The Graduate School Newsletter
Fall 2019
Welcome from the Dean of the Graduate School
To all of our new and returning graduate students, welcome to the 2019-2020 academic year! I hope you enjoy this issue of the Graduate School Newsletter. In this issue, you will find stories about notable alums and a number of updates on new opportunities/events geared toward YOU, our graduate students.
As always, you and your success are top priority here at The Graduate School, which begins with the communication that we disseminate weekly via social media and email, in addition to the newsletter’s comprehensive collection of events (planned through December). If you have not yet done so, be sure to follow the Graduate School on social media (links below).
In closing, I hope that your summer was rejuvenating, if not downright restful, and that your fall semester is off to a great start. Please do not hesitate to let our staff or me know how we can improve your time here at Hood. Thank you for choosing Hood College—your talent and creativity enrich our community!
Best wishes,
April M. Boulton, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School
It’s that time again—time to brag! We are always looking for stories about the wonderful accomplishments of our students—both current and alumni. To facilitate the collection of such good news, we have a handy online form for you to use, as often as you like. Whether you just presented at a conference or received an academic award or work promotion, we want to know about it! So what are you waiting for?
Welcome, Grad Students! It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the fall semester and to this amazing community. I hope we can create extraordinarily memories and experiences this semester.
As we settle into the new academic year, I want to introduce myself as the new GSA President. It is an honor and a privilege to be in this exciting role. This position gives me the opportunity to stay in a constant communication with you to learn more about your needs, interests, and the different ways to make the student life less stressful and more enjoyable. The GSA’s goal is to enrich the graduate student experience, so YOUR voice matters to us.
The Graduate Student Association is here to support, sustain and encourage you in this journey. We also hope to connect you with your peers through different events which will enrich your time at Hood. These events include networking, career events, social gatherings with other clubs, and many more.
None of this work is possible without you, so join us! You can always email us at GSA@hood.edu whether you have any suggestions of how we can help you improve your life at Hood, or to share any concerns you may have. I am a student too, and I am committed to listening to you to communicate your message to our administration. I will be around before evening graduate classes with coffee and snacks! Please come to say hello and share with me this time designed especially for you!
To learn more, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join and share our social media posts and help spread the word!
Laura Espinosa
President, Graduate Student Association (GSA)
Although we are all fortunate to be part of a welcoming, resource-rich campus like Hood, we know that a handful of students, especially those without a campus meal plan, struggle with food insecurity from time to time. There is a new campus initiative designed to support such students—both graduate and undergraduate. Dubbed “Hood Pantry,” this pilot program aims to provide modest food staples and hygiene items to students with temporary or long-term need via an anonymous system. If you are currently experiencing food insecurity, simply email our secure mailbox at hoodpantry@hood.edu, which Rev. O'Malley moderates, to receive additional information on requesting/receiving this support.
NEW: Hood is a Smoke-Free Campus
To support Hood College's Strategic Plan, Pillar III: Strengthening the Hood College Community, Objective 1 (6), and as part of continuing efforts to improve the health and well-being of the Hood College community, Hood College became a smoke-free and tobacco-free campus, as of August 1, 2019. This policy applies not only to smoking any substance, but also to the use of e-cigarettes and any form of tobacco anywhere on Hood’s campus.
Where to Get Assistance with Smoking Cessation:· MDQuit.org, info@mdquit.org 410-455-3628
· Frederick County Health Department, www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCHD/Tobacco Free 301-600-1755
· Frederick Memorial Hospital, Smoking Cessation Program:
What to Expect
If you're ready to quit, Frederick Memorial Hospital and Freedom From Smoking can offer you a step-by-step process to quit for good. It is a free 6 week, 6 session program. You will work through the quit process individually, while being supported in a small group setting. To learn more, contact Shanna Cline at 240-566-3622 or kickbutts@fmh.org.
Hood College will host its third annual student research conference in humanities. The conference, “Discovering Humanities at Hood,” is designed to highlight the exciting work of students in humanities-related programs. The all-day conference is set for September 14th in Whitaker.
Even if you’re not a student participant, all students are encouraged to attend and partake in this important exchange of ideas. For more information, contact, Dr. Corey Campion, director of the MA in Humanities program and co-organizer of the conference at 301-696-3227 or campion@hood.edu.
The Legacy of a Lifetime
Joyce Michaud has been an integral part of the ceramics community locally, nationally and internationally throughout her career as an artist and educator. As the founder and longtime director of the Hood College Graduate School’s ceramics program, she has continued to work with, train and send out students equipped for the world of art whether they are pursuing a teaching career or the difficult, but oh-so rewarding, life of a full-time artist and maker.
