New Graduate Student Orientation Winter 2014 Getting the Most Out of Your Graduate Education Jeffrey Potteiger, PhD, FACSM Dean of Graduate Studies John Stevenson, PT, PhD Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

What is graduate education about?  The opportunity to acquire deeper knowledge and develop advanced skills expected of an entry-level professional  Deeper, richer, high impact learning experiences  Prepares you for professional certification and licensure  Improves your chances of starting a meaningful career related to your field of study

What is the value of a graduate education?

What can you expect of your graduate education at GVSU?

 Faculty are current in their discipline  Have broad and deep knowledge of their area(s) of scholarship  Are active in their professional organizations and societies  Share an ‘insider’s knowledge’ with their students What are student expectations of faculty?

 Faculty use instructional techniques that are age- and experience-appropriate for their students  Make use of ‘adult learner’ strategies and can facilitate deep learning  Give prompt and meaningful feedback that fosters professional development  Are judicious in their critical appraisal of student work What are student expectations of faculty?

 What other expectations do students have?  Faculty are…  Approachable  Understanding of a graduate student’s life outside of class  Others? What are student expectations of faculty?

 More initiative and self-directed learning  More professional behaviors (in and out of class)  Communication  Time management  Feedback  Responsibility  Collegiality/cooperation with your peers and faculty  Integrity and honest effort  Build on previous learning & experience What are faculty expectations of graduate students?

 Faculty mentorship… being mentored by a graduate faculty member makes the graduate program  Faculty role(s) as mentors…  Motivator … push/pull you to do your best  Constructive critic… provide you honest feedback that results in significant improvements  Experienced colleague… can offer experiential wisdom that is helpful  Friendly guide… can help you safely & effectively navigate a path  Establish/support long-term relationships What makes graduate education work?

 Read faculty bios for your degree program  Graduate program website & Student Handbook  Meet your program faculty at degree program orientations  Talk with existing students further through the program  Talk with your program director & faculty  Talk with program alumni  Other ways? How do you find a mentor?

 Lessons learned, From mentoring research…  *Engage with multiple mentors  *Mentoring relationships will change  *Effective mentoring relationships are organic  *Everyone needs a mentor(s)! What are some recommendations for success?

Enriching Your Success and Professional Development

 Support all aspects of Graduate Education  Enforce the Graduate Education Policies  Produce the Graduate Student Guidebook  Fund opportunities for graduate students  Graduate Assistantships (stipend + tuition remission)  Presidential Research Grants  Provide support for Graduate Student Association  Award Graduate Dean’s Citations for Excellence How can the Office of Graduate Studies help?

What are some tips for getting started?  Identify an advisor/mentor  Know the program requirements  Get involved  Establish a workable timeline to finish your degree requirements

Best Wishes for a Successful Graduate Education Experience at Grand Valley!