Oct/Nov 2021 Newsletter for Graduate & Professional Students

Vice Provost for Education
Newsletter for Graduate & Professional StudentsPhoto of woman (Karen Detlefsen) outside
October/November 2021 

Announcements from
Vice Provost for Education Karen Detlefsen, Ph.D.

As you might expect our campus has faced a lot of challenges this year. We have worked hard as a community to safely reopen our campus. We’ve required mask wearing indoors, and we've required every student, faculty and staff person to be vaccinated and to test for COVID. These decisions have not always been popular, but our COVID positivity rates on campus have been routinely under 1%. We couldn’t achieve this without the cooperation of our students, and I am very grateful for your vigilance, and for your efforts made on behalf of our community

Compliance with Testing and Vaccination Status
Please do remember to test once every two weeks. The deadline to test for the current two-week period is rapidly approaching, so if you have yet to comply, please complete your test by this coming Saturday, October 30th to ensure no interruptions to your academic progress. If you are concerned about missing a future test, please consider booking all your COVID tests for the semester right away; you'll receive an email reminder the day before.

Finally, if you have yet to comply with vaccination requirement, I urge you to do so quickly. Any student who remains noncompliant will have a registration hold on their spring registration, which can only be cleared by becoming compliant. Please visit the COVID vaccination site for information regarding vaccinations and how to upload your vaccination information into the Student Health Service portal. If you would like to speak with someone about the vaccination requirement, please feel free to contact a Wellness representative at covidresource@upenn.edu.

SEPTA Strike Contingency Plans
You may be aware that there is the possibility of SEPTA City Transit service disruption, which could begin as early as Monday, November 1. Penn will partner with Drexel, UPHS and CHOP to provide free extended transit services to all students.  A service disruption will also pose challenges for those involved with in-person teaching activities – including graduate student TAs -- who use SEPTA to come to campus or whose children may be in the Philadelphia School District. We are preparing supports for those involved with in-person teaching activities to help continue to offer in-person course meetings, and we will provide more information about those resources should SEPTA services be interrupted. You will find more details and updates on our Commuting Resources webpage, which also has more information about parking options. In addition, the LUCY Shuttle will continue normal operations, with free service for Penn students.

Election Day on November 2
Students are encouraged to participate in local elections on November 2. See the Penn Leads the Vote website for polling places, etc.

PhD Graduation Deadlines
The last day to sign up for fall 2021 graduation is November 15, and the last day to deposit your dissertation is December 6. In addition, your dissertation must follow the University’s formatting guidelines to be accepted. See the Graduate Degrees website for more information.

 

Highlighted Resources

Expanded Hours for Campus Study and Meeting Spaces
Starting October 18th, the Grad Center’s temporary space on Locust Walk and Fisher Fine Arts library have expanded hours. See additional study, meeting, and event spaces at gsc.upenn.edu/Fall2021/spaces.

Community Impact Fund
The Community Impact Fund provides small grants to support graduate student initiatives and activities that address racial, cultural, or gender-based bias. The goal of the fund is to help foster a community of mutual respect and intercultural understanding on campus, particularly among graduate and professional students. Learn more at gsc.upenn.edu/impact-fund.

 

Upcoming Events and Activities

Graduate Teaching Workshops
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers programs and services to help grad students improve their teaching at Penn and prepare to become faculty in the future.
Don't miss this upcoming session:

·         Nov 2 | Teaching Across Political and Ideological Divides

Publishing Workshops
The Grad Center and Penn Libraries are offering online workshops covering how, where, and why to share your research. Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events

  • Choosing a Publisher | Monday, November 8, 2:00-3:00 PM (ET)

Explore Open Access Panel Discussions
Join Penn Libraries and the Grad Center to hear from publishers, editors, and Penn scholars on their experiences with open access publishing. Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events

  • Make Waves and Open Doors: Penn Scholars Explore Open Access Publishing | Thursday, October 28, 10:00-11:00 AM (ET)

ICA Tour & Opus Siniestrus Performance
Friday, October 29, 5:30-6:30 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art | 118 S. 36th St
Join ICA for a tour of the fall exhibitions Ulysses Jenkins: Without Your Interpretation and OUTISDE IN: Na Kim - FFC on 6, 7, 8. The conversational tour will cover the overarching themes and contexts of the exhibitions through key works of art. After the tour, stay for the play Opus Siniestrus, equal parts absurd performance spectacle and acute social critique, directed by Ricardo A. Bracho. Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events

