Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
Office of the Provost

Dear Graduate and Professional Students,

A new academic year is almost here. To all returning graduate and professional students, welcome to a new year! To all newly arriving graduate and professional students, welcome to the University of Pittsburgh! I look forward to seeing you at the Graduate and Professional Student Orientation on August 20, 2019, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In my role as Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, I oversee all graduate and professional programs across the University, and my office supports programming designed to help graduate and professional students succeed in their education and in their careers after they leave Pitt. We have been focusing on gaining a better understanding of what our students do after they complete their degrees in order to better prepare them for the variety of careers that they will have.

This summer with the help of our Alumni Association, I connected with nearly 60 Pitt alumni who completed their PhDs within the last 15 years and who are currently working in non-academic jobs. I wanted to hear our alums, in their own words, describe their PhD experience at Pitt and share their insights on employment in industry, including emerging trends. In conversations with these alumni, several common themes emerged that will inform how we help all of our graduate students connect with each other as well as alumni.

Many of these alumni described how they rely on communication, leadership and team-building skills in their current roles. Some explained how working on a large collaborative research project during graduate school helped prepare them to lead a team effectively. They mentioned the importance of the network they developed during graduate school in paving the way to opportunities that led to their current company. The majority of these alumni indicated that they would be willing to mentor students or to advise on program enhancements, and we are looking for ways to engage with them and to connect them to current students.

I want to thank the graduate and professional students who attended the August 6 mentoring forum and shared their experiences of mentoring at Pitt. Many of these students are leaders of graduate school organizations (GSOs), and together they represented more than half of our 14 schools. They shared best practices from their schools and programs, including peer-mentoring programs run by their GSOs. A common barrier to finding a mentor is understanding the benefit of a mentor. One concentration of the conversation was assessment and evaluation of mentoring across the University. Mentoring is very individualized so any assessment of the quality of mentoring must reflect what a person is trying to achieve by having a mentor. Moreover, a mentor may be excellent for some students but poor for others. Additionally, students described a diverse set of student populations who have different mentoring needs.

I also want to thank those students who have responded to the anonymous mentoring feedback form over the past month. I am still reviewing your responses. It is important to hear from students across many programs, so I encourage you to share your thoughts. We will use your responses to help develop new workshops and programs beginning this fall. 

UNIVERSITY-WIDE NEWS

Immunization Requirements and Clinics
University Policy states that students must submit proof of certain immunizations or evidence of immunity to the Student Health Service. View details including the required immunizations and submission of records.

If you are unable to provide proof of the required immunizations, have not been immunized, or are unsure if you have been immunized, you can attend one of the upcoming immunization clinics or make an appointment at the Student Health Service. Clinics will be held on August 20, 2019, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on September 13, 2019, from 10 a.m. to noon in Nordenberg Hall, Wellness Center, 119 University Place. Pre-registration is required.

If you are attending an immunization clinic, please be sure to bring your Pitt ID, insurance information, and payment method. Most insurance policies should cover the cost of the vaccines. If your policy does not, the estimated costs are:

• $78/dose for Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR; two doses are required, at least one month apart)
• $120/dose for Varicella (Chicken Pox; two doses are required, at least one month apart)

Student Organization of the Month Recognition – New
The Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) and WPTS Radio announce the new Student Organization of the Month recognition program to celebrate the accomplishments of our student organizations. Each month, SORC and WPTS will recognize an organization based on nominations submitted to a Selection Committee. To nominate a student organization for the September award, please fill out the nomination form by August 26, 2019.

The Student Organization of the Month will receive:

• $500 marketing grant to be used to promote the organization*
• $500 grant to be used toward student organization operations and/or programming*
• Award Certificate
• Exposure on WPTS Radio media platforms
• Exposure on Student Affairs digital signs
  *Grants must be used within six months of receipt.

Contact SORC for questions.

