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Graduate Community Fellows

Graduate Community Fellows are a cadre of graduate students who function under the direction of the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education on projects and assignments that enhance the life of graduate students in unique ways. Fellows report to a senior staff member in the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education and are assigned to projects in particular areas. In this pilot year, these areas are:

  • Diversity initiatives (with Assistant Dean Christopher Jones) Details
  • Graduate Student Life Grants (with Director of Communications Barrie Gleason) Details
  • Programs for women (with Associate Dean Blanche Staton) Details
  • Programs for international students (with Associate Dean Danielle Guichard-Ashbrook) Details

Together, Fellows participate in leadership development activities such as training in project management, team building, and managing meetings. They also serve as an important conduit for informing the Dean and staff about the graduate student experience.

Eligibility

  • All graduate students who are registered and in good standing full time in a degree program at MIT for the 2007-2008 academic year are eligible to apply. (An international student who has full support in the form of an RA or TA is not eligible.)
  • Fellows must be in residence in the Boston/Cambridge area for the term of their appointment. A student in nonresident doctoral thesis research status, or thesis-in-absentia status, is not eligible to apply.
  • Fellows may serve up to 2 years. Current or previous Fellows must be reappointed for another year.

Term of appointment

  • Graduate Community Fellows must be available beginning September 1, 2007, through May 31, 2008. The term of appointment is for the academic year.
  • Graduate Community Fellows will receive a stipend of $5,400 for the academic year as compensation for an average of 10 hours a week (see Duties below).
  • A Fellow can be dismissed prior to the end of the appointment for conduct considered detrimental to the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education, or for failure to live up to his/her responsibilities as a Fellow. Should a Fellow be dismissed, the payment of his/her stipend will cease.
  • The supervisor is responsible for a written summary of the Fellow’s accomplishments at least once during the calendar year.
  • Fellows will have access to office equipment and supplies in the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education on a limited basis.

Selection process

Applicants must complete an application form and participate in a brief interview with the area’s supervisor.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Spend an average of 10 hours a week in their duties during the academic term.
  • Meet with other Fellows, members of the ODGE staff, and the ODGE’s business partners, as required.
  • Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the first year pilot of the Graduate Community Fellows program.
  • Maintain project records and submit written reports on progress on a regular basis, as required by the supervisor.
  • Serve as a resource to other graduate students.
  • May be required to make one university/college site visit to be identified in collaboration with the supervisor.