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.

________________________________________________

PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation is pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the 2014 University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP Research Symposium and Professional Development Conference. This new conference revises the former PROMISE Research Symposium, and adds a professional development component that will prepare graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for faculty positions in STEM. 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 28, 2014
• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: Kim Engineering Building
  • University of Maryland College Park
  • Room: The Rotunda
  • Directions and Parking: http://www.eng.umd.edu/visitus/directions
• 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.]

________________________________________________

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

Opening Remarks: Renetta G. Tull, Ph.D., Director, PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP (University System of Maryland) and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Development & Postdoctoral Affairs (UMBC)

Welcome: Ana Maria Pérez, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate for Diversity Initiatives, Office of Diversity Initiatives, The Graduate School, University of Maryland College Park

Oral Research Presentations

• Ashley J. Belle, UMCP
• Juan Valdez-Lopez, UMBC
• Kayla Lemons, UMBC
• William Easley, UMBC
• Viviana Monje-Galvan, UMCP

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Lightening Round Talks

• Alexander D. Smith, UMBC
• David Colón-Cabrera, UMCP
• Adegboyega Akinsiku, UMBC
• Cherre Jefferson, UMBC
• Eric Corbett, UMBC

11:15 AM – 12:00 Noon – Kickoff Ceremony for PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation

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

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Brit Kirwan, Chancellor, University System of Maryland

Dr. Kirwan’s Biography: http://www.usmd.edu/usm/chancellor/bio.html

12:00 PM - Poster Session & Buffet Lunch  

• Arundhathi Venkatasubramaniam, UMBC
• Saadi Habib, UMBC
• Bre-Onna DeLaine, UMB
• Kankindi Rwego, UMCP
• Jim Glenn, UMCP
• Afua Dennis, UMCP
• Kyana Beckles, UMBC
• Isaac Mativo, UMBC
• Rebekah Brown, UMB
• Alexander E. Holness, UMCP
• Sheniqua Brown, UMBC

1:00 PM Meeting of University System of Maryland Graduate Deans and STEM Deans  [Pepco Boardroom]

1:15 PM – “TED-Styled” Talks 

• Kailyn Cage, UMCP
• DeLauren McCauley, UMBC
• Christine H. Wang, UMCP

2:00 PM  - Professional Development Workshops

a) Planning in Advance for Tenure: Dr. Raheem Beyah (Associate Professor, Georgia Tech), Dr. William Robinson (Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University). [Kay Room]

Both Dr. Beyah and Dr. Robinson were AGEP students when they were in graduate school. Both now have tenure and are dedicating time and effort to training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to plan and prepare themselves now, so that they can be ready for future success as a tenured professor.

Dr. Beyah and Dr. Robinson lead the Academic Research Leadership Symposium, in conjunction with the National Society of Black Engineers. https://www.arlnetwork.org/symposia/

About Dr. Beyah: http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~rbeyah/

About Dr. Robinson: http://www.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/~robinswh/

b) “Radio Research” – Public Speaking: Scott Morgan, President of The Morgan Group

Scott Morgan, President of The Morgan Group of Washington, DC, provides media training and public speaking tips to a variety of organizations, companies, and universities. Morgan is a Senior Associate of the Abshire Inamori Leadership Academy, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in DC.

More about Scott Morgan:

The Morgan Group 

4:00 PM – Closing Reception & Awards Ceremony

________________________________________________

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

December 20, 2013: “Letter of Intent” to present (Email promisestaff@gmail.com with name, school, department, choice of oral category (1, 2, 3) or poster, and potential title of your presentation.)

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

January 17, 2013, *New, of Dec. 23, 2013: Deadline for “Intent to Present” emails for Lightening Round and Poster Presentationsonly.  Everyone who expressed an “Intent to Present” as of Dec. 23, 2013, 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, 2014:Abstracts and the information below are required for all presentations types. (Email all materials to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject: “2014 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.

________________________________________________

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale started today’s Dissertation House at UMBC at exactly 9AM EST! There are 19 people in today’s Dissertation House in the Commons on UMBC’s campus. They’ve just taken a break to have a buffet lunch in the Skylight Room.  This afternoon, Dr. Susan Han from UMBC’s University Counseling Services will be giving the DH Mini-lecture this afternoon.

We welcome all of the people who are joining us online: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-challenge-2012/; we have several students who have participated in our Dissertation House at College Park joining us virtually to post their own goals and provide encouragement.   Our online blogs range from January – June (“Winter”) and July – December (“Summer”) to coincide with the annual “Winter Dissertation Houses” in January, and the “Summer Dissertation Houses” in July.  During the Summer 2010 range, there were 428 blogged comments in our Blog-Online Challenge section, 266 for Winter 2011, a whopping 912 blogged comments for Summer 2011, and as of this morning, there were 58 for Winter 2012.

Congratulations to all of you who have joined us today to make a commitment to work on your documents. We have people who have taken time off from their jobs to be here, busy Moms with young children (and a mom with a son who is also in grad school!), people who are working through balancing work and health, people from all walks of life.  We have engineers, computer scientists, physicists, psychologists, public policy experts, environmental scientists, biologists, teacher education specialists, information technologists, etc. in the room today, and an even wider range of varying disciplines online.  Thank you for joining in.  You can do this! Go ahead … get it done!

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale started today’s Dissertation House at UMBC at exactly 9AM EST! There are 19 people in today’s Dissertation House in the Commons on UMBC’s campus. They’ve just taken a break to have a buffet lunch in the Skylight Room.  This afternoon, Dr. Susan Han from UMBC’s University Counseling Services will be giving the DH Mini-lecture this afternoon.

We welcome all of the people who are joining us online: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-challenge-2012/; we have several students who have participated in our Dissertation House at College Park joining us virtually to post their own goals and provide encouragement.   Our online blogs range from January – June (“Winter”) and July – December (“Summer”) to coincide with the annual “Winter Dissertation Houses” in January, and the “Summer Dissertation Houses” in July.  During the Summer 2010 range, there were 428 blogged comments in our Blog-Online Challenge section, 266 for Winter 2011, a whopping 912 blogged comments for Summer 2011, and as of this morning, there were 58 for Winter 2012.

Congratulations to all of you who have joined us today to make a commitment to work on your documents. We have people who have taken time off from their jobs to be here, busy Moms with young children (and a mom with a son who is also in grad school!), people who are working through balancing work and health, people from all walks of life.  We have engineers, computer scientists, physicists, psychologists, public policy experts, environmental scientists, biologists, teacher education specialists, information technologists, etc. in the room today, and an even wider range of varying disciplines online.  Thank you for joining in.  You can do this! Go ahead … get it done!