Join us for the annual PROMISE Fall Harvest Dinner, 6:00 PM, Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Riggs Alumni Center on College Park’s Campus. This event is open to all graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff from any school within the University System of Maryland (http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/) who want to participate in, and support the mission of PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation – “Diversity in STEM Education” - https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/new-nsf-promise-agep-grant-funded-until-2017-includes-university-system-of-maryland-ccbc-aacc-and-agmus/

PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation will engage the University System of Maryland in a system-wide focus on diversity in STEM graduate education, and will share resources and facilities to provide professional development for participants that might otherwise be limited or non-existent at some of the institutions without the alliance. This state-wide alliance eliminates the “silo-effect” or independent STEM diversity efforts, and it promotes as a core mission the collaboration to expand and connect a community of scholars through the state.

Read about our AGEP: 

Tull, R. G.,  Rutledge, J.C.,  Warnick, J. W.,  and Carter, F. D. (2012). PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Enhances Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Minority Graduate Students. Academic Medicine, 87(11), p. 1562-1569.

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CLICK and REGISTER for the 2013 Fall Harvest Dinner,Friday, November 22, 2013:

This event is free, but you must have a ticket. A ticket will be sent to your email as an attachment to your registration confirmation. Please remember to print and bring your ticket. 

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Location: The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center at the University of Maryland College Park:

Website: http://www.riggs.umd.edu/

Directions: http://riggs.umd.edu/map.html (Note that this link has a sidebar menu with detailed directions and parking. The Riggs Center is near the Stamp Student Union.)

Related articles

• New NSF PROMISE AGEP grant funded until 2017! Includes University System of Maryland, CCBC, AACC, and AGMUS (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Craig Mello – Mon. Nov. 4th UMB Campus (@UMBNews) (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• Professional development seminars for graduate students: FALL 2013 (promiseagep.wordpress.com)

Join us for the annual PROMISE Fall Harvest Dinner, 6:00 PM, Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Riggs Alumni Center on College Park’s Campus. This event is open to all graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff from any school within the University System of Maryland (http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/) who want to participate in, and support the mission of PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation – “Diversity in STEM Education” - https://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/new-nsf-promise-agep-grant-funded-until-2017-includes-university-system-of-maryland-ccbc-aacc-and-agmus/

PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation will engage the University System of Maryland in a system-wide focus on diversity in STEM graduate education, and will share resources and facilities to provide professional development for participants that might otherwise be limited or non-existent at some of the institutions without the alliance. This state-wide alliance eliminates the “silo-effect” or independent STEM diversity efforts, and it promotes as a core mission the collaboration to expand and connect a community of scholars through the state.

Read about our AGEP: 

Tull, R. G.,  Rutledge, J.C.,  Warnick, J. W.,  and Carter, F. D. (2012). PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Enhances Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Minority Graduate Students. Academic Medicine, 87(11), p. 1562-1569.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

CLICK and REGISTER for the 2013 Fall Harvest Dinner,Friday, November 22, 2013:

This event is free, but you must have a ticket. A ticket will be sent to your email as an attachment to your registration confirmation. Please remember to print and bring your ticket. 

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

Location: The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center at the University of Maryland College Park:

Website: http://www.riggs.umd.edu/

Directions: http://riggs.umd.edu/map.html (Note that this link has a sidebar menu with detailed directions and parking. The Riggs Center is near the Stamp Student Union.)

Related articles

• New NSF PROMISE AGEP grant funded until 2017! Includes University System of Maryland, CCBC, AACC, and AGMUS (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Craig Mello – Mon. Nov. 4th UMB Campus (@UMBNews) (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• Professional development seminars for graduate students: FALL 2013 (promiseagep.wordpress.com)

Our UMB Co-PIs for PROMISE: Maryland AGEP Transformation invite graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to hear Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Craig Mello, on Monday, November 4, 2013, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

• Location: UMB’s Medical School Teaching Facility (MSTF) Auditorium, 685 West Baltimore Street (also accessible by 10 S Pine St., Baltimore, MD 21201)
  • http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/directions_interactive.asp
  • Directions: http://medschool.umaryland.edu/minimed/directions.asp
  • If you drive, please plan to pay the fees for the parking garage. We do not have any indications that there will be parking validation.