A team of core instructors including Ann Hobart and Phil Berneburg worked with Joyce and the graduate students to teach a diverse and full curriculum. In addition to these instructors, there was an ever-flowing stream of visiting artists and makers, a part of the program Joyce has always been committed to, bringing in artists from the U.S. and beyond. Learning from such a diverse mixture of artists continues to be a formative experience for art and ceramics students at Hood. She will be missed by colleagues and students, alike. Join us to celebrate her career (see below).
October 3: Cotton Cybersecurity Lecture
Janet Hobbs Cotton ’59 and her husband, John Cotton, have given the new cybersecurity master’s program a generous gift by establishing the Cotton Cyber Lecture Series, which will bring nationally and internationally recognized leaders in cybersecurity to campus to speak.
The upcoming lecture will be delivered by Melissa Hathaway, who is a leading expert in cyberspace policy and cybersecurity. She brings a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional perspective to strategic consulting and strategy formulation for public and private sector clients, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Ms. Hathaway's talk is open to the public and is entitled "Cybersecurity: A National Priority." Join us in Rosenstock Hall (Hodson Auditorium) from 7-8 PM.
International Student - OPT/CPT Workshop
LeOur Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and the dean of the Graduate School will explain the policy and procedure for securing curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT) on your F-1 visa in the Whitaker Campus Center 220 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. We will also have a staff member from the Career Center there to demonstrate how to use some of their search engines for locating such OPT/CPT opportunities. Please RSVP here.
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 03:00 PM
Hood College, Whitaker Center, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Hood's 9th Annual Food Day
Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable and sustainable food. This dinner and lecture event is free and open to the public. It is co‐sponsored by the Hood College Graduate School, Hood’s Environmental Action Team (HEAT), the Center for Global Studies and the HealthyU Committee. For more information, contact April Boulton, Ph.D. at 301-696-3619 or boulton@hood.edu.
Tuesday, Oct 8, 2019, 05:30 PM
Hood College, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Meet Alumnus Bradley Fields M.S.,'19
Bradley Fields M.S., ’19 has a passion for environmental conservation. He has worked in the biotech industry for 8 years and taught karate part-time while attending the Environmental Biology Master's program at Hood College in the evenings.
Brad’s Hood graduate degree prepared him to make the move from biotech to the environmental sector, and he recently started a job at the MD Dept. of Natural Resources (MD DNR). Read more about Brad’s success and advice here.
National Depression Screening Week
Wednesday, Oct 9, 2019, 05:00 PM
Hood College, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Admission Event
Do you love Hood? If so, please share our Instant Admission event with your colleagues and friends/family with a bachelor’s degree or higher. From humanities and ceramics to education, business and STEM programs, we have the degree to suit everyone! Although not part of the instant admission process, terminal doctoral, MFA and counseling degrees will also be at this event to share additional information, so encourage your network to register for this free event:
- The noon session
- The 4:30 PM session
Wednesday, Oct 30, 2019, 04:30 PM
Hood College, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Graduate Women Speed Mentoring Event
Join us for our second annual speed mentoring event for women in science. The Graduate School is co-sponsoring this year’s event on Nov 6th from 6-8 PM in partnership with our local chapter of Graduate Women in Science (GWIS). Attendees can explore new ways to grow your network and optimize your career savvy. In addition to speed mentoring sessions, keynote topics will include: “Optimizing your LinkedIn Profile,” “Salary Advocacy for Women” and “Interview Secrets.” Come prepared to have a great time, whether you plan to participate, mentor or just observe. Email gofurther@hood.edu for more information.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2019, 07:30 PM
Hood College, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
November 14: Admission Cafe
November 18-22
- Monday = Parade of Flags
- Tuesday = Diwali
- Wednesday = International Student Day
- Friday = International Festival
December 7-12: Grad Week
In the final weeks of the semester, we know that stress is at an all-time high. During this period, we have a tradition where Hood faculty/staff like to show their support! It’s called “Grad Week.” We will have a table set up in the lobby of all the major buildings before classes in the evening (and doctoral classes during lunch on Saturday). Stay tuned for more information as the semester draws to a close!
About The Graduate School
Email: gofurther@hood.edu
Website: www.hood.edu/graduate
Location: Hood College, Graduate School, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 696-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/hoodgradschool
Twitter: @hoodgradschool