GSO Workshops
GSO Workshop Descriptions
Career Services
The Career Services Center has a wealth of information for you as a graduate student as well as for undergrads you may be serving: part-time employment including graduate assistantships, resume/cover letter writing, networking, job searching, and career exploration. Come and see how they can help YOU!
Conferences and Publications
Dave Murad, Andréa Simms (Recommended for: Masters/PhD)
Designed to meet the needs of all graduate students, irrespective of funding status or assistantship type, this session will provide a general overview of conferences, presentations, and the publication process. We will discuss presentation strategies, as well as offer suggestions about how to get involved in a conference, from presenting or moderating to some of the behind-the-scenes opportunities. We also hope to motivate you with ideas and suggestions about submitting your work and research for publication. And of course, feel free to share your own experiences in these areas and come with questions!
(Presentation)
Grad 101
Meredith Decker, Peni Acayo, Lindsay Hahn (Recommended for: Masters)
The graduate school experience is totally different from your time as an undergraduate, but with the proper preparation, information, and access to various resources, you will succeed. This workshop is designed to debunk some of the myths of graduate school and offer up suggestions on how to make your time enjoyable and beneficial.
Transitioning to the American University
Indira Sultanic, Neete Saha, Weronika Kusek (Recommended for: International Students)
This workshop is designed to answer a range of questions international students may have about scheduling classes, connecting with advisors, professors, types of assignments, university guidelines, and academic honesty. It will also introduce international students to various university and community resources such as: career services, assistantships, internship opportunities, student organizations, tutoring and writing services, all of which are beneficial to their success. The overall goal of this workshop is to help international students adjust to their new environment by introducing them to the expectations of their host institution.
Technology Tools
Sameer Gopalani, Christabel Devadoss (Recommended for: Masters/PhD)
This workshop looks at various technological tools, both free and for purchase, that graduate students are certain to find useful for their diverse roles (student, assistant, teacher, researcher, etc.) while here at Kent State University and beyond. Tuesday’s session will focus on technological tools to assist graduate students, and Wednesday’s session will focus on tools for teaching. Participants will be introduced to resources like online office suites, cloud technology, and presentation tools such as Prezi, while also being pointed to many, many more!
(Handout)
Graduate Student Senate
Mike Allen, Lindsey Ayers, Deb Lamm, Weronika Kusek, Dwight Meyer, Kate Klonowski (Executive Board 2012-2013)
Interested in learning about Graduate Student Senate (GSS), and the many resources available to graduate students through GSS? In this workshop, members of the GSS Executive Board will provide information and answer your questions concerning the purpose and function of GSS, modes of GSS involvement (e.g. senator, representative, board member, and/or constituent), the many opportunities that GSS offers to help fund your endeavors, the annual Graduate Research Symposium, monthly GradFest gatherings, and much more! GSS is the primary graduate student organization and represents all graduate students on campus. Come find out how your senate can enhance your graduate school experience and how you can, in turn, support your peers and community!
University Libraries
Paul Fehrman
This session will show and discuss the University Libraries’ new website and its key resources. Attendees will also be shown how to search for and access books and articles, as well as what to do if Kent State’s library does not have what you need (in terms of materials, etc.) and how to access those materials from other libraries. It will also briefly demonstrate RefWorks, and provide the latest information on upcoming training for RefWorks and other library resources. Although time is limited, computers in the room will allow students to follow along in a “hands-on” capacity. This workshop may be particularly useful for incoming graduate students, but is open to all graduate students attending Graduate Student Orientation who would like to learn more about the new University Libraries website.
(Handout)
Faculty Panel
Interested in hearing directly from KSU faculty? This panel will include faculty from a collection of disciplines and graduate programs, and panelists will provide insight on their research and mentoring relationships with students. They will also share both the academic and professional expectations that they have of their graduate students, and how those expectations vary from those for undergraduate students. In addition, faculty panelists will discuss their strategies for balancing academic work with family and other personal responsibilities. Discussions within this panel will not be department-specific, so to appeal to a wider audience. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions directly to the panelists.
