OFFICE OF THE PROVOST Graduate Student Advisory Board

Initiatives Update ~ Spring 2009

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Academic Initiatives

First Annual University of Illinois Student Interdisciplinary Conference

Background and overview– January 26th, 2009

– Goal: To bring together graduate and undergraduate students from diverse disciplines

– Feedback from students Like the overall idea behind the conference Interested to learn about topics/issues students around

campus are working on Learned a lot Would like to attend again

First Annual University of Illinois Student Interdisciplinary Conference

(Continued) Future plans

– PSAB would like to continue working on the conference

– We will develop a plan for next year Special focus on the marketing of the conference

– Create a steering committee that will enact this plan

– Hand over the plan to the steering committee, and provide oversight and an annual report to the Provost

Recognition Ceremony:Graduate Fellows and Award Recipients

Objective: Institute annual ceremony to recognize winners of prestigious graduate student fellowships and awards

Ceremony details:– Graduate Peer Mentoring Award will be presented at

ceremony– Encourage interdisciplinary interactions amongst award

recipients and invited guests (research advisors, graduate coordinators)

– Foster sense of community amongst accomplished group of students who receive little recognition from the University

– Development opportunity for Graduate College and University

Action items: Plan event for Oct or Nov 2009

Needs: Confirm interest of Office of Provost in proposed event and possibility of financial contribution

Recognition Ceremony: Graduate Fellows and Award Recipients

(Continued)

Professional Development Initiatives

Campus Award for Excellence in Graduate Peer Mentoring

Objective: To award the first pair of Graduate Peer Mentoring Awards in Fall 2009

Refresher about Award details:– Recognize the contributions of graduate students to the

academic, professional, and personal development of their peers

– Evaluation criteria include sustained excellence in mentoring of graduate or undergraduate students; major impact on mentee scholarship, professional, or personal development

Action items: Timeline, selection committee Needs: Confirm availability of $2,000 funding promised for

prizes

Professional Development Programming

Issue: No cohesive structured professional development program currently exists for graduate students

Program Should Serve 3 Purposes: – Educate students– Provide incentive– Provide structure

Existing Resources: – Graduate College Workshops– Library Workshops– Center for Teaching Excellence– Leadership Center

Potential Ideas: – Credit course– Certificate program– Individual Development Program

Solution: Self-guided Professional Development Program

– Structured professional development program with flexibility to be individualized to meet students needs

– Provide a “menu” or “roadmap” of options under specific categories with requirements for completion under direction of consultant or mentor…

Professional Development Programming(Continued)

Potential Categories: Teaching, Research Development, Communication and Writing Skills, Career Development, etc.

Use existing campus resources with the potential to fill in the gaps with new programs/resources

Self-reflection will be an important component

– Other potential elements to be included: Incentives Small group sessions

Professional Development Programming(Continued)

Graduate Environment Initiatives