GRADUATE STUDENT ACCOLADES

ACC-Wide 3MT Competition
Piyusha Gade, a graduate student researcher in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, represented the University of Pittsburgh at the inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, July 22-23, 2019, in Washington, DC. Gade took first prize in the April 2019 University of Pittsburgh 3MT competition for her three-minute presentation explaining “Rational Design of Vascular Grafts in Aged Hosts.”

K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award Nominations Due October 1, 2019
The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award provide financial support for graduate students to attend the Association of American Colleges & Universities Annual Meeting, which will be January 22-25, 2020, in Washington, DC. All doctoral-level students who are planning a career in higher education are eligible, regardless of academic discipline. Graduate students in fields where the master's degree is the terminal degree, such as the MFA in art, are also eligible.

FALL ORIENTATIONS and OPEN HOUSES – All new and returning students welcome 

New Graduate and Professional Student Orientation – August 20, 2019, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Alumni Hall and the Posvar Patio: Welcome to our new graduate students from all 14 schools! This not-to-be missed event provides opportunities to meet University leaders, learn about resources to support your academic and non-academic needs, discover student organizations dedicated to helping grads get involved in campus life, and meet grads from around campus. Event highlights are:

2:00–2:30 p.m.            Welcome from Nathan Urban – Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
2:30–2:45 p.m.            Keeping our Campus Safe: A Primer on Title IX, Resources, and Reporting
2:45–3:00 p.m.            Support for Graduate Student Mental Health
3:00–3:20 p.m.            Mentoring Tips from Current Graduate Students and Faculty
3:00–4:30 p.m.            Resource Fair: 50 Booths Including FREE Headshot Photos and Pitt Swag
4:30–6:30 p.m.            Meet Peers and Student Organizations at the Picnic

Discover Pittsburgh – August 20, 2019, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Cathedral of Learning Lawn: Discover Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene and sample food from local restaurants.

Pittsburgh Music Showcase – August 22, 2019, 10 p.m. to midnight on William Pitt Union Lawn: Join the WPTS Radio staff for live music performed by local Pittsburgh artists. Refreshments will be provided.

Fall New Teaching Assistant Orientation – August 23, 2019, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Connolly Ballroom, Alumni Hall: The University Center for Teaching and Learning will host an orientation for new Teaching Assistants and Fellows from across campus. View the schedule and register.

Rec-o-Mania and Club Sports Fair – August 24, 2019, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Pitt Sports Dome: Learn about all the recreational and intramural activities that Pitt offers.

University of Thriftsburgh Semester Opening – August 25, 2019, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at O’Hara Student Center: The University of Thriftsburgh, Pitt’s student-operated thrift store, invites you to enjoy shopping, snacks, and live music. Pop some tags, support Thriftsburgh, and complete your back-to-school wardrobe!

University Center for International Studies Welcome Back Receptions – August 29, September 3, 11, 12, 13, and 19, 2019: The following centers will host welcome receptions: the Asian Studies Center, the European Studies Center, the Global Studies Center, the African Studies Program, the Center for Russian and East European Studies, and the Center for Latin American Studies. You can meet affiliated faculty, staff, and fellow students and discuss the program, events for the year, and opportunities for engagement. View the UCIS calendar for details.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Foundations of Successful Career Planning and Development Course
Instructor: Dr. Steven K. Wendell, PhD, PC

The course provides foundational training in career planning and professional development. Key skills that graduate students and postdocs build are:

• Increasing your capacity for self-directed career development
• Fostering lifelong career management habits
• Maximizing your scholarly training success
• Shaping positive career outcomes

The course spans a consecutive fall and spring term. Students and postdocs must attend the entire academic year for a total of two graduate course credits. Class meets for two hours over lunch every other week. One section meets on Tuesdays and the other on Wednesdays.

