Welcome to the March issue of Mizzou Grad & Postdoc News.
I hope you are celebrating Women’s History Month and honoring all those who identify as women who have made a difference in your life, including in your disciplines and fields of study. Remember to cite a woman! There is still time before month’s end to take advantage of some of the great programming in recognition of Women’s History. In addition, I point you to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, The Impact of COVID 19 on the Careers of Women in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The study suggests that the disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic may amplify already existing gender inequities for women scholars, including graduate students and postdocs—and likely extend beyond STEM disciplines.
I am excited that the Departments of Communication, Chemistry, and English are continuing their work related to the Association of American Universities (AAU) PhD Career Diversity Initiative. They are preparing their action plans to then implement during the next academic year to make diverse career pathways visible, viable, and valued. Their work is aligned with the goals of the Graduate School and complements many of our GradEssentials professional development events.
Finally, I want to draw your attention to an opinion piece recently published by Inside Higher Education about some of the unique challenges international graduate scholars face during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article was written by Osasu Osaze, a PhD student in the College of Engineering. I encourage you to read it. Osasu’s article is just one of many examples of the impact graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can make on public policy—as well as on the creation of new knowledge and creative works.
Stay informed and make your well-being a priority.
Until next month,
Jeni Hart, PhD
Dean of the Graduate School
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
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Vaccinations for Covid-19
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In a joint effort to simplify the vaccination process, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS), Boone Hospital Center and MU Health Care have partnered to combine their COVID vaccine surveys into one centralized survey for you to submit your interest in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Instead of only emailing people from its survey, MU Health Care will post scheduling links on its website when they become available.
This will now be the only survey used by Public Health & Human Services (PHHS) and local hospitals. Please note: Other local vaccinators may still have their own notification systems. If you already signed up through the PHHS/Boone Hospital survey or MU Health Care’s survey — great! There is no further action needed at this time.
Who is currently getting vaccinated?
At the time of newsletter publication, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is currently vaccinating those in Phase 1A, Phase 1B - Tier 1, Phase 1B - Tier 2, and Phase 1B - Tier 3. View the phases and tiers to see whether you are eligible.
Students with assistantships (i.e., GI, GTA, GRA, GLA, GF) who have student-facing educator responsibilities can be considered as postsecondary educators for the purposes of vaccination. Postsecondary educators fall in Phase 2 of the vaccination order.
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Free income tax preparation help is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Services are open now through April 14. MU Extension Website has information on what you will need, in addition to this list of VITA sites. Sites near campus include the Daniel Boone Regional Library and the Family Impact Center.
This year due to the pandemic, there is no site at the MU Office for Financial Success. In addition to the alternative sites, online tax preparation software is available free for students, faculty, and staff of the University of Missouri System.
International students should also check their February 5 emails and look for one from the MU HRS NRA Tax Office titled "Tax Return Assistance: Tax Year 2020."
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Where is my 1095-B (proof of insurance) document?
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Aetna, the health insurance company used by many MU students, including those with assistantships, issued the following statement:
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not assess a penalty on providers of minimum essential coverage for failing to furnish Form 1095-B to members for the 2020 tax year. Because the tax penalty for failing to meet the “individual mandate” has now been reduced by Congress to zero, the IRS indicated in its notice that “an individual does not need the information on Form 1095-B in order to compute his or her federal tax liability or file an income tax return with the Service.”
Therefore, instead of mailing the form, Aetna will post the form online in the “Message Center” under the “Letters and Communications” tab. Please note, students may still call customer service at 1-855-531-6837 for additional 1095-B questions.
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Reminder: All student domestic and international travel must be registered
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All student university-related domestic travel must be tracked in the Domestic Travel Registry. All MU graduate and undergraduate students traveling individually or in groups outside of Missouri and the adjoining metropolitan areas are required to register travel that is (1) partially or fully funded by MU, (2) related to an MU course or curriculum requirement, or (3) organized by an MU faculty or staff member within the scope of their MU employment.
Additionally, all student university-related international travel must be tracked in the International Travel Registry and submitted for review by the STAR Committee. This includes students traveling abroad to conduct research, attend conferences, participate in practicums or clinicals, or participate in non-credit service-learning or volunteer activities.
Contact globalhealthsafety@missouri.edu with any questions about the travel registries.
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Important Commencement Ceremony Information
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MU has announced that we will be holding in-person commencement ceremonies this spring. The Graduate School will be recognizing Spring and Summer 2021 degree recipients at our doctoral ceremony on May 7th and multiple ceremonies on May 8th. Due to several health and safety recommendations and requirements, please expect the following at this semester’s commencement ceremony:
- Students must confirm their attendance at their assigned ceremony by completing the Graduate School’s RSVP form. RSVP information will be shared at a later date. We are unable to accommodate requests to attend an alternate ceremony on May 8th.