• Pre-lobby meeting for PROMISE: 9:00 AM
• Program begins at 9:30 AM

Dr. Craig Mello is an American biologist and professor of molecular medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNA interference.
Register here: https://elm.umaryland.edu/ai1ec_event/lecture-by-nobel-prize-laureate-dr-craig-mello/?instance_id=
Your UMB status is “student” if you are a graduate student, and “faculty” if you are a postdoc. Your “UMB Affiliation” is Graduate School. If you are attending, please let us know so that we can look for you in the lobby at 9:00 and we can sit together.  Either send email to promisestaff@gmail.com with the subject “Mello Lecture” or you can post a comment at the bottom of this message. 

More about Dr. Mello and the Nobel Prize: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2006/mello-photo.html

More about Dr. Mello’s research: 

http://www.hhmi.org/scientists/craig-c-mello

http://profiles.umassmed.edu/profiles/ProfileDetails.aspx?From=SE&Person=1009

Our UMB Co-PIs for PROMISE: Maryland AGEP Transformation invite graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to hear Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Craig Mello, on Monday, November 4, 2013, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.

• Location: UMB’s Medical School Teaching Facility (MSTF) Auditorium, 685 West Baltimore Street (also accessible by 10 S Pine St., Baltimore, MD 21201)
  • http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/directions_interactive.asp
  • Directions: http://medschool.umaryland.edu/minimed/directions.asp
  • If you drive, please plan to pay the fees for the parking garage. We do not have any indications that there will be parking validation.

• Pre-lobby meeting for PROMISE: 9:00 AM
• Program begins at 9:30 AM

Dr. Craig Mello is an American biologist and professor of molecular medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNA interference.
Register here: https://elm.umaryland.edu/ai1ec_event/lecture-by-nobel-prize-laureate-dr-craig-mello/?instance_id=
Your UMB status is “student” if you are a graduate student, and “faculty” if you are a postdoc. Your “UMB Affiliation” is Graduate School. If you are attending, please let us know so that we can look for you in the lobby at 9:00 and we can sit together.  Either send email to promisestaff@gmail.com with the subject “Mello Lecture” or you can post a comment at the bottom of this message. 

More about Dr. Mello and the Nobel Prize: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2006/mello-photo.html

More about Dr. Mello’s research: 

http://www.hhmi.org/scientists/craig-c-mello

http://profiles.umassmed.edu/profiles/ProfileDetails.aspx?From=SE&Person=1009

Purdue University – Cluster Hire – STEM Education

Purdue Associate Professor Dr. Levon Esters, one of the mentors from the 2013 PROMISE Summer Success Institute and Co-PI of the Mentoring@Purdue (MAP) program, wants PROMISE to know that his university is hiring, and he wants you to apply!  Dr. Esters wrote the following in his note to PROMISE:

“The integrated STEM teacher education initiative at Purdue is focused squarely on the teaching and learning of science (includes life and agricultural sciences) and mathematics through the integration of engineering design and technological design. Successful candidates will be expected to make a strong contribution to advancing the integrated K-12 STEM teacher education initiative; build collaborative relationships with colleagues in the cluster hire and related disciplines; and provide leadership for ongoing efforts to transform K-12 teacher preparation in STEM disciplines.”

