University System of Maryland (USM) Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute – August 14-15, 2014

The University of Maryland, College Park  and PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP are sponsoring a system-wide Dissertation House for graduate students in STEM programs.  The writing and research retreat will take place at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve.   Lodging for 2 nights and meals are provided for student participants.   Twelve students from the USM system schools will be chosen to participate in this research and writing retreat.  http://www.thehotelarundel.com/

 2014 PROMISE SSI Dissertation House Schedule:

• 8/14  6-9 pm  Introduction to DH, Dinner Meeting
• 8/14 9-11  pm Work Session
• 8/15  9-6  pm DH Sessions, Work Session, Breakfast and Lunch
• 8/15 6-8 pm Dinner Meeting
• 8/15 9-11 pm Work Session

Eligibility for the SSI Dissertation House:

STEM Graduate Program, URM according to the NSF Definition for AGEP, U.S. Citizen

Per NSF.gov: AGEP is committed to the national goal of increasing the numbers of underrepresented minorities (URMs), including those with disabilities, entering and completing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate education and postdoctoral training to levels representative of the available pool. URMs include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

This event is part of the PROMISE Summer Success Institute. Following the Dissertation House sessions on Thursday and Friday, all participants will be required to continue participation in the PROMISE SSI on Saturday, August 16 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/promise_ssi_2014/

This morning, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale opened the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at UMBC with a story about her own dissertation process. She said that part of the motivation for her current passion as a “Dissertation Coach” is that the research content should be the challenge; the dissertation PROCESS should not be the challenge. The PROMISE Dissertation Houses help graduate students through the process. We do not write students’ dissertations, we do not edit students’ dissertations. We do provide coaching and advice, and we do eliminate the mystery behind the process of PhD completion. You still have to work with your advisor and your committee. You still have to work within the rules and regulations of your academic department. However, the Dissertation House can help you with interpreting some of those nuances that accompany the dissertation process.

We understand that everyone can’t join us in person, but we invite you to join us online:

https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summer-2014-challenge/

This morning, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale opened the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at UMBC with a story about her own dissertation process. She said that part of the motivation for her current passion as a “Dissertation Coach” is that the research content should be the challenge; the dissertation PROCESS should not be the challenge. The PROMISE Dissertation Houses help graduate students through the process. We do not write students’ dissertations, we do not edit students’ dissertations. We do provide coaching and advice, and we do eliminate the mystery behind the process of PhD completion. You still have to work with your advisor and your committee. You still have to work within the rules and regulations of your academic department. However, the Dissertation House can help you with interpreting some of those nuances that accompany the dissertation process.

We understand that everyone can’t join us in person, but we invite you to join us online:

http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summer-2014-challenge/

Students at the University of Maryland College Park, your chance to attend a Dissertation House is here!

The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills, learn how to set small manageable goals, and meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them from completing their degrees.

This is a Tuesday – Friday  (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment to focus on the doctoral dissertation. TheDissertation House activities focus on areas where students typically have difficulty: conceptualizing a topic, writing a literature review, transitioning from a proposal to a dissertation, analyzing data, writing the last chapter, and editing.

To apply to attend the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at College Park, submit a brief description (maximum 2 pages, font size 11-12 point, 1-inch margins) that describes the project that you wish to accomplish during the Dissertation House period. Please use the following guidelines: (i) Summary of the project, including research question(s), data or texts, and method; (ii)Amount completed on the project to date; and (iii) Any obstacles that you are encountering that hinder completion of the dissertation. Include the following header information with the description:

• Name / Address / Telephone numbers (home, office, and fax) / E-mail address
• Academic Program and Year in the program
• Expected date of doctoral degree completion

Dates/Location: July 15-18, 2014, Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park. Lunch and snacks will be provided daily.

Application Period: Thursday, May 22, 2014 – Thursday, June 19, 2014. Email applications to amperez@umd.edu   Please use the words “Dissertation House” in the subject line of your email.

Selection Process: Sixteen participants will be selected for participation in the Dissertation House. The following applicants will have priority: (i) Applicants who plan to finish the Ph.D. in 2014; (ii) Individuals who are working on dissertations and theses rather than a proposal; (iii) Applicants who submit earliest; and (iv) Individuals who appear most able to benefit from the services offered at the Dissertation House.

