Transcript Welcome to New Graduate Student Orientation Please fill out the student info sheet (green half sheet) in the front right pocket of your folders.

Welcome to
New Graduate
Student Orientation
Please fill out the student info sheet (green half sheet)
in the front right pocket of your folders – it will be
collected near the start of the program
Welcome from the Graduate Dean
-- Dr. Julie Masterson -THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME
 For us!
 For you?
Graduate College Staff
Dr. Julie Masterson, Graduate Dean & Associate Provost
Dr. Tom Tomasi, Associate Dean
Christy Graham, Executive Assistant III
Phillip Raleigh, Administrative Specialist II
Michael Edwards, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Misty Stewart, Coordinator of Graduate Recruiting
Sue Dover, Admissions Evaluator
Agenda Today
 Nuts & Bolts of Graduate School
 Doing Well in Graduate School
 Ethical Leadership and Academic Integrity
 Resource Table Blurbs/Tweets
 Lunch/Alumni Tell All
 Degree Works
 ~ 1:30
 Campus Tours (Optional)
 Administrative and Research Graduate Assistant Q&A
 Resource Tables
Nuts & Bolts of Graduate School
Michael Edwards
Phillip Raleigh
Christy Graham
Tom Tomasi, PhD
Admission Information
Michael Edwards
Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Congratulations
on your admission!
Have you registered for classes?
Register online through your
My Missouri State account
(my.missouristate.edu)
OR
Register in person at the
Office of the Registrar
Carrington Hall, Room 320
(417) 836-5520
Now That You Are Admitted…
Final Transcripts
 The Graduate College MUST have an official transcript from
your undergraduate institution showing that you have
received your bachelor’s degree.
 If you fail to provide this to the Graduate College, a hold will
be placed on your account and you will be unable to register
for classes.
 Missouri State undergraduates do not need to do this.
Change/Addition of Academic Area
 Complete a new graduate application online and indicate
whether you are CHANGING or ADDING a program.
Complete a paper copy of graduate application.
 Graduate College’s website (graduate.missouristate.edu)
 Graduate Admissions office, Carrington Hall, room 308.
 You must also complete any paperwork the department
requires, which may include:




A separate application
Resume
New letters of recommendation
Test Scores
 You MUST be admitted to the new program.
Graduate Certificates
• Missouri State currently offers 40+ graduate certificate programs
(these are not degrees).
Cybersecurity, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, Financing, Financial Analysis,
Marketing, Management, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, etc.
 Certificates can be completed as stand-alone programs or done
concurrently with a graduate degree program.
 Certificate programs require the same admission process as
graduate degree programs.
 Information on graduate certificate programs can be found on the
Graduate College’s website (graduate.missouristate.edu).
Contact Us!
 Graduate College
 Carrington Hall, room 306
(417) 836-5335
[email protected]
 Graduate Admissions
 Carrington Hall, room 308
(417) 836-5331
[email protected]
Financial Assistance
Phillip Raleigh
Administrative Assistant II
Graduate Assistantships Eligibility:
Eligibility:
 Must be admitted into a graduate degree or graduate
certificate program
 Must have:
 3.00 GPA undergraduate cumulative OR
 3.00 GPA on last 60 hours of undergraduate OR
 3.00 on 9 semester hours of graduate work
 Must complete a minimum of 6 hours of graduate level course
work during each semester of appointment on a graduate
assistantship. Summer graduate assistants must complete a
minimum of 3 hours of graduate level course work during the
summer session.

