PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation is pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the 2015 University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium and Professional Development Conference. This conference replaces the former PROMISE Research Symposium, and adds a professional development component that will prepare graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for faculty positions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM, which includes social sciences) disciplines. This conference seeks to provide a venue that will allow students to present their work at any stage, receive feedback in preparation for presenting at larger venues, and provide training that will prepare participants for faculty careers.

This page will serve as the official webpage for the event. Please stay tuned for updates.

________________________________________________

• Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, http://www.riggs.umd.edu/
  • University of Maryland College Park
  • Directions and Parking: http://www.riggs.umd.edu/map.html
• Registration: Free (includes meals)
• Attire: Business Casual

________________________

________________________

This conference will feature STEM-based oral presentations, posters, and professional development seminars. Participants are invited to submit abstracts to participate in three oral categories, and one poster category.

Oral Category 1: Traditional Research Presentations

[7 minutes presentation, 3 minutes critique, 2 minutes of questions, traditional PowerPoint presentation]

Oral Category 2: TED-Styled Talks

[5 minute talks + 5 minutes for critique/questions, PowerPoint presentation with images only – no text]

Oral Category 3: Lightening Round Talks

[2 minute talks with timer on the screen, no PowerPoints, no critique.]

________________________________________________

 

AGENDA

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Arrive, Breakfast Refreshments, Registration, Poster Set-Up

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Opening Remarks and Traditional Research Presentations

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM “TED-Styled” Talks

11:15 AM – 12:00 Noon – Lightening Round Talks

12:00 PM – Buffet Lunch Mentoring Discussions 

1:00 PM – Poster Session and Dessert Reception

2:00 PM  – Professional Development Workshop

4:00 PM – Closing Reception & Awards Ceremony

________________________________________________

Registration includes all program components and meals.

Click below; registration is free.

________________________________________________

Call for Presentations

If you are interested in presenting, please follow the schedule below:

December 31, 2014: “Letter of Intent” to present. This very short email should include  name, school, department, choice of oral category (1, 2, 3) or poster, and potential title of your presentation. Email to promisestaff@gmail.com with the title, “2015 PROMISE Research Symposium – Intent to Present.”

“TED-Styled” and “Lightening Round” titles must be tailored to appeal to a general audience.

January 23, 2015,  Deadline for “Intent to Present” emails for Lightening Round and Poster Presentations only.  Everyone who expressed an “Intent to Present” as of Dec. 31, 2014, will be in line for the presentation style of their choice. Those who did not specify a category will be given a space for a poster. All of the slots in the “Traditional Presentation” Category #1, and the “TED-Styled Talk” Category #2, are taken, and we will not accept any more requests for those categories. We have some slots remaining in the “Lightening Round” Category #3, and we have slots remaining for posters.

January 31, 2015:Abstracts and the information below are required for all presentations types. Email all materials from all four categories below to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject: “2015 PROMISE Research Symposium Presenter Information.”

1. Formal Abstract (250 words or less).Biographical Sketch (250 words or less)
   • Font: 12 Point, Times New Roman
   • Heading, Left-justified:
     • Title (Bold)
     • Name (Italicized)
     • Department (No abbreviations)
     • University (No abbreviations)
2. General Summary of Graduate Research (250 words or less)
3. High Quality Photograph
4. Numbered List of up to 5 publications and or/presentations. Please give precedence to publications and conference proceedings as applicable.

All presenters must register. Click and register by clicking the orange button below.

________________________________________________

PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation is pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the 2015 University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium and Professional Development Conference. This conference replaces the former PROMISE Research Symposium, and adds a professional development component that will prepare graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for faculty positions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM, which includes social sciences) disciplines. This conference seeks to provide a venue that will allow students to present their work at any stage, receive feedback in preparation for presenting at larger venues, and provide training that will prepare participants for faculty careers.

This page will serve as the official webpage for the event. Please stay tuned for updates.

________________________________________________

• Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, http://www.riggs.umd.edu/
  • University of Maryland College Park
  • Directions and Parking
  • Additional Driving Directions to College Park
  • Registration: Free (includes meals)
• Attire: Business Casual

________________________

________________________

This conference will feature STEM-based oral presentations, posters, and professional development seminars. Participants are invited to submit abstracts to participate in three oral categories, and one poster category.

Oral Category 1: Traditional Research Presentations

[7 minutes presentation, 3 minutes critique, 2 minutes of questions, traditional PowerPoint presentation]

Oral Category 2: TED-Styled Talks

[5 minute talks + 5 minutes for critique/questions, PowerPoint presentation with images only – no text]

Oral Category 3: Lightning Round Talks

[2 minute talks with timer on the screen, no PowerPoints, no critique.]

