Visit www.gemfellowship.org

Email info@gemfellowship.org those who prepare for it. The future belongs to

GEM University Host:

Getting Ready for Advanced Degrees

Laboratory

Program Book

The GRAD Lab is a fun and engaging

symposium where participants, science

and engineering undergraduates, will

receive full information on the importance

of graduate school and what is needed to

successfully gain admittance with financial

support.

GEM GRAD Lab

Co-Hosts:

2 GRAD Lab

6

12

7

8

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5 GEM GRAD Lab Welcome

About GEM Our Mission The GEM Fellowship Application Deadline Applicants for MS Fellowship Applicants for Ph.D. FellowshipGEM GRAD Lab Overview

How to Apply for the GEM Fellowship

GEM GRAD Lab Agenda

GEM GRAD Lab Workshops

GEM GRAD Lab Presenters

GEM GRAD Labs are sponsored by

the Intel Foundation

3New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

Intel encourages GEM GRAD Lab participants to

Stay With It and pursue a

STEM graduate degree!

4 GRAD Lab

As one of the country’s leading science and technology universities, NJIT is pushing the edge in knowledge.

Our focus — and the focus of our students — is on real-world learning and applied research. It’s the kind of

education and research that delivers real-world results.

Sharpened by academic programs on par with the best in the world, NJIT graduates boast a competitive edge

that prepares them to excel in high-demand, high-income careers.

From engineering and architecture to computing science and high-tech management, NJIT offers you the

know-how and opportunities you’ll need to succeed.

To learn more, visit us on the web or call to arrange a campus visit today.

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NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYUNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, NEWARK, NJ 07102-1982973.596.3300

What you dream, our graduates design and develop. What you hope for, our research is making happen.

A Top National University— U.S. News and World Report

A Best College — The Princeton Review

5New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

GEM GRAD Lab Welcome

Dear GEM G.R.A.D. Lab Attendees:

Welcome to NJIT! We are pleased to have you with us today to learn about graduate school opportunities for students in the STEM fields. We hope this event will be of service to you as you make plans to continue your education, either here at NJIT or elsewhere.

Some of you are visitors to our campus; we hope this will be an opportunity for you to learn about graduate school in general and about NJIT in particular. Representatives from several institutions are here today to give you an overview of the wonderful opportunities available to you.

Graduate school is an exciting time in your life and is increasingly important for international SUCCESS. Make the most of today- use the information provided in these sessions to develop a plan of action, and follow through. The GEM G.R.A.D. Lab has been planned as an active learning experience: the facilitators, presenters, and panelists will provide you with information, but they will also expect you to participate in activities and ask questions. You may also choose to spend some time today refming your personal statement, which is a type of essay that is frequently required when applying for graduate school or for fellowships. When you leave today, we hope you will be on the road to a successful graduate school application.

Stay focused on and committed to your goals; if you fmd yourself struggling with the application process, seek out campus resources and reach out to mentors to get back on track!

Best wishes for a very successful future in the STEM fields and congratulations on making the decision to attend ourGEM G.R.A.D. Lab. We are so pleased to have you with us today.

Sincerely,

Laurence (Tony) HowellExecutive DirectorEOP & SSSP/SSSP-STEM

6 GRAD Lab

An advanced degree in engineering or science can open doors to even more challenging and responsible careers—especially in the dynamic and sophisticated areas of high technology research. Every year a significant number of underrepresented minorities enter undergraduate engineering and science curricula; however, underrepresented minorities represent less than five percent of the recipients of advanced degrees in engineering or science.

It is GEM’s belief that if highly qualified minority students were exposed to the benefits of a career in research and technology innovation, via presentations from individuals from their communities who have received a graduate engineering or science degree and are currently successful in their careers, and were given resources on how to apply to graduate school, more students would apply and successfully matriculate in graduate engineering and science programs.

GEM GRAD Lab Overview

About GEMOUR MISSION

APPLICANTS FOR MS FELLOWSHIP

THE GEM FELLOWSHIP

APPLICATION DEADLINE

APPLICANTS FOR PH.D. FELLOWSHIP

Our model is strategic and proven. We provide graduate fellowships to highly qualified individuals from communities where such talent is largely untapped. Working in partnership with leading corporations, U.S. government laboratories and many of the nation’s top universities and research institutes, we provide GEM Fellows with the much-needed financial support that is often the deciding factor in pursuing graduate education, as well as practical experience through high-level, paid summer internships. GEM does more than provide financial support; however, we work to ensure student success in these competitive academic and professional environments with effective programs that increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation of GEM Fellows. Close to 4,000 GEM Fellows have gone on to successful careers.

