Student Newsletter - December 2022

Welcome to the CCAS Graduate Student Newsletter! Designed to keep you up to date with news and events, policies and processes, and all things for CCAS graduate students!

Graduate Student Newsletter Archive

December 2022

The Student Services Team is here to advise, guide, and provide you with resources to aid in your success, as well as help you navigate university policies and procedures. Our office is located in Smith 118, and we are open during normal business hours on Monday – Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. On Thursdays, we are open until 6:00 pm. You can schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person appointment with your Student Services Coordinator and Career Counselor.

Please be aware GW will be closed for the winter holiday on Monday, December 26, 2022 and will reopen Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

For our December newsletter we have the following topics:

Spring 2023 Registration

Spring 2023 class registration began November 10. Review the Schedule of Classes as you prepare for course registration. Important dates for Spring 2023 registration can be found on the Registrar’s website. We encourage you to follow the tips below for successful spring registration:

Work with your Director of Graduate Studies to identify potential spring courses that align with your academic plan.
If you would like to register for a course outside your department, you should seek approval from the respective department. Example: A non-Data Science student interested in completing a Data Science course must receive permission from the Data Science department.
Interested in a consortium course? Please be mindful of the January 20th registration deadline.
If you wish to take a leave of absence, please submit the leave of absence form.
Clear any holds, including transcript holds, that may prevent you from registering. To view your holds, log in to the GWeb Information System:
- Click on the “Student Record and Registration” folder
- Next, click on “Student Records Information Menu”
- Finally, click on “View Administrative Holds”
If you will complete your degree requirements in Spring 2023, then also apply to graduate in GWeb after you register.

When I can't register online, should I use the RTF-EZ or RTF-Classic?

Online registration through GWeb isn't permitted for some classes. When this occurs, there are two different types of Registration Transaction Forms (RTF) you can use to register for the course.

RTF-EZ

Closed courses (not to exceed classroom capacity)
Courses that require permission of instructor or department
Courses with Major/Level/Class/Degree Restrictions
Prerequisite waivers
Adding a course before the 4th week of class (2nd week in Summer)
Withdrawing from a course before the 10th week of semester (4th week in Summer)

You can submit the RTF-EZ in person at the Student Services Hub in the University Student Center or email it to [email protected].

RTF-Classic

Exemptions to academic policy
Time conflicts
Grade mode changes (credit/no-credit, audit)
Credit hour changes
Exceeding the maximum amount of credits hours permitted
Internship courses
Registration beyond the 4th week of semester (2nd week in Summer)

You must email the RTF-Classic to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval where we will forward it to the Registrar Office.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

If you wish to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) during Spring 2023, please review the LOA policy and discuss this option with your Director of Graduate Studies. If you choose to take a LOA, please complete a Leave of Absence Application Form (PDF) and submit it to [email protected].

Important Reminder About Official Transcripts

All new students who have not submitted official transcripts as required in their letter of admission should do so as soon as possible. These documents were due at the beginning of the Fall 2022 term. A hold has been placed on your record and it will prevent you from registering for Spring if all required transcripts are not received. The College’s Policy on official transcripts required as part of the admissions process is available on our Official Transcript Requirements page. We accept transcripts via mail, secure e-delivery, or in-person, provided the document(s) are still sealed in the original envelope from your institution.

Please plan ahead to deliver these documents before registration opens.

Paper Mail

If mailing your transcripts please send them to:

The George Washington University

Mail Service L101

CCAS Office of Graduate Studies

2025 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20052

Digital

We also accept transcripts sent via a secure e-scrip delivery service to [email protected]. An email from a school representative is not secure, and is not acceptable as official.

Hand Delivery

If you hand deliver your transcripts in their original unopened envelope(s), please deliver them to the CCAS Graduate Student Services office in Smith Hall 118.

Incomplete Grades Deadline

If you received an incomplete grade in Spring 2022, the deadline to submit the incomplete work is the end of the Fall 2022 semester. If you will need additional time to submit incomplete work, please work with your course instructor and Director of Graduate Studies to submit an updated Incomplete Contract to [email protected] no later than December 12. More information on Incomplete (I) Courses is also available in our Student Handbook.

ETD Deadlines

PhD Students:

December 5 - CCAS submission deadline for the final, approved, post-defense, electronic dissertation to the ProQuest site; ETD Access Approval Form due

December 9 - Final, approved dissertation containing all post-defense revisions and required formatting is approved by the University ETD Administrator

Master’s Students:

December 9 at 5:00 pm - Submit all requested formatting revisions and receive the approval of the Library ETD Administrator

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

The enrollment deadline for the Spring 2023 Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is February 1, 2023. For information refer to the GW University Health Plan website or the GW Colonial Health Center SHIP website. For specific benefits or claims questions, contact Aetna Student Health at 877/480-4161. For all other questions or concerns, email [email protected].