________________________________________________

 

AGENDA

 

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Arrival, Breakfast Refreshments, Registration, Poster Set-Up

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Opening Remarks and Traditional Oral Research Presentations

Welcome: Dr. Evelyn Canabal-Torres, PROMISE Coordinator – UMCP, and Senior Lecturer in the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Dr. Renetta Tull, UMBC Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Development and Postdoctoral Affairs, and PROMISE AGEP Director for the University System of Maryland

Moderator: Erika Aparakakankanange, Ph.D. Student, Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, College of Education, University of Maryland College Park. Ms. Aparakakakanange formerly served as Assistant Director of Graduate Studies, for the University of Maryland College Park’s  Department of Aerospace Engineering. She began research on the AGEP program as master’s student at College Park, and is a co-author on the paper: An AGEP Program Analysis: Minority Graduate Student Diversity in STEM Disciplines at Three Universities (Aparakakankanange & Tull, 2014).

Presenters:

• Cheryl Camillio, UMBC, Public Policy
• Arnetta Fletcher, UMCP, Nutrition and Food Science
• Kayla Lemons, UMBC, Biological Sciences
• Marisa Franco, UMCP, Psychology
• Rachel Grice, UMBC, Information Systems
• Saadi Habib, UMBC, Mechanical Engineering
• JaWanna Henry, UMB, Epidemiology and Public Health
• Isaac Mativo, UMBC, Computer Science

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM “TED-Styled” Talks

Co-moderators: Berthel Tate, Ph.D. Student, Department of Computer Science, Bowie State University, and Jaye Clark-Nias, Ph.D. Student, Department of Computer Science, Bowie State University

Presenters:

• Viviana Monje-Galvan, UMCP, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• L. Latéy Bradford, UMB, Microbiology & Immunology
• Kristen Lycett, UMES, Natural Sciences

11:15 AM – 12:00 Noon – Lightning Round Talks

Moderator: Dr. Annica Wayman, Program Manager, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Dr. Annica Wayman is the Research Partnerships for Development Team Lead in the U.S. Global Development Lab at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The team is responsible for the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program and other activities which catalyze and leverage collaborative research that addresses global development challenges. Dr. Wayman holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), as well as MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology where her doctoral work focused on selectin-mediated adhesion of leukocytes to vascular surfaces.(Ref: http://www.asmeconferences.org/Congress2014/ForumBios.cfm)

Presenters:

• Adegboyega Akinsiku, UMBC, Human-Centered Computing
• Kailyn Cage, UMCP, Mechanical Engineering
• DeLauren McCauley, UMBC, Chemistry and Biochemistry
• William Rivera, UMBC, Mechanical Engineering
• Christa Rogers, UMCP, Reliability Engineering

12:00 PM – Buffet Lunch Mentoring Discussions with members of the PROMISE AGEP-T Board of Advisors

Welcome: Dr. Charles Caramello, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School, University of Maryland, College Park

Greetings:

Dr. Nancy Shapiro, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, The University System of Maryland (USM).

Nancy S. Shapiro is Associate Vice Chancellor for Education and Outreach and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for P-20 Education at the University System of Maryland. As the principal investigator on major federal grants totaling over $30 million dollars from and the National Science Foundation (MSP) and the U.S. Department of Education (TQE), she has worked to build sustainable partnerships between colleges, universities and public schools which support high quality professional development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) content areas and prepare future teachers for urban schools. She leads the University System of Maryland’s STEM Initiative focused on increasing the number of STEM teachers produced by the public higher education institutions in Maryland.  She led a System-wide initiative on Academic Transformation and Course Redesign, with special emphasis on redesigning STEM courses for undergraduate general education.  Before coming to the University System Office, Dr. Shapiro served as the Founding Executive Director of the College Park Scholars program, and directed the writing programs at the University of Maryland, College Park. She has authored numerous books and articles on creating and sustaining learning communities and has served as an external evaluator and consultant on projects related to STEM teaching and learning, academic transformation, and College Board Affinity Network investment in college access and success.

1:00 – 1:30  PM – Poster Session and Dessert Reception

• Abudullah Ali, UMBC, Information Systems
• Tim Brown, UMBC, Mathematics and Statistics
• Marwa El-Sayed, UMBC, Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
• Shadaesha Green, UMCP, Marine Estuarine Environmental Science
• David Harris, UMBC, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
• Alex Holness, UMCP, Mechanical Engineering
• Christopher Mullen, UMBC, Mechanical Engineering
• Mitchel Zavala, UMBC, Mechanical Engineering

1:30 – 3:30 PM  – Professional Development Workshop

Part I: Special Guest Panel with members of the PROMISE AGEP-T Board of Advisors

Theme: Pathways to the Professoriate and Metrics for Success

Moderator: Dr. Renetta Tull

Speakers: 

