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Student Newsletter - October 2023

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

October 2023

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 October newsletter, we have the following topics:

Fall 2023 Reminders

Academic Policies

Please familiarize yourself with all CCAS and University policies. Students are responsible for adhering to all policies and procedures relevant to the pursuit of their graduate degree, including those published in the University Bulletin, the CCAS Bulletin, and in the CCAS Graduate Student Handbook.

Important Reminder About Official Transcripts

All new students who have not submitted official transcripts should do so before registration begins in November. A hold may be placed on your record and prevent you from registration if transcripts are not received. All transcripts should be sent to [email protected].

Transfer Credits

Transfer credit applies when you would like to transfer a course or courses from one program to another. All transfer credits must meet the eligibility requirements stated in our CCAS Graduate Student Handbook. Please read the instructions on the Graduate Student Transfer Credit Request form.

Fall Graduation Deadline

The deadline for students to apply for Fall 2023 graduation is November 15. All degree students who plan on completing their requirements in Fall need to apply through GWeb. Students must be registered in order to apply to graduate.

Add/Drop Period has Ended

The add/drop period has ended; please be sure to check your Fall 2023 registration in GWeb to ensure that you are registered in the correct number of credits and that you are accurately enrolled in all of your courses. If you believe you are not correctly registered or if you have any questions, please email [email protected].  

Current Address

Please ensure that the current mailing address the University has on file for you is correct. You can view the address and make changes in GWeb.

GWeb Changes 

Did you notice any changes in your GWeb layout? The GWeb student portal changed over the summer. The new interface makes information more easily accessible with the most commonly visited pages, such as “View my Transcript” or “Access DegreeMAP,” available with fewer clicks.

Chats with Chad

You’re invited to join us at our upcoming Chats with Chad Heap, CCAS Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. 

“Chats with Chad” are intended to provide an informal space for you to connect with Dean Heap and your fellow graduate students. These low-key events are a great chance to enjoy complimentary refreshments and conversation about life at GW both inside and outside the classroom. You’re welcome to drop by for as much of the scheduled time as you wish. 

Chats with Chad for doctoral students will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2-3 pm; and Thursday, November 30, 5:30-6:30 pm. There will be another Chat with Chad for master’s students will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 3:45-5 pm.

To ensure we don't exceed space limitations, we ask that you register for the Chats in advance. Doctoral students can register here for the 10/18 event, and master's students can register here for the 11/1 event. We expect to be able to accommodate everyone who registers, but if we're unable to do so, you'll have first priority for the next scheduled Chat. (Registration links for future Chats will be distributed as they become available.) 

The Next Step: A Webinar Series

The CCAS Office of Graduate Studies is hosting a series of webinar panels throughout the year to help you prepare for the next stage in your graduate studies and beyond. We’re excited to announce the details of our next two webinar sessions. We hope you’ll join us! 

Insider Perspectives on the PhD Application Process

Monday, October 16

12 pm-1 pm 

Are you considering applying to a PhD program? This webinar panel will offer the perspectives of CCAS faculty members on what it takes to assemble a successful PhD application. Learn tips on writing a strong statement of purpose, asking for letters of recommendation, and managing timelines. Bring any questions you may have for the interactive Q&A session. Whether you’re already working on your PhD applications or are just beginning to explore the possibility of doctoral study, this webinar will provide valuable insights into the process. 

Panelists will include Prof. Ingrid Creppell, Director of Graduate Studies, Political Science; Prof. Cynthia Dowd, Graduate Admissions Director, Chemistry; and Prof. David Silverman, Director of Graduate Studies, History.  The panel will be moderated by Prof. Chad Heap, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. 

Please register here. 

Academic CVs and Cover Letters

Thursday, November 16

4pm-5pm

Learn the essentials of crafting effective academic CVs and cover letters in this virtual panel hosted by the CCAS Office of Graduate Studies. In this informative session, CCAS faculty members will provide practical guidance on creating strong application materials for academic positions based on their own experiences serving on hiring committees. The panel will offer insights into the key elements of a compelling CV (including how to present your research, teaching, and service experience), and how to write a cover letter that appeals to hiring committees. The event will conclude with a Q&A session, offering you the chance to ask questions and receive personalized advice from our expert panelists. 

While all CCAS graduate students are welcome to attend this webinar, it will be especially useful for PhD students who plan to pursue academic careers. Panelists will include Ashwini Tambe, Professor of History and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Damien O'Halloran, Associate Professor of Biology; and Hiromi Ishizawa, Associate Professor of Sociology.  The panel will be moderated by Chad Heap, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

Please register here.

