GSA News: Aug. 6, 2018
GSA Director’s Message:
Greetings graduate students! The fall semester is rapidly approaching and I’m sure
many of you are excited to be back. For those of you that are just beginning your
graduate education at UNC, I’d like to welcome you to one of the most vibrant graduate
student communities in higher education.
Along with overseeing a highly competitive conference travel and research grant funding process, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) works to advance the interests of over 3,000 graduate students across UNC’s Greeley, Denver, Loveland, Colorado Springs, and distance learning/online campuses. Hundreds of graduate students have built the UNC graduate student community into what it is today by volunteering for the GSA, attending GSA events and classes and advocating for their fellow graduate students.
We’ve accomplished many things in 2017-2018 and we’re planning on doing even more in 2018-2019. It’s going to be a great year for graduate students at UNC.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and we’ll see you soon!
Sincerely,
David Shimokawa
Director, UNC Graduate Student Association
GSA Family Meetup: Family Funplex Pool (“Adventure Island”)
Wednesday, Aug. 8
noon
Greeley Family Funplex (map)
Meet at Funplex front desk at noon
Meetup Coordinator: Salaheddin.Sharif@unco.edu (SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program)
Contact Number: (970) 576-2837
Graduate students with families are invited to meetup for an afternoon at the Family Funplex pool. Busy dad and Exercise Physiology graduate student Salaheddin Sharif will be leading this meetup at one of Greeley’s most popular recreation attractions. Mary Russell from the City of Greeley has given the GSA a limited number of passes to the Funplex pool, so first come, first served. If passes run out, you can still pay for your own family’s admission at the door.
Salaheddin Sharif
Family Funplex meetup coordinator
New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO)
Tuesday, Aug. 14
8 a.m.-noon
McKee Hall
All new graduate students should sign up for this event to learn more about graduate school at UNC and the various resources available to you. If you attended UNC as an undergraduate it is still important for you to attend this event so you can build new relationships and assist your classmates. Students interested in participating with the GSA will get valuable information throughout the orientation and the resource fair. Following the resource fair, all new graduate students should join the GSA for lunch at Holmes Dining Hall. Questions? Email Daniel.westerlind@unco.edu.
GSA New Graduate Student Lunch
Tuesday, Aug. 14
noon-1:30 p.m.
Holmes Dining Hall (map)
Join the UNC Graduate Student Association staff for lunch after the NGSO resource fair. Graduate students interested in volunteer positions with the GSA should join the GSA Council in the private dining room within Holmes Dining Hall. Space is limited in the private dining room so arrive on time! Questions? Email david.shimokawa@unco.edu.
GSA Fall Welcome Back Mixer
Wednesday, Aug. 15
7-8:30 p.m.
16th Street Tavern (905 16th Street Greeley, CO)
Join your fellow graduate students at the annual GSA Fall Welcome Back Mixer. We’ll be heading to Grand Lake’s 16th Street Tavern for an evening of good food, craft brews, and great company. Live jazz music provided by the Seth Lewis Trio. 16th Street Tavern is closing their doors to the public for this private GSA event, so please bring your UNC student ID card for admission. Food provided by the GSA (while supplies last). Questions? Bringing a guest? Email david.shimokawa@unco.edu.
Planned Food Menu:
Cuban sandwiches, chicken quesadillas, pulled pork sandwiches, Hawaiian sliders, Gouda/Muenster
mac n’ cheese, spring greens, and kettle chips.
GSA Meetup: Taste of UNC
Friday, Aug. 17
5 p.m.
Turner Hall Lawn (map)
Meetup Coordinator: Daniel.westerlind@unco.edu
Contact Number: (970) 274-9101
Join the GSA for this meetup of graduate students at the annual Taste of UNC. The Taste of UNC is a carnival event where attendees can sample a variety of foods and participate in multiple activities at the different booths. Ticket booklets provided for graduate students (and up to one guest) on a first-come-first-served basis. Find meetup coordinator Daniel Westerlind (HESAL M.A. program) at 5:00 p.m. just north of Turner Hall Lawn.
Daniel Westerlind
Taste of UNC meetup coordinator
GSA Meetup: RecFest
Friday, Aug. 17
7 p.m.
