Student Newsletter - February 2024

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

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February 2024

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. You can schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person appointment with your Student Services Coordinator and our Career Counselors.

For our February newsletter, we have the following topics:

• Completing Your Degree in Spring 2024
• Upcoming Events
• 2024 Commencement Celebration Dates
• 2024 Commencement Student Speaker Competition
• Faculty Speaker and Graduate Mentor Award Nominations
• Spring 2024 ETD Deadlines
• Gelman Library Graduate Study Spaces
• Career Corner & Upcoming Career-Related Events
• Funding, Fellowships, Internships & Employment Opportunities
• Other University Events

 

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Completing Your Degree in Spring 2024

If you are completing your graduate certificate, Master's degree or Doctoral degree requirements in Spring 2024, you must apply to graduate for Spring 2024. If you have not already applied, you can do so through GWeb. Instructions can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website. If you wish to participate in commencement/celebration activities in May 2024, then you must apply no later than March 18, 2024. To ensure there are no delays or issues, we strongly recommend that you apply much earlier than the deadline. You may apply for graduation as soon as you are registered. 

If you are completing your degree requirements during the summer semester, but wish to participate in commencement/celebration activities in May 2024, then you must wait until Summer registration opens and apply for Summer 2024 graduation. Do not apply for Spring graduation if you do not intend to complete your degree requirements until the summer semester.  Doing so will cause delays with your graduation clearance process.
 

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Upcoming Events

Spring 2024 PhD ETD Workshop I

February 8, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Ph.D. students completing their dissertation in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 are strongly encouraged to attend this online Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) workshop. Our Student Services team members will review the ETD submission process and formatting requirements, as well as discuss procedures and deadlines pertinent to PhD graduation clearance. This workshop will only cover requirements specific to CCAS PhD students.

Valentine’s Day Cookies

February 14, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Celebrate Valentine's Day with the CCAS Graduate Student Services Team! Stop by Smith Hall 118 on February 14 to grab a free cookie and meet members of the Team!

Spring 2024 PhD ETD Copyright Workshop

February 15,  3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

When do you need permission to use the work of others or your own previous or future publications in your dissertation? This informative workshop hosted by the GW Libraries Scholarly Communications team will explain how copyright restrictions may affect your dissertation and the steps you must take to protect your work. Ph.D. students whose dissertations will include previously published works are strongly encouraged to attend this workshop. 

2024 3MT Competition

February 22nd, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition celebrates the existing research conducted by Ph.D. students. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. The winner of GW's 3MT competition will go on to compete in the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools' (NAGS) regional competition held later in Spring. 

The public is welcome to attend the 2024 GW 3MT competition on Thursday, February 22, from 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM in the Amphitheater in the University Student Center. You may also watch a livestream of the competition by visiting the GW Facebook page during the hours listed above.

Spring 2024 PhD ETD Workshop II

March 7, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Ph.D. students completing their dissertation in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 are strongly encouraged to attend this online Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) workshop. Our Student Services team members will review the ETD submission process and formatting requirements, as well as discuss procedures and deadlines pertinent to Ph.D. graduation clearance. This workshop will only cover requirements specific to CCAS PhD students. (This is a repeat session. If you attended the session on February 8, there is no need to attend this session.)

CCAS Research Showcase

April 16, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM

The 2024 CCAS Research Showcase will take place on April 16th, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM in the third floor ballrooms of the University Student Center. The CCAS Research Showcase is an opportunity for all graduate and undergraduate students in all CCAS programs to present their work to the broader CCAS community in a poster session. Everyone is encouraged, students, staff, and faculty alike, to come to the Research Showcase, interact with our early-career researchers, and learn more about the diverse and impactful work of our students and their research mentors. 

If you're interested in having your research featured in the Showcase, the deadline to submit your abstract is Noon on March 8, 2024.