Must maintain a 3.00 GPA
Graduate Assistantships
Types:
 Academic (teaching or research)
 Administrative
Application:
 Submit an application directly to the respective department
or office
 Include additional materials as requested
 The application form is available at
http://graduate.missouristate.edu/assistantship.htm
Graduate Assistantships (CONT.)
2015-2016 (Full G.A.) Stipends:
 $8,600/$10,464 for the academic year
 $4,300/$5,232 for a fall or spring semester
 $2,150/$2,616 for summer
Limited fee waiver scholarship (Full-G.A.):
 Covers up to 15 hours of graduate courses that are part of the
student’s Advisor Approved Program of Study for each of the fall
and/or spring semesters PLUS up to 6 hours in the summer (for
those with a G.A. position in the Spring)
 Maximum cumulative credits covered will not exceed 10% beyond
minimum credit hour requirements of the degree
G.A. Fee Waiver Scholarship
The fee waiver scholarship WILL pay for:
1. The minimum $255 for MO-Residents or $511 for NonResidents (per credit hour) of Basic Fees-Tuition of any
Regular Instruction graduate level course, or up to $285 (per
credit hour) for any Internet Based Instruction graduate
level course, within the above stated hour limits.
2. Student Services Fees assessed for any graduate course
enrollment.
G.A. Fee Waiver Scholarship (cont.)
The fee waiver scholarship WILL NOT pay for:
1. The $30 (per credit hour) College of Health & Human
Services (CHHS) differential fee assessed for any enrollment-regular instruction or internet based instruction--in the
specified courses in the 2015-2016 Detailed Costs and Fees
schedule are not covered. (NOTE: The CHHS differential will
appear on your student statement broken out from your
Tuition as a separate “Additional GR Tuition-CHHS” charge.)
G.A. Fee Waiver Scholarship (cont.)
The fee waiver scholarship WILL NOT pay for:
2.
The $32 (per credit hour) College of Business (COB),
$15 College of Arts & Letters (COAL)-Music, and $18
COAL-Art.
3.
Other Enrollment Fee assessed for any enrollment—
regular instruction or internet based instruction—in
the specified courses in the 2015-2016 Detailed Costs
and Fees schedule are not covered. (NOTE: These fees
will be reflected on your student statement as “COBGrad Crse Enrll Fee”; “MUS” or “ART” Addtl Enrll FeeGR” charges.)
G.A. Fee Waiver Scholarship (cont.)
The fee waiver scholarship WILL NOT pay for:
4. Supplemental Course Fees assessed on any course.
5. Student health insurance, books, or other miscellaneous fees.
Student Employment
 A student employee works a part-time, hourly, on-campus
job at Missouri State while concurrently enrolled as a
degree-seeking student
 Graduate students are eligible for federal work-study grants
 Information is available in the Student Employment Office
(Blair-Shannon 113) or on the web at
http://www.missouristate.edu/StudentEmp/
Scholarships and Federal
Financial Aid
 Administered through the Financial Aid Office in Carrington
101 (Phone: 836-5262)
 Information regarding scholarships available specifically to
graduate students can be found online at
http://www.missouristate.edu/FinancialAid/graduate.html
Thank you.
We are glad to have you join us
at Missouri State University!
Graduate Program Completion
Christy Graham
Program of Study
Each graduate program has a list of required courses. In some
programs, every student takes the exact same courses and in other
programs, students may take a variety of different courses.
 Check your program requirements in the Graduate Catalog and/or
meet with your advisor to determine the courses you need to take
Things to remember -  No course with a grade of C- or below may be applied to a
Program of Study
 No course older than 8 years old may be applied to a Program of
Study without an approved 8 year appeal/exception.
Degree Works
(online degree audit system)
The new Degree Works system is scheduled to go live in
October, 2015!!!!
Degree Works is a comprehensive academic advising and
degree audit solution to monitor progress toward degree
completion.
More information in the 12:45 – 1:15 session.
Comprehensive Examinations
Most programs require a comprehensive examination. This can
be completed as a verbal or written examination or a
combination of both. Your advisor will be able to tell you if you
program requires a comp exam and what format will be
