Scheduled Events (2023-2024)

 

Each semester, the Center for Communication Excellence offers events related to the development of academic communication skills for graduate students and postdocs. Topics of seminars, workshops, retreats, and boot camps target the specific communication skills needed for successful scholarly and professional communication in graduate college and beyond. Pre-registration for all events is required.

 

 


 Thesis Dissertation Support

Thesis/Dissertation Seminars: Planning your Journey

Three Spring Sessions for 2024!

The Graduate College and the Center for Communication Excellence invite you to a seminar to navigate the Graduate College requirements and deadlines, submission and review procedures, and writing support programs. Attend a seminar to get an overview of the different aspects of the thesis/dissertation journey so that you can be better prepared. 

Watch the informational videos in this playlist, Thesis/Dissertation Seminar SeriesBEFORE attending the seminar.

  • Graduate College Requirements (1 video)
  • Submission and Review Process (2 videos)
  • Writing Support (1 video)

During the informational seminar sessions, Graduate College staff members will answer questions about deadlines, formatting guidelines, and provide other helpful hints for working on your thesis/dissertation. Register for one or more informational seminar sessions today! 

Click here to register for the following session(s).

  • Thesis/Dissertation Informational Session I | February 5,  1pm - 2pm | (*Virtual session, WebEx)
  • Thesis/Dissertation Informational Session II | March 6, 1pm - 2pm | (*Virtual session, WebEx)
  • Thesis/Dissertation Informational Session III | March 26, 1pm - 2pm | (*Virtual session, WebEx)

*Links for connecting to virtual sessions via WebEx will be sent prior to the day of the session.

If you register late and need access to the session, please contact kterrill@iastate.edu to get connected. 


    Thesis/Dissertation Boot Camps: Formatting the Manuscript

    The Graduate College and the Center for Communication Excellence invite you to a boot camp to guide you through the final formatting of your thesis or dissertation. Graduate students often struggle with this final step of preparing this document for submission to ProQuest, so let us help you! CCE writing consultants specialized in thesis/dissertation formatting will be at the boot camp sessions to assist you in modifying your document to meet the submission requirements for the Graduate College. Register for one or more boot camps today! 

    Click here to register for the following session.

    • Thesis/Dissertation Formatting Boot Camp |  February 7, 1 - 2:30pm | Hybrid: Library Room 032 and WebEx
    • Thesis/Dissertation Formatting Boot Camp |  March 28, 1 - 2:30pm | Hybrid: Library Room 032 and WebEx

    *New!* Click here to register for the following session, co-presented with Jesse Garrison at the ISU Library

    • Making LaTeX PDFs Accessible in Adobe Acrobat DC Pro | April 2, 1 - 2:30pm | Library 134

    *Links for connecting to virtual sessions via WebEx will be sent prior to the day of the session. 

    Make sure to bring to the session an electronic copy of your thesis/dissertation. You may sign up for one or all of the boot camp sessions, but we ask that you do attend those for which you register. Registration is free to all ISU graduate students. For more information about thesis and dissertation requirements, consider attending a Thesis/Dissertation Informational Seminar. 

    If you register late and need access to the session, please contact kterrill@iastate.edu to get connected.


    Spring 2024: Graduation Slam Dunk

    Get ready to graduate in the 2023-2024 academic year! CCE invites you to an all-in-one graduation slam dunk event. Join us at the inspiring Student Innovation Center for interactive presentations and formatting demonstrations, as well as dedicated, silent writing time to make major progress toward your thesis/dissertation goals! This event combines the Thesis/Dissertation Information Session, Thesis/Dissertation Boot Camp, and a writing retreat.

    Click here to register for the one-time event!

    • Graduation Slam Dunk| March 8, 9:00am-12:00pm | SICTR Launch Pad

    Thesis/Dissertation Drop-In Clinics

    We offer virtual drop-in clinic sessions if you need help with formatting questions. 

    The Thesis/Dissertation Submission Deadline is April 25, 2024!

    Extended Drop-in Clinic Hours:

    MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
    April 22April 23April 24April 25April 26

    9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    --

    9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    --

    9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    April 29April 30May 1May 2May 3

    9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    --

    9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    --

    9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

    What to expect:

    • Check in using our app (see below). When it is your turn to see the consultant, you will receive a notification via email.
    • Drop-in hours are posted on the CCE calendar.
    • If you request a virtual consultation, you will receive a link to the virtual consultation room.

    Click here to check in (works when the drop-in clinic is in session)

     


        Writing Development Events

      Writing the Literature Review Workshops (Spring 2024)

      Register for one or both of the sessions in this two-part workshop series presented by the CCE and Parks Library. If you dread finding material for your lit review, join us for Part I of the series where you’ll learn about search strategies, how to find and search subject databases, and how to keep up with literature in your field. Join us for Part II where we'll discuss purposes of the lit review, overview qualities of a successful lit review, and provide easy-to-apply techniques to help you craft an effective argument in your lit review with as little stress as possible. Click here to register for one or all sessions. If you register late and need access to the session, please contact shuffman@iastate.edu to get connected. 

