February 2012 Newsletter

Important spring 2012 dates

Graduating in Spring or Summer 2012? 

The Graduation and Degree Compliance Services kindly reminds students of the following:

Graduation is not an automatic process. Students should apply to graduate no later than the application deadline specified in the chart below. Upon review and final approval by both your Academic Department and the Office of the University Registrar, your degree will be awarded. You must be in good financial standing with the University to receive your diploma.

Semester       Online Application Available    Deadline            Graduation Date

Please note that students, regardless of their degree program, must file their intent to graduate.

Please click here for course descriptions.

Join the National Jam
Minority Serving Institutions Share Practice and Experience in Developmental Education
March 6, 2012
11:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST

Thesis & Dissertation Prep Workshops

Each workshop will be 2 hours long, and each workshop will consist of the same 3 segments:

Segment 1: UDTS Coordinator Sally Evans will walk you through the steps you will need to fulfill in order to complete, format, and submit your thesis or dissertation, so that you can graduate on time.

Segment 2: Abel Roasa of DoIT will teach you to use the Interactive Template, which will make creating and formatting your thesis or dissertation a snap.

Segment 3: A member of University Libraries (usually Allison Meyer O'Connor) will introduce you to Zotero, a handy tool that first helps you organize your sources and references, then assists you in incorporating them into your document.

The workshops will take place at the following times, on the Fairfax campus:

Thursday, February 9
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
334 Innovation Hall

Tuesday, February 14
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
334 Innovation Hall

Monday, February 20
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fenwick Library, Room A214 (2nd-floor Instruction Room)

Monday, February 20
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fenwick Library, Room A214 (2nd-floor Instruction Room)

Tuesday, February 21
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
334 Innovation Hall

Tuesday, February 28
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
334 Innovation Hall

To sign up for these workshops, please go to the following site: http://ittraining.gmu.edu/workshops.cfm

If you experience any trouble signing up for the workshops, please email DoIT (training@gmu.edu); they will be able to assist you.

If you have questions about the workshops themselves, please contact us (udts@gmu.edu).

Philanthropy in Higher Education Panel Discussion

My name is Lauren-Claire Kelley, and I am an administrative coordinator in the Office of Development at the George Mason University Libraries. On behalf of the Office of University Development and Alumni Affairs, I would like to invite you to a panel discussion that we are hosting in preparation for the 2012 Patriots for Patriots Campaign.  Patriots for Patriots is an educational campaign that raises awareness about the vital role that private philanthropy plays at George Mason University, no matter the size of the gift.  

Called Philanthropy in Higher Education, this panel discussion will contextualize the campaign in broader trends of private philanthropy. Dr. Alan Abramson of Mason's Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy will discuss the history of philanthropy in higher education. Joining him will be Marc Broderick, Vice President of University Development and Alumni Affairs, and Dave Roe, President of the George Mason University Foundation; they will explain the impact of private philanthropy at Mason. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.

Please join us for this insightful discussion on Thursday, March 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Edwin Meese III Conference Room (D023), Mason Hall.

This event is open to the public, but we would like to extend a special invitation to your students in CTCH 792: Leadership in Higher Education, as the discussion topics may complement their coursework. Please find attached a flyer announcing the event. We would be excited to see you and your students in attendance at this discussion, your schedules permitting. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thank you in advance!

Lauren-Claire Kelley

Living and Leading with Resilience Conference

We are pleased to announce the Living and Leading with Resilience Conference at George Mason University on Friday, April 13th, 2012 at the Mason Inn & Conference Center. The conference is co-sponsored by MasonLeads and the Center for Consciousness and Transformation.

The conference features internationally-recognized authors, scholars, and practitioners on the subjects of resilience, well-being, leadership, and character strengths.  The conference format includes featured keynote speakers and  interactive breakout sessions. Conference enrollment is limited to 350 attendees. Early registration is recommended to reserve your space.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS  

• Dr. Chris Peterson, one of the 100 most cited psychologists in the world and one of the founders of Positive Psychology.  Dr. Peterson is the Science Director of the VIA Institute on Character and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor at the University of Michigan.

• Dr. Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist and author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom and Just One Thing: Developing A Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time.  Dr. Hanson is the Founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom.

• Dr. Nansook Park, is Associate Professor of Psychology, and Co-Director of the Michigan Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is also an Associate Editor of Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being and a Consulting Editor to the Journal of Positive Psychology.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

•Dr. Todd Kashdan is Associate Professor of Psychology and Senior Scientist at the Center for Consciousness and Transformation at George Mason University. Dr. Kashdan is the author of Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life to promote the science of well-being.

