Professional Development: GradCat 360

Upcoming GradCat 360 Events

ETD Drop-In Help Sessions

Monday, April 7 | 9-10AM | Romney 201

Tuesday, April 15 | 9-10AM | Romney 201

Wednesday, April 23 | 9-10:30AM | Romney 201

The Graduate School is hosting drop-in help sessions for electronic thesis and dissertation formatting. Bring your laptop and document. Please review the ETD requirements and videos beforehand. www.montana.edu/etd 

Program of Study Student Drop-In Help Sessions

Wednesday, April 9 | 1-2PM| Library Rm 15, Heathcote Classroom (basement)

The Graduate School is hosting drop-in help sessions for graduate program of study and committee forms. We are in a computer lab, but you are also welcome to bring a laptop. Open to students, faculty, and staff.

Event Calendar

GradCat 360 has pulled together a curated calendar of events for graduate student professional development both on- and off-campus. Links for the events can be found in the event description.

Teaching & Learning

For GTAs/GRAs: MSU's Center for Faculty Excellence warmly invites graduate students to attend their teaching workshops and seminars. The CFE site contains teaching, research, and grant writing resources that also apply to graduate students.

Graduate students can also take advantage of the CFE’s institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD), which has many available resources and benefits. An account is needed to access NCFDD programming, and is free for MSU graduate students.

Graduate Student Peer Mentoring Program: First-year graduate students experience many transitions as they start graduate school - from figuring out housing, to settling into an unfamiliar city, to discovering a balance between course loads, research, and teaching responsibilities, to self-car... Yet for many first-year students, it is not always clear where to turn for guidance and support. The graduate student peer mentoring program at Montana State University bridges this gap. By connecting incoming graduate students with senior departmental peers within a stress-free, informal, and mutually supportive environment, MSU’s graduate student peer mentoring program creates space for first-year graduate students to explore the many ins-and-outs of life as a graduate student in a small group setting with student-mentors. Current participating departments are Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ecology, and the Office of International Programs. If your department is interested, please contact [email protected].

MSU Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE): MSU’s Center for Faculty Excellence supports the professional development of all faculty (tenure-track and non-tenure track) across all career stages in the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, outreach/service, and leadership. Graduate students are encouraged to take part in CFE offerings.

College Teaching Certificate:The Adult & Higher Education Program offers a Certificate in College Teaching to develop and promote exemplary teaching among graduate students, aspiring faculty, and current faculty wanting to enhance their teaching skills. The goal of the certificate is to make individuals more competitive in the job market as instructors and faculty members at colleges and universities.

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD): MSU has invested in an institutional membership with the NCFDD. An account is needed to access NCFDD programming, and is free for MSU graduate students. Visit the NCFDD information page for more information on what is included in your free membership and to learn how to sign up.

• NCFDD Webinar: Empowered Teaching Toolkit: Beginning to Teaching in No Time 3.0
• Professor-ing: a new NCFDD podcast about real life in academia

Dialogs in Online Teaching: MSU’s Academic Technology and Outreach (ATO) and the Masters in Science in Science Education (MSSE) program are offering a series of free online recordings entitled “Dialogues in Online Teaching” where experienced online educators discuss community, opportunities, and challenges in the remote learning environment.

Learn Anywhere Initiative: MSU’s Academic Technology and Outreach (ATO)'s Learn Anywhere Initiative provides resources for teaching and learning remotely.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): An Online MOOC scheduled twice per year provides an intro to how students learn and to the use of active, inclusive pedagogies.

Engineering Education Support: Montana Engineering Education Research Center (MEERC) supports research in education at MSU.

Professional Organizations by Discipline:

Architecture Biology Chemistry Earth Sciences Economics

Engineering English Mathematics Nursing Physics

Leadership & Teamwork

Graduate Leadership Academy (GLA): The Grad Leadership Academy prepares Montana State University graduate students for equitable, inclusive, and collaborative leadership across a variety of professional contexts. This year-long program includes individual workshops, meetings, and collaborations, as well as a $500 scholarship award upon completion. 

Mindfulness Based Graduate Mentorship Program: The Mindfulness Based Graduate Mentorship Program occurs yearly during the Fall semester. In the program, graduate students gather together weekly in peer community to mindfully inquire into questions around the qualities of effective mentorship, what functional relationships look like, and how to get support from mentors.

MSU Leadership Institute: The MSU Leadership Institute offers answers, resources, and connections for the future leaders of business, government, and education. Acting as a catalyst to the awakening of students' natural leadership skills, communication abilities, and creativity, the Institute empowers students to do more.

