GVPT Undergraduate Newsletter

February 12, 2007

 

In this issue:

- Advising Updates

- University Leadership Awards

- Seniors, Apply to the Campaign Corps

- Beyond the Classroom Now Accepting Applications

- Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference

- GVPT Study Abroad Programs

- Senior Summer Scholars

- Complete the Dean's Survey

- Scholarships

- Events around Campus

- Internship Opportunities

 

ADVISING UPDATES

 

Walk-In Hours for Spring 2007

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday :1pm -5pm

Tuesday : 1pm-3pm

Friday : 9am-12pm

If you would like to meet with an advisor at a time not listed above, you can email advising@gvpt.umd.edu to schedule an appointment.  Please include times you are available to meet in the request email.

 

College Advising - Official Audit Time

Attention BSOS Students - February 12-23 is OFFICIAL AUDIT TIME

All BSOS majors with 80-89 credits WILL BE REQUIRED to complete an official audit.  The audit can be completed via the web or in-person. 

To use the web audit tool, visit: http://www.bsosadvising.umd.edu/audit/

To complete your audit with an advisor, please begin the 1st of 2 steps with your departmental advisor.

When registration comes, don't get surpised by a registartion block! Complete your audit during Official Audit Time

University Leadership Awards
Each spring the University honors outstanding scholar-leaders at the University Awards Program. Hosted by the Stamp Student Union, Campus Programs, and Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy, this program features some of the University’s most prestigious awards, including the eight listed below. This year’s University Awards Program will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2007.

The Byrd Citizenship Prizes and Wilson H. Elkins Award are selected from the same applicant pool. Individuals who nominate candidates for either of these awards will enter them into the pool for both. The Byrd Citizenship Prizes are presented as a memorial to the late President Emeritus H.C. Byrd and Sally Sterling Byrd, to the male and female member of the senior class who during their collegiate careers have most nearly typified the model citizen and have contributed significantly to the general advancement of the interests of the University. The Wilson H. Elkins Award is presented to a senior who has displayed outstanding involvement and leadership in campus activities and who has contributed significantly to the general advancement of student affairs.

The William E. Kirwan Award is presented to a junior who has exhibited outstanding leadership and commitment to the college community. Nominees will be evaluated on their academic performance; involvement in student activities; community service; and promotion of campus diversity/race relations, international relations and/or international understanding.

The Bethune Award, named in honor of the African-American educator Mary McLeod Bethune, is presented to the senior student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the African-American student community at Maryland and the general interest of the University.

The La Raza Unida Award, which translates as “the people united,” is presented to the senior student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the Latino(a) student community at Maryland and the general interest of the University.

The Lorde-O’Leary Award, named after writer/activist Audre Lorde and the late University of Maryland Professor Ron O’Leary, is presented to the senior student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender student community at Maryland and the general interest of the University.

The Vera Cruz-Kochiyama Award, named after labor activist Phillip Vera Cruz and the Civil Rights Activist Yuri Kochiyama, is presented to the senior student who has contributed most significantly to the Asian Pacific American student community at Maryland and the general interest of the University.

Nominations for undergraduate awards are due THIS Friday, February 16, 2007. You may access the awards nomination form at www.union.umd.edu/awards/. Click “2007 Undergraduate Nomination Form” to enter the student(s) you wish to nominate. Upon receipt of your nomination(s), the Office of Campus Programs will provide nominees with the appropriate award applications. Applicants will be invited to apply by Friday, March 9, 2007 for full consideration.

Attention Seniors

Campaign Corps is a national grassroots program dedicated to politically empowering young people.  Each year, they train talented recent college graduates and place them on targeted, progressive Democratic campaigns.  Participants receive a stipend and free housing during the campaign, with all travel expenses paid.

