You are invited to join the Dissertation House online: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summerdh2015/. We have been hosing challenges for several years, and are always pleased to see people finish their degrees! The participants who will come to the Dissertation House in person will be here from Tuesday, July 7 – Friday, July 10, but that doesn’t need to stop you! You can write something now. Let us know that you’re here. It’s ok to be the first one at the “party.” We’ll look forward to meeting you and encouraging you along the way.

The University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) is sponsoring the University System of Maryland-wide Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute, August 13-15, 2015. All participants will work on their dissertations on Thursday evening, and all day Friday, and will attend activities for the #ThinkBigDiversity 2015 PROMISE Summer Success Institute on Saturday, August 15, 2015.

All events will be held at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve. As part of the Dissertation House, and as a transition to the events for the Saturday PROMISE SSI, there will be a special evening dessert session and book discussion: Sisters in the Dissertation House on Friday night, hosted by book author Dr. Jennifer Bacon, and led by Dr. Shanna Smith.

For more information about the Dissertation House, and to apply for this opportunity to work on your dissertation, visit the 2015 USM-side Dissertation House page on the website for the Dissertation House:

https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/dissertation-house-at-the-2015-promise-summer-success-institute-ssi-aug-13-15/

All participants must apply for the Dissertation House using the link above, *AND* register for the #ThinkBigDiversity PROMISE 2015 Summer Success Institute.

AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellows invite you to register for the upcoming symposium “Making Changes: Learning from Social Science Research to Drive Behavior Change”.

When: June 18, 8:30 am – 5 pm with reception to follow

Where: AAAS Headquarters, 1200 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC

RSVP here: http://aaaspolicyfellowships.org/event/making-changes

Organized by the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship’s Social Science Affinity Group in collaboration with the Affinity Groups on Energy/Climate, Health Policy, Global Health, Biodiversity, STEM Diversity and Women of Color in STEM.

Government agencies and contractors, non-governmental organizations, and private sector firms enact numerous policies and programs to achieve behavioral change in target populations, but often with mixed results. Promoting large-scale behavior change requires more than personal insights, “common sense”, and untested assumptions. Social scientists have spent decades learning what does and does not work to incite change, but there is often a gap when applying this to practice. Come join us on June 18th at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to learn what insights social science research can provide for better understanding human behavior and improving behavior change efforts!

The full-day symposium brings together different actors, including policymakers, public- and private-sector organizations, civil society, academics, and activists, who want to promote behavior change in individuals and organizations for the common good. The symposium will provide an opportunity to discuss both theory and examples, success stories and continued challenges, and what can be done to improve programs and policies. It will showcase academic research and practical experiences and will highlight common themes across sectors and fields, including health, environment, human rights, and countering extremism.

The symposium is free and open to the public. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP here: http://aaaspolicyfellowships.org/event/making-changes

The Summer Dissertation House is coming to UMBC, July 7-10 2015. Graduate students who plan to participate should follow the application procedures on the application webpage for the Dissertation House.

Open application period: Early bird May 20, 2015 – May 31, 2015. Late registration June 1, 2015 – June 7, 2015 (Applications received during the early bird period will have priority)

(Please note that there are only 15 to 18 slots for this event, consider applying early) 

Applications received after June 7, 2015 will be considered for the DH waiting list. More information about the Dissertation House: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/about/

• The Dissertation House runs from 9 AM – 5PM, for four days, Tuesday, July 7 through Friday, July 10.
• Students must plan to attend the full session, for each of the 4 days. 
• Daily schedule includes 2 mini-lectures, and 5 hours of writing per day.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and a snack will be served daily.
• The July 7-10, 2015 Dissertation House is only available to UMBC’s graduate students.
• This version of the Dissertation House is open to all graduate students, in all disciplines.
• There are 15 to 18 spaces available for the Dissertation House. 
• Details regarding eligibility can be found on the application page of the website for the Dissertation House.
• Subscribe to the website: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Read about The Dissertation House in UMBC’s Alumni Magazine: Byrne, R.  (2011, Fall) “The Write Stuff”, UMBC Magazine. p. 12

Please login to MyUMBC, click “I can attend” here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/32556 , *AND* follow the
application procedures on the main website for the Dissertation House: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

In August, we will hold a consolidated, marathon version Dissertation House for STEM graduate students of the USM, during the PROMISE Summer Success Institute.

The Dissertation Houses are co-sponsored by PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation (an AGEP-T project), The Graduate School at UMBC, and The Graduate School at The University of Maryland College Park.

Here is the link to the event page:
http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/32233

Event Details:
Venue: UMBC Meyerhoff Chemistry Building 120
Date: May 7, 2015
Time: Noon – 2:00 pm

—
Piyush Waradpande
Graduate Assistant

Our PROMISE family includes alumni who are now professors who have insight and wisdom to share regarding the unrest that we are seeing in Baltimore. We connected with three of them this morning. They are former PROMISE Peer Mentors, and once they became professors, they served as PROMISE Summer Success Institute (SSI) “Mentors-in-Residence.” They are pleased to share information with our audience.