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD): MSU has invested in an institutional membership with the NCFDD. An account is needed to access NCFDD programming, and is free for MSU graduate students. Visit the NCFDD information page for more information on what is included in your free membership and to learn how to sign up.

• NCFDD webinar: Building and Leading Successful Research Teams

LinkedIn Learning: This course on building a team through Linked-In Learning discusses how to build a high-performing team. This decision making course outlines the four styles of decision-making and which situations they are best suited to.

Becoming a Resilient Scientist Series: In fall 2022, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) hosted a series of webinars and small group discussions to help you develop the confidence and resilience you need to navigate challenging situations in school, work, and life. See the recordings of NIH's Becoming a Resilient Scientist Series here.

Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership Journal's Shared Leadership Model: Shared leadership can provide a foundation for nonprofit organization sustainability. A culture of shared leadership can enhance an organization’s resilience and adaptability and help ensure its ability to navigate turbulence and uncertainty. See here for more information on the shared leadership model.

Kotter's 8-Step Process for Leading Change: Kotter’s award-winning methodology is the proven approach to producing lasting change. Download the 8-Steps to Lasting Change ebook here.

MSU Office of Student Engagement (OSE): The Office of Student Engagement provides and facilitates student engagement opportunities for MSU students through a variety of programs, events, services, and activities. We are THE HUB for students interested in connecting with their fellow Bobcats through student government, student organizations, programs and events, and engaging in service to the community.

Wellness

Graduate Student Wellness

Visit the GradCat Wellness page for more wellbeing resources, events, and partners.

Food Resources for Students

Bounty of the Bridgers Campus Food Pantry

• About: The Campus Food Pantry offers free supplemental and emergency food assistance to students, faculty, staff, and families of MSU.
• Location: 1102 S. 6^th Ave., entrance is on the side of the building off of Arthur St.
• Hours: Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday from 2-6pm, excluding Memorial Day (May 27th) and Independence Day (July 4th)
• More Information: Bounty of the Bridgers Campus Food Pantry
• Instagram:@msu.food.pantry

Saturday Pop-Up Pantry

• About: The Pop-Up Pantry offers food assistance to students, faculty, staff, and families of MSU over the weekend at Family and Graduate Housing. This pantry location is the best place to get produce and bread for the week.
• Location: 1218 S. 15^th St.
• Hours: Saturday from 1-3pm, or until supply is gone.
• More Information: Bounty of the Bridgers Saturday Food Pantry

Grab 'n' Go Snack Program

• About: The Grab 'n' Go Snack Program is a campus-wide extension of the Campus Food Pantry and is designed to make sure hungry students are always near a snack to get them through the day. Although the campus-wide Grab 'n' Go Program was paused in Spring 2024, The Graduate School will continue to provide grab 'n' go snacks for graduate students in 104 Montana Hall.

Food Security Scholarships

• About: The Food Security Scholarship awards a 25-swipe dining hall meal plan to students with barriers to accessing enough nutritious food.
• Application Timeline: Applications are open at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. See below for more information and exact application deadlines.
• More Information: Bounty of the Bridgers Food Security Scholarships

Other

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Becoming a Resilient Scientist Series: The goal of the Becoming a Resilient Scientist series is to help trainees develop the resilience they need to navigate challenging situations at work and in life.

Professionalism & Ethics

CITI Training through the Office of Research and Economic Development: CITI Training provides training for research on human subjects, species-specific and wildlife research, biosafety, and other specialized research training.

Office of Research Compliance's Institutional Review Board (IRB): The primary mission of the Institutional Review Board is the protection of the rights, welfare, and well-being of human subjects who participate in research at Montana State University. The IRB approves all research conducted by MSU faculty, staff, and students that involves human subjects.

Office of Research Compliance's Conflict of Interest (COI) Help Page: Visit the Conflict of Interest help page to find resources that help MSU affiliates recognize potential conflicting interests.

Center for Science, Technology, Ethics and Society (C-STES): The Center for Science, Technology, Ethics and Society can help you identify ways in which your decision making throughout your work process may impact others, and to creatively consider how to ensure that your decision making is responsible and just.

Equity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion at MSU: We believe that excellence at Montana State University is best achieved through a culture of intellectual and personal growth that is diverse and inclusive. Click here to learn more about the office of Access & Success at Montana State.