• SIX OPEN RANK, TENURE-TRACK POSITIONS
• Cluster Hire in K-12 Integrated STEM Teacher Education
• Joint Appointments in College of Education and College of Science, College of Technology, College of Engineering, or College of Agriculture

POSITION: Purdue University is transforming its STEM teacher education as it exists today—from a model of instruction in demarcated subject areas to a model in which teachers learn to integrate scientific inquiry, technological design, engineering design, and mathematical analysis as pedagogical approaches to STEM instruction. To this end, the Colleges of Education, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Agriculture at Purdue University invite applications for six full-time, tenure-track, jointly appointed positions at the level of assistant, associate, or full professor to join the new K-12 Integrated STEM Teacher Education Initiative.

READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE: http://www.education.purdue.edu/news/Integrated-STEM-TE-Cluster-Hire-Announcement.pdf

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

PROMISE is one of the new awardees for the National Science Foundation’s AGEP-T program. Brookhaven National Labs is also one of the awardees. Leaders at Brookhaven came to UMBC last week to invite graduate students and postdocs from our AGEP-T (any campus within the University System of Maryland) to apply for their positions. We will be planning a system-wide trip to Brookhaven’s headquarters next year.  Please apply for these great opportunities.

Brookhaven Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Description

The Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET) Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a two-year study on the development of an innovative new control platform for micro-grids. Applicants for this position must have a PhD in electrical power systems with a strong focus on modeling and analysis of electrical networks, including distribution systems and microgrids.  Experience modeling electrical networks with integrated renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and grid-scale storage is required.  Applicants must have experience performing load flow and short circuit analyses, control system design and modeling, and power electronics analysis.  Experience with Matlab/Simulink and other common power system analytical software such as SimPowerSystems, PSS/E and/or PSLF is also required.  Candidates with PSCad experience, ETAP experience, C/C++ experience and statistics background are preferred.  Proficiency with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is also required. Candidates must have good written and oral communication skills, be willing to take direction, and be able to work with others as part of a project team. The SET Department, in collaboration with others, is performing research to develop and demonstrate a Smart Micro-grid technology solution that is suitable for deployment at facilities that are large integral consumers of electricity and that would benefit from operation as a controlled micro-grid. The proposed Smart Micro-grid technology will employ an innovative new Smart Grid Sensor developed by one of the outside organizations collaborating on this project. This project will involve the deployment of a matrix of Smart Grid Sensors on the BNL campus to demonstrate and validate their performance.  The 5300 acre BNL campus is an ideal test bed for the demonstration of smart micro-grid technologies since it consists of a mixture of specialized facilities ranging from industrial/research installations, conventional office space, warehouses, and manufacturing shops, to childcare facilities and residential cottages, apartments, and dormitories. Upon successful demonstration of the technology, the basic Smart Micro-grid will be scaled up to expand and refine the capability of the Smart Micro-grid system to collect and analyze complete baseline data that will enable improvements in efficiency and reliability. A methodology will be developed for improved micro-grid modeling to support intelligent micro-grid design and implementation using collected baseline data. The successful applicant will work with other researchers on the project team in support of this two-year study. Responsibilities will include modeling and analysis of the BNL electrical distribution system; testing and evaluation of the Smart Grid Sensors; review and analysis of operational data obtained from the matrix of sensors; development and testing of smart micro-grid control software; and integration and control of smart micro-grid components. This position will be in the SET Department, reporting to the Renewable Energy Group Leader, Robert Lofaro. Please respond to position 15906 at the BNL web site www.bnl.gov under “Jobs”

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Brookhaven Project

Position Description

This  project seeks to understand basic chemistry and physics of molecular materials, especially conjugated polymers, for efficient capture of solar energy. The project examines electron, holes and excited states in long, conjugated molecules using transient techniques like pulse radiolysis and laser photoexcitation. It examines the natures of those carriers of charge or excitation, how they move and how electrons and holes escape from each other to give useful energy storage.   Candidates should have a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, materials science or related fields and an ability and interest to work in a chemical laboratory with instrumental techniques.

