Grad Chronicle: November 2021

 

STUDENT EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

 
Three Minute Thesis Competition Highlights!

The seventh annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at Kent State University occurred Friday, November 5. Participants were allotted three minutes and one PowerPoint slide to present their research in an engaging and concise manner. 

A panel of judges awarded cash prizes to the top three presenters, while audience members were able to vote for the People's Choice Award. 

Congratulations to the graduate students who were selected as award winners! Thank you to all who participated!

  • First Place: Emily Erb, Exercise Physiology
  • Second Place: Hamid Estejab, Architecture- Healthcare Design
  • Third Place: Fanan Aboalrob, Biological Sciences
  • People's Choice Award: Kathalina Thorpe, Scenic Design
To view their award-winning presentations, please click here.
 
First Generation Scholars' Circle

The First Generation Scholars’ Circle brings graduate students, faculty and administrators together to share their research with one another in a casual environment. If you are interested in attending or discussing your research at the November Scholars’ Circle on Friday, November 12 from 4-5:30 p.m., please complete this brief registration form. This event will be held in the Cartwright Student Lounge (Lower level of First Floor Cartwright Hall).

This program is part of I Am First Week, the university's annual celebration of first generation students, which will be held November 8-12. Find a full schedule of events.

This week’s scholars’ circle will feature a current Kent State graduate student and two faculty members presenting from 4-5pm and opportunities to network after the presentations. Light refreshments will be served.
 
Presenters for November 12

  • Dr. Molly Merryman: Associate Professor of Peace & Conflict Studies presenting on a Documentary film on Women's Airforce Service Pilots of World War II and Virtually Queer, an ongoing video-based oral history project with the Queer Britain national LGBTQ+ Museum (UK)
  • (Muhammad) Farooq: Ph.D. Candidate in English presenting on “Af-Pak Frontier: The Production of Violence"
  • Bradley Winters: Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at NEOMED presenting on “Cellular Properties of Brainstem Sound Localization Circuits”
 
First Generation Graduate Student Affinity Group

The Division of Graduate Studies sponsors affinity groups for first generation graduate students to help graduate students who are first generation build a community with one another, share experiences and learn about available services and resources that could be coordinated to support these students.

First Generation Graduate Student Affinity Group Meeting Dates for Fall Semester 2021:

  • Friday, November 19 from 2–2:45 p.m.

If you are interested in joining, please contact Kyle Reynolds at kreynol3@kent.edu. Click here to join the Teams meetings.
 
Graduate Student Parents Affinity Group

The Division of Graduate Studies sponsors an affinity group for graduate students who are parents to help individuals who are both graduate students as well as parents to build a community together, share experiences and learn about available services and resources. We hope you will also join the Kent State Graduate Students with Families Facebook group to connect further.

Graduate Student Parent Affinity Group Meeting Dates for Fall Semester 2021:

  • Wednesday, November 17 from 10–10:45 a.m. 

If you are interested in joining, please contact Kyle Reynolds at kreynol3@kent.edu. Click here to join the Teams meetings.
 
Cross Cultural Coffee Talk

The Division of Graduate Studies, the Office of International Student Affairs and Graduate Student Senate brings graduate students, faculty and administrators together to discuss American Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and the international graduate student experience. 

If you are interested in attending on Monday, November 15 from 12-1:30 p.m., please complete this form. 

This program is part of International Education Week at Kent State University, the university's annual celebration, which will be held November 15-19. Find a full schedule of events.
 
Save the Date: 4th Annual Education Elevated Conference!

Please mark your calendars for the fourth annual Education Elevated Conference (e2) scheduled for Friday, March 18th, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This will be a virtual event with additional details coming soon.

This conference, for all Kent State faculty and interested staff, will focus on digital tools for student learning and your ability to leverage them to elevate your students’ educational experience.

A call for presentation proposals will be coming to you before the conclusion of this semester. We cannot wait to hear what you have been up to!

Looking forward to seeing you all in March!
 
Join QGrad for The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Join QGrad for the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Kent Stage in downtown Kent. If interested in attending this event on Friday, November 19 at 10:30 p.m., tickets can be purchased here.
 
 
Follow us on social!
Follow the Division of Graduate Studies’ social media accounts to stay up to date on Kent State events and opportunities as well as things going on in the local area. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @KentGradStudies.
 
GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCES
 
Career Planning Essentials and Research Fundamentals
The Division of Graduate Studies is dedicated to preparing you for your career. We are providing all graduate students the opportunity to earn a certificate in Career Planning Essentials and Research Fundamentals. Visit our library of research fundamental videos to learn more about grant writing, systematic reviews and software support. Check out our career planning videos to learn about topics such as interviews tips as well as creating a résumé and LinkedIn profile. Once you have watched at least three videos from either category, you can complete an assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the content.

