5th Annual Graduate School Preview Day

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Applying to graduate school can be overwhelming, time-consuming and expensive. Stony Brook University’s Center for Inclusive Education in The Graduate School aims to make the process less stressful – and more successful – by offering information, advice and support at Graduate School Preview Day (GSPD). On Friday, August 17th, the CIE team hosted its 5th annual GSPD, and welcomed nearly 30 undergraduates, Master’s students, and adult learners to the Hilton Garden Inn on campus.

The day kicked off with opening remarks by Richard Gerrig, PhD, Interim Dean of The Graduate School, who emphasized the need for a diverse graduate student body to ensure research is inclusive, and therefore more effective. Dr. Gerrig then moderated a faculty panel that provided attendees with an insider perspective on strengthening their applications. Takeaways from this panel included: reach out to prospective faculty mentors early, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back right away – (polite) persistence is key. Also, do your homework on the program to which you plan to apply: review the program’s website, contact program leadership, and schedule a meeting with a prospective faculty mentor to learn if the program (and university) is the right fit for you before delving into the application process. For more advice and application best practices, watch the faculty panel video on the Center for Inclusive Education’s Facebook page.

During the Graduate Program Networking Lunch, attendees had an opportunity to speak to department representatives and ask program-specific questions about GRE and GPA requirements, funding opportunities, course schedules, etc. The majority of attendees emphasized the value of the Networking Lunch, with one prospective student stating “[It] allowed me to interact and ask questions personal to myself.” Shortly after, attendees heard from current graduate students, all of whom are Center for Inclusive Education (CIE) scholars, about their personal experience getting into, and getting through, their graduate programs. The graduate student panel was moderated by CIE Program Manager, Angel I. Gonzalez, PhD, who completed his graduate studies at Stony Brook University. The engaging panel touched on topics including how to identify or choose your mentor, whether to apply to a PhD or Master’s program, and if taking some time off (i.e. gap year) before entering graduate school is advisable. Watch the full conversation on the CIE’s Facebook page, and feel free to comment or ask questions for more advice on how to get into (and succeed) in graduate school!

The final activities of Graduate School Preview Day included a presentation on funding and research opportunities at Stony Brook. Faculty and CIE scholars led lab tours in Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Psychology, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Neurobiology & Behavior and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science. This unique opportunity allowed attendees to see first-hand what it would be like to conduct research at Stony Brook University. Attendees also learned about institutional and external funding mechanisms that can support their graduate studies. Visit the CIE’s event webpage to view the full PDF presentation on funding.

We would like to thank all of our campus partners who contributed to the success of Graduate School Preview Day! Special thanks to our faculty panelists: Drs. Dilip Gersappe, Robert Br. (Barney) Grubbs, Kathleen M. Fallon, and David A. Rubenstein; as well as our graduate student panelists: Vaughn Greene, Jr., Brittany Miller, Hanna Morales, and Yalile Suriel.

Questions about graduate study at Stony Brook, funding opportunities or the Center for Inclusive Education? Email us at CIE_GraduateSchool@stonybrook.edu or call 631-632-1386

 

CIE E-Newsletter August 2018

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Photo of CIE scholar Jinelle Wint and CIE administrator Julianna Prior at the 2017 CIE welcome barbecue. Jinelle and Julianna are smiling and standing in front of an event table at the Simons Center Safe containing food and beverages. It is a sunny dat

Events at the Center

Summer Writing Boot Camp: Fridays, August 3 and 10; 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; CIE space – RSVP

Graduate School Preview Day: Friday, August 17; 10 to 3 pm; Hilton Garden Inn – RSVP

College Teaching Journal Club: Thursday, August 23; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; Graduate School Conference Room –  RSVP

CIE Annual Welcome Back Luncheon: Friday, August 24; 12:30 pm; Lawn in front of Computer Science Building – RSVP

Summer may be winding down, but we are gearing up for the 5th annual Graduate School Preview Day. We hope you will join us on Friday, August 17 (and spread the word!) for an exciting day of networking and learning about what it means to pursue a PhD at Stony Brook University. We would love for our CIE Scholars to volunteer at the event and network with the prospective students during lunch. If you are interested in attending and sharing your graduate school experiences, please RSVP.