They are:

• Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead, Associate Professor (newly tenured), Department of Communication, Loyola University Maryland, formerly from PROMISE at UMBC
• Dr. Christopher Whitt, Associate Professor, Political Science Department, Augustana University, formerly from PROMISE at the University of Maryland College Park
• Dr. John T. Bullock, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Towson University, formerly from PROMISE at the University of Maryland College Park

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Dr. Christopher Whitt is from Baltimore, and his activism has carried into his new home in Illinois where he is now a tenured professor of Political Science. Dr. Whitt is regularly interviewed about issues of equality and access. His research and teaching cover race, wealth, and inequity in American Politics. Dr. Whitt describes his work as follows: “My scholarly research continues to provide varied takes on inequality along line of race, ethnicity, gender and social class in American politics, government, and society and even in higher education.” Dr. Whitt regularly returns to the PROMISE SSI to share the experience of being a professor at a liberal arts college. He is a strong proponent of making sure that people of color know that they have options when considering an academic career, and that they should take time to investigate smaller colleges such as Augustana that encourage growth of diverse perspectives and a diverse representation of professors. Dr. Whitt is also known for being a regular speaker at the Southern Regional Education Board’s Institute for Teaching and Mentoring. At the SREB conferences in Atlanta, Tampa, and Virginia, you will often see him recruiting new faculty at Augustana’s table. In 2014, he was accompanied by the president of the university as a sign of the university’s commitment to diversifying the faculty.

Dr. Whitt’s words this morning in response to media outlets that disagree with his stance: “I refuse to deny my love and empathy for my people and for #‎Baltimore.”  He also had strong words for media outlets that are covering the issue: “Don’t put all that effort into discussing destruction of property and no effort into discussing the pain, frustration, degradation, and marginalization at the root of much of this. If you are going to get near the pool, don’t be afraid to get wet, get all the way in.”

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Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead has been on the front lines of what is now known as the “Baltimore Uprising.”  She has been a guest on Morgan State University – Radio Station, WEAA, 88.9FM talking about Freddie Gray (the young man from Baltimore who died while in police custody), and she has been active in the peaceful protests. Many of her reports have been “from the line,” and she has provided “on the ground” perspectives of the situation. Dr. Whitehead is the author of several books, and has directed documentaries. She was an award-winning history teacher in Maryland prior to completing her PhD at UMBC. She now speaks all over the country, including The White House, and has been known by the moniker “#GriotOnTheGo. Dr. Whitehead gives the PROMISE call to action at the annual Summer Success Institutes (SSI), during the “PhD Roll Call” where all of the current PhDs stand around the room and encircle and encourage those who are on their way. Dr. Whitehead recently received tenure from Loyola University. As a wife and mother of sons, Dr. Whitehead is a vehement supporter of the rights of those in the Black community. Her latest book is, “Letters to My Black Sons: Raising Boys in a Post-Racial America.”

This afternoon, Dr. Whitehead was featured on NPR radio, WYPR to talk about “The Media’s Coverage of Freddie Gray.” “We build over our ruins,” she said. “We have an opportunity now.”  

#BlackLivesMatter is one of her daily messages. More about Dr. Whitehead on Amazon.

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Dr. John T. Bullock teaches “Urban Politics and Metropolitan Studies” at Towson University, and is deeply committed to Baltimore. He has served on boards and committees such as the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, the Empowerment Academy, and the Park Heights Community Health Alliance. As a student at College Park, John participated in the PROMISE Dissertation House, and as a professor, he was a key speaker on the social science panel for the 2014 PROMISE SSI. Dr. Bullock’s talk:” PROMISE Community, Social Science Parallels,”  discusses community sustainabilty and equity in the following words: ” Sustainability is the ability “to meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of the future to meet its needs.Intergenerational equity means acting in a way so that the next generations are inheriting a healthy economy, environment, and society.”

In the “Race, Class, and Power” section of Dr. Bullock’s PROMISE SSI talk, he says, “People who are disadvantaged by the status quo often lack the capital to be heard and are thus unable to make their demands known.”

Dr. Bullock’s comments about Baltimore have been covered over the last few days by NPR radio and The Baltimore Sun. He has also been participating in “on the ground efforts” with brothers from his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and was featured on CBS News, WJZ, Channel 13.

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  “I have a high level of empathy for the people who are in pain in that city. There’s a lot of people there who are the have-nots who are lacking hope, who are lacking opportunity and they have not many ways to express themselves,” said Whitt.  “I definitely feel a high level of frustration that it takes violence and destruction for real discussions to happen about the plight of the people in those communities.  In no way am I condoning what they did, it’s about the root of the issue that so many people feel helpless, feel hopeless, they feel left behind and left out and that should really be the focus of the nation.” “We definitely have to change our priorities in this country to care more about lives and to care about the futures of young people versus buildings that can be repaired and rebuilt,” said Whitt.  “I’m not saying there’s any excuse for violence but there’s definitely an explanation for violence and there definitely should be empathy for people over things.” -Chris Whitt, covered by KWQC-NEWS, TV6 “Augustana professor from Baltimore calling for empathy.”    