Upon answering 80% of the assessment questions correctly, you will be awarded a certificate of completion that you may display on your résumé or CV. You can access the library of videos as well as the assessment on our website.
 
Graduate Writing Consultants
The Writing Commons is excited to announce the Graduate Student Consultation program! Trained Graduate Consultants are prepared to work with graduate students in any discipline over the course of their time in the program. These consultants can help writers in many different ways including: staying productive during the entire writing process, setting appropriate goals, developing revision and editing skills, offering feedback, developing research strategies, navigating documentation styles, understanding grammar and punctuation, and crafting convincing arguments. These consultants are capable of assisting with theses and dissertations, capstone projects, resumes and cover letters, presentations and research papers.

The graduate writing consultants can help graduate students at any stage of the writing process and are prepared to assist both non-native and native-English speakers. 

Each session will be about 45 minutes and limited to one per day. To schedule an appointment with a graduate consultation, please contact the Writing Commons at 330-672-1787 or writing@kent.edu.
 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
 
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services is offering several mental health workshops and webinars throughout the fall semester. Click here for more information and to register for groups, workshops and webinars.
  • Anxiety Toolbox Group – Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m.
  • Art of Coping – Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Empowering Students in Recovery – Tuesdays 5-7 p.m.
  • Sleep 101
    • Monday, Nov.15 from 2-3 p.m.
  • Self-Care: Build Your Own Stress Survival Kit – Thursday, November 18 from 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday December 1 from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., and Monday, December 6 from 3-4:30 p.m.
  • Mind Full or Mindful? – Thursday, December 2 3:30-5 p.m.
  • Letting Go of Perfectionism – Mondays at 4 p.m. until Dec. 6
 
Resources for Mental Health
We know that as a graduate student, managing your stress and juggling your responsibilities can feel overwhelming. That's why we have put together a comprehensive list of mental health resources that are available here at Kent State University. To view the list, click here.
 
Group Counseling
Counseling and Psychological Services offers group counseling services to all Kent State University students, free of charge. Group sessions focus on managing anxiety and stress as well as learning and incorporating useful skills like mindfulness, stress management and self-compassion into your everyday life.

If you're interested in participating in a group counseling session, please visit the website to fill out a one-time registration form. Days and times for fall semester sessions will be announced.
 
 
COVID-19 NEWS AND UPDATES
 
Stay Informed About COVID-19 Procedures
Stay up to date with Kent State University news, procedures, Flashes Safe Eight and updates regarding COVID-19 such as preventative measures, emergency funding, testing, vaccine distribution and more.
 
COVID-19 Testing Locations
Widespread COVID-19 testing is available to you as a graduate student, free of charge, at the Ice Arena, Eastway Lounge and the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MACC) third floor loge (10 am. – 4. p.m. every day). Testing will continue to be available at the DeWeese Health Center as well. Members of the Kent State community are encouraged to be tested often, especially if you are displaying any of the classic symptoms such as a fever, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. To schedule an appointment at the DeWeese Health Center, please call 330-672-2322. 
 
Visit the Division of Graduate Studies in Cartwright Hall (suite 145) to pick up a self-test kit free of charge. Test kits are also available at any of the following Kent Campus locations:
  • Henderson Hall, Room 216
  • Moulton Hall, Room 131
  • University Libraries first floor circulation desk
  • Kent Student Center information desk
  • Beverly J. Warren Student Wellness and Recreation Center welcome desk 
  • Center for Visual Arts, Room 240
  • Center for Performing Arts, Room B141
  • Bowman Hall, Room 105
  • White Hall, Room 408
Kent State’s regional campuses also offer self-test kits. To view a list of pick-up locations, visit Kent State’s Coronavirus Prevention page.
 
Kent State's Vaccine Requirement

Kent State University is implementing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exemptions for medical or religious/personal reasons. Guided by our Flashes Take Care of Flashes ethic and the desire to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all, this requirement will be phased throughout the fall semester to give everyone in our community the opportunity to get vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective tool to prevent serious illness, the best path out of the pandemic and will allow Kent State to continue to provide vibrant and valuable in-person learning, events and campus experiences.All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by December 20. If you have any questions, contact vaccine@kent.edu or 330-672-8227.

Remember to upload your vaccine information for the chance to win awards through the university’s incentive program. Vaccines are available weekdays on the Kent campus and at numerous other locations throughout the state.
 
Resources to Combat Food Insecurity
As a result of the pandemic, food insecurity has affected many people who are part of the Kent State community and the surrounding area. The following link contains information about available food resources in Kent.
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