Contact T. Buck, tbuck@bnl.gov

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Brookhaven Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Electrochemical Assembly of Nanomaterials  - The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven National Laboratory seeks to fill an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in a project on the electrochemical assembly of nanoparticle heterostructures for energy-related applications.  The scientific focus will be on the fabrication and characterization of monolayers and multilayers of colloidal transition metal oxide nanomaterials to comprise energy conversion architectures (such as photovoltaic devices).  The research will utilize existing colloidal nanoparticle synthesis facilities and state-of-the-art electrophoretic deposition equipment, combined with a broad assortment of world-class nanomaterials characterization facilities within the CFN.  This project is laboratory intensive—much of the work involves colloidal chemistry, nanoparticle film fabrication, materials characterization, and measurement.  The qualified candidate will have a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline (Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or Physics) and significant experience with nanoparticle synthesis and materials characterization.  Expertise with nanomaterials, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and with electrophoretic deposition is a plus.  Expertise in electronic device characterization, such as cyclic voltammetry, is essential.  Expertise in nanoscale materials characterization and analysis, such as electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and others, is very important. The successful applicant will demonstrate an ability to work independently within broadly defined research directions, and an ability to supervise and to perform research and technical duties of the laboratory.  Applications should include a CV, a publication list, and a one page statement of your research experiences and interests as a single document (PDF or Word document).  This project is under the direction of James H. Dickerson, Center for Functional Nanomaterials.

Contact T. Buck, tbuck@bnl.gov

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Please apply for the positions.

Purdue University – Cluster Hire – STEM Education

Purdue Associate Professor Dr. Levon Esters, one of the mentors from the 2013 PROMISE Summer Success Institute and Co-PI of the Mentoring@Purdue (MAP) program, wants PROMISE to know that his university is hiring, and he wants you to apply!  Dr. Esters wrote the following in his note to PROMISE:

“The integrated STEM teacher education initiative at Purdue is focused squarely on the teaching and learning of science (includes life and agricultural sciences) and mathematics through the integration of engineering design and technological design. Successful candidates will be expected to make a strong contribution to advancing the integrated K-12 STEM teacher education initiative; build collaborative relationships with colleagues in the cluster hire and related disciplines; and provide leadership for ongoing efforts to transform K-12 teacher preparation in STEM disciplines.”

• SIX OPEN RANK, TENURE-TRACK POSITIONS
• Cluster Hire in K-12 Integrated STEM Teacher Education
• Joint Appointments in College of Education and College of Science, College of Technology, College of Engineering, or College of Agriculture

POSITION: Purdue University is transforming its STEM teacher education as it exists today—from a model of instruction in demarcated subject areas to a model in which teachers learn to integrate scientific inquiry, technological design, engineering design, and mathematical analysis as pedagogical approaches to STEM instruction. To this end, the Colleges of Education, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Agriculture at Purdue University invite applications for six full-time, tenure-track, jointly appointed positions at the level of assistant, associate, or full professor to join the new K-12 Integrated STEM Teacher Education Initiative.

READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT HERE: http://www.education.purdue.edu/news/Integrated-STEM-TE-Cluster-Hire-Announcement.pdf

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

PROMISE is one of the new awardees for the National Science Foundation’s AGEP-T program. Brookhaven National Labs is also one of the awardees. Leaders at Brookhaven came to UMBC last week to invite graduate students and postdocs from our AGEP-T (any campus within the University System of Maryland) to apply for their positions. We will be planning a system-wide trip to Brookhaven’s headquarters next year.  Please apply for these great opportunities.

