university of alabama huntsville 2014 grad lab

Program Book

Co-Hosts:

Visit www.gemfellowship.org

Email [email protected] The future belongs to

those who prepare for it.

GEM University Host:

Getting Ready for Advanced Degrees

Laboratory

GEM GRAD Lab The GRAD Lab is a fun and engaging

symposium where participants, science

and engineering undergraduates, will

receive full information on the importance

of graduate school and what is needed to

successfully gain admittance with financial

support.

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5 GEM GRAD Lab Welcome

About GEM Our Mission The GEM Fellowship Application Deadline Applicants for MS Fellowship Applicants for Ph.D. FellowshipGEM GRAD Lab Overview

How to Apply for the GEM Fellowship

GEM GRAD Lab Agenda

GEM GRAD Lab Workshops

GEM GRAD Lab Presenters

GEM GRAD Labs are sponsored by

the Intel Foundation

3 The University of Alabama in Huntsville • September 12 - 13, 2014

Intel encourages GEM GRAD Lab participants to

Stay With It and pursue a

STEM graduate degree!

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GEM GRAD Lab Welcome

On behalf of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our campus to attend the GEM Grad Lab Symposium. This event will focus on the professional benefits of underrepresented groups to obtain graduate degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

UAH offers an environment that fuels a spirit of confronting monumental challenges. It’s a place that offers bold solutions for issues facing our nation and our planet. It’s where science fiction becomes science fact. Huntsville is the place to lead the development of America’s next generation of scientists, engineers, nurses, teachers, artists and entrepreneurs.

Forbes magazine named Huntsville one of the top 10 smartest cities in the World. We see UAH’s mission as being the cornerstone of the intellectual development of this community, and we hope that is a testament to why you are visiting with us today.

It is that combination of robust classroom teaching along with hands-on work in laboratories that makes a UAH diploma so valuable. UAH is a special place because you can create and make possible your wildest aspirations. We believe UAH is the place for ambitious students like you. This is the environment that will help you realize your ambitions.

We are honored by your presence and hope you enjoy your visit. Studying at Rice is a great way to launch your career:

Best Regards,Robert A. AltenkirchPresident

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An advanced degree in engineering or science can open doors to even more challenging and responsible careers—especially in the dynamic and sophisticated areas of high technology research. Every year a significant number of underrepresented minorities enter undergraduate engineering and science curricula; however, underrepresented minorities represent less than five percent of the recipients of advanced degrees in engineering or science.

It is GEM’s belief that if highly qualified minority students were exposed to the benefits of a career in research and technology innovation, via presentations from individuals from their communities who have received a graduate engineering or science degree and are currently successful in their careers, and were given resources on how to apply to graduate school, more students would apply and successfully matriculate in graduate engineering and science programs.

To address this issue, GEM has created a GRAD Lab, Getting Ready for Advanced Degree Lab, a comprehensive, hands-on symposium designed to excite and encourage promising under-graduate and community college engineering and science students to consider master and Ph.D. technical research programs.

The symposium will encourage their consideration of graduate engineering school by delivering vital information on the importance of research and innovation, life-long career benefits and real-world role-mode examples of success. The day-long event will help each student envision his or her future as a technology leader, successfully apply for a GEM fellowship, and gain entry to a graduate program. Industry and academic professionals will share their career, graduate school, and GEM experiences with these potential graduate students.

GEM GRAD Lab Overview

About GEMOUR MISSION

APPLICANTS FOR MS FELLOWSHIP

THE GEM FELLOWSHIP

APPLICATION DEADLINE

APPLICANTS FOR PH.D. FELLOWSHIP

Our model is strategic and proven. We provide graduate fellowships to highly qualified individuals from communities where such talent is largely untapped. Working in partnership with leading corporations, U.S. government laboratories and many of the nation’s top universities and research institutes, we provide GEM Fellows with the much-needed financial support that is often the deciding factor in pursuing graduate education, as well as practical experience through high-level, paid summer internships. GEM does more than provide financial support; however, we work to ensure student success in these competitive academic and professional environments with effective programs that increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation of GEM Fellows. Close to 4,000 GEM Fellows have gone on to successful careers.