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

The George Washington University invites nominations for 2023 induction into the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society. Named for the first African American to earn a doctorate from a U.S. university (Yale, Physics, 1876), the society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.

The Bouchet Society seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, access, and equity in the academy.

Detailed descriptions of the required application materials and submission process can be found on the CCAS Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society page. The nomination deadline is December 12, 2022 at 5:00 PM.

2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

The CCAS Office of Graduate Studies is excited to announce that we will be hosting the 5th Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition on February 22, 2023, co-sponsored with the School of Engineering and Applied Science! Registration is open through December 16, 2022.

Career Corner

All CCAS graduate students have access to dedicated career counselors to help with resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, and many other areas. (Note: The Trachtenberg School and Data Sciences program have their own dedicated career counselors.) Paul Binkley is now available to meet one-on-one by scheduling a time in Handshake. More information on the services available to CCAS graduate students can be found on our Career Services website and via email at [email protected].

Career Spotlight: Career Development During the Holidays

Did you know that along with being a time to rest, recover, and see friends and family, the holidays are also a good time for career development? As you make plans for the upcoming holidays, think about including time to research connections and companies, alumni, and other professionals. Consider these other suggestions for the holidays from an article in Forbes as well:

Take time to update your professional brand and online presence with what you’ve accomplished since beginning your graduate program
Use holiday social gatherings to invest in your personal network
Make new contacts by volunteering, or give back to others by writing recommendations on LinkedIn
Take time to write out your career goals and list activities that will help you accomplish them

January 2023 In-Person Employer Briefings

The CCAS Career Director is collaborating with other GW Career Centers to organize opportunities for graduate students to attend in-person employer briefings at the beginning of the spring semester. Hear from HR and employees about their work, organizational culture and employment opportunities! Students can register for any/all briefings depending on their interests and availability. Stay tuned for more dates/employers. Registration for these opportunities to meet with employers directly is limited.

January 12: FHI 360, 10-11am, 1825 Connecticut Ave, NW

FHI 360 is a NGO serving 60+ countries and in the US in the areas of civil society, economic development, education, environment, gender, health, nutrition, research, technology and youth. Registration on Handshake is required..

January 12: Partnership for Public Service, 12-1pm, 600 14th St, NW

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan nonprofit building better government and a stronger democracy. For more information and to register (required) visit Handshake.

Look for more employer site visits throughout the Spring term here and on Handshake with organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Professional Headshots Now Available at the Center for Career Services

All students can now get professional-quality headshots with the new professional headshot booth located in the Center for Career Services on the fifth floor of the University Student Center. A professional headshot is a window into your personal brand. It is often your first impression when featured on your social media profile and is a must-have on sites like LinkedIn. A professional headshot allows you to portray the professional version of yourself to prospective employers and can help you to stand out from other job seekers. For more information and to schedule an appointment to take your professional headshot, visit the Career Services Professional Headshot Booth page.

Funding/Employment Opportunities

Education Pioneers Summer 2023 Fellowship

The EP Summer Fellowship is a 10-week summer experience that previews the impact you can make in the education sector and lays the foundation you need to become a lifelong leader. The Summer Fellowship connects Fellows with a high-impact placement opportunity at a leading education organization, where you can drive critical work on a defined project over 10 consecutive weeks. You’re matched with a placement opportunity based on your history of experience and the skills our Partner organizations need – so you can jump right in and make an immediate impact. We focus on four priority experience areas: data and analysis, operations, strategy and planning, and program and project management. Preview what full-time work in the education sector can look like—and see the role you could play throughout your career. The 10-week summer placement offers a stipend of $7,200 (before applicable taxes and other withholdings).

In 2023, EP will be placing Fellows in Chicago, IL, San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC, Dallas, TX, and Houston, TX. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, December 20. To learn more, visit the EP Fellowship website.

Montgomery County Council's Summer Fellowship

This fellowship provides students a ten-week paid local government experience working directly with elected officials and senior management. Fellows will also conduct an independent research report and present it to the Council. Graduate students in the following fields are invited to apply: public policy (all applicable specializations included), public administration, planning, public health, law, or related subjects. More information can be found on the Montgomery County website. Deadline to apply is December 18, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation Dissertation Completion Fellowship

The FINRA Fellowship provides an award of up to $40,000. Applicants must have completed their doctoral coursework and be in the final year of writing their dissertation focused on topics such as financial capability, investor protection, access to financial services and the capital markets, fintech services, or understanding the systemic barriers to financial inclusion. Graduate study may be in any academic discipline. The deadline to apply is December 16, 2022.

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES) 2023 Fellowship

The GSA Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES) is accepting applications for the 2023 Fellowship. All fellowship positions will be remote and location flexible within the United States. Fellows will serve at least a one year term, with availability to serve additional years preferred.