      • Part I: Conducting a lit review: A Citation Here, a Citation There. . .Pretty Soon You’ll Have a Lit Review | February 21, 2024 , 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part II: Lit Review Without Tears: Tangible Strategies for Writing a Pain-Free Literature Review |  February 28, 2024 , 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx

      *Links for connecting to virtual session via WeEx will be sent prior to the day of the session. 


      Writing with Advanced Technology Workshops (Spring 2024)

      Whether you are writing a paper for class, a research report, a grant proposal, or job application document, understanding how to exploit sophisticated advanced software can help you grow your confidence as a writer. Each workshop in this series orients you to a valuable technological tool to ease your writing process. Please contact shuffman@iastate.edu for questions. Click here to register for one or all sessions.

      • Part I: Producing Digitally Accessible Manuscripts | February 13, 2024 , 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part II: Elicit and Copilot | February 14, 2024 , 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part III: Grammarly | February 15, 2024 , 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part IV: iThenticate | February 20, 2024 , 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part V: The Research Writing Tutor | February 22, 2024 , 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx

      *Links for connecting to virtual sessions via WebEx will be sent prior to the day of the session.


      Job Application Materials Seminars (Spring 2024)

      Discover valuable tips on how to highlight your professional skills and abilities and market yourself as the most qualified candidate through polished job application materials. You'll be ready for the job market in no time! Click here to register for one, two, or any number of the sessions listed below. If you register late and need access to the session, please contact shuffman@iastate.edu to get connected.

      • Part I: Compiling your CV/Résumé | March 4, 2024, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part II: Creating your Diversity Statement | March 6, 2024 , 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part III: Writing the Research Statement  | March 7, 2024 , 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part IV: Communicating with Potential Employers | March 18, 2024 , 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part V: Composing the Cover Letter|  March 19, 2024 , 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part VI: Crafting your Teaching Philosophy Statement | March 21, 2024 , 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx

      *Links for connecting to virtual session via WeEx will be sent prior to the day of the session. 


      Research Writing Seminars (Fall 2023)

      "How can I best tell my research story?" "How should I incorporate sources in my lit review?" "What should I include in my Methods section?" "Where should I put the research limitations?" Come find the answers to these and more research writing-related questions in this seminar series! 

      • Part I: Beginning a Scientific Argument in your Introduction | October 9, 2023 , 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part II: Writing the Literature Review | October 11, 2023 , 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part III: Describing your Methods | October 16, 2023 , 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part IV: Unveiling the Results | October 17, 2023 , 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part V: Composing the Discussion/Conclusion | October 18, 2023 , 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part VI: Revising with the Research Writing Tutor | October 19, 2023 , 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx

      *Links for connecting to virtual session via WeEx will be sent prior to the day of the session. 


      Grant Writing Seminars (Fall 2023)

      Learn the key components necessary for making a compelling argument in your grant proposal! Identify appropriate sources of funding and familiarize yourself with the expectations of key, national grant-giving organizations. 

      • Part I: Finding Funding | October 23, 2023 , 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part II: Introduction to Grant Writing | October 24, 2023 , 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part III: Preparing Grant Proposals for NIH | October 30, 2023 , 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part IV: Preparing Grant Proposals for NSF | October 31, 2023 , 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx
      • Part V: Preparing Grant Proposals for USDA/NIFA | November 2, 2023 , 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.| *Virtual session, WebEx

      *Links for connecting to virtual sessions via WebEx will be sent prior to the day of the session.


       Speaking Development Events

      Public Speaking Seminar Series (Spring 2024)

      Do you struggle with preparations for presenting at meetings or conferences?  Have parts of your presentation seemed to leave people underwhelmed or worse confused?  Do you want to learn tips and techniques for presenting your work in ways that are memorable and engaging?

      Come and learn presentation skills in this four-part series on "Preparing for Academic Presentations."  Please contact lcompton@iastate.edu for questions. Click here to register for one or all sessions.

      • Part I: Public speaking:  A guide to captivating your audience and sharing what you know | February 13, 2024 , 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Pearson 3137
      • Part II: What's important to speaking success? Ear-catching introductions, memorable conclusions, and signposts in between | February 20, 2024, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.| Pearson 3137
      • Part III: Choosing organizational patterns that make listening easy for your audience  | February 27, 2024 , 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.| Pearson 3137
      • Part IV: How do I respond?" "What do I do?":  Managing your audience and yourself when presenting a speech | March 5, 2024 , 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.| Pearson 3137

       

      Interpersonal Communication Seminar Series (Spring 2024)

      "How do I have a difficult conversation with my group member/professor/landlord?" "How can I express my opinion effectively and tactfully?" "How do I initiate/maintain/end small talk?" Come and learn face-to-face interaction skills in this multi-part series. Become a better-prepared communicator in any challenging or nerve-wracking conversations, situations, or events. Please contact lcompton@iastate.edu for questions. Click here to register for one or all sessions.

      • Part I: Planning and Participating in Difficult Discussions  |  April 9, 2024 , 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Pearson 3137
      • Part II: It Takes Two: Conflict Management  | April 16, 2024 , 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Pearson 3137
      • Part III: Small Talk That Takes You Big Places: Social Communication  |  April 23, 2024 , 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Carver 0196