Sailing to Success in Graduate School Spring 2012 Johnna W. Watson Associate Dean The Graduate School

AGENDA 1.Overview of UNC Charlotte 2.Role of a graduate student 3.Role of the Graduate School 4.Campus Resources 5.Communication

OVERVIEW OF UNC CHARLOTTE a.Graduate Programs “About Us” b.Graduate Students “About You”

About Us….. Seven colleges 19 doctoral programs 61 master’s programs Numerous graduate certificate programs Nearly 700 members of the Regular Graduate Faculty teach and mentor graduate students

About You….. Almost 5,000 graduate students! Approximately 1,200 are post-bac and certificate students Graduate students come from nearly every state in the union International students come from a variety of countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America The average age of a graduate student at UNC Charlotte is 31.8

ROLE OF A GRADUATE STUDENT a.Academics – learn the policies – Graduate Catalog b.Social – Get involved – student organizations c.Become an active member of the UNC Charlotte community

Succeeding Academically Attendance counts Participation Taking Notes Reading and preparation Autonomous learning Using Resources

Importance of Writing… Honing your writing - on-going Writing routines – write every day Seeking feedback – use the Writing Resource Center Writing is one of the most important skills successful graduate students develop

How is Graduate School different from undergraduate education? Many students work with graduate faculty to produce original research Coursework tends to be more specialized in one or two concentrated areas of study Students develop skills to help them in a particular occupational area (ex. Clinical Psychology or Business) Students may write a dissertation or thesis, produce a final project, and/or participate in an experiential opportunity off campus Students develop critical thinking and analytical skills

What is Graduate School? Graduate (post-baccalaureate) education is specialized and intended to develop an expertise in a particular academic area A centralized Graduate School is typically a unit within an institution that awards advanced degrees The advanced degrees generally offered include doctoral and master’s degrees as well as graduate certificates

ROLE OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL a.Who we are and our Mission b.Enrollment Management (admissions and retention) c.Academic Affairs (policies, forms/procedures, academic integrity, funding) d.Graduate Student Affairs (student life, professional development, ombudsman)

Our Mission The Graduate School’s role is to foster excellence in all dimensions of post baccalaureate studies and is the primary advocate for graduate education and for graduate students at the University. Graduate education functions to explore and advance the limits of knowledge and define the state of the art in an academic discipline. Our purpose is to serve society’s needs in specific technical and professional ways as well as the need for intellectual expansion. In accomplishing this mission, the Graduate School values integrity, collaboration, efficiency, innovation, and inclusiveness in all that it does.

Enrollment Management Graduate and Undergraduate International Admissions Recruitment (in-state, out-of-state, and abroad) Application and Admission (~10,000 files processed for admission each year) Retention

Academic Affairs Policies (Special Requests, Leaves, etc.) Graduation Clearance Funding (grants, loans, assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, external funding)

Student Development and Resources Core competencies (communication, leadership, teaching & instruction, personal & professional responsibility, and research & scholarship inquiry) Professional development – offered through the Center for Graduate Life (CGL) Graduate Life Fellows – answer questions – check the Grad Life website

Sample Professional Development OfferingsProfessional Development Expand Your Research: Meet Your Subject Librarian Toastmasters “Nutrition First” for Graduate Students Morning Yoga for Graduate Students Graduate Writing Group Individual Writing Consultations for Graduate Students The Mystery of Mindfulness Improving Your Library Research Skills Differentiate Yourself From the Competition: Win the Career Search! Becoming a Leader: More Than Another Skill in Your Toolbox

Center for Graduate Life Mission Center for Graduate Life (The CGL provides graduate students with centralized space dedicated to their needs. It will create a stronger graduate community by promoting shared experiences, discourse and activities designed to support interdisciplinary learning. The CGL’s unique environment will enhance the growing graduate community with professional development offerings, mentoring support, teaching assistant training and personal development programs.

CAMPUS RESOURCES a.Atkins LibraryAtkins Library b.Writing Resources CenterWriting Resources Center c.Center for Teaching and LearningCenter for Teaching and Learning d.University Career CenterUniversity Career Center e.Graduate and Professional Student Government Association [GPSG]Graduate and Professional Student Government Association [GPSG] f.Counseling CenterCounseling Center g.Student Health CenterStudent Health Center h.Dean of Students Office – medical withdrawalsDean of Students Office

COMMUNICATION a. GradWeekly b. Student Organizations c. The Graduate School d. Center for Graduate Life e. The Chancellor, Provost and Graduate Dean

Questions? Contact us at Good Luck!