If you are an employee of UMBC (50% time or more) or a “Non-Traditional” student, and if you are working on your graduate school courses, proposal, or dissertation, then this event is for you! We’ve worked with our UMBC employees who are also graduate students at UMBC, College Park, Northeastern, and other institutions.  This year, we are extending this opportunity to non-traditional students who are coming back to school or working full-time. This time is for you! This session will have support, coaching, and food will be provided for you on both days.

You work hard every day to serve others on our campus! You may be supporting your family members, or you have decided to take some time for yourself to reach your goals.  Now, let us work with you to finish your graduate degree. This version of the “Dissertation House” was created just for you!

Dissertation House for UMBC Employees and Non-Traditional Students
Friday, 10/16/15,   9:00 – 5:00 PM (Part I)
Saturday, 10/17/15, 10:00 – 3:00 PM (Part II)

Application: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

Graduate students who are at other schools within the University System of Maryland (http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/) may apply, and will be considered if there is space available.

Small Grants for Doctoral Research in Second or Foreign Language Assessment

Graduate students and Postdocs are invited to come to UMBC on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015 at 2 PM for a seminar on developing a syllabus.  This seminar is part of the PROF-it (Professors-in-Training) series. Participants will learn how to develop a syllabus, manage time in the classroom, and plan content for the semester. Guest Facilitator: Dr. Linda Hodges, Director, UMBC Faculty Development Center.

• If you have a UMBC account, please RSVP on MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/35133
• If you don’t have a UMBC account, please post to the comment section below with your name, school, and department so that we’ll know that you are coming.

Dr. Linda Hodges teaches graduate students at UMBC about inspiring disciplinary thinking, August 2015.

This page will serve as a chronicle and track record for some of our students in Maryland, including our LSAMP NSF BD Fellows, to review what they are learning about the 2016 NSF GRFP process, discuss questions, and receive support. Deadlines: http://www.nsfgrfp.org/applicants/important_dates

Please add your answers as comments on this page. Page down to the bottom of the page and post your entry. 

Assignment #1 – Due: 9/19/15

• Introduce yourself: Name, department, research focus, school.
• What did you learn from the NSF GRFP Training seminar from PROMISE AGEP Alumni, Dr. Frances Carter-Johnson and Dr. Patti Ordóñez? REF:  https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/nsfgrfp/
• What is your timeline and how does it fit into your study schedule for classes for Fall 2015 (name the classes).
• Who are the research mentors (name, department, website) who will be writing your letters? Post after they have confirmed that they will write a strong recommendation. Discuss reasons why they will be supporting your application.

Assignment #2 – Due: 9/25/15

Write one paragraph that describes your research. Name three members of the faculty within your department (name, website, research specialty) who have research that has a connection to your work. Explain how their work is connected.

Assignment #3 – Due: 10/2/15

From the NSF GRFP website.

a. BACKGROUND QUESTIONS: Important questions to ask yourself before writing the statement:

1. Why are you fascinated by your research area?
2. What examples of leadership skills and unique characteristics do you bring to your chosen field?
3. What personal and individual strengths do you have that make you a qualified applicant?
4. How will receiving the fellowship contribute to your career goals?
5. What are all of your applicable experiences?
6. For each experience, what were the key questions, methodology, findings, and conclusions?
7. Did you work in a team and/or independently?
8. How did you assist in the analysis of results?
9. How did your activities address the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria?

b. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Important questions to ask yourself before writing the statement:

1. What issues in the scientific community are you most passionate about?
2. Do you possess the technical knowledge and skills necessary for conducting this work, or will you have sufficient mentoring and training to complete the study?
3. Is this plan feasible for the allotted time and institutional resources?
4. How will your research contribute to the “big picture” outside the academic context?
5. How can you draft a plan using the guidelines presented in the essay instructions?
6. How does your proposed research address the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria?

Answer #1 from part a, and #2 from part b (both italicized above) below. Do not answer “yes” or “no” for #2 in part b. Please be specific and provide a detailed, comprehensive answer. 

Assignment #4 – Due 10/9/15

Discuss where you are in the process. List the application components that you’ve completed, and when you will complete any remaining items.