Here is the agenda for the day:

10:00 am – 10:30 am Registration
10:30 am – 10:45 am Welcome Remarks
10:45 am – 11:55 am Pursuing Graduate Education Panel
12:00 pm – 1:10 pm Networking Lunch with Graduate Programs & Undergraduate Summer Research Programs
1:15 pm – 2:25 pm Graduate Student Panel
2:30 pm – 2:50 pm Funding Graduate School
2:50 pm – 3:00 pm Closing Remarks and Evaluation
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Lab Tours (Optional)

*Please note that the agenda may be subject to moderate changes leading up to or on the day of the event.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Welcome Back BBQ on Friday, August 24 at 12:30 pm on the lawn in front of the Graduate School building (Computer Science). We hope you will have some stories to share about how fun and productive your summer has been.

Conferences, Fellowships, Forums and Networking Opportunities

Cornell University Interdisciplinary Working Group Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Cornell University’s Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies has established a working group on Disasters to enhance Cornell’s capacity for the study of international disaster preparedness, recovery, and resilience. The working group is seeking to sponsor one or more postdoctoral researchers at Cornell, and invites inquiries about two university-level fellowship programs: Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowships and the Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowships in Sustainability. These Fellowship programs are not limited to researchers interested in disasters or in working with the Disasters Working group, but faculty is actively seeking to sponsor one or more applicants for these programs. Learn more about to group here, and address inquiries regarding a working group sponsor to Professor Sharon Tennyson ( Sharon.tennyson@cornell.edu).

Stride-Con Visualization Contest All Stony Brook Graduate Students are eligible and encouraged to participate in the second annual Stride-Con Visualization contest. Visualizations will be evaluated by a panel of experts on visual aesthetics and the ability to communicate key scientific results. Entries must be submitted to STRIDE@ stonybrook.edu by 5pm (EST), Friday, August 3, 2018. To learn more about STRIDE visit here.

2018 Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference The American Statistical Association invites you to attend the 2018 Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. WSDS will gather professionals and students from academia, industry, and the government who are working in statistics and data science. Find unique opportunities to grow your influence, your community, and your knowledge. Learn more here

PhD Works Professional Development Awards for Inclusion and Equity Applications are open for summer for PhD Works Professional Development Awards for Inclusion and Equity. The awards offer up to $750 for activities that support graduate students’ professional development, with an emphasis on activities that expand their career development beyond the traditional expectations of their academic program. This means activities that directly support the students’ thesis or research work are unlikely to be funded. Eligible students are currently enrolled SBU Masters’ or PhD students in any field who also advance our goal of diversifying the professional workforce, broadly defined. Find more details on the program and how to apply here

Out to Innovate Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students in STEM These scholarships are intended for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees In science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs who are either lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or an active ally of the LGBTQ+ community. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. For more information:https://www.noglstp.org/programs-projects/scholarships/.  Required documents:

  • Application form with signed waiver, which includes
  • personal information
  • academic and community achievements
  • demographics survey
  • coursework / program summary
  • work experience
  • awards/honors
  • community and extracurricular activities
  • financial aid profile
  • list of references
  • personal statement (essay)
  • official transcript
  • three letters of reference

Institute for Broadening Participation: The mission of the Institute for Broadening Participation is to increase diversity in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. They design and implement strategies to increase access to STEM education, funding, and careers, with special emphasis on reaching and supporting individuals from underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including underrepresented minorities, women, persons with disabilities, first-generation college students, and students from underserved communities. Undergraduate Scholarships, Graduate Fellowships and Postdoctoral positions are available.