• Access & Success Programs & Events. List of diversity initiatives run by the office of Access & Success.
• Cultural Bridges Certificate. Students are welcome to take this training aimed at growth in awareness, knowledge, and skills related to diversity and inclusion.
• Access & Success Student Resources. View a list of diversity resources for students.

Student Commons: Welcome to our Student Commons. We aim to empower students to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally while contributing to a more inclusive campus culture. We celebrate unique identities and perspectives and provide a safe space for constructive dialogues.

• Safe Zone Trainings. Students are welcome to take this training aimed at raising awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

Indian Education for All (IEFA): The MSU Department of Education provides a variety of workshops and resources as part of the Indian Education For All (IEFA) Initiative.

Inclusive Professional Framework (IPF): The Inclusive Professional Framework (IPF) identifies three core domains - Identity, Intercultural, and Relational - which underlie inclusive professional practices. The IPF provides a set of skills in the three domains that can be applied to inclusive practices across context and roles. These skills also contribute to health and well-being and inclusive climates within institutions and organizations.

Various Professional Societies' Diversity & Inclusion Statements:

Communication

MSU Writing Center: The MSU Writing Center supports students across MSU as they develop the written communication skills necessary in their academic, professional, and civic lives. The Writing Center offers many different kinds of support specifically for graduate students!

• Writing Center Groups and Events for Graduate Students:
  • One-on-one appointments with a writing tutor
  • Interdisciplinary graduate writing groups
  • Focus Fridays
  • Writing Retreats
• Writing Style, Grammar, Citation Guides

Three Minute Thesis Competition: The Three Minute Thesis Competition celebrates exciting master's and doctoral work while supporting students' ability to effectively communicate their research.

Toastmasters Club: The Toastmasters Club at MSU can provide resources for graduate students to improve speaking and presentation skills.

LinkedIn Learning: MSU offers a free subscription to LinkedIn Learning where students can take professional development courses, including short courses in interpersonal communication, email communication, and public speaking.

Electronic Theses and Dissertation (ETD): Master's students writing a formal thesis and doctoral students writing a formal dissertation are required to go through the Graduate School formatting procedures. Find resources for formatting your ETD.

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD): MSU has invested in an institutional membership with the NCFDD. An account is needed to access NCFDD programming, and is free for MSU graduate students. Visit the NCFDD information page for more information on what is included in your free membership and to learn how to sign up.

• The 12 week NCFDD Dissertation Success Curriculum is designed to provide the skills, strategies, and support that advanced graduate students need to overcome the three biggest obstacles to finishing their dissertation: perfectionism, procrastination, and isolation.

Developing a Communication Plan for Students: MSU’s Academic Technology and Outreach (ATO) offers information on developing a communication plan for communicating with students.

The Link at the StonyBrook University Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science: "The Link" offers research-based foundational skills and best practices for science communication.

Career Development & Exploration

AYCSS Career Services: The Office of Career, Internship, and Student Employment is here to help you land the perfect job. We want to do our best to help you succeed professionally so we offer sources to help you prepare.

• Career Fairs (Graduate students are welcomed/encouraged to attend these!)
• Hire-A-Bobcat, powered by Handshake, is MSU’s FREE online recruiting platform for students and employers. Graduate students can search for post-graduation career opportunities, summer employment, research, and internships.

• Book an appointment with a graduate Career Coach. Joan Lorraine is the Center's Graduate Career Education Manager and can help you:

  • Learn more about yourself through self-assessments

  • Explore majors and careers that are a good fit for you

  • Review your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile

  • Prepare for job, internship, and graduate school interviews 

  • Engage in experiential learning, like internships and student employment, to help you gain experience and learn about your career interests

Individual Development Plans (IDP): IDP

• MyIDP for STEM
• ImaginePhD for social sciences, arts, and humanities

MSU Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE): MSU’s Center for Faculty Excellence supports the professional development of all faculty (tenure-track and non-tenure track) across all career stages in the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, outreach/service, and leadership. Graduate students are encouraged to take part in CFE offerings.

Professional Organizations: Here is a non-exclusive list of Professional Organizations that graduate students can join to connect with their field. Consider seeking out a Professional Organization related to your field of study.

Community Engagement

MSU Office of Student Engagement (OSE): The Office of Student Engagement posts numerous community engagement opportunities throughout the year.

MSU Extension: MSU Extension agents and subject matter experts serve local needs in 56 counties and 7 reservations with one mission: to improve the lives of Montana citizens by providing unbiased, research-based education and information that integrates learning, discovery and engagement to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals, families and communities.