If your application is accepted, you will receive an acceptance notice via email and additional details about the Dissertation House.

_____________________________________________

 The Dissertation House at College Park is for graduate students of any discipline at the University of Maryland College Park. If you are a graduate student (in any discipline) at UMBC, please apply for the Dissertation House at UMBC: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/the-summer-dissertation-house-at-umbc-begins-in-july-applications-are-being-accepted-now/. Graduate students in STEM fields at other school within the USM will have an opportunity to participate in the Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute in August 2014.

Students at the University of Maryland College Park, your chance to attend a Dissertation House is here!

The on-campus setting provides Dissertation House participants with productive and rewarding scholastic engagement. Students who participate in this program will spend each day thinking, writing, and sharing ideas about their doctoral dissertations. Students will learn effective time-management skills, learn how to set small manageable goals, and meet with a dissertation coach in one-on-one consultations to discuss and address obstacles that might prevent them from completing their degrees.

This is a Tuesday – Friday  (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., non-residential) commitment to focus on the doctoral dissertation. TheDissertation House activities focus on areas where students typically have difficulty: conceptualizing a topic, writing a literature review, transitioning from a proposal to a dissertation, analyzing data, writing the last chapter, and editing.

To apply to attend the Summer 2014 Dissertation House at College Park, submit a brief description (maximum 2 pages, font size 11-12 point, 1-inch margins) that describes the project that you wish to accomplish during the Dissertation House period. Please use the following guidelines: (i) Summary of the project, including research question(s), data or texts, and method; (ii)Amount completed on the project to date; and (iii) Any obstacles that you are encountering that hinder completion of the dissertation. Include the following header information with the description:

• Name / Address / Telephone numbers (home, office, and fax) / E-mail address
• Academic Program and Year in the program
• Expected date of doctoral degree completion

Dates/Location: July 15-18, 2014, Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park. Lunch and snacks will be provided daily.

Application Period: Thursday, May 22, 2014 – Thursday, June 19, 2014. Email applications to amperez@umd.edu   Please use the words “Dissertation House” in the subject line of your email.

Selection Process: Sixteen participants will be selected for participation in the Dissertation House. The following applicants will have priority: (i) Applicants who plan to finish the Ph.D. in 2014; (ii) Individuals who are working on dissertations and theses rather than a proposal; (iii) Applicants who submit earliest; and (iv) Individuals who appear most able to benefit from the services offered at the Dissertation House.

If your application is accepted, you will receive an acceptance notice via email and additional details about the Dissertation House.

_____________________________________________

 The Dissertation House at College Park is for graduate students of any discipline at the University of Maryland College Park. If you are a graduate student (in any discipline) at UMBC, please apply for the Dissertation House at UMBC: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/the-summer-dissertation-house-at-umbc-begins-in-july-applications-are-being-accepted-now/. Graduate students in STEM fields at other school within the USM will have an opportunity to participate in the Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute in August 2014.

The Summer Dissertation House is coming to UMBC, July 8-11. Graduate students who plan to participate should follow the application procedures on the application webpage for the Dissertation House.

Open application period: Early bird May 12, 2014 – May 23, 2014. Late registration May 24, 2014 – May 31, 2014 (Applications received during the early bird period will have priority)

(Please note that there are only 15 to 18 slots for this event, consider applying early) 

Applications received after May 31, 2014 will be considered for the DH waiting list. More information about the Dissertation House: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/about/

• The Dissertation House runs from 9 AM – 5PM, for four days, Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11.
• Students must plan to attend the full session, for each of the 4 days. 
• Daily schedule includes 2 mini-lectures, and 5 hours of writing per day.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and a snack will be served daily.
• The July 8-11, 2014 Dissertation House is only available to UMBC’s graduate students.
• This version of the Dissertation House is open to all graduate students, in all disciplines.
• There are 15 to 18 spaces available for the Dissertation House. 
• Details regarding eligibility can be found on the application page of the website for the Dissertation House.
• Subscribe to the website: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Read about The Dissertation House in UMBC’s Alumni Magazine: Byrne, R.  (2011, Fall) “The Write Stuff”, UMBC Magazine. p. 12

Please login to MyUMBC, click “I can attend” here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/23911 , *AND* follow the 
application procedures on the main website for the Dissertation House: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

There will be another Dissertation House at College Park, for students at UMCP, in mid-July. In August, we will hold a consolidated, marathon version Dissertation House for STEM graduate students of the USM, during the PROMISE Summer Success Institute.