Brookhaven Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Description

The Sustainable Energy Technologies (SET) Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a two-year study on the development of an innovative new control platform for micro-grids. Applicants for this position must have a PhD in electrical power systems with a strong focus on modeling and analysis of electrical networks, including distribution systems and microgrids.  Experience modeling electrical networks with integrated renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and grid-scale storage is required.  Applicants must have experience performing load flow and short circuit analyses, control system design and modeling, and power electronics analysis.  Experience with Matlab/Simulink and other common power system analytical software such as SimPowerSystems, PSS/E and/or PSLF is also required.  Candidates with PSCad experience, ETAP experience, C/C++ experience and statistics background are preferred.  Proficiency with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is also required. Candidates must have good written and oral communication skills, be willing to take direction, and be able to work with others as part of a project team. The SET Department, in collaboration with others, is performing research to develop and demonstrate a Smart Micro-grid technology solution that is suitable for deployment at facilities that are large integral consumers of electricity and that would benefit from operation as a controlled micro-grid. The proposed Smart Micro-grid technology will employ an innovative new Smart Grid Sensor developed by one of the outside organizations collaborating on this project. This project will involve the deployment of a matrix of Smart Grid Sensors on the BNL campus to demonstrate and validate their performance.  The 5300 acre BNL campus is an ideal test bed for the demonstration of smart micro-grid technologies since it consists of a mixture of specialized facilities ranging from industrial/research installations, conventional office space, warehouses, and manufacturing shops, to childcare facilities and residential cottages, apartments, and dormitories. Upon successful demonstration of the technology, the basic Smart Micro-grid will be scaled up to expand and refine the capability of the Smart Micro-grid system to collect and analyze complete baseline data that will enable improvements in efficiency and reliability. A methodology will be developed for improved micro-grid modeling to support intelligent micro-grid design and implementation using collected baseline data. The successful applicant will work with other researchers on the project team in support of this two-year study. Responsibilities will include modeling and analysis of the BNL electrical distribution system; testing and evaluation of the Smart Grid Sensors; review and analysis of operational data obtained from the matrix of sensors; development and testing of smart micro-grid control software; and integration and control of smart micro-grid components. This position will be in the SET Department, reporting to the Renewable Energy Group Leader, Robert Lofaro. Please respond to position 15906 at the BNL web site www.bnl.gov under “Jobs”

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Brookhaven Project

Position Description

This  project seeks to understand basic chemistry and physics of molecular materials, especially conjugated polymers, for efficient capture of solar energy. The project examines electron, holes and excited states in long, conjugated molecules using transient techniques like pulse radiolysis and laser photoexcitation. It examines the natures of those carriers of charge or excitation, how they move and how electrons and holes escape from each other to give useful energy storage.   Candidates should have a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, materials science or related fields and an ability and interest to work in a chemical laboratory with instrumental techniques.

Contact T. Buck, tbuck@bnl.gov

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Brookhaven Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Electrochemical Assembly of Nanomaterials  - The Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) at Brookhaven National Laboratory seeks to fill an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in a project on the electrochemical assembly of nanoparticle heterostructures for energy-related applications.  The scientific focus will be on the fabrication and characterization of monolayers and multilayers of colloidal transition metal oxide nanomaterials to comprise energy conversion architectures (such as photovoltaic devices).  The research will utilize existing colloidal nanoparticle synthesis facilities and state-of-the-art electrophoretic deposition equipment, combined with a broad assortment of world-class nanomaterials characterization facilities within the CFN.  This project is laboratory intensive—much of the work involves colloidal chemistry, nanoparticle film fabrication, materials characterization, and measurement.  The qualified candidate will have a Ph.D. in an appropriate discipline (Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or Physics) and significant experience with nanoparticle synthesis and materials characterization.  Expertise with nanomaterials, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and with electrophoretic deposition is a plus.  Expertise in electronic device characterization, such as cyclic voltammetry, is essential.  Expertise in nanoscale materials characterization and analysis, such as electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and others, is very important. The successful applicant will demonstrate an ability to work independently within broadly defined research directions, and an ability to supervise and to perform research and technical duties of the laboratory.  Applications should include a CV, a publication list, and a one page statement of your research experiences and interests as a single document (PDF or Word document).  This project is under the direction of James H. Dickerson, Center for Functional Nanomaterials.

Contact T. Buck, tbuck@bnl.gov

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Please apply for the positions.

