Graduate Studies Update - November 2017 Newsletter

November 3 | Volume I | Issue 1

Words from the Director: It is an exciting time to be working in Graduate Studies – we have a Strategic Plan to guide our activities, and we have more than doubled our staff with the addition of our new Graduate Studies Coordinator, Kayah-Bah Malecek. I am excited about what that extra person power will mean for Graduate Studies.

Workshops & Deadlines Click on a topic below for more info

Wednesday, November 15 Scholarship Workshop 6-7pm “Scholar Sips” The U 3314

Friday, December 1 Priority Submission date for theses & projects/papers Grad Studies 223 Graff Main Hall

Friday, December 8 Student Professional Travel funds Application Deadline Grad Studies 223 Graff Main Hall

Wednesday, December 13 Graduate Student Exit Interview and Graduation Celebration 9am-12pm Centennial 1300 *See invite (pg 2) for more details.

Did you miss an event?

Kayah-Bah and I are meeting this fall with each of the Graduate Program Directors. One theme that crosses programs is the desire for greater financial support for graduate students. Exploring what options are available for us in that area is a goal for my three-year term as Director.

Graduate Studies is also working on more immediate projects to address student finances:  We need to increase awareness of existing resources, including non-resident tuition waivers, Graduate Assistant positions, which pay students to work on campus in areas related to their degrees, and the Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP). The AOP provides graduate tuition support for eligible Wisconsin residents from traditionally underrepresented minority and non-minority groups. Look for more information coming soon.  We want to see more graduate students making use of UWL Foundation and other scholarships. To this end, the Scholarship Resource Center will make graduate students the focus of the ScholarSips event from 6-7 pm in 3314 Student Union on Wednesday, November 15. See the next page for more information.

In closing, it feels good to know what a dedicated group of faculty and talented students I am serving in my new role as Graduate Studies Director. I look forward to collaborating with you as we work to sustain the excellence of UWL’s graduate programs.

- Meredith Thomsen, Graduate Studies Director

Recordings of previously offered, graduate student professional development opportunities are now available for viewing at:

Meet Our New Crew

https://www.uwlax.edu/graduatestudies/

2017 Topics Include:

Investing/Insurance Thesis Guidelines MEREDITH THOMSEN Graduate Studies Director

KAYAH-BAH MALECEK Graduate Studies Coordinator

MARCIA TADDY Graduate Studies GA

Is there a student or student organization you would like to see in our Student Spotlight?

If so, please contact Marcia Taddy at taddy.marc@uwlax.edu

Student Spotlight - Marcia Taddy, Human Performance For my first Student Spotlight, I visited with Physical Therapy (PT) students, Aleyna and Molly, in the biomechanics lab. They filled me in on what they have been up to in their graduate work.

Walking into the lab, it was easy to see one of the reasons they chose UWL’s PT program. This program houses a well-established lab which allows students the opportunity to get involved in exciting research.

Aleyna and Molly examine the impact of increasing body weight on forces at the knee joint during walking and running, specifically in women. Knee joint forces are being evaluated while participants walk and run without added weight as well as with loads of 10, 20, and 30 lbs.

These student researchers are interested in weight load effects and the potential impact on mobility. Aleyna and Molly also suggested their work may be useful in examining the impact of weight gain during pregnancy.

I could see how enthusiastic these two women are about their work.

However, I was interested in why they initially chose PT as their field of study.

Molly described tremendous joy in helping people physically feel better and in being able to directly impact quality of life. Aleyna personally experienced a quick return to her sport, following an ACL injury. She credits her recovery to physical therapy. As a result, she became interested in helping other athletes overcome injuries.

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.-4:00 p.m. email: gradstudies@uwlax.edu www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies

Looking ahead, this fantastic duo plans to present at the UWL Celebration of Student Research and Creativity in April. They also hope to publish their work and to present at a regional or national conferences.

Event Spotlight

Coming to Campus: UWL 23rd Annual Turkey Trot

UWL’s event is a popular Thanksgiving tradition for many which includes a costume contest, coloring contest, and Junior Gobbler races.

130 Eagle Recreation Center Early Bird: Now-Oct 31st  Prices increase after October 31st

5K Run: $25 w/tshirt $10 w/o Tshirt Registration and Info

November 15th

The U 3314

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS In the last year, Graduate Students were awarded 89 UWL Foundation scholarships totaling more than $139,000. https://www.uwlax.edu/scholarships/ Would you like your very own hard copy of Vision 2021 – A Strategic Plan for Graduate Education at UWL? Email gradstudies@uwlax.edu to request a hardcopy or download a copy from the Graduate Studies website www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies/ .