30+ undergraduate scholarships: here

30+ graduate fellowships: here

170+ postdoc positions: here

 

Career

The NASA Postdoctoral Program offers U.S. and international scientists the opportunity to advance their research while contributing to NASA’s scientific goals. The NPP supports fundamental science; explores the undiscovered; promotes intellectual growth; and encourages scientific connections. Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA’s missions in earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and astrobiology. Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar, may apply. Stipends start at $60,000 per year, with supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation as well as subsidized health insurance, and $10,000 per year is provided for professional and programmatic travel. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, November 1. Current research opportunities can be viewed on-line.  Further information and to apply. Send questions to npphelp@usra.edu.

The Joint Centre for Disaster Research has opened a Lecturer in emergency Management position Candidates should have interests in, and demonstrated expertise for, research, supervision and teaching in a) emergency management: b) preparedness and responsiveness to disasters and emergencies. Applicants must have a PhD in Social Sciences. For additional details, visit here .

The University of California has opened a postdoctoral position for candidates who have had research experience in virology, molecular biology, or immunology and have obtained a Ph.D. and/or M.D.  The research undertaken involves studies of HIV infection, innate immunity, stem cell biology and vaccine development.  Candidate will get experience in many phases of HIV pathogenesis, treatment and cure. It is a model for studying many aspects of infection by viruses.  The position is in the Laboratory for Tumor and AIDS Virus Research at the University of California, San Francisco.  Interested candidates should send curriculum vitae and the names of three references to: Dr. Jay A. Levy, M.D .

Presidential Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowships at Binghamton University Increasing campus diversity is one of Binghamton University’s most important strategic priorities. Binghamton is meeting this challenge with the establishment of a program of Presidential Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowships that will allow the university to better recruit highly qualified candidates for research and scholarship in disciplines that have found it difficult to attract a diverse faculty. This fellowship program mirrors the goals of the SUNY faculty diversity program which advance diversity and inclusive excellence by encouraging the recruitment, retention and promotion of outstanding scholars from different backgrounds, including individuals from groups who have historically been underrepresented in higher education.  Our goal is to develop top-tier candidates when faculty positions appear in these departments, so that they may remain at Binghamton in a tenure track capacity when their postdoctoral work is completed.  Each fellowship appointment is up to two years.  Find more information and apply here .

The  School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University at Buffalo seeks to fill several faculty positions that vary by rank and research interest area.  Our faculty are committed to the highest standards of teaching, research and service.  We are particularly looking for candidates who can operate effectively in a diverse community of students and faculty and share our vision of helping all constituents reach their full potential. We seek candidates who are interested, or have demonstrated effectiveness, in teaching and mentoring diverse students of all races, nationalities and genders, including first generation, underrepresented and female college undergraduates.  The University at Buffalo (UB) School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) is committed to creating and sustaining a multiculturally competent student body, faculty, and staff. We value diversity as a strength critical to our educational mission and support diversity in student enrollment as well as faculty and staff hiring, promotion and tenure.  Through the application process, you will have the opportunity to share your own experiences and how they have helped shape your beliefs about educational equity.  Current UB SEAS faculty postings include:

  • Lecturer in Technical Communications – School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Office of Undergraduate Education – F1700183.
  • Lecturer in Mechanics – School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Office of Undergraduate Education – F1700184.

 

CIE Alum, Dr. Marvin Jaime-Vasquez Returns for Speaker Series Event

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Here at the Center for Inclusive Education, we consider it an honor whenever an alum returns to participate in one of our programs or events. We believe there is much for current CIE scholars to learn from their past experiences, as well as where their career paths have led them. It is truly inspirational to listen to stories about the exciting research projects with which they are engaged, the places they have traveled and the connections they have made along the way. We are humbled when they mention the role we may have played in positioning and preparing them for their careers – whether it be through a program-specific funding mechanism, a professional development workshop or a simple networking opportunity.