required.
 Comprehensive Examination Application/Result Form should
be turned in to your department
 Department will forward results to the Graduate College
 The form is available online at
http://graduate.missouristate.edu/forms.htm
Application for Graduation
An Application for Graduation needs to be submitted the first
week of the semester in which you plan to graduate or earlier.
Complete the application for graduation at My Missouri State
under the Academics Tab.
 You will choose how you want your name to appear on the
diploma - - it must match a name that is in the university
system
 You will choose your diploma delivery – mailed, self pick-up
or authorized pick-up by someone else
Research
Tom Tomasi, PhD
Associate Dean, Graduate College
Research Requirement
 Missouri State University graduate degrees
require experience in research
 The research requirement is generally met in
one of two ways:
 Thesis
 Degree/Seminar Paper (non-thesis)
Research… Program Specifics
 Some programs require the Thesis Option
 Credit varies from 3 to 6 hours
 Other programs suggest the Seminar/Degree Paper
 Often the seminar/degree paper is completed by a specific
class enrollment
 In other cases, the paper is not linked to a single, specific
course
 A Seminar Report Form, (submitted to the Grad College) is
required for some programs… check with your department
The “Choice”
(if your program offers both)
Thesis
Seminar Paper
 Look at your program’s other requirements
 Consult with your advisor
 Consider your long-range goals
Thesis vs. Seminar Paper
 No simple research set of criteria distinguishes
between the two options
 The only absolute differences are that a thesis:
 Requires a 3 person (minimum) faculty committee
(all must be graduate faculty)
 A thesis has a final review by the Graduate College and is
placed on file in the Library
 Course enrollment is in a 799 number
Thesis Option Generalizations
 Typically the thesis requires collection of original data,
expression of original analyses, and/or presentation of
creative work
 The thesis is typically viewed as a fairly in-depth study that
will take considerable time
 In many disciplines there are financial costs associated with
thesis research
 A written thesis must meet the requirements of both your
committee and the Graduate College
 Some elements have a required format – a THESIS GUIDE is
available at:
 http://graduate.missouristate.edu
 (under New and Current Students  “Thesis Resources”)
Thesis Grading
 In some departments, thesis grades are not assigned
until the final product is complete - since the
enrollment often is over several semesters. In these
cases, a “Z” grade is assigned prior to completion
 A signed Z-Grade Removal Form will need to be
submitted to the Graduate College before a student
can be cleared for graduation
 Some programs use regular grading; others use
Pass/Not Pass
Thesis Research Funding
 Students doing a thesis can “apply” to the Graduate
College for limited financial help on research costs.
 Examples of valid expenses include equipment,
expendable supplies, and survey postage
 Applications are reviewed twice a year (Fall: October
2, 2015 and Spring: mid-February)
 Apply AFTER you formulate a “research plan”
 Funding is not a fixed amount!
 Funds go to the department to help pay for the
student’s research, not directly to the student.
Student Travel Funding
 Limited travel funding is available for students
accepted to present research findings at professional
state/regional/national conferences.
 A formal application needs to be submitted to the
Graduate College at least 2 weeks prior to travel.
 Travel funding awards for are transferred directly to
the student’s department.
 Students who receive travel funding are expected to
present at the annual Interdisciplinary Research
Forum (IDF).
23rd Annual
Graduate
Interdisciplinary
Forum
April 23, 2016
GEN 798 – Active in Research
 Zero credit hour course ($75)
 For those students with only their research
requirement remaining to be completed
 Provides the following:
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Access to the library
Opportunity to purchase a parking pass
Access to computer services, including e-mail
Access to Taylor Health Center services
 Graded as a “P” or “N”
 Register online like any other course
Responsible Conduct of Research