OES is a team of interdisciplinary experts that works across the federal government to help agencies build and use evidence. OES partners with federal agencies to answer priority questions with rigorous evaluation methods and administrative data. OES designs and conducts impact evaluations of programs and evidence-based program changes. To date, OES has completed nearly 100 impact evaluations with dozens of agency partners. OES evaluations, in collaboration with agency partners, span areas such as increasing environmental protection, supporting equitable delivery of the American Rescue Plan, improving public health outcomes, and increasing educational opportunity. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, January 11, 2023. For more information on the fellowship and the upcoming information sessions, visit the OES website or send an email to [email protected].

Kleiner Perkins Fellows Application Now Open for Those Interested in Working for a Growing Start-Up

Kleiner Perkins has been at the center of innovation – investing in and building companies like Google, Amazon, Square, Twitter, Uber, Genentech, and many more. An important part of building iconic companies is attracting young talent. That’s why Kleiner Perkins started the KP Fellows program which is in its 11th year and boasts 800+ alumni, which include Figma's CEO Dylan Field, and Duolingo's Chief Product Officer Jorge Mazal. Each year, the program places top technical students out of a 3,000+ strong applicant pool into 50+ companies including Figma Rippling, Plaid, Watershed, and more.

The KP Fellows Program offers:

Experience at a growing startup
Mentorship from CEOs and VC Partners
Support for entrepreneurial endeavors
Community of up and coming 800+ tech leaders

For more information, go to the KP Fellows website. Applications are now open until January 9th, 2023 on the Fellowship application website.

Social Science Research Council Just Tech Fellowship

The Social Science Research Council is seeking applicants for its Just Tech Fellowship. The fellowship supports and mobilizes diverse and cross-sector cohorts of researchers and practitioners to imagine and create more just, equitable, and representative technological futures. Fellows will identify and challenge injustices emerging from new technologies, and identify solutions that advance social, political, and economic rights. Fellows receive two-year awards of $100,000 per year, robust supplementary funding packages to subsidize additional expenses, and seed funding to work on collaborative projects with other Just Tech Fellows. The fellowship will provide the space and time necessary for deep reflection, as well as an engaged community and opportunities to facilitate ambitious co-creation. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Boren Fellowship

Boren Fellowships are available to graduate students of all language proficiency levels who are committed to enhancing their skills as related to critical languages. The fellowships fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. The deadline to apply is January 25, 2023, at 5 p.m. EST. Contact GW’s Campus Representative Dr. Kristin Luck for more information and support throughout the application process.

Summer 2023 Internship with the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Applications for the Robert F. Smith Internship Program are now available on the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s website. This paid ($850 per week) internship for Summer 2023 provides guided learning experiences consisting of hands-on training, mentoring, attendance at educational events, and cultivation of contacts for the next generation of researchers, scholars, curators, and other museum, library, preservation, and heritage professionals – individuals who will assume the mantle of identifying, documenting, curating, and digitizing treasured artifacts that reflect African American history and culture.

Applications for 2023 internships are due by 11:59 p.m. February 15, 2023.

Register online for an informational webinar December 19, 2022 at 1 p.m. EST. The webinar will provide an overview of the internship program and step-by-step application instructions. A recording of the webinar will be posted online.

CDC Evaluation Fellowships Available for New Graduates

The CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2023 class (estimated start date August 14, 2023). The Program Performance and Evaluation Office (PPEO) manages the Fellowship under the leadership of CDC’s Chief Evaluation Officer (Dan Kidder). Fellows are master’s- or doctoral-level professionals with applied evaluation experience. The Fellowship is intended to be a two-year program, with the second year being contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Fellows are placed in host programs across the agency working on program evaluation activities. The Evaluation Fellowship offers a unique training opportunity with clear expectations and supportive resources, including professional development funds provided by the host program. In this experiential learning model, Fellows learn evaluation skills working in their host program while helping their host program build, expand, and/or improve their evaluation activities.

Fellows are hired under Title 42 training appointments and receive significant financial support for professional development and CDC employee benefits (e.g., medical insurance, sick and vacation leave). Please visit the CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program website for more information about eligibility, the program, and the application process.

The application deadline is February 21, 2023, 11:59 pm EST.

Graduate Student Fellowships from George Mason University

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has a series of 3 fellowships available for 2023-2024. The deadlines for all three programs is March 15, 2023.

Adam Smith Fellowship: A one-year fellowship program for doctoral students from any university and discipline including economics, philosophy, political science, political economy, or sociology.

Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship: A one-year fellowship program for graduate students from any university and discipline attending master’s, juris doctoral, and doctoral programs in a variety of fields including economics, law, political science, and public policy.

Oskar Morgenstern Fellowship: A one-year program for doctoral students from any university and discipline with training in quantitative methods in a variety of fields including economics, political science, or sociology.

Updated December 7, 2022