Maker Mondays
Mondays, 3:00-4:00 PM; College Hall G-06 Conference Room
Join the Grad Center for some crafting fun! Supplies will be provided or you can bring your own materials. Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events

  • November 1 | Fleece Blankets to Keep or Donate
  • November 8 | Air Dry Clay Pinch Pots
  • November 15 | Mandala Coloring
  • November 22 | DIY Glass Magnets 

Pop-Up Food Pantry
Friday, November 5, 4:00-6:00 PM &
Saturday, November 6, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
GAPSA and the Grad Center are sponsoring a pop-up food pantry for graduate and professional students who are experiencing food insecurity. Prepackaged bags of shelf staples and fresh essentials will be distributed at the Houston Hall 2nd Floor Lobby. Questions or interested in volunteering? Contact gapsa.ideal@gapsa.upenn.edu

Penn 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Research Communication Online Workshops
Looking to brush up on your research communication and presentation skills? Join us for these virtual Penn 3 Minute Thesis-inspired workshops! Cosponsored by Communication Within the Curriculum (CWiC) and the Grad Center. Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events.

  • Presentation Basics & Anxiety | Wednesday, November 10, 1:00-2:00 PM (ET)
  • Live vs. Virtual Presentations | Thursday, November 11, 11:00AM-12:00 PM (ET)
  • Powerpoint Presentation Basics | Friday, November 12, 1:00-2:00 PM (ET)
  • De-jargon Your Work | Monday, November 15, 10:00-11:00 AM (ET)
  • Pop Talks! | Wednesday, November 17, 1:00-2:00 PM (ET)

Fall Graduate Writers Rooms
Join the LGBT Center, Penn Women's Center, and Grad Center for our "Writers Rooms" this semester. We provide dedicated space, time, and snacks to help you focus on your writing. Register at gsc.upenn.edu/events

  • Wednesday, November 10, 3:00-7:00 PM | Penn Women's Center, 3643 Locust Walk
  • Wednesday, December 1, 3:00-7:00 PM | LGBT Center, 3709 Spruce St

Wellness Programs for Students at Student Counseling
Penn Wellness is hosting a series of upcoming wellness-related programs for students:

Greek Vase Pumpkin Painting
Friday, November 12, 2:00-3:30 PM
Penn Museum | 3260 South St.
Discover the process of producing ancient Greek pottery, and then channel your new favorite vase painter to create your own black- or red-figure pumpkin. This event will feature a mini-tour of the Penn Museum’s Greek Gallery followed by time to decorate a pumpkin – your creation is sure to add a sophisticated flair to any room or make a perfect centerpiece for a Friendsgiving celebration.

Space is limited! Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events. Cosponsored by the Penn Museum and the Grad Center

Graduate Student Writers Retreat
Friday, November 19, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
College Hall | G06
This one-day writing retreat will give graduate students time and space to devote solely to writing. Whether it’s for a dissertation chapter, journal entry, or grant proposal, join us for some structured writing time in a supportive setting. Space is limited! Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events

Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) Graduate & Professional Student Tours
Friday, November 19, 2:00-3:00 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art | 118 S. 36th St
Join fellow grad and professional students for a free, guided tour of the ICA on Penn’s Campus. Attendees will visit the ICA’s current exhibitions and learn more about viewing and talking about contemporary art. Space is limited! Learn more and register at gsc.upenn.edu/events.  Cosponsored by the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Grad Center

Tips for Success in Graduate & Professional School

5 Questions to Answer to Help You Communicate Your Research
Ask yourself who, what, where, why and how you want to communicate about your research.

Navigating Graduate School: It’s All About the Process
Learn how to best navigate academe’s hidden curriculum of implicit and unwritten expectations, values and rules.

Grad Students Making News

Three Penn Medicine students – Michaela Hitchner, Anitra Persaud, and Cecilia Zhou -- started a podcast to connect with FGLI students in medical field.

Perelman Medicine student Andrew Siaw-Asamoah has been awarded a grant from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to pursue pediatric oncology research alongside a mentor.

Youzi Xu, an Architecture student in the Weitzman School of Design, has been recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architecture with a 2021 student honor award for a design proposal to address water scarcity in Tianjin, China.

SAS PhD candidate in Sociology Mengyang (Zoe) Zhao won was awarded one of 10 Young Scholar Awards from the China Times Cultural Foundation. The Young Scholar Award is granted annually to doctoral candidates in North America whose dissertation research focuses on the study of Chinese cultures in the humanities and the social sciences.

