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GSA Newsletter: March 4, 2019

Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
from Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019
GSA Representatives: Mel Lafferty, Bomin Paek, Salaheddin Sharif
Minutes PDF

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Lounge

GSA Graduate Student Lounge Area
The Graduate Student Association is working on developing a graduate student lounge area on campus. This will likely be a small seating area for graduate students in one of the more heavily-trafficked buildings on campus. If you have suggestions for a lounge location or lounge amenities that you’d like to see, email GSA Director David.Shimokawa@unco.edu as soon as possible. Current amenity suggestions include:

  • Coffee machine
  • Charging stations
  • Gaming system
  • Television
  • Microwave
  • Popcorn machine
  • Temporary lockers
  • Massage chair
  • Book drop
  • Campus phone
  • Ethernet plug-ins

GSA Q&A Panel @ McNair Scholars Program
Graduate Students Amanda Bevan, David Shimokawa, Karina Sanchez, and Victoria Flores are scheduled to attend a Q&A panel discussion with the undergraduate students of UNC’s McNair Scholars Program. McNair Scholars hope to attend graduate school and wanted to ask current graduate students about some of the challenges they faced and suggestions for overcoming them. If you’d like to contribute your own answer to their questions, please email the question and your response to GSA Director david.shimokawa@unco.edu

  • What kind of GA assistantship would be preferable (teaching vs research assistantship)?
  • How do you locate funding opportunities on campus?
  • How do you connect with others at a new university? Finding friends? How do you manage a social life? How do you manage work, life, balance?
  • Did you work in addition to grad school? If so what did you do?
  • How did you live off your stipends? How did you budget for grad school? How do you manage finances?
  • How did you decide which grad school was for you?
  • How do you set boundaries or what boundaries do you recommend for your mentor/advisor?
  • How do you manage stress and difficulties in a new place?
  • How does life change compared to undergrad?
  • What to do if they don’t get offered a funding package at first?
  • How do you survive a toxic environment?

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

GSA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes
TBD

The GSA is currently seeking grant funding to host free Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at UNC for students. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art (video link) that uses technique and leverage so practitioners can defend themselves from larger, stronger opponents. Tentatively scheduled for fall 2019. Are you interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Do you have the experience to teach BJJ to others? Contact GSA Director David.Shimokawa@unco.edu today. We are currently measuring interest and reserving tentative spots for participants.

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Jonny Lisano 

Exercise with Mary Jane
Bear-in-Mind Podcast with Jonny Lisano, SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program
Listen to the Podcast

Ph.D. candidate Jonny Lisano discusses the untapped research on marijuana and exercise and the professional benefits of being a UNC Bear. Throughout his time at UNC, Jonny has been awarded multiple research and conference travel grants by the Graduate Student Association.

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Peter Smoak 

Cancer and Kefir
Bear-in-Mind Podcast with Peter Smoak, SES: Exercise Physiology, Ph.D. program
Listen to the podcast

UNC Ph.D. candidate Peter Smoak discusses his research on the possible benefits of kefir for patients with chemotherapy history. Throughout his time at UNC, Peter has been awarded multiple research and conference travel grants by the Graduate Student Association.

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Engaged Scholar Awards

Engaged Scholar Award Recipients
Contributed by Mel Lafferty: Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D. program
Graduate students Rebecca Autrey, Shyanne Heise, and Anna Momchilov received an Engaged Scholar Award for excellence and scholarship in the field of community-based research, community-based learning, and community partner building. They were recognized at the Community Engaged Scholars Symposium on Oct. 30, 2018. 

Rebecca, Shyanne, and Anna were nominated for their commitment to community engagement and significant leadership roles in the Speech-Language Pathology program. Shyanne has served as the Coordinator of the Project Ready program since Fall 2017. This community outreach program was started in Fall 2017 to support the emergent language and literacy of children of migrant families. Anna Momchilov and Rebecca Autrey have served as the Coordinators of the Greeley Treasure Chest Program since Fall 2017.  This program utilizes Treasure Chests full of age-appropriate books and toys that families take home for two weeks and then exchange when they meet again with a graduate student for a coaching session.

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Rico Montoya Wrestling

Rico Montoya Earns Spot on 2019 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team
Sport & Exercise Science: Sports Administration, M.S. graduate student Rico Montoya is one of only four wrestlers in the Big 12 Conference to hold a 4.0 grade point average. Rico joins five other UNC students on the All-Big 12 first team. Rico finished fourth and sixth place in the Big 12 wrestling championships in 2017 and 2018.

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Lunar New Year

GSA Meet-up @ UNC Lunar New Year Celebration: 2/9/19 event recap
Photo Gallery
Graduate Students Shumin Shen and Oluwagbenga "David" Agboola coordinated a graduate student meet-up for the annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Fifteen graduate students enjoyed an afternoon of cultural activities, a music and dance program and a dinner celebration. 