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD): MSU has invested in an institutional membership with the NCFDD. An account is needed to access NCFDD programming, and is free for MSU graduate students. Visit the NCFDD information page for more information on what is included in your free membership and to learn how to sign up.

• NCFDD webinar: Engagement Matters: Developing a Career as a Community Engaged Scholar

Citizen Science: Citizen Science through SciStarter.org is an NSF-supported online hub of citizen science projects. This is an opportunity to support your academic and professional career. Watch the Citizen Science workshop hosted by MSU with a national panel of speakers.

The Science Math Resource Center (SMRC): The Science Math Resource Center (SMRC) is devoted to the advancement of science and mathematics teaching and learning. We provide professional development for a new generation of K-12 educators of tribal, rural, and urban communities; conduct educational research; and coordinate the statewide annual Science Olympiad that is held at Montana State University in Bozeman.

Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS): The purpose of ARIS is to advance impacts of research for the betterment of society and the expansion of research. They elevate research impact by providing high-quality resources and professional development opportunities and by creating connections among researchers, community partners, and engagement practitioners. See the ARIS guiding principles here.

Museum of the Rockies: The Museum of the Rockies is a standout institution in the field of natural history museums. They offer many ways to get involved with programming.

Scholarship & Innovation

Funding and Fellowships for Grad Students: The Graduate School is dedicated to helping students secure funding and/or fellowships during their time spent at MSU.

MSU Library Research and Technology Resources: The MSU Library offers an abundance of resources for data, articles, research, and technology.

• Articles & Research Databases
• Technology Checkouts
• Data Management Resources
• Research Visibility Presentation (Nov. 2020)

MSU Office of Research and Economic Development (RED): MSU is the largest research and development entity of any kind in the state. We are committed to embracing opportunity and groundbreaking research. The Office of Research and Economic Development (RED) was created to support you on your research journey. Visit their website to view resources and upcoming events.

MSU Blackstone LaunchPad: The Blackstone LaunchPad is a non-profit campus resource for students, alumni, and faculty interested in business and entrepreneurship. We work with established businesses and fledgling entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life and grow their businesses.

MSU Technology Transfer Office (TTO): The mission of the Technology Transfer Office at Montana State University is to commercialize MSU innovations, spur entrepreneurship based on MSU technology, and provide a gateway for industry partners to access MSU technologies and capabilities.

MSU Statistical Consulting and Research Services (SCRS): Welcome to Statistical Consulting and Research Services (SCRS - pronounced "scissors")! If resources allow, we offer statistical consultation to MSU students and faculty, as well as non-affiliates. We offer assistance and collaboration through the entire research process, including general discussions regarding the role of statistical inference in your research.

MSU Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP): The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) engages in the project life cycle from proposal submission to the close-out of a grant or award.

MSU Office of Research Compliance (ORC): The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) oversees University programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for research. ORC creates and supports an environment that furthers the ethical and responsible conduct of research.

MSU IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE):Montana INBRE is a statewide network of Ph.D.-granting institutions, baccalaureate schools, and community and tribal colleges that invests in Montana's biomedical research capacity and workforce pipeline.

MSU Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE): As a research center for the people of Montana, CAIRHE epitomizes the service mission of our state's land-grant university. Our investigators and their partners work diligently in Montana’s rural communities and on tribal lands to design health equity research and health interventions that improve quality of life and, ultimately, save lives.

Extreme Biofilms, A Graduate Traineeship Program for PhD Students: The Extreme Biofilms National Research Traineeship (NRT) sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is a university-wide community of doctoral students in engineering, microbiology, computing, biochemistry, and environmental sciences with focused professional development and graduate training on biofilm-forming microorganisms in extreme environments. NRT trainees attend monthly professional development lunch meetings. Occasional three-hour professional development workshops are open to all STEM graduate students and cover a variety of topics. Non-funded STEM graduate students who attend two NRT-hosted professional development workshops can apply for up to a $1500seed grant.

Science Talk Annual Conference: Do you have engaging science communication projects, research, best-practices, or science art you’d like to share and/or see? Join us and present at a dynamic, hybrid science communication conference. You can participate in the Science Talk Annual Conference from anywhere in the world. Here’s your chance to share your work with other science communication practitioners, facilitators, and professionals.

Time Management Tips (PDF): Counseling and Psychological Services provides a handout about time management. Although it was written during COVID, these tips are still applicable today.