Announcements for the Upcoming Fall 2013 Semester!

Hello all!  Summer is coming to an end and as we prepare for the upcoming Fall 2013 semester there are a few announcements!

First of all -- we've changed our name!  The university-wide graduate student organization (GSO) is now called the Graduate Student Association (GSA) so we have followed suit and have been officially renamed the Educational Psychology and Methodology Recognized Graduate Student Association (RGSA).  However!  We are not going back and changing everything that used to say RGSO to RGSA and it will probably take time for some of us to get used to the new name and still use the old name.  So just don't be confused if you see it referred to one way over the other....they are the same thing.

Second -- we are holding elections for our 2013-2014 eboard members at the Ed Psych division orientation next week (August 28th) which means nominations are now currently open!  To nominate someone please fill out this survey which should take no more than 5 minutes to complete by this Friday 8/23!  All of the positions are described in the survey.  (Note:  additional positions like Social Web Manager, Listserv manager, Community Service Chair, etc. will be discussed at the orientation)

Third -- if you haven't already...check out the events at ITLAL (Institute for Teaching, Learning, and Academic Leadership).  They offer some really great classes/seminars/workshops for graduate teaching assistants and faculty.  Here is a link to their website:  ITLAL.  I just recently attended a great workshop on how to incorporate Blackboard into your classroom and there are others coming up that will be very helpful and informative so check out the website and events.  I highly encourage you all to use ITLAL as a resource!

Classes begin Monday August 26th!  Can't wait to see everyone on campus!

Loyola's School of Education Dean Joshua Smith Returns to Alma Matter To Speak

After completing his Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD at the University at Albany, Joshua Smith has moved up in the world of academia and is now Dean of Education at Loyola University.  As a graduate from the Educational Psychology and Methodology program we were very excited that he could take time out of his busy schedule to return to UAlbany as a guest speaker at our Poster Session (see previous post).  It was great to see that an alumnus from our program has been so successful and comes back to the department events to impart his knowledge, experiences, and advice to the rest of us.  He spoke about the process of getting a job in academia from the very basics (e.g. how to build up a CV, ask for letters of recommendation and write a cover letter) to how to interview and give research talks and negotiating the position and salary.  It is important to know the institution:  What are their expectations for research?  What is involved in the annual review?  What is the institution's culture and how can I be a part of it?  Other advice:  find mentors (at least 3: 1 at the local level, 1 outside your program, and 1 community-based mentor), go to job talks, visit the campus, go to the campus as early as you can, write every day, tell people when you have writer's block, attend teaching enhancement workshops because they show excellence in teaching, and finally...don't mow your own lawn (aka buy yourself as much time as possible!).  It was priceless advice from someone who used to be one of us - which I'm not sure about anyone else but it definitely has given me hope that there is light at the end of this long PhD tunnel. Dean Smith was very engaging, encouraging, inspiring and we are so thankful he was our guest speaker!  

 Dean Joshua Smith and the Ed Psych RGSO president Angela Lui

Dean Joshua Smith and the Ed Psych department