On Monday, October 26, we had the esteemed privilege of welcoming Dr. Marvin Jaime-Vasquez as our guest for the Center for Inclusive Education Speaker Series. A former AGEP Fellow and Turner Postdoctoral Trainee, Dr. Jaime-Vasquez completed his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at Stony Brook University in 2002.

In his talk, “Finding Success From Possibilities”, Dr. Jaime-Vasquez shared his experiences as a researcher and entrepreneur. Currently, he is a physicist at the United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Communications Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate in Washington, DC. He is also the President of Sabor de mi Tierra Distributor, Inc. and CEO of Bakery Products by Genesis, Inc. – a wholesale bakery located in Bay Shore, NY.

Dr. Jaime-Vasquez considered himself to be a shy person while working on his doctorate. “Through the networking opportunities and professional development offered by the diversity programs at the CIE, I learned how to network and speak in public,” he said. These skills proved invaluable as he progressed professionally and then eventually embarked on the journey of owning a small business. “The analytical and problem solving skills you learn as part of your PhD are relevant and valuable in all aspects of your life and multiple career paths.” Dr. Jaime-Vasquez stressed to our attendees the importance of pursuing your passions, in all aspects of life, because it is from your passions and interests that ideas and innovation spring. It is often these innovations that serve as the starting point for entrepreneurial ideas and business opportunities.

 

Recruitment 101 – by Kathryne Piazzola

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Recruitment season is upon us once again. The CIE team is gearing up to travel to conferences and meet with qualified, diverse, prospective scholars for graduate and postdoctoral opportunities at Stony Brook. This time of year also brings to mind our current scholars who are planning to travel to a conference to present a poster or perhaps learn more about an organization. If this is you, here are three tips, based upon what we look for in potential candidates who stop by our table, for maximizing the effectiveness of your time in the conference exhibit hall.

  1. Come prepared: If you are approaching the table, you should be able to quickly and concisely explain to the representative(s) who you are, what research you are conducting and what types of information you are looking for (e.g. summer internships, graduate admissions, fellowships, postdoctoral/faculty positions). Recruitment representatives love when attendees have a copy of their CV to reference later. Make sure it has up-to-date contact information so that representatives are able to reach you for follow-up.
  2. Ask questions: We want to spend time with attendees who are truly interested in Stony Brook and the resources available to them through the Center for Inclusive Education. Attendees who ask questions and engage in mutual conversation stand out amongst the crowd. We suggest you research and pre-select questions to get you started. Do your homework about the institution you are approaching in advance of the conference. Know how your interests fit with their opportunities, and make this match known. Ask targeted questions about the institution that will help you understand your potential fit – “what is the culture like in the institution/lab/team?”; “why did you choose this institution/lab/team?”; and “what types of funding opportunities exist to support research?”. You also want to know “what is the average departmental time to degree for PhDs?”, and “what is the timeline of completion (including coursework, comprehensive exams and dissertation milestones)?”. As the conversation unfolds, more questions may come to mind, but hopefully you will be more comfortable to engage from this starting point.
  3. You are always networking: It’s possible that you may not have the specific qualifications a representative(s) is recruiting for at the time of the conference or meeting. However, you never know if a different opportunity will arise in which they will find you to be an ideal candidate. Whenever you are speaking with a representative, even if it is away from the recruitment table, you are networking. Be sure to smile, offer a firm handshake and engage in conversation. Follow-up with every person from whom you receive a business card or email address. The connections you make may seemingly have no immediate outcomes, but the network you build will have a ripple effect into your career.

AGEP-T FRAME and Turner Fellows have the opportunity to apply for conference travel support through these programs. Contact Karian Wright (AGEP-T FRAME) or Toni Sperzel (Turner) for details.  We recognize the impact these opportunities have on your professional development and career trajectory and would love to support your participation to make connections and build your professional network.

