The Office of International Services (OIS) is preparing to welcome around one thousand new international students in the Fall 2012.  The majority of these students will be pursuing graduate level degrees.  Planning orientation for this many students who are not only new to the campus, but new to the country, is a big task.  OIS relies heavily on volunteers during this time of year.  Some of the most important participants in the process are the Small Group Leaders (SGLs).  Small Group Leaders are American and international students and community members who volunteer their time and energy to help welcome and orient new international students.  “Orientation wouldn’t be possible without Small Group Leaders,” said Lauren Ball, Programs Coordinator of OIS.

Each new international student is assigned to a “small group.”  This is a way to make orientation more personal and meaningful.  It also helps the students meet new people right away.  Each small group is lead by two SGLs, one American and one International .  The leaders communicate with their group members located around the world throughout the summer months to answer questions and offer advice.  On orientation day the group gets to meet in person.  “I participated as an American Small Group Leader, while doing graduate studies at NC State.  It was one of my favorite experiences as a student here and the friendships I made will last a lifetime.” – Student volunteer.

As OIS begins recruiting orientation leaders for Fall 2012, they welcome everyone to apply and say thank you to all of those who have helped in the past.  For more information about becoming a SGL contact Lauren_Ball@ ncsu.edu.

The flurry of activities in the new school year can be overwhelming for students who are new to NC State. But Fall semester can be even more overwhelming to international students, who are not only learning about NC State, but in many cases, about a new country as well.

Of the more than 900 new international students who arrived for the 2011-2012 school year, more than 85% (unofficially) are here to attend Graduate School. Luckily, the Office of International Services (OIS) sponsors a variety of programs designed to help international students feel at home — or as close as possible!

Of all the programs sponsored by OIS, a record number of participants enjoy the cross-cultural programs that include American students. Breaking Bread gives international students an opportunity to have a one-time dinner with an American host or host family. The International Friendship Program matches an international student with an American student for a cross-cultural friendship. And the English Conversation Club is an informal club that meets “. . . simply to converse and practice English with native speakers . . .” or for American students to learn about foreign culture.

In addition to these popular programs, OIS sponsors numerous programs and activities designed to “. . . foster cross-cultural exchange within the campus and Triangle communities.” There are a variety of activities for students, as well as their families and other visiting scholars.

OIS — both office and web site — also provides resources to help international students and scholars. So, if you are new to NC State and new to the U.S., take a look at the OIS web page. Or better yet, stop by for a visit! And if you are an American student, OIS would be more than happy to have you dedicate some of your time to helping some of your international colleagues.

If you would like to participate in any of the OIS programs, please email oisprograms@ncsu.edu, or contact:

Office of International Services
320 Daniels Hall
Campus Box 7222
Raleigh, NC 27695-7222
Phone: (919) 515-2961

NC State University has long recognized that postdoctoral scholars are an integral part of the university’s research programs.  Consequently, NC State established the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) in August 2008.  Housed in the Graduate School, OPA’s mission is to support both U.S. and international postdocs by providing information, resources, and programs that will prepare them for their future careers beyond the postdoctoral appointment.

Since its inception, OPA has been instrumental in advocating for postdocs in employment and benefits, training, and mentoring.  As of the summer of 2010, OPA implemented the Postdoctoral Scholars Regulation to acknowledge the unique role and function of postdocs at NC State University.  OPA also  provides professional development, career development, and teaching programs for postdoctoral scholars.  The ‘Postdoctoral Experience’ at NC State has not gone unnoticed, either!  This year, The Scientist ranked NC State (#36!) as one of the top 40 places for postdocs to work! 

The postdoctoral community is also enriched through the efforts of the NC State University Postdoctoral Association (PDA).  The PDA, which is serving their second year as a governing body, provides a voice for postdocs across campus.  They also coordinate social events for postdocs and their families and work to provide support for postdocs on campus.  All postdocs are encouraged to attend PDA meetings and are also welcome to join the General Council.

Although a relatively new organization on campus, OPA has been a model for other campuses throughout the state on how to create and strengthen the identity of postdoctoral scholars.  The winning goal is to share experiences and resources and produce a positive postdoctoral experience.

It’s been almost four years since the NC State Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) first received funding from the National Institutes of Health. Since that time, more than 35 students — both graduate and undergraduate — have participated in the program.

The goal of IMSD is to provide support and guidance for “. . . underrepresented minority students to complete a Ph.D. in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and ultimately become faculty researchers and role models for the next generation.” Although interest areas range from biochemistry to zoology, the ultimate result is a diverse biomedical and behavioral science workforce.

While in the program, students work in research labs with faculty mentors. All students are encouraged to participate in professional development seminars, as well as attend and present at local, state, and national conferences and symposiums. For the past couple years, IMSD has partnered with the Preparing Future Leaders program and NC State’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. This partnership has led to sharing the benefits of excellent workshop and seminar programs.

So, with all this opportunity available to them, what have the IMSD students been up to lately?

The IMSD Graduate Scholars have been busy during the 2010-2011 academic year — and here is a snapshot of their IMSD activities.

Liara Gonzalez presented a research paper both at the 2010 American College of Veterinary Surgery Symposium and at the North Carolina Veterinary Conference in November 2010. She also passed her Veterinary board exam and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgery (DACVS).

Amanda Trujillo served as the site coordinator of the Wii study in Dr. Jason Allaire’s lab. She initiated meetings with the wellness directors, recruited participants, and maintained contact at each site to schedule future follow-ups. Amanda is currently writing two papers with Dr. Allaire. And she has submitted three posters presentations on the Wii study to the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting.

Stephanie Hughes gave an oral presentation at the W.M Keck Center for Behavioral Biology 12th Annual Student and Postdoc Symposium, as well as a poster presentation at the 2011 Chemistry Symposium.

Meanwhile, the Undergraduate Scholars have been equally busy! They’ve used their IMSD opportunities this past year to really show the ‘right stuff’!

Tojan Rahhal was selected to be a Jimmy V Scholar. She has visited Jordan to shadow researchers and physicians at the Arab Medical Center. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to present her research in many venues — from the Science Café at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh to a national research conference in Florida. She also presented a poster at the 2010 NC State Summer Undergraduate Symposium.

Sarah Oxendine served as a research assistant in Dr. John Godwin’s lab. She is also the Vice President of American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and a member of the Native American Students Association (NASA). She has presented posters at both the 2010 NC State Summer Undergraduate Symposium and the AISES National Conference.

Manix Eluhu presented posters at both the 9th Annual NC OPT-ED Alliance Conference and the 2010 NC State Summer Undergraduate Symposium. He was also honored at the 27th Annual ACAAGS Awards Program.

Eyob Eyualem served as a research assistant in Dr. Sombers’ lab. His research focused on a neurotransmitter, Met-enkephalin. His current project explores ways to improve the detection of a small amount of current signals in the brain generated from oxidation and reduction reaction. Eyob presented a poster at the 2010 NC State Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, as well as at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.

Mikail Mannan worked in both Dr. Greg McCarty’s and Dr. Peter Mente’s labs. Mikail has had the opportunity to present posters at the NC State Summer Undergraduate Syposium for the past three years.

Sarah Busaileh worked in Dr. Orlin Velev’s lab. Sara has taken a leadership role as patient intake at Raleigh’s Mariam Clinic and has been featured in the News & Observer for her role at the clinic. Sara has presented posters at the NC State Summer Undergraduate Symposium for the past three years.

Congratulations to all the IMSD students!

Click here to find out more about IMSD.