A Review of Graduate Education Week 2010

The week started off with the display of research posters and abstracts for the Graduate Research Symposium as well as entries to the NCR Student Photography Contest, “Through the Graduate Student Lens” in Room T2. It was a great reminder of both the academic and artistic talents of our students here in the National Capital Region!

POS, ETD, GSSO – What does it all mean?!

Monday night the Kick-Off Event was held; students joined GSSO staff to ask questions and learn more about the Graduate School. Current NVC Director and Associate Dean for the NCR, Dr. David Trauger, was in attendance, as well as our new NVC Director and Associate Dean for the NCR, Dr. Sherry Fontaine, who will be joining us in June. Attendees enjoyed tea and cookies and voted on their favorite NCR Student Photography Contest entries.

 

Would you like to work on your public speaking skills in a safe environment?

Tuesday night, Common Ground Toastmasters came to NVC to give a presentation about the non-profit organization, Toastmasters International, as well as our presenters’ local club, Common Ground Toastmasters. They spoke on the mission of the international organization and of their club, the structure of a typical meeting, and the Program tracks available to its members. Through this series of projects, members have the opportunity to practice public speaking, communication and leadership skills with the club. Fellow members give feedback, providing the opportunity to refine your skills and ideas and gain confidence in them before utilizing them in the classroom, research group or workplace.

Toastmasters also offers leadership positions within the organization, including positions in Public Relations, marketing and more. Members may also gain experience by participating in outside recruitment events and presentations.

For more information, go to the Toastmasters International website or the Common Ground Toastmasters website. Contact Common Ground Toastmasters president, Kenneth Fung with any questions at commongroundtm@hotmail.com. The club’s meetings are held even Mondays at 6:45pm Ledo’s Pizza and Restaurant, Best Western Iwo Jima, 1501 N. Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209 – You are encourage to attend a couple meetings as a visitor before joining the club, so check it out!

 

Looking for research support right here in the National Capital Region?
Look no further – The Virginia Tech NCR Research Methods Consortium is here for you! Professors Bill Frakes and Gabriella Belli lead the VT-NCR-RMC and PhD student Reghu Anguswamy provides research methods and statistics consulting. To reach the extensive pool of information provided by VT-NCR-RMC, visit the website. Additionally, every student is encouraged to join the RMC forum – all you need is your vt.edu email ID! The RMC forum provides a dynamic, interactive source of information that promotes interdisciplinary discussion and critical thinking. Contact the VT-NCR-RMC at researchhelp@nvc.vt.edu, 703-538-8371 or in room 303, Northern Virginia Center.

Virginia Tech National Capital Region reaches out!

Throughout February and march, the GSSO collected new and used books, notebooks and writing utensils for the Reading Intervention program at Shrevewood Elementary School, located across Route 7 from the NVC on Shreve Road in Falls Church. The program was developed for students grades one through six who need extra reading support, as well as materials to practice doing so outside of school. The supply drive culminated at our Spirit Night Event on Thursday where graduate students decorated tote bags to hold the collected items – The group got creative and used illustrations from the donated books to inspire their decorations! The totes look fantastic and will surely inspire the Shrevewood students to start reading their new books!

Thank you kindly to the NCR faculty, staff and students who generously donated to this great cause. Photos of the students with their new supplies will be coming soon!

  

From Blacksburg to NCR…
NCR students were also able to participate in two Graduate Education Week events that took place in Blacksburg – On Wednesday afternoon, the GSA Research Symposium hosted by NCR GSA, and on Wednesday night, the ETD Speaker Series: Graduate School Review of your ETD. Thank you so much for including us, main campus!

Congratulations to the NCR Student Photography contest winners!
After a week of open voting, scores were tallied for our Viewer’s Choice winners of the NCR Student Photography Contest, “Through the Graduate Student Lens”. The poles were neck and neck, but first, second and third place winners were determined: In third place, Nasim Sabounchi for her photo Untitled, in second place, Yinan Li for his photo Dragonfly, and in first place, Bai Zhang for his photo Washington Monument in Cherry Blossom (In photo student Feng Chen accepts on his behalf). Winning photos continue to be displayed in the GSSO office – Great work to everyone who participated!