•Dr. Kim Cameron is the author of Positive Leadership, Making the Impossible Possible, and Leading with Values.  Dr. Cameron is the co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at the University of Michigan.

ABOUT THE LIVING AND LEADING WITH RESILIENCE CONFERENCE

What does it mean to live a good life – a life full of meaning and purpose?  How do we prosper in times of great uncertainty?  What role does resilience have in human flourishing, leadership, and organizational prosperity?  As whole nations and individuals strive to achieve greater levels of well-being, living and leading with resilience allows us to embrace all that makes life worth living, even in the face of adverse times.  The Living and Leading with Resilience Conference, co-sponsored by the Center for Consciousness and Transformation and MasonLeads at George Mason University, includes notable scholars, industry leaders, and practitioners addressing innovations in practices and research in resilience, leadership, and well-being.  Living and leading with resilience starts with the individual and then engages others in the exploration of meaning, purpose, positive relationships, strengths-building practices, and increasing the capacity to thrive during challenging times.  The April 13th conference format facilitates the engagement and expertise of all participants and facilitators.

TO REGISTER
Learn more about the conference and find the registration information by clicking on:  http://resilience.onmason.com

Register by February 29th for the early-bird rate and to secure your space. Enrollment is limited, and fees will increase on March 1st.

Sincerely yours,

Interim Executive Director, Center for Consciousness and Transformation

Pam Patterson, Co-chair, MasonLeads

First Annual Graduate Student Research Conference - Call for Papers

This is an opportunity for students to present research in public policy in a multidisciplinary forum with other graduate students from local colleges and universities.  The March 23rd program includes discussion and participation from GMU School of Public Policy faculty and staff.

Submissions and inquiries can be directed to: sppconf@gmu.edu

Please click here for information on submission requirements.

Thank you,

SPP Graduate Student Research Conference Organizing Committee

Summer 2012 Schedule of Classes

CTCH 792:  Current Issues in Higher Education

Session X:  Meets May 23 - June 20 on Wednesdays, 6-10pm; Thursday is online work; and Saturday is independent fieldwork.

CTCH 641:  Counseling in Higher Education

Session X:  June 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14

Time:  4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Instructor: Joya Crear

FALL 2012 Schedule of Classes

CTCH 592, Experiential Learning

Tuesday, 4:30

Instructor: TBA

CTCH 602, College Teaching

Monday, 7:20

Instructor: Anne Kuhta

CTCH 621, Higher Ed. in the U.S.

Thursday, 4:30

Instructor: Mary Frances Forcier

CTCH 622, Organization/Admin. in Higher Ed.

Wednesday, 7:20

Instructor: Jaime Lester

CTCH 626, Assessment in Higher Education

Wednesday, 4:30

Instructor: Mary Zamon

CTCH 645, Contemporary College Student

Thursday, 7:20

Instructor: TBA

CTCH 685-01, Practicum in Higher Education

Practicum Coordinator: Todd Rose (Contact coordinator for permission to register)

CTCH 685-02, College Teaching Practicum

Practicum Coordinator: Anne Kuhta ( (Contact coordinator for permission to register)

CTCH 792-001, Law and Higher Ed.

Tuesday, 4:30

Instructor: Linda Schwartzstein

CTCH 792-002, Advanced Organization and Administration

Monday, 4:30

Instructor: Jaime Lester

CTCH 792-003, Student Transitions

Tuesday, 7:20

Instructor: TBA

CTCH 821, History of Higher Ed. in the U.S.

Thursday, 4:30

Instructor: Mary Frances Forcier

CTCH 826, Advanced Assessment in Higher Ed.

Wednesday, 4:30

Instructor: Mary Zamon

CTCH 885, Internship in College Teaching and Administration

Internship Coordinator: Anne Kuhta (Contact coordinator for permission to register)

CTCH 998, Proposal Writing (Contact department for registration code)

CT CH 999, Dissertation Writing (Contact the CHSS Graduate Academic Affairs Office for registration code at chssdiss@gmu.edu)

Spotlight on Our HEP Family

  Dr. Toby S. Jenkins, Assistant Professor in the Higher Education Program and New Century College, was recently awarded the 2012 Spirit of King Award by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration planning committee.  The committee cited Toby's "contribution and commitment to the development of a multicultural campus community through her advocacy for equality and justice."  The award presentation was held on January 28 in Dewberry Hall, in the George W. Johnson Center.