UNC Campus Recreation Center (map)
Meetup coordinator: Nora Johnston
Immediately after the Taste of UNC, we’ll be walking over to the UNC Campus Recreation Center for their annual RecFest event. Come see the various programs and activities that the Rec Center has to offer while participating in games, contests, and activities for prizes and giveaways!
UNC Local Business Fair
Sunday, Aug. 19
4–6 p.m.
Candelaria Lawn (map)
Registration Info: UNC Local Business Fair website
Learn more about the products and services offered by numerous companies and organizations in the Greeley community. Enjoy food samples, product giveaways, entertainment and more at this lively festival of commerce! All members of the UNC campus community are welcome! Live entertainment provided by the UNC Funk Lab band led by jazz studies graduate student Seth Lewis. Interested businesses and organizations can purchase table space here: UNC Local Business Fair Registration Page
Planned Food Menu: crudite shooters, salad stuffed puffs, prosciutto-wrapped melon, crab cheesecake, caprese skewers, canapes, gazpacho, garden tartlets, barbacoa arepas, sausage-stuffed mushrooms, chicken satay, smoked chedar potatoes, chevre onion tartlets, brie bouchees, chicken empanadas, infused water stations and fusion fruit punch stations.
GSA Grant Cycle 1: Awards to be Announced Friday, Aug. 10
If you have applied for a conference travel or research funding grant for GSA grant
cycle 1 (July 1–Aug. 31, 2018), award or rejection letters will be sent to your student
email by Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. Grant applications were accepted between July 1-20,
2018. For more information on travel and research funding available to graduate students
through the GSA, visit the GSA website.
Highest Scoring Grant Application: 2017-2018 Cycle 4
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Harman
Presentation Title: Effects of an Exercise Intervention on Lung Cancer Patients Who
Have Undergone a Lobectomy
Type of Presentation: Solo Thematic Poster Presentation
Total GSA Funding Requested: $600
Presentation Description:
Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed form of cancer, and is often treated
surgically via lung tissue removal, which is referred to medically as a lobectomy.
Removal of lung tissue often impairs heart and lung (cardiopulmonary) function, reduces
activities of daily living, and lowers quality of life. The purpose of this study
was to assess how much our exercise intervention could improve cardiopulmonary function
in our cancer population. Nine male and female lung cancer survivors who had previously
undergone a lobectomy, were recruited to participate in a 12-week exercise-based rehabilitation
program.
The program consisted of one hour sessions, three days per week, and included cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, balance, and flexibility exercises. Subjects completed pre and post assessments of cardiopulmonary function, consisting of a graded exercise test, yielding outcome measures for heart health via peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), and lung function via forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1).
We found that our 12 week intervention significantly improved heart health and maintained or slightly improved lung function. As a whole, these results showcase those who opt for a surgical removal of lung tissue can still see significant improvements to heart and lung function, which translates to increased independence and performance of activities of daily living.
Presentation of this research is of great importance as a clinician working with the cancer population. I believe the more research such as this is presented, the more willing individuals will be to incorporate exercise-based rehabilitation into their treatment plan. By presenting at a national conference, I will be able to maximize the audience to which this research can be present before the study is sent off for publication. The thematic presentation session is comprised of a poster presentation followed by an oral presentation of the research presented, with an opportunity for questions from the audience. This method of presentation suits my presentation style as it allows for individuals to approach me one on one, and then for the general audience to be exposed to this study at a later time, further increasing the exposure this study will receive. Funding to present this topic will be a huge relief for the stresses associated with attendance, travel, and housing that comes with any sort of conference.
GSA Grant Cycle 4 (2017-2018 fiscal year) “Special Recognition”
While congratulations are in order for all of the UNC graduate students that were
awarded GSA grant funding, special recognition goes to the following people:
Top Scoring Grant Application Cycle 4:
Nicholas Harman, SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program
2018 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Presentation Title: Effects of an Exercise Intervention on Lung Cancer Patients Who
Have Undergone a Lobectomy
Grant Winners Researching/Presenting with Undergraduate Understudies:
Braelae Hardt, Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.S. program
Researching with undergraduate student Abigail Hayes
Assessing the Influences of Habitat Structure on Bird Song Propagation and Evolution
Emily Royse, Biological Education, Ph.D. program
Presenting with undergraduate student Hannah Abelein
Influence of Affective Factors on Practices in Simulated Authentic Science Inquiry
Simone Muller, Earth Sciences, M.A. program
Researching with undergraduate student Jacob Hooker
Dating deformation in the Big Thompson Canyon, northern Colorado Front Range: Distinguishing
accretionary orogen models.