PROMISE Advisory Board Members. L-R: Dr. H. Frierson, Dr. L. Martin-Vega, Dr. B. Wayman, Dr. P. Ordóñez, Dr. S. Westmoreland, Dr. S. Williams. Not pictured: N. Wells, D. Chubin, S. Nathan-Pulliam

• Dr. Henry Frierson (Assoc. VP, Dean of the University of Florida Graduate School, Leader in Culturally-responsive evaluation)
• Dr. Louis Martin-Vega (Dean of Engineering, North Carolina State University, has worked with faculty on STEM diversity issues)
• Dr. Brian Wayman (Lead Program Integrator at GE Healthcare, alumnus of UMBC Meyerhoff Program and Georgia Tech AGEP)
• Dr. Patricia Ordóñez, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras (Former PROMISE AGEP Peer Mentor, NSF Graduate Research Fellow – GRFP)
• Dr. Sophoria Westmoreland, Former Assistant Research Professor at United States Naval Academy (Former PROMISE AGEP Peer Mentor – UM College Park, Former National Society of Black Engineers National Graduate Student of the Year)
• Dr. Stacey N. Williams, Assistant Professor – Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Notre Dame of Maryland University (Former PROMISE AGEP Peer Mentor – UM Baltimore)
• Nan Wells (Higher Education Consultant to Universities, Colleges, and Corporations; Retired, Princeton University, Director of Governmental Relations and Head of Princeton’s Washington Office)

Part II: Round Tables with Faculty and Postdoctoral Fellows 

Theme: Preparing for Academic Success

Moderators: Dr. Nandadevi Cortes-Rodriguez, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (PhD Institution: UMBC), and Dr. Alexis Williams, UMCP Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (PhD Institution: UMCP)

Table Topics with Guest Speakers:

L-R: Dr. S. Bediako, Dr. A. Marshall, Dr. C. Romero-Talamas, Dr. Q. Brown, Dr. K. Jackson, Dr. A. Chen

• “Getting Funding for Your Research” – Dr. Shawn Bediako, UMBC, Psychology
• “Teach at a Community College” – Dr. Alycia Marshall, Anne Arundel Community College, Mathematics (tenured professor & Mathematics department chair (AACC) – PROMISE: Full Circle. UMCP PROMISE Alumna, Dr. Alycia Marshall, now has her own NSF grant ($598,000) for the Engineering Scholars Program at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland.  In February 2013, Dr. Marshall won a Verizon Community Innovator Award for her work with the ESP program.)
• “Experience as a Professor” – Dr. Carlos A. Romero-Talamas, UMBC, Mechanical Engineering
• “How Faculty Positions Can Lead to Opportunities” – Dr. Quincy Brown, Bowie State University, Computer Science (AAAS Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation) and Dr. Clare Muhoro, Towson University, Chemistry (AAAS Policy Fellow at the U.S. Agency for International Development)
• “Faculty Opportunities at Morgan State University” – Dr. Keith Jackson, Professor of Physics (former president of the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)), Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Morgan State University, and James H. Haynes, Coordinator of Title III Programs
• “Preparing for Faculty Positions” – Dr. Alex Chen, UMCP, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
• “Preparing for Postdoctoral Positions”
  • Dr. Taeyjuana Curry, UMBC, Chemistry (PhD Institution: University of Michigan)
  • Dr. Aqueasha Martin Hammond, UMBC, Human-Centered Computing (PhD Institution: Clemson)
  • Dr. Evelyn Thomas, UMBC, Mathematics (PhD Institution: Howard)
  • Dr. Obioma Ohia, UMCP, Physics (PhD Institution: MIT)
  • Dr. TaShara Bailey, UMBC, Psychology (PhD Institution: University of Michigan)

3:30 – 4:00 PM – Closing Reception & Awards Ceremony

________________________________________________

Registration includes all program components and meals.

Click below; registration is free.

________________________________________________

Call for Presentations

If you are interested in presenting, please follow the schedule below:

December 31, 2014: “Letter of Intent” to present. This very short email should include  name, school, department, choice of oral category (1, 2, 3) or poster, and potential title of your presentation. Email to promisestaff@gmail.com with the title, “2015 PROMISE Research Symposium – Intent to Present.”

“TED-Styled” and “Lightning Round” titles must be tailored to appeal to a general audience.

January 23, 2015,  Deadline for “Intent to Present” emails for Lightening Round and Poster Presentations only.  Everyone who expressed an “Intent to Present” as of Dec. 31, 2014, will be in line for the presentation style of their choice. Those who did not specify a category will be given a space for a poster. All of the slots in the “Traditional Presentation” Category #1, and the “TED-Styled Talk” Category #2, are taken, and we will not accept any more requests for those categories. We have some slots remaining in the “Lightning Round” Category #3, and we have slots remaining for posters.

