Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean of the Graduate School, discussing about balancing work and life responsibilities at PROMISE AGEP’s 2015 Work-Life Balance seminar.

PROMISE AGEP will be hosting its annual “Work-Life Balance Workshop: A Talk with Dr. Robert Deluty.” Dr. Deluty has been a professor of psychology for 36 years and served as the director of the clinical psychology doctoral program for 18 years. In addition to being a professor, Dr. Deluty is the Associate Dean of the Graduate School and a prolific poet.  He has written 51 books of poetry, all of which are available at the campus bookstore. His most recent collection,Saved by Imagination and Humor, was published in late July.

Building upon the foundation of the Dissertation House, we continue to host workshops for students and postdocs who are working on other projects, e.g., grant proposals, publications, research portfolios, job applications. This week, by popular demand, we’re bringing “Writing for Publication” back via a series of “Writing Workshops” and we’re including two embedded afternoon seminars, by Dr. Kevin Omland. Here is the schedule.

• WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 & THURSDAY, JULY 7. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Writing for Publication Workshop: From July 6 to July 7, 9 am – 5 pm, –  Commons 331. For those working on publications, papers, applications, grants: Please join this writing space. We will provide the work space, breakfast, and lunch. RSVP: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40161 [This event will include a goal-setting session, tips for writing, mini-lectures, and time for writing.]

• WEDNESDAY, JULY 6. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Understanding Impact Factor: A mini lecture seminar held on July 6, 9:30 am to 12 pm, Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Kevin Omland, Professor of Biological Sciences, will be talking about how the publications are ranked. RSVP here:  http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40162 [Students who register for the July 6 & 7 “Writing Workshop, listed above, are automatically participants in this session.]

• THURSDAY, JULY 7. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Avoid the False Demon of Perfection: “Writing for Publication” seminar. It will be held on July 7, 1 pm to 3 pm, in the Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Kevin Omland, has more than 50 publications, that have been cited more than 3000 times. RSVP here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40163 [Students who register for the July 6 & 7 “Writing Workshop, listed above, are automatically participants in this session.]

Posting Goals and Blogging

Participants are asked to post their goals on this page, below (Name, School, Department, Goal for the two days). Those are attend the workshop are asked to post comments to share what they’ve learned. Please use the hashtags #WritingWorkshop, #ImpactFactor #PerfectionDemon in your posts. Thank you for joining us. If you are not able to join in person, you may join us virtually. Let us know who you are, and what you plan to accomplish over the next two days. (Feel free to take a look a the Dissertation House’s “Summer Challenge 2016” to see how this process works.)

Building upon the foundation of the Dissertation House, we continue to host workshops for students and postdocs who are working on other projects, e.g., grant proposals, publications, research portfolios, job applications. This week, by popular demand, we’re bringing “Writing for Publication” back via a series of “Writing Workshops” and we’re including two embedded afternoon seminars, by Dr. Kevin Omland. Here is the schedule.

• WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 & THURSDAY, JULY 7. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Writing for Publication Workshop: From July 6 to July 7, 9 am – 5 pm, –  Commons 331. For those working on publications, papers, applications, grants: Please join this writing space. We will provide the work space, breakfast, and lunch. RSVP: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40161 [This event will include a goal-setting session, tips for writing, mini-lectures, and time for writing.]

• WEDNESDAY, JULY 6. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Understanding Impact Factor: A mini lecture seminar held on July 6, 9:30 am to 12 pm, Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Kevin Omland, Professor of Biological Sciences, will be talking about how the publications are ranked. RSVP here:  http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40162 [Students who register for the July 6 & 7 “Writing Workshop, listed above, are automatically participants in this session.]

• THURSDAY, JULY 7. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Avoid the False Demon of Perfection: “Writing for Publication” seminar. It will be held on July 7, 1 pm to 3 pm, in the Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Kevin Omland, has more than 50 publications, that have been cited more than 3000 times. RSVP here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40163 [Students who register for the July 6 & 7 “Writing Workshop, listed above, are automatically participants in this session.]

Posting Goals and Blogging

Participants are asked to post their goals on this page, below (Name, School, Department, Goal for the two days). Those are attend the workshop are asked to post comments to share what they’ve learned. Please use the hashtags #WritingWorkshop, #ImpactFactor #PerfectionDemon in your posts. Thank you for joining us. If you are not able to join in person, you may join us virtually. Let us know who you are, and what you plan to accomplish over the next two days. (Feel free to take a look a the Dissertation House’s “Summer Challenge 2016” to see how this process works. If you are working on your dissertation, please use that page for your posting.)

We’re so pleased that the PROMISE Dissertation House sessions are so popular, and we are especially thankful to all of the people who have been involved and who have finished their dissertations as part of the DH! Since space is limited, and since we know that everyone has busy schedules, we maintain a Dissertation House online for those who can’t join us in person. All participants in the DH who are with us in person must blog daily while they are in the session, but we invite all and all who desire to join us to come into the “DH Online.” We’ll see you there! https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summer-2016-challenge/

We’re spending part of our holiday answering messages, and we’re looking forward to assisting you as you jump in to meet your writing goals!