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Fabrication of data
Plagiarism
Authorship of papers
Retention of data
Compliance with federal requirements


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Human participants
Biosafety
Animal use
Radiation
Export control
(on-line training and IRB)
(Biosafety Committee)
(on-line training and IACUC)
(personal training)
http://orc.missouristate.edu
Additional Resources
Fall 2015 Workshops



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
Degree Planning 101
Library Research
Library Research (International Students)
Career Search
Human Subjects in Research: What Do You Need To
Know
 Animal Care and Use
See handout in your packet for
dates, times, and locations
Spring 2016 Workshops
 Thesis Writing 101
 How to Write an Abstract
 Presentation Pointers: Oral and Poster Presentation
Success
Dates and times will be forthcoming.
Watch the “Workshops” link on the
Graduate College website
Graduate Student Senate
 The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) coordinates many
events throughout the year, and is the representative
body for all graduate students.
 Involvement in GSS is a great way to develop a
network of friends across the campus.
 Graduate Student Senate meetings will be posted on
website.
 All graduate students are welcome.
 Voting for 2015-2016 officers will take place at the
first meeting.
Resource Tables Available Today
 Research Administration  Bear CLAW
 Foster Recreation
 Computer Services
 Counseling & Testing
Center
 International Student
Services
 Library
 Multicultural Center and
Programs
Please pass completed student info sheets to the aisle.
Doing Well in Graduate School
Missouri State Graduate Faculty
Dr. Elizabeth Rozell, Business Administration
Dr. Bob Pavlowsky, Geography, Geology, & Planning
Dr. Brett Garland, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Dr. Michele D. Smith, College of Education
We’re not in Undergraduate School anymore,
Toto….
Congratulations!!!
Networking in Graduate School
Dr. Elizabeth Rozell
Associate Dean and Professor, College of Business
•
Meet with your advisor consistently.
•
Attend conferences and small group workshops.
•
Join an organization that relates to your area of study.
•
Initiate conversations with your professors and fellow
classmates.
•
Be aware of social networking (i.e. Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn etc.)
•
Develop a list of contacts.
How to be Successful in Graduate School in Scientific Research
Dr. Bob Pavlowsky
Geographer and Director of the Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute
 Get involved in your field. Get excited to do research. Focus, focus, focus.
 Expect to do more self-guided learning out of the classroom

Journal reading: background, gap in knowledge, analytical tools

Talk to experts

Peer discussions and support
 Prepare to read, write, and do math… Research is:

Thesis writing

Application of math, stats, and modeling to your needs

Communication of findings: oral, poster, article (note: attend MSU grad forum)
 Get practical experience in your field

Get work experience

Attend conferences or workshops

Volunteer on research projects to assist students or faculty.
 Fill up your toolbox/resume with field, laboratory, and computer skills
Professor Brett Garland
Navigating Graduate School
 Undergrad success → Grad success
 Remember what got you here…now apply those talents and traits to
graduate school
 Desire and high self-expectation
 Perseverance and overcoming challenges
 Building structure and support
 Asking for help when you need it
 The nemesis of grad school success—Burnout!
 Relax!!! You Will Succeed!!!
BUILDING YOUR
T.I.G.H.T.R.O.P.E.
PLAN FOR
GRADUATE
SCHOOL
Dr. Michele D. Smith
Assistant Professor
Program Director, Student Affairs in Higher
Education
Your T.I.G.H.T.R.O.P.E. Plan
Transitioning &
Adjustment
Play All Your
Roles
Implementing
Goals &
Objectives
Reflect, Relax,
Revise Objectives
& Goals
Help is Available
Time
Management
MDSmith
Embrace &
Engage
54
“Begin With The End In Mind”
So be sure when you
STEP,
Step with CARE and great
TACT.
And remember that Life’s
A great Balancing Act!
~Dr. Seuss
MDSmith
55
BREAK
Please return to your seats by 10:30.
Remarks from the Provost
Dr. Frank Einhellig
Ethical Leadership and
Academic Integrity
Dr. Rachelle Darabi
Dr. Tom Tomasi
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP &
PERSONAL INTEGRITY
Dr. Rachelle Darabi
Associate Provost, Student Development and Public Affairs
Ethical Leadership & Personal Integrity
One of the three pillars of the Public Affairs Mission
 Community Engagement
 Cultural Competence
 Ethical Leadership
Ethical Leadership & Personal Integrity
 Part of the Public Affairs Scale (Levesque-Bristol &
Cornelius-White, 2011)
 In nearly everything I do, I am striving to improve myself and
become a better person
 When I make mistakes, I am able to admit them
 When working in groups, I try to assure everyone’s voice is heard
before a decision is reached
 I am in part responsible for the quality and quantity of knowledge I
obtain from the courses I take
 When I am a leader, I am sure to recognize the accomplishments of
others more than myself
 When I listen, I regularly try to take someone else’s perspective
Being an Ethical Leader…
 Social leadership by personal example in your
day-to-day life
 Be a living example of Ethical Leadership
You are a leader, even if you are not in an
recognizable leadership position
 Respect of others
 Engage in open conversation regarding values and
issues important to others
Becoming an Ethical Leader