To help students prepare for this year's CCAS Research Showcase, there will be a workshop on abstract and poster preparation across all disciplines on Friday, February 16th from 1:00 - 2:30 PM in the Teamsters Room on the seventh floor of the Gelman Library. Register in advance to attend this workshop.

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2024 Commencement Celebration Dates

Mark your calendars for the following CCAS and GW Commencement Week events:

Visit the 2024 Commencement Week Schedule page for more information on celebration locations and guests allowed per student. 

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2024 Commencement Student Speaker Competition

Members of the graduating Class of 2024 are invited to enter the Student Speaker Competition for the chance to address their classmates and other members of the GW community at the university-wide Commencement on the National Mall in May.

The Commencement student speaker will receive:

•  Four seats in the reserved seating section at Commencement on the National Mall
•  A photo with the Commencement speaker and members of the university’s leadership

Please visit the Student Speaker Competition web page for important details on how to enter. The deadline to submit materials is 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, February 21.

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Faculty Speaker and Graduate Mentor Award Nominations

We invite you to nominate a CCAS faculty member to speak at this year’s CCAS Master’s Celebration. If you are a master’s student and know a faculty member who you believe would be a compelling speaker, you may submit your recommendation. Please note that nominations for Faculty Speaker will only be accepted from master’s students.

We are also seeking nominations for the CCAS Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring. To recommend a CCAS faculty member who has been particularly helpful and supportive to graduate students, whether in a formal or informal capacity, please use the master’s-level mentor nomination form or the doctoral-level mentor nomination form.

Nominations for all three honors are due no later than Friday, February 23rd, 2024.  Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

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Spring 2024 ETD Deadlines

PhD Students:

Master’s Students:

 

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Gelman Library Graduate Student Study Spaces

The Graduate Student Study Room is a quiet study space on the fifth floor of Gelman Library, accessible via a tap of your GWorld card. Lockers are also available for rent in this space. A locker that you rent is yours for the entire semester, and the cost is $20/semester. 

The Global Resources Center on Gelman's seventh floor is a specialized library service point tailored to the needs of GW’s globally-focused academic programs. Outside of staffed hours, this space is open exclusively to graduate students and is accessible using your GWorld card. Learn more about available study spaces on the Gelman Learning Spaces page.

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Career Corner

Connect with the Career Services Team

CCAS graduate students have access to dedicated career coaches to help with resumes, cover letters, networking, interviewing, and many other areas. (Note: The Trachtenberg School and Data Science program have their own dedicated career counselors.) Erin Ahart and Dr. Ruffner-Ceaser are available to meet one-on-one, with options to meet in person or online. Schedule an appointment by selecting an available time slot in the online career management system Handshake. More information about CCAS Graduate Career Services can be found on our Career Services website and via email at [email protected].

2024 Career Readiness Workshops 

Interview With Ease

February 7 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM & February 8 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

CCAS Graduate Career Services is excited to offer two sessions of Interview With Ease during the Spring 2024 Career Readiness Workshop series! Gain essential tips and tricks that will take your interviewing skills to the next level, and more importantly, allow you to interview with ease and confidence.

In this virtual session, you will:

• Learn to answer commonly asked interview questions including “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” 

• Understand important differences in navigating virtual and in-person interviews.

• Gain helpful interview preparation strategies and resources.

CCAS Graduate Career Services staff will be available following the presentation to answer student questions.

Revolutionary Resume: Back to Basics

February 13 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (in-person)

Looking to rebuild your resume or start from scratch? Want to make sure you haven’t missed any formatting or content essentials? No matter your experience level, Revolutionary Resume: Back to Basics will ensure your resume meets the criteria necessary to submit to employers.

In this session, you will:

• Understand the characteristics of a U.S. resume, when you need one, and what to include.

• Learn formatting and bullet point Dos and Don’ts, plus how to beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

• Receive a 5-minute cover letter crash course. (Hint: When in doubt, submit a cover letter!)

CCAS Career Services staff will be available following the presentation to answer student questions.

Please note that space is limited for the in-person session of this workshop. If you would like to attend, we strongly recommend that you register for this event as soon as possible.