Today has been one for reflection and redemption. Proud to see so many of my friends and neighbors working to heal our city. — John Bullock (@docbullock) April 28, 2015

“We know that we don’t have all of the answers, but also, part of the solution is us working together on the ground.” – John Bullock, interviewed by CBS Baltimore, WJZ, Channel 13.

#BlackLivesMatter I just gotta say it once a day…try doing it –just say it everyday until you believe it and then you live it. — Kaye Wise Whitehead (@kayewhitehead) April 29, 2015

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Everything that you see written has been shared with permission. Thank you for reading, for thinking, for caring, and for acting. We know that you, our students, staff, and alumni, have been involved in clean-ups, teaching moments, discussions, activities within houses of worship, and service.

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Excerpts from the message “Challenging Times,” from UMBC’s President Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, and Dr. Philip Rouse, Provost, who is also the PI of the PROMISE AGEP (“Challenging Times,” April 28, 2015):

Freddie Gray’s family has suffered a tragic personal loss, and we send them our sincere condolences. This event stands as a reminder of systemic issues of social injustice and inequality. These difficult times mark an opportunity to engage in honest conversations about these issues.

We recognize that one of the greatest strengths of our nation is the right of citizens to protest. As you each consider your personal response to the events unfolding in Baltimore, we ask that you act safely and responsibly.

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You are invited to use the comment section here to share, post thoughts, information, and ways that people can help.

Our students are in schools within several institutions within the University System of Maryland. Some go to school in, are from, or serve in the areas that have been hardest hit by the unrest. In the spirit of community, we know that our graduate students, staff, and alumni have been working to share in the clean up, offer support, and serve others. The sense of community extends outside of the walls of the institution. As we learn more, we will share information, as we stand strong with Baltimore.

UPDATE, 4/29/15: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO SEVERAL CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE BALTIMORE CURFEW WHICH NECESSITATES A CHANGE OF SCHEDULE. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR A VISIT TO FROSTBURG IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 

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PROMISE will be joining Frostburg State University for their undergraduate symposium, on Friday, May 1, 2015. If you are interested in joining us, please send email to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject “Frostburg.” We will leave UMBC’s campus around 7AM on that Friday morning, and will return Friday night around  9 PM.

PROMISE participants will have opportunities to mentor undergraduates during the day. There will be a PROMISE talk at 3PM that afternoon. Frostburg is one of the schools that is part of our University System of Maryland PROMISE AGEP.

Here is the information that was shared by Frostburg’s graduate dean, Vickie Mazer:

Calling all STEM Students (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

Is Graduate School In Your Future?

Begin your Planning Now

Dr. Renetta Tull

Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Development & Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of Maryland Baltimore County

“Preparing for Graduate School”

May 1   3:00 to 4:00

It can never be too soon to begin preparing your next step toward your career path. Dr. Tull’s presentation will focus on how students in the STEM fields should prepare to improve admission and funding opportunities for graduate school.  

Dr. Tull is the Founding Director of PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), a program of the National Science Foundation. This program is intended to increase significantly the number of domestic students receiving doctoral degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with special emphasis on those population groups underrepresented in these fields (i.e., African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders). In addition, AGEP is particularly interested in increasing the number of minorities who will enter the professoriate in these disciplines.

UPDATE: 4/30/15: This event will still take place on Saturday, 5/2. Please feel free to come out and take a brief break from your activities and join us from 1-4. We will celebrate graduates at 3. Given the current state of unrest, we also know that people are interested in knowing about opportunities to help in Baltimore. Informal sharing of information will be welcomed.

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Saturday, May 2, 2015: PROMISE AGEP Family and Friends Celebration of Graduates Cookout

You are invited to come, bring your friends, family, and anyone who supports your journey through graduate school. This event is free. Graduate students from all schools within the University System of Maryland (USM) are invited!

Here is a list, if your school is listed, you are invited! http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/

Alumni, faculty, and staff are invited.

Friends and family members of students who have participated in PROMISE are invited. 

If you are from another school, e.g., Howard, Hopkins, GW, and have come to a PROMISE event in the past such as SSI, you are also invited to participate.

Please register below.

Register for the PROMISE Friends and Family Cookout and Celebration of Graduates:

If you are graduating from a USM institution with an M.S. or Ph.D., please send an email to promisestaff@gmail.com with your name, school, department, and degree, by 9AM, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, so that we can recognize you at the event.

Location:
High Ridge Park Pavilion
10100 Superior Avenue
Laurel, MD 20723

Directions:
PDF | Google Maps

Park Phone:

410-313-4700

This event provides food, fun, connections, and networking. Please plan to attend.

–
Piyush Waradpande
Graduate Assistant

Yarazeth Medina
Program Assistant