GEM offers three Fellowship Programs to GEM Member Universities. The total value of each Fellowship is between $20,000 and $100,000, depending on the candidate’s academic status at the time of application, paid summer employment, and graduate school costs.

Applications for GEM Fellowships are available online at www.gemfellowship.org. Submit your application, resume and unofficial transcript by October 1 for early consideration. All application materials are due by November 15. A candidate must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of application.

> Must be a senior, Master’s Degree student of an accredited engineering or applied science program at the time of application.

> Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0

> Full Fellows must contractually agree to intern with a sponsoring GEM Employer the summer after selection.

> Must be a senior, Master’s Degree student of an accredited engineering or applied science program at the time of application.

> Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0

> Full Fellows must contractually agree to intern with a sponsoring GEM Employer the summer after selection.

To address this issue, GEM has created a GRAD Lab, Getting Ready for Advanced Degree Lab, a comprehensive, hands-on symposium designed to excite and encourage promising under-graduate and community college engineering and science students to consider master and Ph.D. technical research programs.

The symposium will encourage their consideration of graduate engineering school by delivering vital information on the importance of research and innovation, life-long career benefits and real-world role-mode examples of success. The day-long event will help each student envision his or her future as a technology leader, successfully apply for a GEM fellowship, and gain entry to a graduate program, industry and academic professionals will share their career, graduate school, and GEM experinces with these potential graduate students.

7New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

GEM GRAD Lab Agenda

SATURDAY, October 18, 2014 Location: NJIT Campus Center Atrium

9:00 am Registration, Pre-survey, and Continental Breakfast

10:00 am Welcome and IntroductionCharles Fey, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Support & Students Services, New Jersey Institute of Technology

10:15 am Session 1: Why Graduate School?Michele Lezama, Executive Director, The National GEM Consortium

11:15 am Break

11:30 am Session 2: How to Apply to Graduate SchoolRenetta Garrison Tull, Ph.D., GEM Program Consultant

12:30 pm Lunch Break

1:15 pm Session 3: How to Fund Graduate SchoolModerator: Tony Howell, Executive Director, Education Opportunity Programs, New Jersey Institute of TechnologyToni Sperzel, Program Manager, Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Program and GEM Fellowship Program, Stony Brook UniversityMichael Vaughan, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering, University of Delaware

2:15 pm Break

2:30 pm Session 4: Voices from the FieldModerator: Angela Vara-McCann, Marketing and Recruitment Specialist, Columbia UniversityKaren Garcia, MS Student, Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of TechnologyJessica Marfo, MS Student, Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology Peter Michael, PhD Student, Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology

3:15 pm Closing Remarks/Post Survey/Raffle

3:30 pm Program Ends

8 GRAD Lab

GEM GRAD Lab WorkshopsSession 1: Why Graduate School?

This workshop will prove the fundamental belief of the 21st century and beyond: all STEM professionals should hold an advanced STEM degree. Particularly, the participants will gather information about career and financial implications of NOT obtaining a graduate degree. If you think all you need is a bachelors degree to be competitive in the global society or that you should work first then go back to graduate school, YOU CAN’T MISS THIS WORKSHOP! Come find out why graduate school is not an option but a necessity.

Session 2: How to Apply to Graduate School

Learn the easy and efficient way to get into graduate school. There really is a process. You will find out the steps to compiling a competitive package that will give you a great advantage over the rest. This workshop should not be missed for those that want to get the highest probability to be accepted into the graduate school of their choice. Specifics will be given on how to write a statement of purpose, how to guarantee you receive strong recommendation letters, and specific tips on the application process.

Session 3: How to Fund Graduate School

“Show me the Money”…and then give it to me! During this workshop you will find how to identify and apply for funding whether you are in graduate school or just finishing your first semester as an undergraduate. This information will give you the insight on how much money is available, how to find it, how to apply for it, and how to secure it! Come find out why no one should pay for graduate school if they go about it correctly!