“…This course was one that I did not know how much I needed, until I took it! I resisted my advisor when she suggested that I take the course, but I am so glad that I took it…. I will be starting a new job next week with...that I would have never even applied for if it weren't for [the] course. I didn't necessarily fit the job description, but it is an organization that I really wanted to work with. I was able to get an interview and convince them that I could bring so much more to the table. In the end, they modified the job role and created a new position for me. I am beyond thrilled!”
School of Education Doctoral Student

While this course alone is impactful, supplementing the course with one-on-one career coaching has proven significant in a multi-year study supported by the Institute of Coaching at Harvard University. Mentors and program directors are encouraged to contact Steve Wendell about interests in contracting external career coaches.

Preparing Future Faculty for Teaching, Research Mentoring, and Career Exploration – August 21, 2019, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Benedum Hall, Room 102: Discover how the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) can enrich your professional development. Registration required. Also, view a two-minute video: What is CIRTL?

The Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Summer Slam Networking Event – August 29, 2019, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Penn Brewery (800 Vinial Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212): Pittsburgh has a vibrant technology community filled with developers, engineers, coders, cyber security professionals, systems analysts, help desk technicians, and everyone in between. In addition to enjoying free appetizers, drinks, and raffle prizes, this social event is an excellent opportunity to meet working techies in Pittsburgh. Register here.

WELCOME FROM THE GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT (GPSG)

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning graduate and professional students! My name is Rachel Coombs and I am the 2019-2020 President of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). The GPSG represents the graduate and professional students in our shared governance system and advocate for student issues. I interface with the University administration and governing bodies to communicate concerns. Each year, graduate and professional students elect five of their peers to serve on the Executive Board of GPSG. We provide resources, programing and events for the graduate and professional students, and facilitate important conversations about issues pertaining to graduate education. We provide a limited number of travel awards to students and provide advocacy grants to enrich our student community. Students can find more information about these and other resources at our website listed below. 

We are here to help, and I would like to invite you to explore our website, engage with your school governing representatives, and communicate any ideas you have with us. If you are interested and want to keep up-to-date with our announcements, services, and upcoming events, please subscribe to our social media sites listed below, or visit us at 825 William Pitt Union. Also, share your events with us.

Join our email list: bit.ly/joingpsg
Website: gpsg.pitt.edu
Twitter: twitter.com/pittgpsg
Instagram: instagram.com/pittgpsg
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/PITTGPSG/
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/PittGPSG/ 

Thank you, 

Rachel Coombs
GPSG President
President.gpsg@pitt.edu 

PARTICIPATE
GPSG’s first assembly board meeting of the academic year – August 26, 2019, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., William Pitt Union, Room 827: All graduate and professional students are welcome! 

Serve on one of many University-wide committees. View the open committee positions.

FALL EVENTS
Welcome Back Happy Hour – September 3, 2019, 7 p.m. to midnight at Hofbrauhaus, 2705 S. Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203: Tickets are $10.

GPSG Coffee Hour – September 9, 2019, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at William Pitt Union, Lower Lounge: Hold your reservation with a $5 deposit. Students who sign in to the event will receive their deposit.

Coffee Hour @ WPU: Mental Health Month Stress Down – October 11, 2019, noon to 3 p.m. at William Pitt Union, Lower Lounge: Hold your reservation with a $5 deposit. Students who sign in to the event will receive their deposit.

Gradsgiving – November 27, 2019, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at William Pitt Union, Ballroom: Hold your reservation with a $5 deposit. Students who sign in to the event will receive their deposit.

Holiday Happy Hour – December 6, 2019, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at O’Hara Student Center, Dining Room: Hold your reservation with a $5 deposit. Students who sign in to the event will receive their deposit. 

OFFICE HOURS

My next monthly office hour is on Wednesday September 4, 2019, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., in 809 Cathedral of Learning. No appointment is necessary. I welcome the opportunity to answer questions and discuss graduate studies at Pitt.

Nathan Urban
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies

Graduate resources: www.gradstudents.pitt.edu
Events, Policies, and News: provost.pitt.edu/students/graduate-studies
Follow: @PittGradStudies
Facebook: PittGradStudies 
E-mail: VPGraduate-Urban@pitt.edu