The CIE is particularly excited about two events we will be hosting, right here on the Stony Brook campus:

GEM Grad Lab – Saturday, October 24 – 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – LDS Center **tomorrow**

Graduate School Preview Day – Friday, November 20 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Wang Center

If you are interested in experiencing what it’s like to serve as a recruitment representative, we  would love for you to join us at one of these events to represent the CIE and your graduate program – Please contact me (Kathryne Piazzola) for more information.

Alumni Voices: Dr. Sharonah Esther Fredrick

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Every semester, the CIE will highlight the current work of an early career CIE alumnus. In recognition of the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, we are featuring Sharonah Esther Fredrick, PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literature (December 2014). Dr. Fredrick currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (ACMRS) at Arizona State University. We asked her a few questions about the journey leading up to her current position, as well as her hopes for the upcoming ACMRS Conference.

What factors influenced your decision to pursue a PhD in Hispanic Languages & Literature at Stony Brook?

At the age of 40, I embarked on my doctorate in Latin American literature after 17 years in international development and archaeology, in Argentina, Mexico and Israel. That pre-doctoral work took me to indigenous communities in Latin America, and to peace and reconciliation projects with Israeli and Palestinian professionals. Because I began (and finished) my doctorate at a later age, I wished it to have a genuine meaning in terms of my professional experience, and in terms of the daunting social reality faced by many Latino students in the US.

What do you remember most about your time as a Stony Brook PhD student?

In CIE, I was a Turner Fellow and participated constantly in research seminars and employment workshops. They were some of the most helpful experiences that I have had in all of academia, and in my professional life in general.

Can you share about your experience on the job market?

The irony of my time on the job market is that, while I did receive two other offers from searching in the conventional way, the one which interested me most by far was ACMRS. I heard about ACMRS by attending the annual conference, which really shows how important physical, “be there” networking is. Then, while I was in the finishing stages of my thesis, I applied for, and got, the position in which I am currently employed as the Assistant Director of the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, at Arizona State University.

What do you hope to accomplish in your current position as the Assistant Director of ACMRS?

Through my teaching and writing, I hope to diversify the idea of Renaissance history, which often concentrates on Europe to the detriment of the areas conquered by Europe during that period. In the academic world, anti-indigenous prejudice is still palpable, intellectually and politically.

What are your future career goals?

If I project into the next ten years, I would like to see my career continue and blossom in terms of what I am currently doing: incorporating Latin American, African and indigenous studies more firmly into the field of general Early Modern and Renaissance studies, and widening the intercultural conversation regarding Early Modern cultural contact/ conquest/ and the grey areas in between.

Tell us about the conference that ACMRS is planning.

The 22nd Annual Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Interdisciplinary Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites in Scottsdale, AZ on February 4-6, 2016. ACMRS invites session and paper proposals that explore any topic related to the study and teaching of the Middle Ages and Renaissance and especially those that focus on the general theme of “Marginal Figures in the Global Middle Ages and Renaissance.” We encourage registration and proposal submissions from a wide variety of fields of study, as there are many disciplines whose investigative work addresses the topic of the conference.

I attended the ACMRS Conference prior to securing my current position as Assistant Director. In 2013, I was awarded a conference travel grant and delivered a paper on images of the dragon in Andean colonial chronicles and its relationship to pre-Colombian archaeology and iconography. I also presented as a panelist and featured lecturer at the ACMRS Conferences in 2012, 2013 and 2014, as well as the Fearless Females series in 2014. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with professionals in my field and to showcase my research and findings. I suggest that scholars research the conference travel grants available to them and to consider the networking opportunities that presenting at a conference can lead to. Here I am now working for ACMRS!

How can CIE Scholars submit their proposals for consideration to present at the upcoming ACMRS Conference?

Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until midnight, MST on December 4, 2015. Responses will be given within a week of submission. Please submit an abstract of 250 words and a brief CV to ACMRSconference@asu.edu. Proposals must include audio/visual requirements and any other special requests; late requests may not be accommodated. Any additional questions can be directed to 480-965-5900 or email acmrs@acmrs.org.