Session 4: Voices From the Field

This is where it all comes together! Through the course of the day, you know why you need to go to graduate school. You have a better understanding of the graduate programs and how to get into them. You have multiple opportunities now to make sure that you have adequate funding to finance your graduate education. Now, you have the benefit to hear from those that have done it or are currently doing it. At this workshop you will meet, see, and hear real life stories of how graduate school was/is/and will be. There will be leading faculty members, industry professionals and current graduate students on this panel. You should not miss this last workshop if you want to know the “real scoop” about graduate school!

9New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

Dr. Charles J. Fey is the vice president for academic support and student affairs at The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he continues his commitment to creating a campus climate that promotes student achievement and student success.Fey has received numerous awards including the Esther Lloyd Jones Professional Service Award from ACPA; is a Diamond Honoree of ACPA’s Foundation; twice received the Outstanding Service award from the Commission on Administrative Leadership of ACPA; and an exemplary service award from MCPA.Fey earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and his masters of education degree in counselor education, college student personnel services, both from The Pennsylvania State University. He holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Texas A&M University

Currently, Executive Director, Educational Opportunity Program at NJIT, has 25 years of history management student services programs for underrepresented students, minorities and women. In the past 10 years, the focus has been on STEM majors, pre-college programs (K-12) and career development activities for college-level minority students. As executive director, Tony is administratively responds to the Vice President for Academic and Student Services and supervises over 1,000 in-college students in three programs and 1,500 pre-college students in three programs.

CHARLES FEY, Ph.D.Vice PresidentAcademic Support and Students ServicesNew Jersey Institute of Technology

TONY HOWELLExecutive DirectorEducational Opportunity ProgramsNew Jersey Institute of Technology

Karen Garcia is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology, with a concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering. Currently she is considering a joint thesis with the Material Science Department in the area of 3D printing of artificial organs. This past summer, Karen was invited to the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, to work with the BAPSI research group investigating the diabetic foot and an early diagnostic device. She is also working at Community Blood Services analyzing and screening blood for toxins and potential disease before distribution.

Michele Lezama is currently the Executive Director of The National GEM Consortium (GEM), a 501c(3) organization, dedicated to increasing the number of under-represented individuals who pursue and receive a masters or PhD in engineering or science by providing full fellowships and holding informational programming. Prior to GEM Lezama served over 5 years as Executive Director of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), a 501 c(3) organization. Michele Lezama earned her BS in Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University and both her MS in Industrial Engineering and MBA in Finance. A native New Yorker, Brooklyn by way of The Bronx, Michele Lezama is married to Ricardo Lezama and they have two daughters.

KAREN GARCIAMS Student - Biomedical EngineeringNew Jersey Institute of Technology

MICHELE LEZAMAExecutive DirectorThe National GEM Consortium(GEM Alum)

GEM GRAD Lab Presenters

10 GRAD Lab

Jessica Marfo has completed her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, with a concentration in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is currently a Scientist at Pfizer Inc in their Vaccine-Immunology group, while pursuing a Masters in Material Science and Engineering. Her concentration in polymers relates to her interest in the 3D printing of artificial organs specifically kidneys.

JESSICA MARFOMS Student - Biomedical EngineeringNew Jersey Institute of Technology

Toni Sperzel is the Program Manager for the Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Fellowship program, a New York state funded, recruitment-focused fellowship program supporting the academic success of underrepresented Graduate Students across multiple disciplines at Stony Brook . She also coordinates Stony Brook’s participation in the National GEM Consortium and administers the GEM Fellowship here at SBU. Toni has a decade of experience in educational administration in multiple capacities including departmental administration, admissions and recruitment of graduate and international students and now, retention and persistence of underrepresented graduate students. She holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston College.

Dr. Renetta Garrison Tull is Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Student Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC: An Honors University in Maryland), where she is the Co-PI and Founding Director for the National Science Foundation’s PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) for the 12 institutions in the University System of Maryland, and Co-PI LSAMP’s Bridge to the Doctorate at UMBC. Dr. Tull has worked with thousands of students from Alaska to Puerto Rico, and in Latin America through graduate school preparation workshops that have been sponsored by The National GEM Consortium and partners (e.g., NSBE, AISES, SHPE), the National Science Foundation’s PROMISE AGEP, and UMBC. She has presented workshops on graduate school admissions, “The Success Equation,” STEM initiatives, and PhD Completion in Panama, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and schools across the United States.