Personal Development
Character Development
Impact of your Decisions
Impact of your Actions
•
•
•
•
Commitment
Inspirational motivation
Transformational leadership
Empowering and encouraging
Opportunities at Missouri State University…
 Curricular
• Faculty and teaching staff encouraged to incorporate
Public Affairs elements within the curriculum
 Curriculum Innovation Funds
 Public Affairs Grants
 Quality Initiative Project—assessment of Public Affairs in the
curriculum and co-curriculum
Opportunities at Missouri State University…
 Co-Curricular – Community Involvement and Service
• Local, national, and global opportunities to serve the
community.
• Immersion Trips – Fall and Spring
 Graduate students are encouraged to apply as participants
• Into the Streets
 Serve local agencies
 September 19 @ 8:15 PSU Theater
 September 26 @ 8:15 PSU Ballroom
• Community Opportunities Newsletter
 Sign up by going to www.missouristate.edu/volunteer
Opportunities at Missouri State University…
 Other Resources/Opportunities
• Public Affairs theme, 2015-16: Building Healthy
Communities: Body, Mind, Spirit
http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/
• Public Affairs Conference
http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/conference/
• Public Affairs Week
http://www.missouristate.edu/paw/
• Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning
http://www.missouristate.edu/fctl/
MAKE A
DIFFERENCE!
Be involved!!
Be the change you want to see!
Academic Integrity
Tom Tomasi, PhD
Academic Integrity Council
Academic Integrity
(personal integrity in relation to your education)
 Cheating is “stealing” & unfair to others trying to be honest
 Other students really are “hurt”
 Ethical Leadership
 A pillar of the “Public Affairs” philosophy
 Setting a good example for others to follow is “leadership”
 Speaking out among peers about injustice is “leadership”
 We take “ethical failures” seriously (putative & educational)
 Students are responsible for knowing the rules (both campus
and class policies)
 Think carefully and act wisely
Why is Integrity Important?
 Personal reputations: easy to break, but hard to rebuild
 Penalties can be severe if caught
 What would happen if everyone at Missouri State University
cheated?
 What happens to the reputation of our university?
 What would people think about students here?
 Would employers want to hire our students?
 Make sure our University has a reputation of HIGH integrity
and honor
Ethical Dilemmas
 When two good desires conflict . . . .
a. I want to have high personal integrity
b. I want to help my friend by doing his homework
for him


 . . . . you have to chose between two bad consequences
 Chose (b) and I compromise my personal integrity
 Chose (a) and risk losing a friend