SAS PhD candidate in Physics Ningfeng Zhu designed a camera to detect radiation left behind by the Big Bang.

Fellowships and Opportunities

Penn Graduate Leadership Awards
Nomination Deadline: November 1, 2021
Know a student graduating this December who has made a meaningful impact on graduate and professional student life at Penn? Nominate them for the President's & Provost's Honor for Developing New Initiatives in Graduate & Professional Student Life and/or the Dr. Andy Binns Award for Outstanding Service to Graduate and Professional Student Life!

American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Fellowship 
Deadline: November 1
Fellowships (up to $23,000) and grants (up to $5,000) to individuals to pursue research, study or creative arts projects in one or more Scandinavian country for up to one year. 

National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies Research Associateship Program (RAP) 
Deadline: November 1
Graduate and postdoctoral research opportunities in science and technology at sponsoring federal laboratories and affiliated institutions.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Fellowships and Grants 
Deadline: November 1
Supports women scholars who are completing dissertations, planning research leave from accredited institutions, or preparing research for publication. Funds research in a variety of disciplines that helps to improve communities. Eligibility: Women PhD candidates in all fields of study

SSRC International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF)
Deadline: November 2
9-12 months of support to graduate students in the humanities and humanistic social sciences who are enrolled in PhD programs in the US and conducting dissertation research on non-US topics.

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Program   
Deadline: November 5
Fellowships for women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or post-doctoral studies in the physical sciences, engineering and technology.

Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
Deadline November 15
Fellowships of $25,000 will be awarded for 12 months of full-time dissertation writing to encourage original and significant study of ethical or religious values in all fields of the humanities and social sciences, and particularly to help Ph.D. candidates in these fields complete their dissertation work in a timely manner. Eligibility: PhD candidates are who writing on topics where ethical or religious values are a central concern, and who expect to complete the dissertation between April 1 and August 31, 2022

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
Deadline: November 16
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) institutes provide fully-funded group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for 7-10 weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate, Master ’s and Ph.D. students. Countries may include: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, or others where the target languages are spoken. Apply in November for a fellowship the following summer.

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Fellowship
University nomination deadline: November 28
Provides full tuition plus a stipend of $18,000 for up to three years. U.S. citizens pursuing a graduate degree in any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences are eligible. The terms require that the Fellow conduct studies entirely within the USA and demonstrate financial need.

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships
Deadline: November 30
1-3 year fellowships awarded to applicants who will pursue a doctoral degree in, or closely related to, an area of DoD interest within one of their fifteen prioritized disciplines in science and engineering. Fellows receive full tuition & fees, a monthly stipend, and up to $1000 for medical insurance.

Alfa Fellowship Program 
Deadline: December 1
High-level professional development program for American and British citizens at leading Russian organizations in business, economics, journalism, law, and government. The program includes intensive Russian language training, seminar series, and extended professional experience. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, language training, program-related travel costs, housing and insurance.

Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity  
Deadline: December 15 
Supports seniors and graduate students in the physical sciences and related engineering fields, for 2-6 years. Awards include $20,000 stipend; tuition & fees; paid summer government internships & mentoring.    

DOD Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program
Deadline: December 1
The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines and conducting research relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense. Includes full tuition, annual stipend of up to $38K, and other benefits. Awardees are matched with a DoD research laboratory where they will be expected to serve as a summer intern and complete a period of post-graduation employment service as a civilian.

Ford Foundation Graduate Fellowships
Deadlines: December 9 (dissertation & postdoctoral); December 16 (predoctoral)
Predoctoral and dissertation awards to students who plan to pursue careers in teaching and research at the college or university level and demonstrate a commitment to using diversity to enrich the education of all students.

To see additional fellowships and award opportunities, visit CURF Resources for Graduate Students and Grad Center Grants and Fellowships webpages. For general information about graduate funding and need-based aid, please visit the Graduate Funding and Finances section of the Graduate Resource Guide.   

 

About the Vice Provost for Education

The Vice Provost for Education oversees undergraduate and graduate education at Penn, developing and implementing policies that promote academic excellence, innovative teaching and learning, and interdisciplinary knowledge across the University. The Vice Provost chairs the Council of Undergraduate Deans, the Council of Graduate Deans, the Council of Professional Master’s Degree Deans, the Graduate Council of the Faculties, and the Faculty Advisory Council for Access and Academic Support Initiatives.
 

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