Two-Time GSA Grant Winners (2017-2018)
Alex Traugutt, SES: Sport Administration, Ph.D. program
Alexandra Vita, Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.S. program
Amanda Gowan, Criminology & Criminal Justice, M.A. program
Ann Kuhn, SES: Sport Pedagogy, Ph.D. program
Anna Schwabe, Biological Education, PhD. program
Ann-Elizabeth Nash, Biological Education, Ph.D. program
Claire Critchlow, Counselor Education & Supervision, Ph.D. program
Dayna DeHerrera, Public Health/Community Health Education, MPH program
Emilie Hancock, Educational Mathematics, Ph.D. program
Hillary Franks, SES: Sport Pedagogy, Ph.D. program
Jessica Hovland, Special Education, Ph.D. program
Karina Sanchez, Biological Education, Ph.D. program
Kathryn Casey, Nursing: Education, Ph.D. program
Katrine Gosselin, Special Education, Ph.D. program
Maaly Younis, Educational Psychology, Ph.D. program
Nicholas Harman, SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program
Peter Smoak, SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program
Rammi Hazzaa, SES: Sport Administration, Ph.D. program
Rowen Thomas, Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D. program
Salaheddin Sharif, SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program
Samantha Naibauer, Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.S. program
Stephanie Pergantis, Counselor Education & Supervision, Ph.D. program
Wai Yin Li, School Psychology, Ph.D. program
Yolanda Chatwood, Music: Education, D.A. program
Zachary Tiemann, Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.A. program
International Presentations:
Emily Royse, Biological Education: Ph.D. program
13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences
London, United Kingdom
Influence of Affective Factors on Practices in Simulated Authentic Science Inquiry
Hoyoon Jung, Sport & Exercise Science: Sport Administration, Ph.D. program
2018 North American Society for Sport Management
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Determinants of the Number of Spectators in the Korean Professional Baseball League
Rammi Hazzaa, Sport & Exercise Science: Sport Administration, Ph.D. program
2018 North American Society for Sport Management
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Understanding Perceptions of Social Responsibility in Professional Sport from Contemporary
Sport Consumers
Earliest Scheduled Presentation(s) of Grant Cycle 4:
Alexandra Vita, Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.S. program
Immunology 2018 Conference
May 4-8, 2018
The effects of berberine on co-stimulatory molecule expression and T cell activation.
David Lyons, Biological Education: Ph.D.
Immunology 2018 Conference
May 4-8, 2018
Soluble Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 enhances murine mast cell cytokine release
Latest Scheduled Presentation(s) of Grant Cycle 4:
Emily Royse, Biological Education: Ph.D. program
13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences
June 23-37, 2018
Influence of Affective Factors on Practices in Simulated Authentic Science Inquiry.
College with the Most GSA Grant Awards in Cycle 4:
College of Natural & Health Sciences, 19 awards
Note: NHS was the only college that submitted grant applications during cycle 4.
Program(s) with the Most GSA Grant Awards in Cycle 4:
Three-way tie:
Biological Education: Ph.D. (5)
Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.S. (5)
Sport & Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. (5)
Students Who Requested the Most Funding in Cycle 4:
Ann-Elizabeth Nash, Biological Education, Ph.D. program $3,519.58
Emily Royse, Biological Education, Ph.D. program $3,428.15
Anna Freundlich, Biological Sciences: Thesis, M.S. program $3,126.24
Student Who Requested the Most Funding in 2017-2018:
Ann-Elizabeth Nash (Biological Education, Ph.D. program) was the highest spending graduate student in 2017-2018. Ann-Elizabeth requested
$7,208.63 from the GSA for two separate research projects in grant cycles 3 & 4.