GEM offers three Fellowship Programs to GEM Member Universities. The total value of each Fellowship is between $20,000 and $100,000, depending on the candidate’s academic status at the time of application, paid summer employment, and graduate school costs.

consideration. All application materials are due by November 15. A candidate must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of application.

Applications for GEM Fellowships are available online at www.gemfellowship.org. Submit your application, resume and unofficial transcript by October 1 for early

> Must be a senior, Master’s Degree student of an accredited engineering or applied science program at the time of application.

> Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0

> Full Fellows must contractually agree to intern with a sponsoring GEM Employer the summer after selection.

> Must be a senior, Master’s Degree student of an accredited engineering or applied science program at the time of application.

> Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0

> Full Fellows must contractually agree to intern with a sponsoring GEM Employer the summer after selection.


GEM GRAD Lab Agenda

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 Location: Shelby Center

2:00 pm Tour

5:30 pm Dinner

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 Location: Shelby Center

9:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast

10:00 am Welcome and IntroductionsChristine W. Curtis, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs, The University of Alabama in Huntsville

10:15 am Session 1: Why Graduate School?S. Keith Hargrove, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering, Tennessee State University (GEM Alum)

11:15 am Break

11:30 am Session 2: How to Apply to Graduate SchoolDavid Berkowitz, Ph.D., Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Marketing, The University of Alabama in Huntsville

12:30 pm Lunch Break/Graduate Resource Fair

1:15 pm Session 3: How to Fund Graduate SchoolMichael D. Smith, D. Eng., Deputy Executive Director, Internal Operations, The National GEM Consortium

2:15 pm Break

2:30 pm Session 4: Voices from the FieldModerator: Sampson Gholston,Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management (ISEEM) department at University of Alabama in HuntsvilleChance M. Glenn, Sr., Ph.D., Professor and Dean, College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences Alabama A&M UniversityJamel Alexander, PhD Student-Electrical-Engineering, Mississippi State University (GEM Fellow)Rodney Pinder, PhD Student-Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (GEM Fellow)

3:30 pm Post Survey/Closing Remarks/Raffle

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This workshop will prove the fundamental belief of the 21st century and beyond: all STEM professionals should hold an advanced STEM degree. Particularly, the participants will gather information about career and financial implications of NOT obtaining a graduate degree. If you think all you need is a bachelors degree to be competitive in the global society or that you should work first then go back to graduate school, YOU CAN’T MISS THIS WORKSHOP! Come find out why graduate school is not an option but a necessity.

Learn the easy and efficient way to get into graduate school. There really is a process. You will find out the steps to compiling a competitive package that will give you a great advantage over the rest. This workshop should not be missed for those that want to get the highest probability to be accepted into the graduate school of their choice. Specifics will be given on how to write a statement of purpose, how to guarantee you receive strong recommendation letters, and specific tips on the application process.

“Show me the Money”…and then give it to me! During this workshop you will find how to identify and apply for funding whether you are in graduate school or just finishing your first semester as an undergraduate. This information will give you the insight on how much money is available, how to find it, how to apply for it, and how to secure it! Come find out why no one should pay for graduate school if they go about it correctly!

This is where it all comes together! Through the course of the day, you know why you need to go to graduate school. You have a better understanding of the gradu-ate programs and how to get into them. You have multiple opportunities now to make sure that you have adequate funding to finance your graduate education. Now, you have the benefit to hear from those that have done it or are currently doing it. At this workshop you will meet, see, and hear real life stories of how graduate school was/is/and will be. There will be leading faculty members, industry professionals and current graduate students on this panel. You should not miss this last workshop if you want to know the “real scoop” about graduate school!

GEM GRAD Lab WorkshopsSession 1: Why Graduate School?