ETD Deadlines

PhD Students:

  • November 13 - Submit the Dissertation Examination Defense Form 
  • November 20 - Pre-clearance by CCAS - Completed in 2 steps:
    • DegreeMAP reflects all degree requirements completed except the dissertation and dissertation research courses
    • Attended an ETD dissertation formatting/publishing workshop
  • December 1 - Dissertation defense deadline
  • December 5 - ETD form due and submitted final, approved, post-defense, electronic dissertation to the ProQuest site
  • December 8 - Final, approved dissertation containing all post-defense revisions and required formatting is approved by University ETD administrator 

Master’s Students:

  • December 3 - Submit the ETD Access Approval Form and upload the final, approved thesis to the ProQuest site
  • December 8 at 5:00 pm - Submit all requested formatting revisions and receive the approval of the University ETD Administrator

CCAS Career Corner

Did you know that Career Services have a significant impact on students’ entry into the work world? Research suggests that students who utilize their university’s career center at least once have a higher chance of securing a job in their field in less than one year after graduation. That means, the knowledge and experience you gain at GW coupled with support from our Career Services team will make you some of the most employable and highly sought after professionals in the country.

So be sure to connect with one of our dedicated career counselors, who are available to provide one-to-one career advising, which includes resume and cover letter support, networking, interviewing, and many other areas. Log into Handshake to schedule a career advising session and to access other employment-related tools, events, employer connections, how-tos, and hundreds of job and internship postings.

More career services information is available on our Career Services website and the CCAS Current Graduate Student Events page. Feel free to email us at [email protected] with any general questions.

In addition, be sure to register for one of our Fall 2023 Career Readiness Workshops. Through these opportunities you can obtain tips on planning for your career while you're still a student, constructing an effective resume, constructing a powerful LinkedIn profile, interview strategies and more. To see a listing of all the training sessions and to register, please visit the "Current Graduate Student Event" page on the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website.

Our next session will be “Resume Madness” on Oct. 5 from 9am-5pm! This is an opportunity for you to make a 15-minute appointment with one of our career counselors, Johnette Ruffner-Ceaser, Ed.D. or Paul Binkley, Ed.D., to review your resume and cover letter. See more details below in the “Upcoming Student Events” section below.

Career Spotlight: Graduate Student Career Series

The Graduate Student Career Series is an initiative of the Career Services Council to provide all graduate students with access to career learning programs and workshops from industry specific to general career development topics. Through this collaborative effort, graduate students in all schools across GW have access to workshops that may have once been unavailable.

Below is a list of events to be held in October that CCAS Graduate students can attend.  Register in Handshake

  • Employer Briefing: LeaderFit (Nonprofit Executive Search Firm), hosted by TSPPPA, October 6, 12:00-12:45 p.m. 
  • Alumni Panel: GAO, OMB, CBO & CRS: Differences & Similarities (hosted by TSPPPA), October 23, 12:00-1:00 p.m. 

Upcoming Student Events

Please note the following October events. To view future events, please visit the Current Graduate Student Events page.

Funding/Employment Opportunities

Summer 2024 Paid Internship with the Federal Government

Deadline: November 24, 2023

Managed by the Partnership for Public Service, the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program helps bring diverse young talent to government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to work at a federal agency. The program is actively recruiting its summer 2024 cohort to join the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce as paid interns. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students from across disciplines are welcome to apply. The deadline to apply is November 24, 2023.

Federal Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) Open for Students with Disabilities

Student registration is open for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) 2024! The WRP is a recruitment program for students and recent graduates with disabilities to find internships and jobs in the federal government. Students and graduates with disabilities may visit the WRP website to take their first step towards opportunity for federal employment. All applicants must be eligible for the Schedule A Hiring Authority for persons with disabilities and must be a U.S. citizen. To register for the WRP, students will need to visit the WRP website (use Chrome or Firefox on a computer, not a mobile device). For more information, contact Caroline Morton at [email protected].

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Deadline: October 26, 2023

The purpose of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields and to partake of the American dream. Each award is for up to $25,000 in stipend support a year, as well as 50 percent of required tuition and fees, up to $20,000 per year, for one to two years.

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

Deadline: November 14 2023

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is a fully-funded overseas language and cultural immersion summer program (eight to ten weeks) for American undergraduate and graduate students. The program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. You must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this opportunity.