The Dissertation Houses are co-sponsored by PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation (an AGEP-T project), The Graduate School at UMBC, and The Graduate School at The University of Maryland College Park.

Photo credit: pixabay.com, “PublicDomainPictures”

The Summer Dissertation House is coming to UMBC, July 8-11. Graduate students who plan to participate should follow the application procedures on the application webpage for the Dissertation House.

Open application period: Early bird May 12, 2014 – May 23, 2014. Late registration May 24, 2014 – May 31, 2014 (Applications received during the early bird period will have priority)

(Please note that there are only 15 to 18 slots for this event, consider applying early) 

Applications received after May 31, 2014 will be considered for the DH waiting list. More information about the Dissertation House: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/about/

• The Dissertation House runs from 9 AM – 5PM, for four days, Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11.
• Students must plan to attend the full session, for each of the 4 days. 
• Daily schedule includes 2 mini-lectures, and 5 hours of writing per day.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and a snack will be served daily.
• The July 8-11, 2014 Dissertation House is only available to UMBC’s graduate students.
• This version of the Dissertation House is open to all graduate students, in all disciplines.
• There are 15 to 18 spaces available for the Dissertation House. 
• Details regarding eligibility can be found on the application page of the website for the Dissertation House.
• Subscribe to the website: http://www.thedissertationhouse.com

Read about The Dissertation House in UMBC’s Alumni Magazine: Byrne, R.  (2011, Fall) “The Write Stuff”, UMBC Magazine. p. 12

Please login to MyUMBC, click “I can attend” here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/23911 , *AND* follow the 
application procedures on the main website for the Dissertation House: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

There will be another Dissertation House at College Park, for students at UMCP, in mid-July. In August, we will hold a consolidated, marathon version Dissertation House for STEM graduate students of the USM, during the PROMISE Summer Success Institute.

The Dissertation Houses are co-sponsored by PROMISE AGEP: Maryland Transformation (an AGEP-T project), The Graduate School at UMBC, and The Graduate School at The University of Maryland College Park.

Photo credit: pixabay.com, “PublicDomainPictures”

The following message was posted as part of the Dissertation House’s blog within the “Winter 2014 Challenge” thread.  It is repeated here so that those who read the general blog, will receive the message as well. At the time of the original post, there were 112 messages. Now, there are 134. Good job “DHers!”

The Winter 2014 Challenge thread is here: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2014/. Feel free to join. The thread will be active until the end of June 2014.

————————————————————————-

January 23, 2014

Buenos tardes a todos!!/Good afternoon to everyone!!

Estoy en Ecuador y estoy muy feliz porque hay 112 mesajes aqui!/I am in Ecuador and am very happy because there are 112 messages here!

Congratulations to all of you on your persistence! What does your persistence mean? If you blogged in during the snow storm, you have already proven that you have what it takes. You have drive and determination. That is a large part of the battle. The Dissertation House exists to assist you with navigating the process and adding “knowledge of the process” to your enthusiasm.

My message for you today is simple:

1) Don’t stop until you’re done!
Dr. Carter-Veale, Dr. Cortes, and some of you have seen people in the DH who felt frustrated, tired, and upset, BUT … they finished. They defended, handed in their dissertations, and walked across the stage with the big robe and the thick bars on their arms. That will be you … soon.

2) Pay close attention to the tips that you will receive in the DH.
These are tried and tested methods. With a pure heart, I ask you to “just do it.”

3) As much as possible, stay in close contact with your advisor.
Your advisor needs to know that you are working.You also want to be sure that you are on the right page and that the expectations are in sync.

4) Utilize the community that is being established in the DH. It helps!
Working on the dissertation does not have to be a lonely, isolated process. You are now surrounded by a community of scholars with like minds and goals. There’s energy there. Feed on it. Use it. Bask in it!

5) Embrace the process.
This is the hard one. The process is difficult, but there are parts of the process that are worth the frustration. The dissertation process teaches you how to deal with long-term projects, how to deal with contrasting personalities (e.g., your committee), how to deal with rejection, and how to handle your own emotions. This is a maturation process. You may not know all of the answers, but you learn how to investigate solutions, and you learn to think through options. You may not like all of the people with whom you’re working, but you learn how to negotiate for what you need, and you learn to appreciate the strengths that people bring to the table, regardless of whether or not you care for them personally. You can still learn from “Painful People.” You can still learn from people, even when they aren’t providing information or assistance in a way that is amiable or projecting a feeling of giving. Take what they provide and find its worth. Above all, learn to appreciate the process of becoming more adept in your field.