Session 2: How to Apply to Graduate School

Session 3: How to Fund Graduate School

Session 4: Voices From the Field


Dr. Christine W. Curtis is the Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs at The University of Alabama in Huntsville where she also holds the position of Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Prior to joining UAH in 2014, Dr. Curtis had been at the University of South Carolina since 2007, and was previously at Auburn University. She received her doctorate from Florida State University specializing in Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Curtis has more than 100 publications and has had millions of dollars in research funding. She was Director of the Strategic Planning efforts at USC and the USC System. Dr. Curtis led special Presidential initiatives at USC and managed the tenure and tenure track faculty matters while also being the leader in faculty development there. Dr. Curtis served as the head of facilities at Auburn University and developed and implemented a comprehensive master plan for the University. Dr. Curtis has taught numerous graduate and undergraduate courses and directed a large number of Theses and Dissertations. She has received numerous awards at both South Carolina and Auburn and is the member of a number of Professional Societies.

Dr. S. Keith Hargrove currently serves as Dean of the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University. He formerly served as a Department Chair at Morgan State University, and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tuskegee University. He has worked at General Electric, Boeing, GM, and three national research laboratories (Oak Ridge, Battelle, and NIST). He is actively engaged in K12 education, and a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers, and ASEE. He is also a strong advocate in minority engineering education...especially the promotion and production of minority engineers and their careers.

Dr. David Berkowitz is Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Marketing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Prior to being named Dean he was the Associate Dean of the College of Business. He earned his Ph.D. in Marketing and Applied Statistics from the University of Alabama, a MBA from the University Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Accounting from Rutgers University at Camden. Prior to an academic career he worked for 12 years with Hallmark Cards. He has experienceas a product developer, small business owner and academic. His research has appeared in leading academic journals and scholarly books. While at Hallmark he developed and implemented several analytical models and managed new product introductions. He was involved with site selection, retail acquisition, international licensing and franchising. He also co-owned and operated a small retail business with his wife for 6 years. He has consulted with numerous organizations on performance based logistics, customer satisfaction,

CHRISTINE W. CURTIS, Ph.D.PROVOST AND EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMAIN HUNTSVILLE

S. KEITH HARGROVE, Ph.D.DEAN OF COLLEGE OF ENGINEERINGTENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY (GEM ALUM)

DAVID BERKOWITZ, Ph.D.DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND PROFESSOR OF MARKETINGTHE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE


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Dr. Michael D. Smith is the Deputy Executive Director, Internal Operations of The National GEM Consortium. Michael, known by many as “Dr. Mike”, will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operational, administrative, financial and board support services of the organization in our Corporate Headquarters office in Alexandria, VA. As Deputy Executive Director, Internal Operations, Michael will report to the Executive Director.

Dr. Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role. Michael comes to GEM from the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where he served in the positions of Director of Programs and former Interim Deputy Executive Director. While at NSBE, he managed a budget in excess of $1.4 million for the strategic development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all academic, technical, leadership, international and pre-college programs. He also served as liaison to organization’s convention planning committee for several years, supporting the programmatic (and in part, operational) development of conference and convention agendas and logistics. Dr. Mike also has past technical experience with organizations such as Phillips 66 Natural Gas Company and E. I. DuPont Specialty Chemicals.

Michael holds a B.S. and M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science & Technology) and an engineering doctorate in chemical engineering and engineering management from Texas A&M University.

strategic planning, brand loyalty and product development issues. At UAH, he has taught Marketing High Technology Products, Managing Technology Development, and Marketing Management. He is the past Director of the Center for the Management of Technology, the Integrated Enterprise Lab and the Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Lab at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He was a founding board member of Alabama Launch pad.

MICHAEL D. SMITH, D.EngDEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INTERNAL OPERATIONSTHE NATIONAL GEM CONSORTIUM


Dr. Sampson E. Gholston is the Associate Professor in the Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management (ISEEM) department at UA Huntsville. He received his B.S. in Engineering Technology from Austin Peay State University in 1991, his M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1993, and his Ph.D. in Quality Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1999. Sampson is the instructor for the UAH-ATN Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt courses which are provided and coordinated through CMER. He has been involved in research on Quality Engineering, Quality Systems Design and Assessment, Design for Manufacturing Quality, and Applied Statistics.

Dr. Gholston has extensive industry experience in quality engineering and continuous improvement. He worked for the GM Saturn Corporation as a Lead Supplier Quality Engineering and also worked as a consultant to Delphi Automotive, International Paper, and Dakin America. He has a Lean Six Sigma Black and has worked with Baldrige Performance Excellence Award for the past three years along with the Florida Quality Award for the past two years. Currently, Dr. Gholston is working with two health care facilities to continuous improvement activities.

