ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016
Welcome to the first annual report of the Graduate School at Miami University. The Graduate School is a community of scholars at the heart of the Miami Experience, where students are immersed in the process of research and scholarly inquiry. Spanning a wide range of disciplines (see the back cover for a full list), our programs serve as a platform for discovery, creativity, innovation, and collaboration. This is true not only for our graduate students, but also for the undergraduate students they help teach, train, and mentor. To prospective students and applicants, our most visible responsibilities may be those related to administering recruitJames T. Oris ment, admission, and degree completion. But our current Dean of the Graduate School students and alumni know we do so much more. We build community through cross-cultural mentoring and special events. We support professional development by giving our students opportunities to present their research and to formally mentor undergraduate students. And we recognize the excellence of students whose work has made a mark outside the university and is considered outstanding by our faculty. So while we are pleased to share in this report the application, enrollment, and graduation data that quantify the successes of the past academic year, we are most excited to share the stories that put those numbers in context and give them dimension. We hope that once you’ve read this report, you’ll see why the Graduate School is a vital part of Miami love and honor.
CELEBRATING ENGAGEMENT
QUANTIFYING SUCCESS International 207 | 10%
AMERICAN INDIAN/ ALASKA NATIVE
ASIAN
BLACK/ AFRICANAMERICAN 83
68
HISPANIC
82
MULTIRACE
NATIVE HAWAIIAN/ PACIFIC ISLANDER
77 65
61
50
47
Domestic 1857 | 90% 2
DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS, 2015-2016 | 2064 total
PhD 45 | 9%
Master’s 455 | 91%
DEGREES AWARDED, 2015-2016 | 500 total
3
1
DIVERSE DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS BY RACE/ETHNICITY | 278 total (13%)
487
continuing, non-degreeseeking students enrolled in 2015-2016
799 assistantships awarded in 2015-2016
2014-2015
TOP 5 COUNTRIES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
500 degrees awarded 2015-2016
1
2015-2016
China India Nepal Saudi Arabia Bangladesh
96% of degree recipients are employed or in grad school the following year
JAZZ RECEPTION On October 2, 2015, the Graduate School and Graduate Students of Color Association (GSCA) hosted the 26th Annual Jazz Reception at the Marcum Center. The Jazz Reception, created in 1990 to help diverse graduate students connect with faculty and staff across the university, continued its tradition as a lively night of jazz and networking. This evening brings upwards of 100 domestic diverse and international graduate students, faculty, and staff together
for
entertainment,
an
evening
heavy
hors
filled
with
d’oeurves,
live and
meaningful conversations.
The Jazz Reception brings our community together for a lively night of music and networking.
lunch with current graduate students, and attended presentations at the GRF. The Graduate School looks forward to recognizing graduate students and hosting prospective graduate students again during the 2016 GRF.
CROSS CULTURAL MENTORING
GRADUATE STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Angela Glotfelter, Samitha Senanyake, Megan Schoettler, and Tatiana Silvas attended the 26th Annual Jazz Reception
As of Fall 2013, approximately one out of every eight
In conjunction with the Graduate Research Forum
students enrolled in graduate programs at Miami
(GRF) on Friday, October 30, 2015, the Graduate Stu-
University self-identifies as “domestic diverse.” This
dent Association (GSA) launched the first Graduate
designation includes those who identify as African
Student
this
American, Asian, Latino/a, American Indian/Native
week, graduate students were recognized by the
Hawaiian, or multi raced. In Fall 2015, the Graduate
university and local businesses with special events
School launched the Cross Cultural Mentoring
and local discounts. During the Graduate Research
program as an opportunity for diverse doctoral
Forum reception, raffle prizes were also distributed
students to build a trusting relationship with a faculty
to attendees.
mentor – not as an advisor, but as an experienced
The Graduate School also hosted prospective
future colleague. This mentoring initiative focuses
Appreciation
Week.
Throughout
graduate students from the University of Cincinnati and Murray State University. These high achieving undergrads met with graduate directors, enjoyed
on improving the graduate student experience and contributes to graduate student persistence, improved degree completion rates, and potentially, post degree opportunities.
FINANCIAL AID THESIS (3MT) THREE MINUTE In spring 2016 we hosted our second 3MT.
This
event showcases graduate student research in a competitive
speaking
event.
Universities
from
around the world host 3MT events to help their students develop effective methods for communicating their research to people outside of their discipline. To participate, students must clearly explain their research using non-technical language in just three minutes and use one PowerPoint slide. The top ten students after the preliminary round
Billy Simms (Art) presenting at the Graduate Research Forum
move on to the final round. Cash prizes are awarded to the top three presenters selected by the judges, and to the people’s choice winner selected by the audience.
GRADUATE RESEARCH FORUM The 7th annual Graduate Research Forum was held
Search for “Miami University 3MT” on YouTube
in October 2015 with over 140 students from across
to be amazed by our excellent graduate students.
the university presenting their scholarship. Thirty
And consider serving as a judge for the 2017 3MT.
graduate alumni helped make the forum a big
Contact Lou Ann Haines at hainesla@miamioh.edu
success by serving as judges and sharing their
for more information.
perspectives
and
experience
with
students.
Students are encouraged to present their work using non-technical language and to show its importance to people outside of their discipline. “It’s relatively easy to present to people who share your knowledge,” says Jim Oris, Dean of the Graduate School. “Presenting complex information to nonexperts is difficult, but an important skill that we want our graduate students to obtain.” Top presenters, as determined by the judges, receive awards of professional expense funds they can use to support their research activities. Search for “Miami University Graduate Research Ancilleno Davis (Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology) presenting at the 3MT competition
Forum” on YouTube to feel the energy of our graduate students and the engagement of our alumni. To volunteer as a judge, contact Ann Bainbridge Frymier at frymieab@miamioh.edu.
SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT
AWARDS GRADUATE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Each semester faculty nominate graduate students with significant achievements for Graduate Student Achievement Awards. The Graduate School sponsors these awards, which are partially funded by alumni donations. In 2015-16, the Graduate School awarded $3,600 to 13 students across the university whose work has been externally recognized and considered outstanding by the faculty. Publications in respected academic journals and juried exhibitions of art work are examples of such achievements. Students
Ashley Richardson (Chemistry and Biochemistry) presenting at the Graduate Research Forum
use the awards to further their research, purchase equipment, travel to conferences, and to cover other educational expenses. Fall 2015 recipients • Tasneem Amatullah, Educational Leadership • Elizabeth Cedillos, Psychology • Shinjini Goswami, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology • Tyler Hoskins, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
GRADUATE RESEARCH FORUM TOP PRESENTATIONS Top oral presenters • Patrick Garrett, Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology • Brett Mullins, Mathematics • Clint Rodgers, History Top poster presenters
• Taylor Leach, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
• Ashley Richardson, Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Joseph Paushel, Art
• Race Workman, Geology & Environmental Earth Science
• Alyssa Straight, English
• Megan Taylor, Art
• Audrey Weil, Psychology Spring 2016 recipients • Shanno Fasola, Geology • Kathryn Mancini, Psychology
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
THREE MINUTE THESIS WINNERS • Jessica Gunzberger, Student Affairs in Higher Education (First Place)
• Minqian Shen, Cellular, Molecular and Structural Biology
• Jeffrey Brock, Physics (Second Place and People’s Choice)
• Jieming Shi, Cellular, Molecular and Structural Biology
• Tanya Willard, Student Affairs in Higher Education (Third Place)
• Robert Skoumal, Geology
• Morgan Eckenrod, Kinesiology & Health (People’s Choice)
OUR DONORS A total of 77 donors contributed over $467,000 to the Graduate School this past academic year. The generosity of the individuals and organizations listed here helps ensure our students’ success. Matthew Anderson* Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Robert Applebaum Arts Wave Olufemi Babarinde* Sarah Blumenthal Dustin Bornhorst* David Brown* Glen Brown* Sarah Chernitsky* Sue Clover* Bruce Cochrane Phyllis Cummins* Mary Dimick Easter Seals Florida Benjamin Fishkin* Jack Fryman* Marc Greenberg* Hamilton Community Foundation Linda Hanson* Heartland of Woodbridge Doris Heckler Thomas Henderson Eleanor Howell* Kathleen Janssen Cheryl Johnson* Kappa Kappa Gamma Kappa Phi Nationals Shamika Karikari* Cindy Keller Andor Kiss Diane Koury* Michael Kumler* Suzanne Kunkel* Thomas Lancaster*
Patricia Lang* Marcia Lee Miramar Fiduciary Corporation Miranda Mason Wendalyn Mason Kathryn McGrew Mihaela Popa McKiver* Thomas Meyers* Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Karin Miller* Moon Cooperative Jane Moore* Richard Muthig* Kathryn Myles* Ian Nelson* Cynthia Osborne Jim Paxton* Robert Paz* Kevin Piskadlo* Pristine Senior Living Quanhong Qiu* Richelle Reed* Shelley Rice* Mary Richardson Sally Robertson* Thalla Rothach Sanitation District of Los Angeles County Cecilia Shore Joseph Smith* Lauren Spadafora* Susan Steinberger* Jane Straker* David Sunderland* Constance Swank* Celia Thornton* Rebecca Utz* Mark Weedy* Woodland Country Manor Mary Woodworth Brittany Zaenkert* *Denotes alumnus/alumnae
GIVING BACK
Business
OUR PROGRAMS
Accountancy | Business Administration | Economics
Our master’s and doctoral programs span the university, engaging students in
Education
research and practice. Miami University offers more than 50 master’s programs
Educational Psychology | Educational Leadership* | Educational Technology | Instructional Design & Technology | Special Education | Student Affairs in Higher Education* | Teacher Education | Transformative Education
and 13 doctoral programs. Graduate programs attract cutting edge faculty, and graduate students make incredible contributions to the Miami Experience by mentoring undergraduate students in the lab, in the classroom, and in student life. Graduate students raise the level of intellectual discourse and help make
Engineering and Computer Technology
Miami the outstanding institution it is.
Chemical Engineering | Computational Electrical & Computer Engineering | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering
Art and Fine Art
Health
Architecture | Art | Music Education | Music Performance | Performance, Theatre, & Practice
Kinesiology & Health | Speech Pathology & Audiology Humanities
Behavioral and Social Science Criminal Justice | Educational Psychology | Geography | Gerontology* | Political Science | Psychology* | Social Work Biological Sciences Biology* | Botany* | Cell, Molecular, & Structural Biology* | Ecology, Evolution, & Environmental Biology* | Environmental Science | Microbiology*
Creative Writing | English* | French | History | Philosophy | Spanish Physical Science and Mathematics Chemistry & Biochemistry* | Geology* | Math Education | Mathematics | Physics | Statistics *Denotes PhD program
Your donation builds our community of scholars by supporting students and faculty. Contribute today by visiting MiamiOH.edu/GraduateSchool/give.
CONTACT
ENGAGE
501 E. High Street 102 Roudebush Hall Oxford, Ohio 45056 (513) 529-3734 GradSchool@MiamiOH.edu
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Designed by the Graduate School 10/2016