The Graduate School is accepting applications for the 2014-15 Graduate Life Fellows program. Each GLF receives a $5,000 award for his or her contributions to the UNC Charlotte graduate student community during his or her entire year of service.
Applications for the 2014-15 cohort of fellows will be accepted until March 10. Both master’s and doctoral full-time students are encouraged to apply. Information and applications are on the Center for Graduate Life website.
According to Graduate School officials, the mission of the Graduate Life Fellows (GLFs) is to help build a sense of community within the graduate student population. Coordinating activities and events on or near campus that foster diverse social and academic engagement is one of the most effective strategies used by the GLFs. They also work with incoming graduate students as mentors, offering guidance and first-hand experience with the UNC Charlotte academic system. The GLF program continues to provide engaging opportunities for graduate students to give back to the local Charlotte community via philanthropic efforts.
Most recently, GLFs have coordinated networking events, an all-graduate student panel focused on balancing life and work/school and a workshop on competitive grant writing for graduate students in STEM. In addition, one GLF started monthly faculty-student meetings designed to provide support for women in doctoral programs.
A community service event at Second Harvest Food Bank and a high ropes course will round out the events for the coming semester. Not only does the GLF program build graduate community, it provides the GLFs themselves with opportunities for leadership development.
Claire Schuch, second-term Graduate Life Fellow and doctoral student in the geography and urban regional analysis program, said, “As a result of my involvement, I have been able to develop new skills and initiatives that will serve me as I complete my Ph.D., apply for jobs and launch my career. In addition, I feel more connected to the University (as opposed to just my department) and I have a better understanding of how the University and all its components function and interact.”
“The Graduate Life Fellows program has made remarkable progress in building more cohesion among graduate students,” said Katherine Hall-Hertel, assistant dean of the Graduate School. “It’s been wonderful to have such a diverse and talented group of students representing our different colleges. As we enter the seventh year of our program, we hope to build on their success.”
For more information, contact Coren O’Hara, coordinator of professional development, at 704-687-7242 or email ceohara@uncc.edu.