Languages:

  • No Prior Study Required: Azerbaijani; Bangla; Hindi; Indonesian; Persian; Punjabi; Swahili; Turkish; Urdu
  • One Year of Study Required: Arabic; Korean; Portuguese; Russian
  • Two Years of Study Required: Chinese; Japanese

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET)

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program offers young professionals the opportunity to work in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). Since 1987, more than 77,00 JET Program participants from 78 countries have lived and worked in cities, towns and villages throughout Japan. To learn more, come and speak to a JET Program representative at a virtual information session! The JET information session for George Washington University will be via Zoom on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 12:00 -1:00 PM. Please pre-register here.

Events and Programs around Campus

“Unearthing a Dark Legacy: Banking on Slavery”

Dr. Sharon Ann Murphy, History Professor and Department Chair from Providence College, examines the relationship between commercial banks and the development of the southern frontier during the first half of the 19th century. Click here to register for the October 11th event. 

Writing Center’s Long-Term Project (LTP) Program

The Long-Term Project (LTP) program enables you to partner with a single consultant for up to a full semester, so that you can have dedicated, sustained attention to a major writing project. You may enter the Program at any stage of the project: as you begin your research, as you begin drafting, or as you begin polishing a near-final draft. For more information, visit the Writing Center’s website.

Virtual Graduate Open House

Are you interested in another graduate program?  Perhaps a dual degree? If so, join us virtually Tuesday, Oct. 17 – Friday, Oct. 27! The CCAS Graduate Virtual Open House is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the other 90+ graduate programs and certificate programs within CCAS. Click here to view the complete schedule of events and register today. 

Everyday English: Practice Available Every Week

Practice your English conversation skills with native English speakers and GW students! Each week, Everyday English offers a virtual space for international students to practice their English skills in an informal setting. Discussion topics include U.S. culture, food, holidays, professional and non-academic English, and more. Students are encouraged to share about their native culture as well. All English levels are welcome. Questions about Everyday English, or interested in volunteering? Visit the Everyday English website or contact them at [email protected].

National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity

The George Washington University is an Institutional Member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD is an independent faculty development center dedicated to supporting academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers. By becoming an Institutional Member, all graduate students at The George Washington University have access to a variety of free resources. For more information and to activate your membership, click here.

Deloitte 2024 Cyber Threat Competition

Deloitte sponsors the Cyber Threat Competition as a fun and innovative way for students of all majors to test and showcase their knowledge and to grapple with the kinds of challenges that companies from all industries encounter every day. Cash prizes are awarded to the three top performing teams -- $2,000 per student for first place, $1,000 per student for second place, and $500 per student for third place. The Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory Cyber practice helps complex organizations more confidently leverage advanced technologies to achieve their strategic growth, innovation, and performance objectives through proactive management of the associated cyber risks. For more information, please visit the Cyber Threat Competition website, or sign up for an info session.
Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory Cyber Threat Competition—At a glance

Critical Conversations: Navigating Religious Diversity

Is this your first time encountering a new religion/belief system? Dealing with doubt? Having a crisis of faith? Join the Multicultural Student Service Center on October 10th at 5:30 PM. This program provides students with tools to navigate religious/worldview diversity on campus. Please register here.

GWU Student Association Vacancies

The Student Association Senate has a vacancy for a Graduate-at-Large Senator. The Senator will represent the GW Graduate community, in addition the students at the school they’re from. The Senate creates policies and addresses issues related to student life, education policy, financing for student organizations, and many other critical issues. It is a great opportunity to demonstrate leadership and connect with students across the wider GW community. We encourage all interested students to apply. The deadline for applications is October 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Apply here.

The Student Association has a vacancy for the Comptroller/Auditor General. The role and
responsibilities of the Comptroller/Auditor General is to: 

  • Investigate and report on the financial state of the SA for current and prior years, or the predicted financial state of the SA for future years and offer recommendations,
  • Draft and present a “findings report” to the SA Senate,
  • Appoint junior officers as deemed necessary,
  • Assess policies, review performance and recommend internal safeguards or policy changes,
  • Publish its studies and reports and maintain them via SA platforms,
  • Provide standards for internal controls, financial reporting, financial audits, and other types of SA audits.

It is a great opportunity to demonstrate leadership and connect with students across the wider GW community. We encourage all interested students to apply. The deadline for applications is October 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Here is the link to apply. 

Updated October 11, 2023 

Graduate Student Newsletter Archive

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