Grad Chronicle: December 2020
Academic Updates
Pass/Fail Grade Information and Requests
In response to COVID-19, many programs are offering pass/fail grade requests this semester. Kent State University has modified the policy regarding pass/fail grading for graduate courses taken in fall 2020. Students may submit a pass/fail grade request for a fall 2020 course starting Monday, Dec. 7. The last day to submit a pass/fail request is Thursday, Dec. 24 at 11:59 p.m. and the final day to cancel your request is Thursday, Jan. 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Program areas may restrict specific letter-graded courses in a student’s program from being approved for the pass/fail grade (see the list of program restrictions). In addition, there will be limitations on how many courses you can request pass/fail, and the letter grade you earn will be used for course prerequisites and program requirements. All information on the pass/fail grade option, including limitations and FAQ, can be found on the Pass/Fail Interim Policy website.
Student Events and Programs
Earn Certificates to Add to Your Resume or CV
Don’t forget to earn your certificates in Career Planning and Research Fundamentals. The Division of Graduate Studies is dedicated to preparing you for your career. All graduate students have the opportunity to earn certifications that display a basic understanding of two different areas – Career Planning Essentials and Research Fundamentals. Our Career Planning videos discuss topics including interviews, resumes and LinkedIn, and our Research Fundamentals video library covers seven topics related to graduate student research.
Upon having watched at least three of the videos in either category, you may complete an assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the content. Upon answering at least 80% of the questions correctly, you will be sent a certificate of completion that you may share on your résumé or CV. Additional information about the Career Planning Essentials and the Research Fundamentals workshops, as well as the assessment, can be found on our website.
Giving Tuesday Campaign Results
During this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign, the Division of Graduate Studies raised a total $3,650 for our Graduate Studies Diversity Fund! The Graduate Studies Diversity Fund, which provides funding to students selected for the Graduate Dean’s Award and the Graduate Dean’s Travel Award, enables our division to support individuals who are underrepresented in their disciplines to pursue a graduate education at Kent State. Thank you to all those who contributed!
Become an Academic Advantage Mentor
Gain professional experience, build you resume and impart your wisdom to undergraduate students with Kent State’s spring 2021 Academic Advantage Partner program. Become an academic advantage partner and help students develop a competitive edge and position them for continued academic and professional success. The 100% online, 12-week program begins on January 19 and takes place virtually through April 8. Approximately 50 undergraduate students are participating from varying colleges and majors. Select your area of interest on the Academic Advantage Partner Goggle-doc!
Click here for more information. Contact Pamela Jones, university success coach, at pjones@kent.edu with any questions.
Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) Brownbag Event
Sign up to join the Black Graduate Student Association's (BGSA) Brownbag event featuring Dr. Lamar R. Hylton, Vice President for Student Affairs, Friday, December 11 from noon-1 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
Dr. Hylton has the distinction of being the first Black Vice President for Student Affairs in the history of Kent State University. During the presentation, Dr. Hylton will discuss advocating for yourself in college as an underrepresented student, pursuing the right resources to assist you in graduate school, discovering tools for managing higher education systems and pursuing leadership positions in university administration.
Any graduate student interested in attending should email clambe17@kent.edu for the Teams link.
Racism – A Public Health Crisis
Interested in signing up for ‘Racism – A Public Health Crisis’ for spring semester? Students from all programs and degrees are welcome as they bring important perspectives and insights to the course! The graduate students who took the course this fall came from a range of programs and shared that they found the course both personally meaningful and intellectually challenging.
Graduate Studies Offers Career Advising Appointments
Interested in gaining some career advice? Ready to update your résumé or CV? Perhaps you'd like to practice your interviewing skills? The Division of Graduate Studies will continue providing career advising services throughout spring semester. Visit our page on Career Advising for Graduate Students to schedule an appointment.