TONI SPERZELProgram Manager Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Program andGEM Fellowship ProgramStony Brook University

RENETTA GARRISON TULL, Ph.D.Associate Vice Provost,Student Development and Postdoctoral AffairsUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County

Peter Michael was admitted to NJIT’s Biomedical Engineering program upon his completion of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). He participated in numerous years of undergraduate research in a biomaterials laboratory, focusing on bone growth and remodeling. He graduated summa cum laude and received his bachelor’s degree with a specialization in Biomechanics. He was immediately admitted to the PhD program with two years of NSF funding. During that time he has developed an interest in rehabilitation research, especially as it applies to Cerebral Palsy. During that time, he assisted in research aiming at reducing spasticity in children and will explore alternate rehabilitation methods during his dissertation.

PETER MICHAELPhD Student - Biomedical EngineeringNew Jersey Institute of Technology

GEM GRAD Lab Presenters

Funded by the National Science Foundation

As committed educators and community activists of a nine-institution, tri-state consortium, we have collaborated to broaden the participation of underrepresented students in the scienti�c enterprise in the Greater Philadelphia Region. In that regard, we have committed intellectual, �nancial and material resources to achieve the stated objective.

For more information:www.philadelphiaamp.orgphilaamp@drexel.edu215.895.2203

CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY | COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA | DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY | DREXEL UNIVERSITY (LEAD) | LINCOLN UNIVERSITY | NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | TEMPLE UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF CREATING SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

11New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

Michael L. Vaughan joined University of Delaware in 1992. As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, he manages the college’s academic and educational infrastructure and support processes to foster successful student outcomes. He is principal investigator or supervisor of several programs aimed at helping traditionally underrepresented students succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, including the National Science Foundation funded Greater Philadelphia Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program; the NSF/AMP Bridges to the Doctorate Program; the Educational Advancement Alliance/UD Graduate Preparatory Summer Residential Program; and multiple summer residential and enrichments programs for high school and undergraduate students. Vaughan earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. He is currently a PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering at University of Delaware.

MICHAEL L. VAUGHANAssociate Dean Academic Affairs, College of EngineeringUniversity of Delaware

Angela Vara-McCann is the Marketing and Recruitment Specialist for Columbia Video Network-the online graduate engineering program of Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University Notre Dame and a Masters of Art from New York University. She has experience in medical education, student affairs, and online learning. Student engagement and marketing are her specialties. In addition, to higher education, she is passionate about cooking and fiction. Angela resides in New York with her husband.

ANGELA VARA-MCCANNMarketing and Recruitment SpecialistColumbia University

GEM GRAD Lab Presenters

12 GRAD Lab

How to Apply for the GEM Fellowship (with tips)

Complete Part I of the Application

After registering, you will be directed to the application form.Answer the questions carefully and accurately and include your resume and unofficial transcript (for each University or college attended after high school). You will need to have your employment and educational history (and, if applicable, information on research experiences) handy to complete the questionnaire. If you cannot answer all the required questions, you can save your draft application and return to the application later to complete.

Register Online at GemFellowship.org

Go to www.gemfellowship.org. Click on the url in the large blue box in the right bar menu to Log In to eGEM. Registering with eGEM creates an account that allows you to work on your application securely, to save draft work, and return later to complete and submit online. After registering, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with information for later use.

2 3

1

Tips:

1. TYPE IN EACH EMPLOYER you worked for in the on-line application. (Simply attaching a resume and not typing in each past Employer will decrease your chances of receiving the GEM Fellowship).

2. RESUMES: Make sure your resume has been reviewed by a professional, i.e., your campus intern placement staff, English professor, etc. Please make sure you include your GPA on your resume. Please also include key words that describe your skills, like specific computer programs, e.g, MATLAB, interest in a specific research field that may be a different name than your actual major, like “nuclear engineering”, and any skills acquired on past internships e.g., “supply chain”. A polished resume makes a huge difference in the GEM application.

3. GRE SCORES are not required however they are highly recommended. Applicants are however required to answer all of the questions we ask about the GRE, i.e., the date you plan to take it, if you do not plan to take the GRE, why not, etc. as prompted about the GRE. You can scan a copy of your GRE score report to your eGEM application (i.e., you do not have to pay for an additional report). If you choose to list GEM for an additional report our code is 1305.