Grant Cycle 3 Project: Site Fidelity and Stable Aggregations in the Spiny-Tailed Iguana,
Ctenosaura similis
Grant Cycle 4 Project: Spiny-Tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) Social Structure:
Non-Breeding Season
GSA Rental Equipment
Reservation Request Form
The GSA has a number of items available for graduate students to check out. These items were purchased with grant funding obtained by the GSA and were selected for their potential to assist graduate students with research, presentations, and/or conference travel. All rentals are free to current UNC graduate students. Typical rental period is for one week, but requests can be made for longer periods (pending availability). All rentals must be picked up and dropped off at the GSA office within the UNC Graduate School (Carter Hall #2007).
Current Inventory:
- (two) Logitech Spotlight Presenter remotes (info)
- (one) 22,000mAh Power Bank (info)
- (one) 26,800mAh Power Bank (info)
- (three) Travel Poster Tubes (info; pictured above)
- (one) Bestek Travel 220v-110v Power Converter (info)
- (one) Dual Lavalier Microphone w/mini-plug (info)
- (one) Tabletop Interview Microphone w/USB-plug (info)
- (two) Foot Transcription Pedals (info)
GSA Volunteer Positions Available:
Academic Appeals Board Appointees
Open pool for on-call service
Overview of Academic Appeal Process
The GSA is currently seeking graduate students to fill an open pool of Academic Appeals Board reviewers. When graduate students seek to appeal academic or, UNC Graduate School decisions the appeal process allows GSA representation during all processes of the appeal. Taking a position in this open pool ensures due process for the students served by the GSA. Please consider this unique opportunity to make a difference in the academic journey of your peers.
Five GSA approved Academic Appeals Board reviewers from the open pool participate in each hearing. Other members of the open pool have the opportunity to review the documentation to prepare the student and selected participants. GSA approved Academic Appeals Board reviewers are eligible for additional conference/research grant funding for their service. The Assistant Director of Graduate Student Rights & Appeals selects hearing participants based on availability, equal rotational opportunities, and policy/departmental experience.
GSA Fantasy Football League
Football season is fast approaching and it’s time to sign up for the GSA fantasy football
league (via ESPN.com). League commissioner Jesus “Danny” Garcia Ramos (SES: Sport Administration, Ph.D. program) will be overseeing this year’s competition
between graduate students, faculty, and UNC staff. The league is tentatively set for
a maximum of 20 teams so contact Danny Garcia as soon as possible to reserve your spot. The GSA League’s fantasy draft party will
take place at the end of August, date/time/location TBA.
GSA Workout Group
Weekday afternoons
UNC Campus Recreation Center
Meetup coordinator: Nicholas Dix (Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D. program)
Looking for people to workout with at the UNC Campus Recreation Center? A number of graduate students head there on weekday afternoons for a variety of activities. Contact Nicholas Dix for more information. Grad student pictured above: Hadi Alamer (Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership program).
GSA Activity Coordinators Wanted!
Are there activities or events that you are interested in coordinating for graduate
students? You can plan your own event from the ground up or you can organize a graduate
student meetup for campus/community events such as athletic events, fitness classes,
festivals and fairs, etc.
- Activity suggestions:
- Trivia night at a local bar
- Day trip to Estes Park
- Hiking
- Skeet shooting
- Batting cage
- Intramural sports team
- Comedy club
- Camping
Interested volunteers should send an email to david.shimokawa@unco.edu to discuss event possibilities, budget and GSA support.
Snacks for Graduate Students
@ the GSA Office in the Graduate School
Mon-Fri
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you happen to be in the Graduate School office for official business (dropping off paperwork or meeting with staff), help yourself to coffee, juice, cookies, chips, pastries, or candy. All snacks provided by the Graduate Student Association for graduate students. If you’d like to donate any money or food to help out, please email david.shimokawa@unco.edu
UNC Gender & Sexuality Resource Center Seeking Mentors for Undergraduate Students
The purpose of the GSRC Mentoring Program is to provide support, resources, and connections
to undergraduate students along the gender, sexuality, and romantic spectrums through
partnerships with Mentors who also identify across the gender, sexuality, and romantic
spectrums.
Mentor applications are open to all UNC Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students who mentor Undergraduate Student Mentees. Commitments include weekly to biweekly 1-on-1 meetings with assigned Mentee, commitment to attend three Program wide events per semester. 3 Fall Dates: Orientation (Saturday, August 25th, 10 am – 2pm), Mid-Semester Program (Tuesday, October 2nd, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm), End-Of-Semester Community Gathering (Tuesday, November 13th, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm). Spring Dates to be announced.
