GRADUATE STUDIES
Update
www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies November 4, 2019 | Volume 3 | Issue 1
Get to Know Grad Studies Events, Workshops, and Deadlines Tuesday, November 5 GSO Meeting 11AM-1PM Thursday, November 7 Quick Pitch Competition 4PM-3314 Student Union Friday, December 3 GSO Meeting 11AM-1PM Friday, December 6 Travel Grant Deadline Wednesday, February 12 3MT Workshop 4:30-5:30PM-150 Murphy Library
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Graduate Studies 223 Graff Main Hall 1725 State Street La Crosse, WI 54601 USA Phone: 608.785.8124 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Email: gradstudies@uwlax.edu www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies
Follow Us for Grad Studies Updates
Meredith Thomsen Director of Graduate Studies As the Director of Graduate Studies, Meredith works with Graduate Program Directors, graduate faculty, and staff in offices around campuses to advocate for and support the graduate programs. She earned her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology at the University of California-Berkeley. Her goal for the future of graduate studies is to raise the prominence of the graduate programs at UWL and keep working to improve the experience of of graduate students and graduate faculty.students Her advice andtofaculty. graduate students is, “Remember to keep working towards a balance among the things that are important in your life while you are a graduate student.” When she’s not at work, you can find her hiking, mountain biking, gardening, reading and/or hanging out with her family. Kayah-Bah Malecek Student Service Coordinator Kayah-Bah works in many ways to enhance the graduate student experience. This includes communicating with students interested in graduate school at UWL, assisting in the application process for prospective students, and facilitating the Graduate Studies grants program for current graduate students. Kayah-Bah graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with her Master of Arts in Psychology. Her goal is to continue to expand awareness of the wide array of graduate programs available and to expand the current opportunities for graduate students. Her advice to graduate students is, “Look into additional funding opportunities even after you’ve started graduate school.” When she’s not at work, you can find her hiking the bluff with her husband and four kids. Lysianne Peacock Graduate Assistant Lysianne is a second-year graduate candidate in the Recreation Management program. Lysianne provides support to Graduate Studies by serving as a voice for graduate students in her role as the Graduate Student Organization President, managing the Facebook page, and providing marketing support. Her goal for graduate studies is to increase the awareness of graduate student resources and opportunities for involvement. Her advice to graduate students is, “Change your mindset from time management to priority management. It’s important to take things one step at a time.” When Lysianne is not working on her studies, you can find her hiking a few mountains, swimming laps, or hitting her favorite running trails.
Graduate School Visit Day 2019
The second annual Graduate School Visit Day was held on Friday, September 27, 2019. With 35 prospective students and 17 advisors/guests, a total of 52 participants attended this event. Graduate School Visit Day is an opportunity for students from other campuses to visit with graduate program faculty and current graduate students to learn more about the graduate programs at UWL.
Is there a graduate student you would like to see in our Student Spotlight? If so, please contact Lysianne Peacock at peacock0074@uwlax.edu
Join
GSO
Graduate Student Organization Are you interested in meeting graduate students from other programs on campus next year? Do you want to learn more about graduate student resources or gain networking experience as you complete your professional studies? Join GSO, an organization dedicated to lending a helping hand to graduate students. GSO meets on the first Tuesday of each month (excluding September and January) at 11AM. Our next meeting will take place Tuesday, November 5th at a 11AM. Lunch will be provided. Please email Lysianne Peacock at peacock0074@uwlax.edu with any questions. www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies
The event features a resource fair for prospective students to visit with various offices on campus such as Admissions and Financial Aid. The student panel is the highlight of the event featuring eight current graduate students who lend insight into what it is like to be a graduate student at UWL. Thank you to all who participated!
Student Spotlight:
Maria Lee, A Maroon Tycoon
A fact not well-known among UWL graduate students is that there are many scholarship opportunities available to them. Maria Lee is a third-year physical therapy graduate student and a Maroon Tycoon. A Maroon Tycoon is a student at UWL who earned $10,000 or more in UWL Foundation or other private scholarships. “I was fortunate enough to receive financial support from both the UWL Foundation and my hometown of Black River Falls,” Maria stated. She hopes in the future to be able to give back in the same way others have for her. Maria’s secret to success and her advice to other graduate students is to get involved in your field and apply. Taking every opportunity to develop relationships and work collaboratively with mentors and peers as well as gaining experience is crucial in the application process. Make time and apply for any and all you may qualify for. Currently, Maria is on her second of three clinical rotations in Physical Therapy to refine her clinical skills and gain experience in the professional setting before she graduates in 2020. She chose physical therapy because she always had a passion for helping others. “I strongly value physical health and wellness and really enjoy being able to meet and develop relationships with new people each day while helping them heal themselves.”
Research, Service, and Educational Leadership (RSEL) Grant
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS ONLINE! UWL provides funding to support graduate student research in the form of RSEL Grants. RSEL Full Grants are available twice per academic year and provide up to $2500 in funding. RSEL Mini Grants offer up to $500 in funding. Total RSEL funding is limited to $2500. Visit https://www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies/ for more information. RSEL Full Grant Upcoming Deadline: February 7, 2020 *Mini Grants can be submitted anytime*
Professional Travel Grant
The Office of Graduate Studies and the Student Senate support travel to conferences for graduate students as attendees or presenters. Preference is given to conference presenters. Professional Travel Grant funds may be used towards: 1. Registration 2. Transportation 3. Meals (up to $18/day) 4. Housing (up to $45/ day) Upcoming Deadlines: December 6, 2019 March 6, 2020 May 8, 2020 For more information, visit https://www.uwlax.edu/graduatestudies/
Join a Committee
Various Faculty Senate Committee are looking for graduate students to voice their opinions and assist in making key decisions that will benefit the campus. Participating in committees offers many benefits to you, the graduate student: 1. Networking 2. Leadership Opportunities 3. Service Below is a list of committees that are actively searching for graduate student representatives. Click on them to learn more If any of them are of interest to you, please reach out to Lysianne Peacock at peacock0074@uwlax.edu with which committee you are interested in joining. If seats on other committees open up, those vacancies will be announced so they can be filled by interested graduate students.
Save the Date Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 6 p.m. 1400 Centennial Hall
FAQs Thesis Competition? What is the 3 Minute
Graduate Council Meeting: First and Third Fridays 325 Graff Main Hall 10AM-11AM
Graduate Curriculum Committee Meeting: First and Third Tuesdays 325 Graff Main Hall 3:30PM
The 3 Minute Thesis competition is a unique event during which graduate students concisely present their research to a non-academic audience. Competitors are judged on research innovation and ability to present their work to the general public with strict adherence to the 3-minute time limit.
When and where do I register? If you’re interested in competing, the link to register will be posted on the Grad Studies website near the end of the Fall semester.
If I am competing, how can I prepare? The Office of Graduate Studies offers an information and preparation session for students who are competing. This session will be held on Wednesday, February 12th, 2020.