Revolutionary Resume: Next Level

February 28 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM & February 29 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Join us for Revolutionary Resume: Next Level. This transformative session will empower you to create a resume that not only opens doors, but leaves a lasting impression on prospective employers.

During this session you will:

• Unlock the secrets to crafting an irresistible resume. 

• Receive the secret sauce to capturing the attention of hiring managers.

• Learn to narrate your professional story in a way that not only excites hiring managers, but also showcases your unique strengths and accomplishments. 

CCAS Career Services staff will be available following the presentation to answer student questions.

Other Upcoming Career-Related Events

GW Call to Serve Careers: Civic, Public Service, and Social Impact Speed Networking

February 7 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | RSVP

Join the Nashman Center and the Career Center for an exciting opportunity to connect with potential employers in civic engagement and public service. Whether you are interested in securing an internship or exploring full-time positions, this event offers a unique chance to engage in 10-15 minute rotational conversations with 6-8 employers. Participating organizations include renowned names such as the Smithsonian Institution, Peace Corps, Partnership for Public Service, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, Go Foundation, City Teaching Alliance, and Literacy Lab. You can register for this event here.

Tetra Tech

February 27 | 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM | RSVP

Tetra Tech works with global commercial and government clients focused on water, environment, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and international development. They have jobs all around the globe (including hybrid and remote) in environmental services, project and program management, engineering and science.

To find information on more events, simply access the Events section of Handshake and search by date, employer, or other filters. 

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Funding and Employment Opportunities

Below are a number of great opportunities for funding, professional fellowships, internships, and employment. For information on other opportunities funded by CCAS, GW, and outside organizations that are available throughout the year, please visit the Funding Opportunities for Current Graduate Students page.

Dean's Dissertation Completion Fellowship

Deadline: February 6, 2024 by 5:00 PM

CCAS invites eligible Ph.D. candidates to apply for the Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship (DCF) for the 2024-2025 academic year. The DCF is intended to facilitate the completion of the Ph.D. by providing advanced Ph.D. students with a duty-free fellowship equivalent to the standard CCAS graduate assistant salary and stipend for one semester, as well as an award of required candidacy tuition for the period of the fellowship.

Receipt of the DCF increases by one the total number of funded semesters that the awardee should expect to receive as a Ph.D. student at GW, either from internal or external sources. Awardees may receive department, CCAS, and/or University funding for no more than one additional semester after receiving the DCF.

Additional information on eligibility and application materials can be found on the CCAS Funding Opportunities page under the “Special CCAS Ph.D. Funding Opportunities” heading. Please direct any questions about the application process to [email protected].

Paid Internship with National Academy of Social Insurance

Application deadlines:

• Rashi Fein Internship in Health Policy: Friday, February 9, 2024
• All other internships: Friday, March 8, 2024

Applications for the 2024 Internship Programs at the National Academy of Social Insurance are open. Graduate students, recent graduates, and qualified upper-division undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for this paid summer internships in public policy. 

Students interested in U.S. social insurance and related issues can consider one of the Academy’s nationally competitive internship programs: 

• John Burton Internship on Workers' Compensation Research and Policy
• Somers Research Internship on Long-Term Care and Aging
• Eileen Sweeney Graduate Internship in Disability Policy
• Rashi Fein Internship in Health Policy
• Congressman Pete Stark Health Policy Internship 
• Leeba Lessin Internship on Health and Medicare Policy

Find detailed program descriptions and candidate requirements in the Student Internship section of our website. Whether interns work at organizations in-person, according to the organization’s protocols, or virtually will be determined by official public health guidelines as they are issued in the spring of 2024. Final arrangements will be discussed with each student selected for the program.

Interested students can apply online.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Summer 2024 Internship with the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Deadline: February 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM

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 2024 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 2024 internships are due by 11:59 PM February 15, 2024.