SAMPSON E. GHOLSTON, Ph.DASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT (ISEEM) DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE

www.bagley.msstate.edu

DIVERSITY in the

Bagley College of engineering

The Bagley College of Engineering ranks in the top 15 institutions of higher learning in terms of graduating minority engineers thanks in part to efforts to create an educational environment of inclusiveness and promote high academic excellence. With the help of organizations like NSBE, SWE, SHPE and IMAGE, our faculty and staff mentor students for success both in the classroom and in their chosen fields. In the Bagley College the success of all of our students is our top priority.


The University of Alabama College of Engineering is large enough to offer academic diversity and challenge, yet small enough to ensure personal attention and excellent instruction.

With access to more than 110 faculty who come from every area of engineering and computer science, graduate students are immersed in top-notch research projects. Offering nine master’s degrees and eight doctorates, The University of Alabama College of Engineering provides the necessary equipment and support to meet all your graduate studies’ needs.

To learn more about UA’s College of Engineering, visit our website at www.eng.ua.edu or call 205-348-6400.

O P P O R T U N I T Y + C H A L L E N G E = U A E N G I N E E R I N G

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Rodney A. Pinder, II, was born in Birmingham Alabama to Simona and Rodney Pinder in September of 1990. Rodney Attended Minor High school and there he developed his desire to problem solve and work with automotive engines which inspired him to further his education in college. In 2013 Rodney received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Alabama A&M University. The HBCU groomed Mr. Pinder to pursue a higher education which, with the opportunity enabled him through GEM, led him to the University of Alabama. Currently he is enrolled as a Ph.D. student in the field of Mechanical Engineering. His current research interests revolve around Internal Combustion Engines and Exotic fuels. Rodney’s plan is to develop an alternative fuel that can be used in commercial use as well as personal use.

RODNEY A. PINDER, IIPH.D. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTTHE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN TUSCALOOSA GEM FELLOW

Dr. Chance Glenn received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park. He then received his Master’s of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree, both in Electrical Engineering, from The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering. He also holds a certificate from the Management Development Program in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.

In August of 2012 Dr. Glenn became the Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences at the Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Glenn returns to Huntsville after attending A&M years ago. He is now leading the college through its expansion to prepare students and researchers to meet the global needs of the 21st century. Prior to coming to A&M he was the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He holds several patents and is internationally recognized for research in rf communications and digital signal processing. He is also an avid singer and songwriter having produced Grammy nominated work with Morningbird Media. Dr. Glenn is married with four children

Jamel Alexander is currently a two time GEM Master’s and PhD Fellow in the Mechanical Engineering program at Mississippi State University. He is an ebullient graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, the University of New Orleans and Mississippi State University. Jamel has been involved as a mechanical engineering intern at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Oak ridge National Laboratory, where he participated in soft-condensed matter physics research and miniaturization issues in sensors. His personal research interests are micro/nano-mechanical systems, accelerated aging studies of composite materials, science/engineering education and youth mentoring.

CHANCE M. GLENN, Ph.DDEAN, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY

JAMEL ALEXANDERPh.D. STUDENT ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY GEM FELLOW


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How to Apply for the GEM Fellowship (with tips)

Complete Part I of the Application

After registering, you will be directed to the application form.Answer the questions carefully and accurately and include your resume and unofficial transcript (for each University or college attended after high school). You will need to have your employment and educational history (and, if applicable, information on research experiences) handy to complete the questionnaire. If you cannot answer all the required questions, you can save your draft application and return to the application later to complete.

Complete Part II of the Application by November 15, 2014

Part II requires you to submit supplemental material:

Statement of Purpose—You must submit at least a one page statement of purpose that outlines your academic, research and/or career goals.For tips go to www.statementofpurpose.com.

Tip: Please focus your statement of purpose on your career/ research goals (i.e., do not focus on your deficiencies in your past, why you would make a great GEM Fellow, etc. focuson the future, how great you will be in your dream highly technical/research area of interest).