Syllabus and Scheduling
Java Murniadi, Mike Allen
Syllabus and Scheduling is designed to guide graduate teaching assistants in creating a syllabus and course out- line while managing graduate study. The goal of this workshop is to help graduate teaching assistants to create their syllabus, craft learning objectives, develop course policies, produce assessment tools and their descriptions, schedule their office hours, and ensure their syllabus adheres to university policy. The workshop draws on graduate teaching assistants’ own knowledge about and experience with syllabi and course planning in previous classes. Graduate teaching assistants will also have the opportunity to ask experienced graduate teaching assistants about their experience planning their own courses.
Exploring and Conducting Academic Research
Shelley Blundell, Naser Madi
New research is the lifeblood of many university graduate departments across the country, and Kent State University is no different. However, deciding where and how to begin a research endeavor can sometimes be over- whelming. This workshop will provide some useful tips regarding how to get started, where to go for assistance with your research, the role academic honesty plays in your research, and some savvy strategies that will aid you in maximizing your results, and minimizing time spent on reading through scholarly literature. Additionally, specific teaching/research assistant questions, such as “where can I send my students for help conducting research, writing a research paper, etc.?” will be addressed. This workshop seeks to most advantage the incoming graduate student, although it is open to all graduate students who may find the research tips and strategies presented helpful during their own endeavors.
Teaching in Labs
Raj Ghosh, Brandon Hentkowski
In this session, new Teaching Assistants will learn how to teach in labs that are both traditional and non-traditional. The workshop is designed to help guide graduate teaching assistants in managing their TA roles as lab instructors while pursuing graduate study. The goal of this workshop is to help new graduate teaching assistants to inform them about syllabus and scheduling, planning their labs, managing grades and learning objectives in the class. The workshop draws on graduate teaching assistants’ own knowledge about and experience with lab teaching in previous classes. Graduate teaching assistants will also have the opportunity to ask experienced graduate teaching assistants about their experience planning their own courses.
Grading and Evaluation
Sohom Ray, Dave Murad
In this workshop, we will discuss useful tips for handling grading and evaluations in your upcoming classes. You will also be given insight into the responsibilities and options you have regarding the evaluation and reporting of your students’ work as an employee of Kent State University. This workshop offers grading and evaluation information that teaching assistants need, but is open to everyone.
(Presentation)
Teaching International Students
Indira Sultanic, Neete Saha, Weronika Kusek (Recommended Audience: Domestic and international students)
This workshop aims to familiarize American graduate instructors with the potential issues they may face while teaching an international student population. It presents problems that arise while working with undergraduate international students whose numbers are significantly growing at Kent State University. Cultural sensitivity and a clear explanation of expectations is key to successful communication with students who arrive to KSU from countries such as: China, Saudi Arabia, India, and others.
Lectures and Discussion
Jenny Rosenberg, Lindsay Hahn
This workshop is designed to provide graduate students with useful guidelines related to creating productive learning environments for students, whether it is in smaller or larger instructional settings. In this workshop, we will share tips for creating/developing lectures in your classes. We will discuss various ways in which your students can be engaged and how you, as the instructor, can assess student and instructional needs to tailor class activities. We more than anticipate discussing participants’ experiences, so please come ready to share your own ideas as well as learn from others. This workshop is of particular importance for graduate students who expect to teach at some point during their graduate education at Kent State University, however all graduate students are welcome.
TA Panel
Jenny Rosenberg, Peni Acayo, Andréa Simms, Lindsay Hahn, Mike Allen, Brandon Hentkowski, Sohom Ray, Indira Sultanic
Do you have unanswered questions about graduate work or the graduate school experience? The Graduate Student Panel will provide answers based on the knowledge and personal experiences of returning graduate students. No questions are too daunting or too trivial and all will be welcome. Take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity to discuss and learn what it takes to be a successful graduate student at Kent State University.