George and May Shiers Memorial Fund Fellowship

Deadline: February 15, 2024

Basic Eligibility Requirements: Current GW graduate students enrolled in one of the following programs: Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration (TSPPPA), the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA), and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (History, Economics, Political Science or American Studies programs).

Award Type: Stipend awards of up to $5,000 can be utilized to support research and/or defray the cost of travel to seminars, archives and collections or events concerning any aspect of electronic media and telecommunications and associated technologies such as history, technical aspects including innovation and public policy developments.

Walter Green Fellowships

Deadline: February 15, 2024

Basic Eligibility Requirements: Current or prospective Master's students who intend a career in public service or government and work in a paid job or internship for at least 15 hours a week. Studying in CCAS, ESIA, GWSB (excluding Executive programs), CPS or GSEHD on the Foggy Bottom campus.

Award Type: Tuition award up to $6,000 for full-time study and up to $3,000 for part-time study.

D.C. Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship

Deadline: February 15, 2024

Basic Eligibility Requirements: Current or prospective Master's students in American Studies, History or Museum Studies. US Citizens only.

Award Type: Academic year tuition awards are up to $3,500 for part-time and up to $7,000 for full-time and are stackable. Semester-only awards will also be considered.

Phi Delta Gamma Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 15, 2024
Basic Eligibility Requirements: Current GW graduate students who have completed at least 9 credits in a graduate degree program based on the Foggy Bottom campus (Law, SMHS, and Milken students are not eligible). 

Award Type: Tuition award up to $2,000.

Scottish Rite Fellowships

Deadline: February 15, 2024

Basic Eligibility Requirements: Current or prospective GW graduate students with familial/personal affiliation with a U.S. Scottish Rite organization. US Citizens only. Studying in the Elliott School of International Affairs, the School of Business, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Graduate School of Education and Human Development, the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Professional Studies, or the Milken Institute School of Public Health on the Foggy Bottom campus.

Award Type: Tuition award up to 12 credits (for full-time students, preferred applicants) or 6 credits (or part-time students).

CDC Evaluation Fellowships Available for New Graduates

Deadline: February 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST

The CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the 2024 class (estimated start date August 11, 2024). 
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 20, 2024, 11:59 PM EST. 

Graduate Student Fellowships from George Mason University

Deadline: March 15, 2024. 

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University has a series of 3 fellowships available for 2024-2025. The deadlines for all three programs is March 15, 2024. 

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.

Math Matters Hiring: Join Us as Middle School Tutors for DCPS

Math Matters is seeking applications for tutors to serve students in DC Public Schools. They have various roles, from volunteer to paid positions, including options within the Federal Work-Study program. As a tutor, you can earn up to 3 credit hours through GWTeach and receive comprehensive training to excel in your role. Join us in making a positive impact on students' math education!

Apply today to foster meaningful relationships with DC middle school students and fellow tutors.

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

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Other University Events

Scientific Rigor - Exploring Grey Zones

February 13, 2:00 - 3:30 PM ET

Distinguished speaker Jun Panee, PhD, Associate Researcher, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii will engage attendees in acquiring understanding of scientific rigor in the context of research in different disciplines; understanding nuances and grey zones related to scientific rigor and research integrity; recognizing the need to balance scientific rigor with other principles inherent to responsible research.

Responsible Conduct of Research at Children’s National: "Balancing Act: Navigating the Limits to Confidentiality in Adolescent Research – Strategies for Ethical and Effective Practice"

February 15, 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET

Distinguished speakers: Melissa R. Dvorsky, PhD, Monika Goyal, MD, MSCE, and Natella Rakhmanina, MD, PhD, FAAP, FCP, AAHIVS, will engage the audience in the following:

• Identify key limitations to confidentiality in behavioral health research and strategies for navigating challenges in adolescent communication
• Describe ethical and legal dimensions relevant to adolescent sexual health research 
• Explore challenges and responses to privacy and confidentiality in HIV/AIDS adolescent research  

 

Updated February 12, 2024

Graduate Student Newsletter Archive