Student's Reflection of AGEP GLASS Workshop:

Nikole D. Miller-
Dept. of Linguistics

Attending the “Surviving your first years as an assistant professor” Workshop, held at Ohio State, was a memorable experience for me. I was able to get a better idea of what responsibilities, duties, and challenges lay ahead for the assistant professor on the tenure-track. The three most important pieces of information that I took away from this workshop are: (1) the difference between quick starters and typical new faculty is about behavior, not ability (2) the importance of having a mentor and a sponsor, and (3) everything is negotiable for your academic position.
1. The difference between quick starters and typical new faculty is about behavior, not ability.
What I learned from one of the sessions is that the only difference between those that seem to excel in their profession and those that seem to struggle is behavior. Quick starters tend to prioritize their time so that they’re able to devote more time to research and scholarly writing and less time on teaching. Quick starters also regularly talk to mentors and colleagues about their research and teaching in order to get advice and feedback on their projects.
2. The importance of having a mentor and a sponsor.
This was a message that was repeated in at least three of the five sessions at the workshop. Every speaker stressed the need for seeking some guidance to make it through the process. Most importantly, each speaker advised to not wait for there to be a problem to seek help. For a mentor, you should look for someone that you can talk to about your needs and concerns and they will advise you on what steps might be best for your situation. A sponsor is someone who is willing to use their influence behind closed doors to help you.
3. Everything is negotiable for your academic position.
One of the speakers advised to negotiate about everything in terms of your position. This means considering what your needs will be during your time at the university. Some of the things mentioned for negotiating included asking if you would have to teach during the summers, if you could have course reductions during your first year or two, if you can get a start-up research package in order to bring up and maintain your lab for the first few years, and if the university will cover moving and travel costs.

Student's Reflection of Post Doc. Boot Camp:

Antiño R. Allen, Ph.D.-


I attended the UCSF-AGEP Post doc Boot Camp in September 2008. The information I received during the two day event was very helpful. We discussed issues ranging from the different types of postdocs that exist to negotiating a post doc salary. The most informative section for me focused on communicating clearly with potential mentors and how to evaluate a potential postdoctoral position. Some of the postdocs in the discussion groups placed paramount importance on the prestige of the principal investigator while others emphasized mentoring ability. I had a wonderful experience interacting the faculty and program director. In addition, I was extremely impressed with the training provided for the postdoctoral scholars UCSF. I am currently a ISIS postdoctoral scholar working under mentor Dr. John Fike at UCSF’s Brain and Spinal Injury Center (Department of Neurological Surgery). My research focuses on evaluating the effects of combined irradiation and traumatic brain injury Neurogenesis and Cognitive Function. In addition, I am examining whether the adverse effects of radiation combined injury can be reduced using an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis.

Surviving Your first Years as an Assistant Professor Workshop:

Nikole M. and Crystal M., two advanced IUB doctoral students, were invited to join other PhD students at the summer workshop organized by Ohio State University for the Great Lakes Alliance for SbeS (GLASS) AGEP. The workshop hosted was in collaboration with the Crime and Justice Summer Research Institute: Broadening Perspectives and Participation conducted by the Criminal Justice Research Center at OSU with core support from NSF, July 25-27, 2010. They met other PhD students from The Ohio State University, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Penn State University and Temple University.

The workshop included sessions on career planning; and, managing revise and resubmits and other publishing skills; as well as presentations on the academic job market 101. A panel of CJSRI participants and local underrepresented faculty shared their lived experiences and offered advice on life as a new assistant professor. Keynote speaker and workshop session was Dr. Kerry Ann Rockquemore. She walked the participants thru the session, “How to win tenure without losing your soul”.

IU Physicist Modifies Einstein’s Theory:

Could we be living inside a black hole?


An IU astronomer and physicist has published a theory stating that our universe might be inside a black hole and that black holes in our own universe might contain universes of their own.

To read the rest of this story click here: http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=76333


(Image From: http://thesamerowdycrowd.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/black-hole.jpg)

IU Connections Receive Award to Link Scientists Across Countries:

The National Science Foundation awarded $9.2 million to IU for two high-speed international network services, half to continue the TransPAC3 network connection to Asia and half for a new connection to Europe named America Connects to Europe.


To view the rest of the story click here:
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=76334

(Image From: http://www.xtelcommunications.co.uk/products/worldnetwork.png)

Doctoral Students Needed to Participate in Dissertation Research:

We are conducting a study on the experiences of African American female doctoral students enrolled in predominately White institutions (PWIs). This qualitative study aims to shed light on the doctoral students’ experiences and African American female doctoral students use to while enrolled in their programs at PWIs through semi-structured, audio-recorded telephone interviews. These interviews will last between 45 to 60 minutes. The questions seek to understand the experiences of African American females in doctoral programs.

To be selected, you must be a female doctoral student in a PWI in the United States, and you must identify as African American or Black. If selected for participation in the study, you will receive a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card for completing the interview and the member checking of aggregate themes. If you withdraw from the study before completing the interview and/or member checking you will receive a 10.00 gift card.

Confidentiality will be protected per IRB and ethical guidelines, and you will have the right to withdraw from participation at any time without penalty.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Marjorie C. Adams privately at adams.633@buckeyemail.osu.edu. You will then receive a screening document and a detailed information sheet. By expressing interest in this study, you are not committing to participate.