Overall, I’m sorry that I’m not there in person for this session, but feel free to make an appointment with me to talk when I return to UMBC in February. Good luck to all of you! Congratulations on your hard work and keep it up. Those letters … “P,” “h,” and “D,” are dangling, hanging around, waiting for you to finish so that they can accompany your name!

Best regards,
Renetta Tull

————————————————————————————–

The Dissertation House is a program of PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale is the “Head Coach” for the Dissertation House.

The following message was posted as part of the Dissertation House’s blog within the “Winter 2014 Challenge” thread.  It is repeated here so that those who read the general blog, will receive the message as well. At the time of the original post, there were 112 messages. Now, there are 134. Good job “DHers!”

The Winter 2014 Challenge thread is here: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2014/. Feel free to join. The thread will be active until the end of June 2014.

————————————————————————-

January 23, 2014

Buenos tardes a todos!!/Good afternoon to everyone!!

Estoy en Ecuador y estoy muy feliz porque hay 112 mesajes aqui!/I am in Ecuador and am very happy because there are 112 messages here!

Congratulations to all of you on your persistence! What does your persistence mean? If you blogged in during the snow storm, you have already proven that you have what it takes. You have drive and determination. That is a large part of the battle. The Dissertation House exists to assist you with navigating the process and adding “knowledge of the process” to your enthusiasm.

My message for you today is simple:

1) Don’t stop until you’re done!
Dr. Carter-Veale, Dr. Cortes, and some of you have seen people in the DH who felt frustrated, tired, and upset, BUT … they finished. They defended, handed in their dissertations, and walked across the stage with the big robe and the thick bars on their arms. That will be you … soon.

2) Pay close attention to the tips that you will receive in the DH.
These are tried and tested methods. With a pure heart, I ask you to “just do it.”

3) As much as possible, stay in close contact with your advisor.
Your advisor needs to know that you are working.You also want to be sure that you are on the right page and that the expectations are in sync.

4) Utilize the community that is being established in the DH. It helps!
Working on the dissertation does not have to be a lonely, isolated process. You are now surrounded by a community of scholars with like minds and goals. There’s energy there. Feed on it. Use it. Bask in it!

5) Embrace the process.
This is the hard one. The process is difficult, but there are parts of the process that are worth the frustration. The dissertation process teaches you how to deal with long-term projects, how to deal with contrasting personalities (e.g., your committee), how to deal with rejection, and how to handle your own emotions. This is a maturation process. You may not know all of the answers, but you learn how to investigate solutions, and you learn to think through options. You may not like all of the people with whom you’re working, but you learn how to negotiate for what you need, and you learn to appreciate the strengths that people bring to the table, regardless of whether or not you care for them personally. You can still learn from “Painful People.” You can still learn from people, even when they aren’t providing information or assistance in a way that is amiable or projecting a feeling of giving. Take what they provide and find its worth. Above all, learn to appreciate the process of becoming more adept in your field.

Overall, I’m sorry that I’m not there in person for this session, but feel free to make an appointment with me to talk when I return to UMBC in February. Good luck to all of you! Congratulations on your hard work and keep it up. Those letters … “P,” “h,” and “D,” are dangling, hanging around, waiting for you to finish so that they can accompany your name!

Best regards,
Renetta Tull

————————————————————————————–

The Dissertation House is a program of PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale is the “Head Coach” for the Dissertation House.

It’s winter and it’s cold. It’s the PERFECT time for you to join us for the PROMISE AGEP’s Winter 2014 Dissertation House Online. Click here to join. In addition to hosting the Winter 2014 Online Challenge, PROMISE will host a residential version of the Dissertation House on UMBC’s campus from January 21 to January 24, 2014 for UMBC’s students who registered in advance. Stay tuned for the Summer Dissertation House in July 2014 which will be available to doctoral students in programs throughout the University System on Maryland.

Unlike the residential programs that take place on individual campuses, the Dissertation House Online is open to any graduate student, from any university … anywhere! Join us online today.