Remote Instruction Workshop
Share your victories and challenges with your colleagues! Conversations in a Flash are informal 30-minute virtual conversations, facilitated by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Feel free to sign up or click the link on our website to join. Links become available the day of the event. The first four January sessions will be held via Teams.
- Wednesday, January 4, noon–2:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 12, 2–2:30 p.m.
- Friday, January 22, 10–10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, January 28, 11–11:30 a.m.
Remember to save the date for Kent State’s Education Elevated Conference on Friday, February 19. This free virtual conference is a great place to showcase what you’ve accomplished and to see what others at Kent State have done in their classrooms.
Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback so the Center for Teaching and Learning can better support you now and in the future. Click here to answer a few quick questions and be entered to win a book – James Lang's Small Teaching Online or Derek Bruff's Intentional Technology!
Martin Luther King Day Celebration
Mark your calendars for Kent State’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration! Join the virtual event on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to hear keynote speaker Bakari Sellers – a CNN political analyst and former South Carolina state representative. Stay tuned for more details!
Stay Connected
Graduate Student Senate Depression and Anxiety Workshop
All graduate students are welcome to join the Depression and Anxiety Workshop, hosted by the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) Mental Health Subcommittee. The virtual workshop will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!
December Grad Fest
Conversation Partners
Sign up to participate in the Conversation Partners program! This voluntary program pairs international students with American students in order to facilitate lively conversation. Learn about other cultures for one hour a week! For additional information and to apply, click here.
Student Spotlight!
Kent State University’s graduate student community is home to a talented and diverse group of individuals. Meet Christopher Konieczko, a master’s student in Kent State’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program, who is pursuing a career where he can advocate for those living with disabilities and chronic illness. Click here to read about his Kent State experience.
Health and Wellness
Free Virtual Meditation
Continue to be part of the Meditation Across Campus program with Kent State of Well-being's virtual, facilitated meditation sessions! These 30-minute meditation sessions are free and open to all Kent State students, faculty and staff. Below is the updated winter break schedule:
- Mondays from 4-4:30 p.m. No session on Dec. 28.
- Wednesdays from 11-11:30 a.m. No session on Dec. 30.
Never meditated before? Meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and can help alleviate depression. It can also help improve cognition and reduce distractions. Try one of our virtual facilitated sessions from the comfort of your home or office. You will join other members of the Kent State community for a stress-free and relaxing experience. There is no obligation to attend. You can choose when you decide to participate and you can exit when you wish. Register here!
Resources to Combat Food Insecurity in Kent
As food insecurity has affected many individuals as a result of COVID-19, here is a link that contains an overview of food resources in Kent.
Spring Semester Virtual Koru Mindfulness
Open your mind and manage your stress! Learn how to become more mindful in just four weeks! Kent State of Well-being is offering Koru Mindfulness training for free to Kent State students, faculty and staff at all campuses. With Koru mindfulness, an evidence-based training specifically designed for emerging adults, you’ll discover how to incorporate mindfulness skills and meditation into your life to better manage stress. Other benefits include becoming more rested and self-compassionate.
January classes will be held virtually on Tuesdays from 3 – 4:15 p.m. and facilitated by trained Koru mindfulness instructors. Already completed Koru Basic training? Consider signing up for Koru 2.0. Learn more and register!
Wellness Resource Guide
As Kent State University strives to become the healthiest campus in the nation, Kent State of Well-being, the university-level healthy campus initiative, focuses on eight wellness priority areas:
- Alcohol and drug use
- Mental health
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Preventive care
- Safety
- Sexual health
- Smoking and tobacco use
The Wellness Resource Guide supports KSU’s mission of prioritizing the health of its community members.
COVID-19 News and Updates
Stay Updated on COVID-19 Procedures
In these uncertain times, stay up-to-date with Kent State news, procedures, Flashes Safe Eight and updates regarding COVID-19 such as the academic schedule, remote resources, preventative measures, emergency funding, testing and more.