- Tickets will be available for pick up at the Mizzou Store in the Student Center before the event. The Mizzou Store will have extended operating hours leading up to the ceremonies. Due to space limitations, each commencement participant will receive 6 tickets. Their guests will be seated together in a pod, in the arena.
- There will be no processional. Students will be pre-seated in socially distanced seating on the arena floor after checking in.
- Due to space limitations and health guidelines, we are unable to accommodate doctoral hooding or faculty participation on the arena floor.
Summer Doctoral degree recipients are invited to participate in the May commencement ceremony if their dissertation is successfully defended within the Spring semester. Summer graduates with a defense scheduled for dates between May 7th and May 14th hoping to participate in commencement must provide verification of the scheduled defense date. Instructions for relaying this information to our office will be included on the RSVP form.
If students or their families feel unsafe attending due to health concerns or if they are feeling unwell the day of the event, they should contact the Graduate School about participation in a future Fall or Spring ceremony.
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Microsoft Dissertation Grant
Microsoft is accepting applications to fund dissertation research up to $25,000 for projects related to one of these research areas: artificial intelligence, audio and acoustics, computer vision, graphics and multimedia, human-computer interaction, human language technologies, search, and information retrieval. Applications due March 22, 2021. Apply at the Microsoft Dissertation Grant website.
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Don Lavoie Fellowship
The Don Lavoie Fellowship is a competitive, renewable, and online fellowship program for advanced undergraduates, recent graduates considering graduate school, and early-stage graduate students from any discipline. Don Lavoie Fellows attend a series of online activities, including an online discussion portal and online reading discussion sessions led by various Hayek Program scholars who introduce them to key ideas in the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy as well as contemporary work in this tradition. It is a total award of up to $1,250 for the semester. The deadline to apply for the fall 2021 semester is April 15, 2021.
Questions? Email students@mercatus.gmu.edu or visit students.mercatus.org
MU Postdoctoral Research Grant
Applications are due by Tuesday, April 20, 2021, by 5:00 PM (Central).
Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship
Scholarships of $3,000 will be awarded to currently enrolled full-time women and minority graduate students in the second semester of their degree program. Must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Applications due April 30, 2021.
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Emergency Assistance for International Students
International Student and Scholar Services is accepting requests for awards from two funding sources available to international students facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IIE-Emergency Student Fund: COVID-19 Response - As a member of the IIE Network, MU may nominate five students for this award.
The MU International Student Emergency Fund - One-time $250 grants to international students with financial needs to cover living and personal expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To be eligible for either award, complete the request form by 5 PM Monday, March 22. If you have any questions, please contact David Currey, Director of International Student and Scholar Services.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research Awards
Funding for graduate students currently pursuing Ph.D. degrees in areas of physics, chemistry, material sciences, biology (non-medical), mathematics, engineering, computer or computational sciences, or specific areas of environmental sciences. Applications due May 5, 2021, at 5:00 PM ET.
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Congratulations Mizzou 18 Recipients!
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The Mizzou 18 award is dedicated to honoring 18 University of Missouri graduate and professional students in the last year of their degree eligibility.
Recipients are chosen for their world-class research, collaboration with faculty and staff, and their demonstrated leadership with undergraduate students. The honorees represent a variety of majors, activities, and organizations from across campus. Read more about Mizzou 18 on the Mizzou Alumni Association page.
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Bringing Science to You: Science on Wheels Goes Virtual
Science on Wheels reimagines events to engage Missourians while staying safe during the ongoing pandemic.
What does a scientist look like? Many people picture a person in a white lab coat looking into a microscope or someone pouring colored liquid into a beaker. Science on Wheels aims to change that. Science on Wheels focuses on introducing Missourians to local scientists through engaging presentations and casual discussion panels. The program is entirely run by graduate students at the University of Missouri. Continue reading here.
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Levi Stork,a graduate student at the University of Missouri, is pictured teaching a child how DNA extraction works with strawberries.
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Mizzou Biologist Receives Grant from the National Geographic Society
Dr. Johana Goyes Vallejos, a Preparing Future Faculty Postdoctoral Fellow in the Division of Biological Sciences, has been awarded a grant from the National Geographic Society to study the mating behavior of the smooth guardian frog in Borneo as a 2021 National Geographic Explorer. Learn more about Goyes Vallejos's study on the smooth guardian frog and its rare traits.
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Spring 2021 Professional Development Offerings for Graduate Students and Postdocs
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Quick Access: Grad School events calendar; gradESSENTIALS framework for professional development, programs, resources; Event Registration through the Gateway
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March (virtual)
20 Saturday Morning Writing Retreat
23 Nutrition: How to Eat Well on a Tight Budget
 April (virtual)
2 Public Engagement
5-9 Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week
5 Creating a Teaching Portfolio
6 Involvement & Leadership in Grad School
7 Promotion & Tenure: Understanding the Process
8 Interviewing 101
9 Careers Beyond Academia: Transferable Skills & Experiences
10 Saturday Morning Writing Retreat
14 MU Thompson Center Virtual Poster Session
16 Developing Your Professional Portfolio
21 Preparing Ph.D. Applications: A Workshop for Master's Students
28 Summer Strategic Planning: Create a Plan Now!
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CWP Graduate Student Member
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It's important to experience leadership opportunities during graduate school to learn the art of building relationships, how to handle and delegate responsibilities, listen and provide feedback, and have the flexibility to solve problems in an ever-changing work environment. The Campus Writing Program is adding a graduate student member to the advisory board to provide their own and their peers' unique perspectives on Writing Intensive courses at MU to influence WI classes for the future. Graduate students of all disciplines who have been involved with at least one WI course are eligible to apply. Complete the nomination form prior to April 15, 2021. See more information on the call for nominations.