During the 2013 PROMISE AGEP Summer Success Institute, Dr. Christine Grant (Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Chemical Engineering, http://www.che.ncsu.edu/people/faculty-pages/grant.html), led the following session:

• Making the transitions (grad student to PhD, postdoc, professor), keeping your cool, and addressing the issues: How do you deal with the lack of respect on the new job that may come from subtle discrimination based on age, gender, or race?
• Dr. Christine Grant, Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering; Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Special Initiatives, College of Engineering, North Carolina State University; and Founder of “Creative Growth Solutions for You!” 
• • Seminar Synopsis: You can now be called “Dr. ____,” but how do you deal with situations where people question your credentials and experience? This topic was requested by PROMISE alumni and postdocs who found that themselves excited about starting their new positions, but were continually being challenged about their credentials. Often, their hiring supervisors were very supportive and acknowledged their expertise, but when they had to work with others in the department or on a different campus, they received comments like:  ”Did you really do enough work to get a PhD?”  (Even though you’ve won international awards in your field.) -OR- “I need to know if you can teach this class.” (Even when you’ve taught the class to stellar reviews on a sister campus.) How do you handle situations when people argue with you (about being in your own lab) because they think that you’re a student, or support staff? What do you do when other professors try to “steal” your grad students, or when students challenge your authority? These are questions that have been posed to PROMISE by PhD alumni who are underrepresented minorities, and women of all races. Dr. Christine Grant brings to PROMISE her experiences as a full professor of engineering, as a national speaker and leader within the NSF ADVANCE community (winner of many grants to assist women faculty), and as a professional coach. [Dr. Grant, winner of a U.S.Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, was guest at the PROMISE SSI 2004, and she returns as part of the 10th anniversary celebration, courtesy of her company, "Creative Growth Solutions for You!"] 

Dr. Grant sent us a “recap” of that session:

I hosted a lively event at my roundtable that focused on making transitions and keeping your cool in the presence of microaggressions , lack of respect and both subtle and overt discrimination based on age, gender and race.  Interestingly – there were different issues raised by the men and women in the group.  We discussed topics associated with one’s physical presence (e.g., natural hair, wardrobe) and the importance of knowing the culture of your department/working environment to determine how far to push the envelope. It was also clear that there were challenges for both men and women in terms of welcoming environments and communication norms.  We brainstormed effective strategies to develop academic allies, mentors and most importantly how to empower oneself on the upward professional climb.  We generated lists of actual challenging situations and then discussed potential approaches to selectively address different ones in the academy.

 NEXT STEPS – Opportunity to connect with Dr. Grant, October 24:

Dr. Grant is hosting an “On My Own Terms” E-workshop/tele-teaching on Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7:15 – 8:45 PM.  The website with registration information can be found here: http://creativegrowth4u.com/index.html

The first workshop in the series will focus on Empowerment Outside the “Academic Box” and provide an overview of the five concepts associated with OMOT for current and aspiring academics.  There is a $10 discount for EARLY BIRD Registration.

Related articles

• Professional development seminars for graduate students: FALL 2013 (promiseagep.wordpress.com)

During the 2013 PROMISE AGEP Summer Success Institute, Dr. Christine Grant (Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Professor of Chemical Engineering, http://www.che.ncsu.edu/people/faculty-pages/grant.html), led the following session:

• Making the transitions (grad student to PhD, postdoc, professor), keeping your cool, and addressing the issues: How do you deal with the lack of respect on the new job that may come from subtle discrimination based on age, gender, or race?
• Dr. Christine Grant, Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering; Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Special Initiatives, College of Engineering, North Carolina State University; and Founder of “Creative Growth Solutions for You!” 
• • Seminar Synopsis: You can now be called “Dr. ____,” but how do you deal with situations where people question your credentials and experience? This topic was requested by PROMISE alumni and postdocs who found that themselves excited about starting their new positions, but were continually being challenged about their credentials. Often, their hiring supervisors were very supportive and acknowledged their expertise, but when they had to work with others in the department or on a different campus, they received comments like:  ”Did you really do enough work to get a PhD?”  (Even though you’ve won international awards in your field.) -OR- “I need to know if you can teach this class.” (Even when you’ve taught the class to stellar reviews on a sister campus.) How do you handle situations when people argue with you (about being in your own lab) because they think that you’re a student, or support staff? What do you do when other professors try to “steal” your grad students, or when students challenge your authority? These are questions that have been posed to PROMISE by PhD alumni who are underrepresented minorities, and women of all races. Dr. Christine Grant brings to PROMISE her experiences as a full professor of engineering, as a national speaker and leader within the NSF ADVANCE community (winner of many grants to assist women faculty), and as a professional coach. [Dr. Grant, winner of a U.S.Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, was guest at the PROMISE SSI 2004, and she returns as part of the 10th anniversary celebration, courtesy of her company, "Creative Growth Solutions for You!"] 

Dr. Grant sent us a “recap” of that session:

I hosted a lively event at my roundtable that focused on making transitions and keeping your cool in the presence of microaggressions , lack of respect and both subtle and overt discrimination based on age, gender and race.  Interestingly – there were different issues raised by the men and women in the group.  We discussed topics associated with one’s physical presence (e.g., natural hair, wardrobe) and the importance of knowing the culture of your department/working environment to determine how far to push the envelope. It was also clear that there were challenges for both men and women in terms of welcoming environments and communication norms.  We brainstormed effective strategies to develop academic allies, mentors and most importantly how to empower oneself on the upward professional climb.  We generated lists of actual challenging situations and then discussed potential approaches to selectively address different ones in the academy.

 NEXT STEPS – Opportunity to connect with Dr. Grant, October 24:

Dr. Grant is hosting an “On My Own Terms” E-workshop/tele-teaching on Thursday, October 24, 2013, 7:15 – 8:45 PM.  The website with registration information can be found here: http://creativegrowth4u.com/index.html

The first workshop in the series will focus on Empowerment Outside the “Academic Box” and provide an overview of the five concepts associated with OMOT for current and aspiring academics.  There is a $10 discount for EARLY BIRD Registration.

Related articles

• Professional development seminars for graduate students: FALL 2013 (promiseagep.wordpress.com)

Do you ever wonder what your faculty expect of you? Have you been given directions or instructions, but wonder what your faculty is asking of you? Do you have questions about what professors are looking for during the dissertation process, or how they interpret performance on comprehensive exams? Do you wonder if your professors are saying x, but really mean y? Professors have expressed that when they say X …, they mean X.  Is there a way to listen differently? Is there a way to be sure that you are understanding expectations clearly?

Each year, PROMISE; Maryland’s AGEP and The Graduate School at UMBC host a dinner seminar to allow graduate students to ask questions of faculty. This year, the  ”When Faculty Say ‘X’ … ” seminar will be held on Friday, October 11, 2013 in the first floor lecture hall of Academic IV (The George and Betsy Sherman Building) at UMBC. A full-course dinner will be served.
This is your chance to ask the faculty any questions about expectations, understanding requirements, how they say “no”, how they show their approval, express sentiments using body language, etc. You can ask any and all questions during the seminar, or post questions (anonymously) in advance as a comment on this website. 

• UMBC Students, please RSVP here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/18932
• Students from other schools, RSVP by commenting here, 1) Name 2) School 3) Department.  This seminar is free!

*ALL* students are asked to post questions for faculty here! These can remain anonymous. Faculty will answer your questions at the dinner seminar on Friday, October 11, 2013.

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Photo reference: Partial cover image from Steven Strogatz’ The Joy of x — A Guided Tour of Math from One to Infinity, from NY Times Blog “Steven Strogatz and The Joy of x“ http://wordplay.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/joy-of-x/?_r=0

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Related PROMISE article:

Communicate with your faculty (A message for new and continuing grad students.)