 Doing the “right thing” is easy when it is a win-win.
What is the “Right” Thing to Do?
 How can student know the rules?
 Read our Student Academic Integrity Policy
 Ask your teachers whether something is allowed
(Can vary by instructor)
 Who would you tell about your cheating?
 Classmates?
Parents? Favorite teacher?
 Would your family be more upset to hear that you
got a lower grade (failed?), or that you cheated?
"If you have integrity,
nothing else matters.
If you don't have integrity,
nothing else matters."
-Alan K. Simpson
A.I.M.
Cheating
 40-80% say they have cheated
 20-25% regularly
 75% don’t see it as an important problem
 53% agree that the attitude on campus is that cheating is OK
if your don’t get caught.
Is it increasing?
A.I.M.
Reports Recieved
200
150
100
Does not yet include
summer 2015
50
0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Academic Year
Forms of Cheating on Tests
Types of Plagiarism
Prevention of Cheating
. . . . . . or
. . . . . WE CAN BE PROACTIVE
 Educate students on our university policy
 Promote ethical behavior
 Teach study skills that negate the need to cheat
A.I.M.
Justifications for Cheating
 Many hands make the work easy. I help my friends, and they
help me.
 Copy these slides and use them; I’d feel it was a compliment.
 Graduating is important, so “the end justifies the means”.
 The teacher doesn’t care, so why should I?
 Cheating and not getting caught is a thrill and a challenge (a
game, me against the teacher).
Who Cares
Why do teachers care about cheating in their classes ????
FAIRNESS
-- to the honest students
-- present and past
Why should honest students care about their peers cheating?
FAIRNESS
A.I.M.
Academic Integrity Scenarios
Read the following stories, and think about what you would
recommend to the persons having to “do what’s fair”.
Assume that the syllabus for the class in question includes
appropriate references to cheating and its possible
consequences.
A.I.M.
LEAVING A WORKSHOP EARLY
Dr. Miller gives 5 points for each workshop with a guest speaker
that students attend. Three students come to a workshop, and
sign their name for attending the workshop. After the
professor collects the signatures and departs, they leave the
workshop.
Is this Cheating?
What consequence is appropriate?
Would you uphold an XF assignment?
A.I.M.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Stacey and Lacy are twin sisters taking the same class. In the course,
there are on-line tests that are open book, but have to be done
without help from others. They have only one computer, and the online test was due by midnight. They started at 9:30, and took Stacy’s
test together, jotting down the answers so Lacy could then quickly fill
them in for her test.
However, the instructor noticed that Lacy took a 60 item test in five
minutes and got an 80%. Hence he decided to compare answers and
sure enough, they were identical except for two answers. He called
them in and spoke to them separately. Lacy broke down quickly and
told the truth. Stacy, on the other hand, lied repeatedly with no
apparent reservations.
Should their consequences be the different because Lacy confessed?
CELL PHONE POLICY
Dr. Willis has a clear, no-cell-phone policy for tests
because he knows that the phone can be used to take
pictures of the test. He always reminds students that
there is a presumption of cheating when a cell phone
is used. During the mid-term exam, Susan got a text
message and opened her phone to see who it was
from. Dr. Willis took the test from her and asked her to
leave.
Should this be treated as academic integrity?
What sanction should Susan receive?
Did Dr. Willis handle this properly?
Missouri State University
Student AI Policy & Procedures
 We have a formal AI policy
 (full version and summary)
 See syllabus to find the campus policy, OR
 University web – alphabetical index – “A”
http://www.missouristate.edu/academicintegrity/
 Left margin – click “AI Policies & Procedures”
 Left margin – “AI Tutorial” to test your understanding
http://apps.missouristate.edu/academicintegrity/
 Ask your teachers
Student AI Policy & Procedure