Interested graduate students should contact GSRC graduate assistant Rowen Thomas as soon as possible. Rowen is a Ph.D. student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership program and one of the Graduate Student Association’s appointees to the Academic Appeals Board (AAB).
For a full list of GSRC’s Welcome Week events, please visit their website: http://www.unco.edu/gender-sexuality-resource-center/
Upcoming Community Events:
- Aug. 6-9, High Plains Chatauqua
- Aug. 9, Summer Concert Series at Family Funplex
- Aug. 10, Friday Fest in Downtown Greeley
- Aug. 10, Neighborhood Nights, Movie in the Park
- Aug. 10-12 Bohemian Nights Concerts
- Aug. 11, Greeley Farmers Market
- Aug. 11, District 6 School Kickoff Celebration
Submit your news to the GSA
Anything interesting going on with you or your fellow graduate students? A recent
hiring? Awards? Publications? We want to know! Submit your news to david.shimokawa@unco.edu
Bookmark the GSA Facebook Page
Join us online to get updates and event news from the GSA Facebook page!
UNC Graduate Student Association Staff Members
David Shimokawa
Director
Graduate Program: SES: Sport Administration, Ph.D.
david.shimokawa@unco.edu
Office: 970-351-1089
Amanda Jacobs
GSA Council: Assistant Director of Graduate Student Affairs
GSA Staff Photographer
Graduate Program: Educational Psychology, Ph.D.
amanda.jacobs@unco.edu
Dannon Cox
GSA Council: Assistant Director of Media Relations
Graduate Student Appreciation Week, Chair
Drinks On Me GSA Podcast, Producer/Director
Graduate Assistant, Sport & Exercise Science
Graduate Program: SES: Sport Pedagogy, Ph.D.
dannon.cox@unco.edu
Kathryn (Katy) LaFary
GSA Council: Assistant Director of Graduate Student Research
Academic Appeals Board, GSA Appointee
Graduate Assistant, CEBS
Graduate Program: Educational Psychology, Ph.D.
kathryn.lafary@unco.edu
Margaret Sebastian
GSA Council: Assistant Director of Graduate Student Community & Climate
Academic Appeals Board, GSA Appointee
UNC Campus Climate Workgroup, GSA Appointee
Graduate Assistant, Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership
Graduate Program: Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D.
margaret.sebastian@unco.edu
Nicholas (Nick) Dix
GSA Council: Assistant Director of Graduate Student Rights & Appeals
GSA Intramural Sports Captain: Softball
Graduate Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D.
nicholas.dix@unco.edu
Amra Mohammed
Graduate Council, GSA Representative
Graduate Program: Special Education, Ph.D.
Moha6309@bears.unco.edu
Bethany Busch
Campus Recreation Advisory Board, GSA Appointee
Graduate Program: SES: Exercise Physiology, M.S.
Busc1939@bears.unco.edu
Brandy Tackett
Office Space Committee Chair
GSA Activity Coordinator
Graduate Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, M.A.
Brandy.tackett@unco.edu
Daniel Westerlind
GSA Activity Coordinator
Graduate Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, M.A.
Daniel.westerlind@unco.edu
Danny Garcia
GSA Fantasy Football League Commissioner
Graduate Program: Sport & Exercise Science: Sport Administration, Ph.D.
Garc2791@bears.unco.edu
Gabrielle (Gabby) McAllaster
GSA Activity Coordinator
Graduate Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, M.A.
Mcal9197@bears.unco.edu
Michelle Morgan
Academic Appeals Board, GSA Appointee
Graduate Council, GSA Representative
Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Mathematical Sciences
Graduate Program: Educational Mathematics, Ph.D.
michelle.morgan@unco.edu
Rowen Thomas
Academic Appeals Board, GSA Appointee
Graduate Assistant, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center
Graduate Program: Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D.
rowen.thomas@unco.edu
Salaheddin Sharif
GSA Activity Coordinator
Graduate Program: Sport & Exercise Science: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D.
Salaheddin.sharif@unco.edu