4. LIST 3 GRADUATE SCHOOLS: Unless you are already in a STEM Ph.D. program (or in the first year of a STEM master’s program) at a GEM school, to submit a complete GEM application you are required to directly apply to at least 3 GEM Member Universities between Nov 15–Jan 15. For Part I, you just have to list the names of 3 schools you will most likely apply to after November 15th. Research the schools to make sure they have a program you are interested in!

Complete Part II of the Application by November 15, 2014

Tips:

1. QUICK ON-LINE FORM: Let your recommenders know the on-line form takes five minutes to complete. A letter is not required, however they will have an option to cut and paste a letter as part of their electronic form submission.

2. FACULTY SUBMISSIONS SUGGESTED: Please make sure at least one recommendation form is from a faculty member.

3. STRONGLY RECOMMEND 3 SUBMISSIONS You are asked to submit 3 emails and phone numbers of recommenders. Your application will be complete if at least 2 recommenders submit. However your application is automatically scored higher if you have 3 recommendations on file.

The strict deadline to submit a complete on-line GEM application is 11:59 PM Eastern on November 15th

The deadline to submit your complete GEM application is November 15th. The deadline to submit your STEM graduate application directly to 3 GEM member schools is January 15th.

5. DRAFT: You can save your application as a draft up until question 10 (Part I). Do not go past Part I of the application until you feel your answers are final. To have your application viewed by GEM Employers in our first review round, you must submit Part I by October 1st.

Part II requires you to submit supplemental material:

Statement of Purpose—You must submit at least a one page statement of purpose that outlines your academic, research and/or career goals.For tips go to www.statementofpurpose.com.

Tip: Please focus your statement of purpose on your career/ research goals (i.e., do not focus on your deficiencies in your past, why you would make a great GEM Fellow, etc. focuson the future, how great you will be in your dream highly technical/research area of interest).

Letters of Recommendation—Request directly from 3 faculty members (preferred) or a high level technical manager (who holds a STEM graduate degree) if they are willing to complete an on-line form to strongly recommend you to receive the GEM Fellowship. We will not accept letters via email, fax, or via postal mail, all recommendations must be attached to your electronic eGEM application. At least two of your recommenders must submit their recommendations on-line by 11:59 PM Eastern on November 15th.

GeM aluMni:Examples of Success

Frank Martinez

Worldwide DirectorDigital Inclusion &

Government PC ProgramsIntel Corporation

Johney B. Green Jr., Ph.D.

Division DirectorFuels, Engines and

Emissions Research CenterOak Ridge National Lab

Christine Ortiz, Ph.D.

Associate ProfessorMaterial Science and Dean

of Graduate EducationMassachusetts Institute of

Technology

Jorge Rivera

Worldwide PresidentSupply Chain

Johnson & Johnson

Robin Coger, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Engineering

North Carolina A&T

S. Keith Hargrove, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Engineering

Tennessee State University

Darryll Pines, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Engineering

University of Maryland College Park

Eric Sheppard, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Engineering

Hampton University

13New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

Graduate & Professional Education

www.udel.edu/gradoffice

A world of opportunity• 150 degree programs available

• Ranked among the best grad schools from U.S. News and World Report

• Over 100 endowed professorships

14 GRAD Lab

15New Jersey Institute of Technology • October 18, 2014

S tony Brook is an internationally recognized research university offering the finest graduate degree programs available. Our collaborative relationship with Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory make the University an ideal choice for students interested in graduate study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Center for Inclusive Education, a division of the Graduate School, is home to Stony Brook's graduate and postdoctoral level programs increasing the participation of underrepresented students in graduate study and the professoriate: The New York State funded Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Fellowship; The NSF funded LSAMP-BD,AGEP-T FRAME and the REU in Nanotechnology; the GEM Fellowship; and the NIH funded IRACDA NY-CAPS and IMSD-MERGE. The CIE provides direct services for over 175 students and postdocs across all disciplines. Our mission is to promote action and knowledge that broadens the participation of disadvantaged Americans in higher education, the scientific work force and the Academy.

For more information: www.stonybrook.edu/cie

CIE_graduateschool@stonybrook.edu 631-632-1386

September 13 September 13 September 20 September 20 September 27

September 27 October 4 October 4 October 11 October 18

October 18 October 25 To Be Determined November 6 March 2015

Upstate New York

2014-2015 GEM GRAD Labs sponsored by the University Hosts, Co-hosts, Sponsors and the Intel Foundation

2014 - 2015 GRAD Labs