Definitions of “cheating”
Who can file a report
Steps taken by teacher
Appeals process for student
Panel hearings
Academic Integrity Council
 Includes 3 graduate student
 Filled for this semester
A.I.M.
“Intent” to Cheat
 Hard to determine/prove “intent”
 Policy says “. . . whether intentional or not”
 Ethical Failures vs. Sloppy Scholarship
 Both are violations of our AI policy, but the
severity of sanctions may be different
 Don’t put yourself in this situation!
Class Policies
 Class policies must be consistent with the campus policies,
but may vary in what is considered appropriate (punishable)
 Some kinds of cooperative work may be encouraged in
one class and punishable in another
 For the same offense, one teacher may make a student
re-do the assignment, and another teacher may give the
student an XF grade
 Learn your class policies !!!!
A.I.M.
Advice to Students for
Preventing Intentional Plagiarism
 Watch your time-management
 Start assignments well ahead of time
 Prepare an outline and work from there
 Get help from the library on sources
 http://library.missouristate.edu/forms/reference/consultations.htm
 Get help from the Writing Center
 http://writingcenter.missouristate.edu/66508.htm
 http://bearclaw.missouristate.edu/
(TutorTrac link)
 Ask for an extension for the paper, rather than turn in a
paper you know is plagiarized.
Advice to Students for
Preventing Unintentional Plagiarism
 Ask each teacher what collaboration (how
much) is allowed in his/her class
 Ask each teacher about citation style
 Use SafeAssignment through MSU Blackboard
to check your drafts
 If not used for that class, see Writing Center or
Library for access to a “mock class”
Advice to Students for
Preventing Other Forms of Cheating
 Do not take out cell phones during classes.
 Sit well away from study-partners during tests
 When thinking during a test, keep eyes in your own
airspace
 Do all your own homework, even if working at the same
table with study-partners
 Don’t discuss a test until everyone has taken it
QUESTIONS
????
“Academic Integrity Matters” (student organization)
Resource Table Blurbs/Tweets
Lunch Time
Please proceed to up to the ballroom for
lunch, get your box lunches and drinks, and
find seats by 11:30.
Orientation Survey
Before you leave, please fill out the survey (blue
sheet) located in the right pocket of your folder and
hand it to the representative at the door.
Alumni Tell All
Connie Duer
Jennifer Murvin
Morgan Presley
Kris Inman
Connie Duer, PhD
Doctorate of Zoology
Research/Teaching
Be receptive and flexible in your thinking.
Be mindful that this is a unique time in your life and take
advantage of every opportunity offered to you.
Be focused on making your research project the best
possible.
Jennifer Murvin, MA in English (MSU), MFA in Nonfiction (Pacific
University, Forest Grove, Oregon)
Senior Instructor of Creative Writing, Department of English, MSU
Make your assignments work for you inside AND outside the
classroom setting. Submit papers and research to journals, magazines, and
conferences in your field. Make a brochure for a real business, donate your
website writing to a non-profit organization, etc. Everything you are working
on should be working satisfying these dual levels ~ academic and career.
These can and should develop simultaneously.
Graduate students are considered to be colleagues; live up to this
expectation. Accompany your instructors to conferences. Involve a mentor
in your research and collaborate with them on projects. Be professional;
graduate students are held to a higher standard in terms of attendance,
communication, and presentation. *Your first career references will be your
professors.
Graduate Teaching Assistants: Students will be drawn to your
relationship with your material. It’s not your job to entertain or gain the
approval of your students; if you are passionate about your material, if you
are excited about what you have discovered about the material you are
teaching, students’ respect will follow.
Dr. Morgan Presley
 Masters degree in Biology
 Professor in the Biology Department at Drury University
Advice:
 Network and make connections
 Experience opportunities in your field
 Act like a professional and treat your assistantships and jobs
as stepping stones for your career.
Kris Inman
 Master of Arts Communication
 Training & Education Manager, Springfield-Greene
County 911
Advice:
 Face your fears
 Immerse yourself in the graduate experience
 Connections you make will last a lifetime
Alumni Q & A
Degree Works
Nathan Hoff
Associate Registrar-Degree Programs and Advisement Support
Missouri State University Office of the Registrar
Campus Tours
 If you are interested in taking a tour of the campus,
Misty Stewart will be leading tours starting at 1:30
and 2:00 pm.
 The tours will last approximately 30 minutes, so there
will still be time to visit the Resource Tables after.
Administrative/Research GA
Q&A or Resource Tables
If you would like to know more information about
administrative or research graduate assistantships
please come to the specified tables.
If you are interested in neither a campus tour nor
becoming a graduate assistant, please proceed to the
resource tables in the atrium outside the doors for
more information about a variety of offices around
campus or for a brief campus tour.
Thanks for your attendance and
have a great year!
Administrative and Research
Graduate Assistant Q&A
Tonielle Fiscus
RA – PSY Dept
GA – Graduate College office