The Dissertation House – Summer 2016 Challenge is open! Post! Let us know what you’re doing. Are you working on… https://t.co/y1F02ZIl1z

— PROMISE: MD’s AGEP (@PROMISE_AGEP) July 2, 2016

Working on dissertations? Join coach @drwcarter & me for our @PROMISE_AGEP Dissertation House #SummerChallenge https://t.co/Xj73eaZCsP

— Renetta G. Tull (@Renetta_Tull) July 2, 2016

Coaches: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale, Dr. Renetta G. Tull

Over the holiday weekend, the Dissertation House online opened, and we already have several students who have come over to join! The Dissertation House at UMBC which will house approximately 12-15 students in-person during the week with workshops, writing sessions, and meals, will also feature blogging activities. Since space is limited, we have invited others to join us online. This invitation extends to you. If you are working on your dissertation this summer, or if you SHOULD be working on your dissertation, we invite you to join us. Click here: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/summer-2016-challenge/

The Dissertation House – Summer 2016 Challenge is open! Post! Let us know what you’re doing. Are you working on… https://t.co/y1F02ZIl1z

— PROMISE: MD’s AGEP (@PROMISE_AGEP) July 2, 2016

Working on dissertations? Join coach @drwcarter & me for our @PROMISE_AGEP Dissertation House #SummerChallenge https://t.co/Xj73eaZCsP

— Renetta G. Tull (@Renetta_Tull) July 2, 2016

Coaches: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale, Dr. Renetta G. Tull

Summer Dissertation House Challenge Photo Credits: Paul J. Everett, “Hot Air Balloon Summer Heat Festival,” and DarlArthurS’ “Colorado Springs Hot Air Balloon Competition,” under Creative Commons attribution 2.0. The Summer 2016 Dissertation House is co-sponsored by The Graduate School at UMBC, and by PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP.

University System of Maryland (USM) Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute – August 18-19, 2016 (with activities on 8/20-8/21) – The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, Hanover, Maryland. 

UMBC and PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP are sponsoring the 2016 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 3 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/. This event is available to graduate students at any school within the University System of Maryland: http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/.

 2016 PROMISE SSI Dissertation House Schedule (subject to updates):

THURSDAY: 8/18

• 3:00 PM Hotel Check-in
•  4:00 PM Arrive in Dissertation House Room, 2nd Floor, Hotel, set up laptops.
•  5:00 PM Dissertation House Opening Session, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale (Dissertation Coach) 
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM:  Dinner Meeting
• 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Work Session #1

FRIDAY: 8/19

• 7:00 AM – 9 AM: Working Breakfast
• 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome
• 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM: Mini Lecture –  Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale
• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: “Writing Lab” Seminar  with Jocelyn Broadwick of the UMB Writing Center
• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Work Session #2
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Working Lunch
• 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Work Session #3
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Dinner Meeting
• 7:00 PM -11:00 PM Work Session #4

SATURDAY: 8/20

•  8:00 AM – 3:00 PM: PROMISE Summer Success Institute Program, includes #ThinkBigDiversity #PathwaysToThePrize breakout session for “Continuing Students.”
• 4:00 PM Career-Life Balance and networking options

SUNDAY: 8/21

• 9:00 AM Debrief Breakfast/Coffee session with Dr. Renetta Tull, PROMISE Director. Location: Bagels ‘n’ Grinds Cafe, across the street from the hotel (optional).
  

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Eligibility for the SSI Dissertation House:

1) Enrolled in a STEM graduate program (based on the NSF-supported fields per the NSFGRFP) at one of the schools within the University System of Maryland

2) Underrepresented 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 2016 PROMISE Summer Success Institute. Following the Dissertation House (DH) sessions on Thursday and Friday, all DH participants will be required to continue participation in the PROMISE SSI on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.

All 12 participants will check in on Thursday, and check out on Sunday.

If you do not fit the eligibility criteria for the USM PROMISE Dissertation House at the 2016 SSI, please join us for the “Summer Challenge 2016 Dissertation House ONLINE.” You will be able to blog daily, and work along with others who are attending the Dissertation House in-person. You can participate in the Summer Challenge 2016 Dissertation House ONLINE from any location in the world. The Dissertation House online does not have any space limits. Invite friends to join. This Dissertation House experience is open to students from all disciplines, all backgrounds, any school.

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TO APPLY for the in-person event at the hotel as part of the SSI: Follow the instructions outlined on the application page: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

Use the subject: “USM PROMISE 2016 Dissertation House” when you email your application to promisestaff@gmail.com

DEADLINE: Friday, July 24, 2016

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We welcome applicants from around the state to the USM 2016 PROMISE Dissertation House. As part of the PROMISE SSI Dissertation House structure, complimentary hotel lodging will be provided for DH participants. Students from western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, e.g., Frostburg University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Salisbury University, are particularly encouraged to participate. 

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Dissertation Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale

The UMBC Office of the Vice President for Research has issued a Call for Applications for the NEH 2017 Summer Stipends program as a Limited Submission Opportunity. UMBC may select two nominations to advance to full proposals to be submitted to the NEH by September 29, 2016. The deadline for internal nominations is July 15, 2016.

NEH Summer Stipends support individuals in advancing research that is of value to humanities scholars, general audiences, or both. Recipients usually produce articles, monographs, books, digital materials, archaeological site reports, translations, editions, or other scholarly resources. Though this is an NEH program, many faculty members in the arts and social sciences work on projects that the NEH might fund. 

Summer Stipends support projects at any stage of development. Outright awards of $6,000 will be given for two consecutive months of full-time research during summer 2017. 

Click here for more information on the NEH program.

Contact Rachel Brubaker, Assistant Director for Grants and Program Development, Dresher Center for assistance (lead time is essential).