts to build knowledge and skill to make the right financial decisions. Key focus areas include earning, saving, spending, borrowing and protecting.
For questions and more information, please contact Jill Huerta.
CGLL Offers 8-Week Effective Speaking Course
GRAD 6000/8000 CRN 27683/27684 offers grad students a 2-credit opportunity to master oral communication — one of the most important skills in the workplace. The course, held face-to face Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:45 the second half of spring semester, provides a step-by-step approach to improve presentation skills and confidence in speaking roles.
For more information, visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning or contact Dr. Jill Huerta, jhuerta2@uncc.edu.
Master's Q&A Set as Defense Deadline Nears
The master’s thesis final defense deadline is Dec. 13, and the final submission deadline is Dec. 16. Dr. Aura Young of the Center for Graduate Life and Learning will facilitate a virtual workshop with Q&A on December 14 at 5:00 pm. Please encourage your students to join if they have any questions or concerns about formatting or submission requirements.
Get Ready for Fall Commencement
Commencement is planned for Dec. 17-18 in the Dale F. Halton Arena located in the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center.
Graduating students can pick up their regalia (caps and gowns) at the campus bookstore, located in the Popp Martin Student Union, through November 30.
Academic Affairs provides more information on Commencement Ceremonies and how to reserve your cap and gown.
Sargent Leads 3MT Competition
Amanda Sargent, Ph.D., Organizational Science, was selected the first place winner of the 2021 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition with her presentation, “What is it about “Who You Know” That Gets You Ahead?”
Other winners included:
Farida Yasmin, Ph.D., Biology – 2nd Place for “Into the Wild: Wild Soybean as our Savior!”
Shanique Lee, Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction – 3rd Place for “Loving and Leaving the Classroom: Contextualize the Attrition of Black Women Teachers in Urban Schools.”
Kelsey Sikon, M.S., Civil Engineering – People’s Choice Award for “Presence of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants.”
The event recording is available on YouTube. Read more about the 3MT at the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.
Session Helps Students with Common Interview Questions
In this CGLL course Nov. 11 at 4 p.m., students can learn how to prepare and practice answers to commonly asked interview questions. Facilitated by Karen Arrington, Assistant Director and Career Coach at the University Career Center. The session will be held in Cone 268.
To register, please visit the Center for Graduate Life and Learning.
Registration Open for GRAD Courses
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
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.
October A2I Sessions Planned at CGLL
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:
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.
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
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
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.
October 13, 2021 4:00-5:00
Register here for zoom link
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.
October 26, 2021 12:00-1:00
Register here for zoom link
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.
Help Available for Prepping for 3MT
Preparing for Your 3MT Presentation + Prize Drawing October 5, 3:30-4:30. Elise Demeter, Senior Assessment Research Analyst and SciComm will help students prepare to explain their research to a lay audience in 3 minutes or less using only one static slide. Anyone registered to compete in 3MT by this date will be entered into a raffle to win several great prizes including yoga mats, water bottles, and more!
CGLL Hosts Weekly Writing Q&A
Swipe Write: Commit to Better Writing is a weekly Q&A session about academic writing with the CGLL’s Assistant Teaching Professor of Writing, Dr. Lisa Russell-Pinson held virtually, Mondays 12:30-1:30. She’ll offer a weekly writing tip and information about upcoming writing events, and then open the floor to graduate students questions about writing such as how to write a good literature review, how to write more efficiently, managing procrastination, and responding to feedback.