January 31, 2015:Abstracts and the information below are required for all presentations types. Email all materials from all four categories below to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject: “2015 PROMISE Research Symposium Presenter Information.”

1. Formal Abstract (250 words or less).Biographical Sketch (250 words or less)
   • Font: 12 Point, Times New Roman
   • Heading, Left-justified:
     • Title (Bold)
     • Name (Italicized)
     • Department (No abbreviations)
     • University (No abbreviations)
2. General Summary of Graduate Research (250 words or less)
3. High Quality Photograph
4. Numbered List of up to 5 publications and or/presentations. Please give precedence to publications and conference proceedings as applicable.

All presenters must register. Click and register by clicking the orange button below.

________________________________________________

• Faculty Can Now Log Into my.umbc.edu/go/bbnew. | More Info
  
  NOTE: This link will be active through 12/28. On 12/29, myUMBC and blackboard.umbc.edu will be used to access our new Blackboard system.
  
  
• Winter and Spring 2015 Course Shells Were Created on 12/2
• Course content from AY12-13 and AY13-14 has been migrated
• New Features In Blackboard for Winter and Spring 2015
• FYI: DoIT Has Created Printable How-to Instructions for Logging In
  

• January 14 Hybrid Course Design Workshop Open to All Faculty
  
• Winter Technology Training Available for UMBC Faculty
• Online Learning Consortium Offers Free Faculty Training
• Bb SafeAssign Integration Improves for WT2015
• Bb Achievements to Support Competency-Based Learning

• UMBC Establishes Adobe Campus Site Licenses
• Easy & Efficient: Electronic Time Sheets are Live
• UMBC Achieves InCommon Bronze Certification
• Classroom Support of VHS Players to Cease as of June 1, 2017
• DoIT Organizational Leadership Changes
  

DoIT Update is a selection of campus IT news and events emailed 3-4 times a year, typically around the start and end of each Fall and Spring semester. For more information, visit doit.umbc.edu. For IT help, we recommend 1) consulting the FAQs, 2) submitting an RT ticket, or 3) contacting the Technology Support Center located on the Library’s first floor or call 410.455.3838. See also doit.umbc.edu/support/tips.

• Grade Center
• Adaptive Release
• Collaborate
• TechSmith Relay

1. Orientation (5 minutes): A quick overview of what the tool does. If all you want is a demo, come early.
2. Recommendations (10 minutes): 1-2 tips based on our observations from providing faculty support, as well identification of effective practices  and practitioners.
3. Q & A (40 minutes): This is your time. What do you want to know? What's a problem you'd like to solve or a new opportunity you'd like to explore?

• January 7: ENG 025 
  
• January 28: Virtual Session
• February 4: ENG 025 
  
• February 11: Virtual Session
• February 18: ENG 025 
  
• February 25: Virtual Session
• March 4: ENG 025

Please note that these are not formal Blackboard training classes. Additional dates and times may be added as demand warrants.

1:  What is Yik Yak?

Yik Yak is a mobile app that anyone can download and use to post anonymous observations. If you are familiar with Twitter or Facebook, Yik Yak is another social media platform -- without any boundaries or identity affiliation. Participants can upvote what they like, or downvote what they do not like; they can also reply to “yaks” anonymously. Yik Yak utilizes the built-in GPS tracking in mobile technology to filter “yaks” to the user’s location within a 5-mile radius wherever the app is opened. Participants can also “peek” into other Yik Yak communities across the nation.

2: How do students access the app?

Anyone can download Yik Yak from the App Store on iOS devices or the Google Play store on Android devices. It is not available at this time for traditional desktops or laptops. It is a free application with no  requirement for the user to provide personal information.

3: How is the app used?

Yik Yak is used for anonymous posting to share thoughts and opinions on any topic.  This app has become widely popular on college campuses where students are posting opinions about everything from campus events to political issues.

4: How is this app impacting academic integrity on college campuses?

Since this app has become widely popular at college campuses across the country, some students are beginning to post information about assessments and other activities that occur in their courses.

5: How can I prevent the misuse of Yik Yak in my course(s)?    

• Remind students of UMBC’s Honor Code

• Require students to put away their electronic devices during high stakes assessments

• Offer multiple versions of quizzes, exams, etc.
  

• Consider long-form question(s) instead of multiple choice to encourage the application of critical thinking

• Use Yik Yak as a teaching tool.

Example:  Ask an open-ended question in class, and have students post their responses anonymously via Yik Yak. Then have students vote for the response they think best answers the question. Display results on the LCD screen.  

Faculty should not feel obligated to install Yik Yak on their own devices to monitor the stream during exam sessions, but this is also an option. Another option suggested by Stony Brook University (2014) is to display the Yik Yak feed via projector; in doing so, you may discourage some students from using the app.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us as instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu. We look forward to seeing you at the sessions!