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The Women’s Center is a family and child-friendly space that provides opportunities for learning, service, and support. The Women’s Center hosts many events throughout the year such as the Women’s Leadership Conference and offers resources for graduate student and postdoc parents including: a library with pregnancy, birthing, and parenting sections; brochures; and a family room.
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Contact:
MUWomensCenter@missouri.edu
573-882-6621
G108 MU Student Center (Located on the ground floor of the MU Student Center, below the Mizzou Store)
Columbia, MO 65211
Center Hours
Monday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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March - Upcoming Events
17 WGST Wednesday: Reconstructing the Art History Canon through WGST
18 Green Dot Overview
19 Final Girl Friday
19 Final Girl Friday: Nightmare on Elm Street
22 (All week) Women's Poetry Night
24 How to Help a Friend
24 Dear WC: Salary Negotiations
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The ITAP Early Feedback Program
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As mentioned last month, the ITAP early feedback program works with international TAs to review mid-semester evaluations from their classes, labs, and recitations. If you are an international TA, the results of these evaluations are for your benefit only and, therefore, will not be shared with your department faculty or staff. If you would like to gather formative feedback about your teaching, you can still take part by contacting itap@missouri.edu.
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Studio classes are focused on “hands-on” learning. They consist of short lectures featuring instructor demonstrations of tools, techniques, and procedures with the majority of class time dedicated for students to practice and use them to create/complete projects. In addition, studio classes feature critiques and exhibitions of student work.
Traditionally, these classes have been taught in Architecture, Textile and Apparel Management, and throughout the Visual Arts. But, these classes are becoming more popular in other departments as well. If your department offers studio classes, an ITAP Language level of 3 is required to be a GI. This allows you greater flexibility to find a GI position and allows you the opportunity to develop your teaching skills before reaching a level 4.
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Graduate/Professional Student Experience Survey - Results are in!
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The Graduate School would like to thank everyone who participated in our first annual Graduate/Professional Student Experience Survey. A total of 1,458 students participated for a response rate of 18.9%. To view the results, visit our Graduate Student Data page and scroll down to the “GPSE Survey” dashboard. Please direct any questions to Heather Hoffman at hoffmanh@missouri.edu.
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Inviting all graduate students and postdocs:
FRST Fridays @Noon Research Development Series
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Join us for the ResearchFRST Development Series “Data Management Plans 101” at noon, Friday, April 2, via Zoom. Kate Anderson and Steven Pryor from the MU Libraries will present. Data Management Plans (DMP) are required by many federal funding agencies. The workshop will provide an overview of data management topics, resources, tools, and strategies to consider when writing your DMP for grant proposals. Access the registration form through the Research Gateway.
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Tag us in your posts about publications, awards, grants, and other news, and we will share it with the MU community!
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The Virtual Academic Job Market
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March 17th, 2021 - 12:00 PM - Zoom
How does the application and interview process for academic faculty positions differ during a pandemic? What benefits might a virtual format offer to applicants and how can we use those to our advantage? Four current and former University of Missouri postdocs discuss their successful academic job search and hiring processes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The panelists will share their experiences, offer insight, and consider the pros and cons surrounding the remote interview process. Each of these postdocs obtained faculty jobs at four different institutions and bring diverse insight into the interviewing and hiring process. We will send the zoom link and information to your registration email the day before the event. Register HERE.
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Our next Zoom writing group sessions for postdocs are on March 22nd & April 5th from 1-4 PM. We are hosting these on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month. A Zoom link will be sent out to the Postdoc Listserv.
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MU Postdoctoral Orientation
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The MU Office of Postdoctoral Education invites postdocs new (or relatively new) to campus to attend Postdoctoral Orientation. Postdocs will be introduced to campus resources, postdoctoral policies and procedures, and employee benefits. The upcoming orientation is Monday, March 22, 10:00-11:30 am. Please register using the Postdoctoral Orientation form to reserve your spot and receive the Zoom link for the event.
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If you would like to be featured in one of our bi-monthly newsletters, please email Kim Jasmer at JasmerK@missouri.edu.
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Want to join MUPA as a board member?
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You can serve the MU Postdoc community while bolstering your CV. Email Kim Jasmer at JasmerK@missouri.edu for more information. View board position responsibilities here.
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