Letters of Recommendation—Request directly from 3 faculty members (preferred) or a high level technical manager (who holds a STEM graduate degree) if they are willing to complete an on-line form to strongly recommend you to receive the GEM Fellowship. We will not accept letters via email, fax, or via postal mail, all recommendations must be attached to your electronic eGEM application. At least two of your recommenders must submit their recommendations on-line by 11:59 PM Eastern on November 15th.

Register Online at GemFellowship.org

Go to www.gemfellowship.org. Click on the url in the large blue box in the right bar menu to Log In to eGEM. Register-ing with eGEM creates an account that allows you to work on your application securely, to save draft work, and return later to complete and submit online. After registering, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with information for later use.

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1

Tips:

1. TYPE IN EACH EMPLOYER you worked for in the on-line application. (Simply attaching a resume and not typing in each past Employer will decrease your chances of receiving the GEM Fellowship).

2. RESUMES: Make sure your resume has been reviewed by a professional, i.e., your campus intern placement staff, English professor, etc. Please make sure you include your GPA on your resume. Please also include key words that describe your skills, like specific computer programs, e.g, MATLAB, interest in a specific research field that may be a different name than your actual major, like “nuclear engineering”, and any skills acquired on past internships e.g., “supply chain”. A polished resume makes a huge difference in the GEM application.

3. GRE SCORES are not required however they are highly recommended. Applicants are however required to answer all of the questions we ask about the GRE, i.e., the date you plan to take it, if you do not plan to take the GRE, why not, etc. as prompted about the GRE. You can scan a copy of your GRE score report to your eGEM application (i.e., you do not have to pay for an additional report). If you choose to list GEM for an additional report our code is 1305.

4. LIST 3 GRADUATE SCHOOLS: Unless you are already in a STEM Ph.D. program (or in the first year of a STEM master’s program) at a GEM school, to submit a complete GEM application you are required to directly apply to at least 3 GEM Member Universities between Nov 15–Jan 15. For Part I, you just have to list the names of 3 schools you will most likely apply to after November 15th. Research the schools to make sure they have a program you are interested in!

Tips:

1. QUICK ON-LINE FORM: Let your recommenders know the on-line form takes five minutes to complete. A letter is not required, however they will have an option to cut and paste a letter as part of their electronic form submission.

2. FACULTY SUBMISSIONS SUGGESTED: Please make sure at least one recommendation form is from a faculty member.

3. STRONGLY RECOMMEND 3 SUBMISSIONS You are asked to submit 3 emails and phone numbers of recommenders. Your application will be complete if at least 2 recommenders submit. However your application is automatically scored higher if you have 3 recommendations on file.

The strict deadline to submit a complete on-line GEM application is 11:59 PM Eastern on November 15th

The deadline to submit your complete GEM application is November 15th. The deadline to submit your STEM graduate application directly to 3 GEM member schools is January 15th.

5. DRAFT: You can save your application as a draft up until question 10 (Part I). Do not go past Part I of the application until you feel your answers are final. To have your application viewed by GEM Employers in our first review round, you must submit Part I by October 1st.


THIS IS WORLD-CLASS GRADUATE EDUCATION.

THIS IS AUBURN.

Whether you’ve known about Auburn all your life or are just learning about this university, we invite you to discover the real Auburn.

This is a university that boasts top-notch faculty and an ever-growing array of state-of-the-art research facilities. Through our research, we strive to make our state, our nation, and the world a better place. Auburn has six strategic research initiatives: health sciences, transportation, cyber, energy and the environment, Gulf of Mexico research and restoration, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

This is a university where graduate education is a pathway to a lifetime of success and where our 250,000-strong, worldwide network of alumni will think of you as family.

This is a university that will surprise you, impress you, and propel you to success as it has for generations before you.

Find out more at www.grad.auburn.edu.

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September 13 September 13 September 20 September 20 September 27

September 27 October 4 October 4 October 11 October 18

October 18 October 25 To Be Determined November 6 March 2015

Upstate New York

2014-2015 GEM GRAD Labs sponsored by the University Hosts, Co-hosts, Sponsors and the Intel Foundation

2014 - 2015 GRAD Labs

university of alabama huntsville 2014 grad lab

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