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Breakfast Club IHOP

GSA Breakfast Club: 2/23/19 event recap
Photo Gallery

Contributed by Margaret Sebastian: Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership, Ph.D. program
Thank you for coming to the GSA Breakfast Club this past weekend!  It was really encouraging to see everyone attend as well as hear the various conversations around the table!  It was great to meet all the new faces and start the weekend with everyone!

I hope to see you next month, on March 30, at Starbucks at 1535 Rocky Mountain Avenue, Loveland (right across from Chick fil a).  I'm working with the manager to see if he can discount some food for our working spaces.  Bring more people and your homework!

University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association Writing Circle

GSA Writing Circle
Wednesday Evenings (except Spring Break & Finals Week)
7-10 p.m.
ROOM CHANGE: McKee 221
Contact: Elizabeth.Shmikler@unco.edu 

The GSA Writing Circle provides a place for graduate students to receive peer to peer accountability, visit with experts in research and writing, and meet with fellow graduate students from different departments. Bring your own laptop and/or writing materials. Drop-ins welcome!

Library Researcher Workshop: Enhancing Student Learning with Open Education Resources
Wednesday, Mar. 6
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Registration Link
Location: Michener Library, Room 303

In the current educational landscape, open education resources provide a way to mitigate the rising costs of course materials, reimagine traditional pedagogical approaches, and improve student retention and success. This interactive workshop will offer specific examples of how OER and open pedagogy can empower learners in a course. You will explore how to locate and evaluate disciplinary OER, discuss the benefits and challenges of incorporating open content into teaching, and learn tips for designing student-centered open pedagogy projects. This workshop is for UNC faculty and graduate students in all disciplines.

Employee to Employee Wellness Program
The Employee to Employee (E2E) program supports peers’ personal wellness through mindfulness, yoga, and other physical contemplative practices. The Employee to Employee (E2E) program is a grassroots initiative that developed out of a desire to hold space for each other and offer grounding moments in the middle of our busy weeks and stressful worlds.
Event Flyer

Upcoming Local Events:

UNC Jazz Thang
Monday, March 4
7 p.m.
Moxi Theater (802 9th St, Greeley)
7 p.m. Doors | 7:30 p.m. Showtime. *Free Admission for UNC Students and Faculty. Tickets & Reserved Table Available Online at www.moxitheater.com. *PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRY*

UNC Indigenous Women’s Lecture Series
Tuesday/Thursday, March 5 & 7
4 p.m.
UNC Native American Student Services (924 20th Street, Greeley)
Guest Speakers Matika Wilbur and Adrienne Keene

One Night of Queen
Friday, March 8
7:30 p.m.
Union Colony Civic Center (701 10th Ave, Greeley)
One Night of Queen is a spectacular live concert, recreating the look, sound, pomp and showmanship of arguably the greatest rock band of all time. 

Crawfish Boil Featuring the Austin Young Band
Saturday, March 9
1-5 p.m.
Rockabillies (12363 W. 64th Ave., Arvada)

Louisiana Style Crawfish Boil with Live Music from the Austin Young Band! NO TICKETS REQUIRED Crawfish is $20 per box and includes corn, sausage and potatoes. Each box is about 3 Pounds. Crawfish is first come / first serve and is available until sold out. We strongly suggest arriving early to get in line or arriving no later than 1pm.

TEDxCSU
Saturday, March 9
10 a.m.
Colorado State University, Lory Student Center (500 University Ave, Fort Collins)

TEDxCSU is proud to be Northern Colorado’s official TEDx event, devoted to bringing CSU students, staff, and community members together. TEDxCSU is held throughout the Lory Student Center (LSC) on CSU’s campus and strives to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for everyone’s “Ideas Worth Spreading”. This year’s TEDxCSU event will feature nine diverse speakers, a large Exhibit Hall highlighting Colorado businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators, and three local entertainment acts.

Fort Collins Foodie Walk
Friday, March 15
5 p.m.
Downtown Fort Collins (19 Old Town Square, Suite 230, Fort Collins)

The Fort Collins Foodie Walk is "a culinary tour of tasty proportions!" Come educate your taste buds during this monthly self-guided Old Town foodie tour featuring new and exciting taste experiences from 12 Downtown culinary shops on the 3rd Friday of each month. It's FREE and everyone is welcome!

Greeley Home & Outdoor Expo
Friday-Sunday, March 15-17
Island Grove Event Center

Free admission & free parking! The Greeley Home & Outdoor Expo is happening March 15-17, at The Island Grove Event Center! See the newest in design trends, remodeling, lifestyle and full home automation. Tour local and national vendors with products and services for your home, garden and family living. 

Blarney on the Block
Saturday, March 16
2 p.m.
Downtown Greeley

Saturday, March 16 from 2-7 p.m. Enjoy our short and fun parade followed by and afternoon of 'Go-Cup" service on the 9th St. Plaza and music with Juice of the Barley.

Submit your news and announcements to the GSA Newsletter! Email GSA Director David.Shimokawa@unco.edu