Formerly known as Participation 2000, Campaign Corps has been bringing young people into the political process since 1988.  Campaign Corps receives hundreds of applications a year from recent college graduates across the country.  Once accepted, staffers come to Washington at the end of July, for a week-long Campaign School, where they learn the basics of political campaigning  - voter targeting, field organization, fundraising, and press strategy - from the country's leading democratic operatives.  Then participants are immediately sent to targeted campaigns, where they're paid to work side by side with candidates and other political professionals for the last three months of the campaign.  Graduates of the program have gone on to hold key positions with organizations like the Service Employees International Union, League of Conservation Voters, Democratic committees and with numerous Democratic members of the House and Senate.  If you are interested in applying, visit www.campaigncorps.org for an application and deadlines.

Beyond the Classroom Applications
Do you want to make a difference in your community—from the local to the global levels?
Are you looking for a real-world opportunity in the non-profit sector that enables you to develop your professional and leadership skills before graduating?
Beyond the Classroom is now accepting applications for the fall 2007 semester!!

Download an application by going to our website, www.btc.umd.edu/application.html. For best consideration, applications are due by Wednesday, February 28th.

The Beyond the Classroom (BTC) Living & Learning Program is an interdisciplinary, campus-based living and learning program dedicated to equipping upper-level undergraduate students (i.e., sophomores, juniors, and seniors) with the educational and professional leadership skills to understand and to contribute constructively to civic engagement and social change in a global context. Students address significant civic and social issues (e.g., civil rights, democracy, education, environment, gender justice, human rights, hunger, labor, poverty, security, sustainable development) through exciting internship, community service, and civic learning experiences with nonprofit, nongovernmental and government organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Through its integrated academic, experiential, and service components that offer students real-world opportunities, Beyond the Classroom enables students to develop and to realize their potential for civic leadership at the local, national, and global levels.

*Take charge of your education and go “beyond the classroom” to realize your potential for civic leadership. For more information, visit our website at www.btc.umd.edu or contact Director Jim Riker at jriker@umd.edu with any questions.

Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference

This year's Mid-Atlantic Undergraduate Social Research Conference will be held on Friday, April 13, 2007 at Hood College in Frederick, MD. For over 25 years the MAUSRC has provided undergraduate students a forum in which to present their research to other students and faculty members from the Mid-Atlantic region. We hope you will join us this year. You may also access information from the official conference website at: www.mausrc.com

GVPT Study Abroad Programs

The GVPT Department would like to highlight some of Europe's best study abroad programs through the University of Maryland.  If you are interested in any of the programs below, we strongly recommend that you visit the GVPT Undergraduate Advising Office before applying for more information.

 

Graduate Programs in European Studies

The College of Europe, the first ever institute of post-graduate European studies is offering graduate academic programs in EU International Relations and Diplomacy, European Economic Studies, European Interdisciplinary Studies, European Legal Studies, European Political and Administrative Studies, and Specialization in European Law and Economic Analysis.  Study with more than 400 students from over 45 countries on the College’s two campuses, Brugge, Belgium and Warszawa, Poland.  Basic requirements for admissions are a completed university degree and knowledge of English and French.  For more information on this program, contact Apitchaya Pimpawathin in 1155 Tydings Hall. 

 

England: Oxford - Honors Programme in British Law, Politics and Society

Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, its origins going back to the eleventh century. For over eight hundred years this ancient university has been an international center of scholarship. Inter­national summer programs have been organized by the University of Oxford since the 1880s. This Mary­land program, offered in conjunction with Oxford University, offers high-level courses to an informed and curious audience of graduate and undergraduate students.

The program offers an in-depth look at British law, politics, and society. During the three-week program (4 credits), students will have the opportunity for con­centrated study in small seminar groups, taught by Oxford University faculty members. A general lecture series by prominent figures from the University of Ox­ford and elsewhere will also be offered. The program will allow students to take two course modules: one required two-credit course in “Law and Society” and one two-credit course of the student’s choosing.

Application Deadline: Thursday, March 1, 2007

Program Dates: Summer 2007 (exact dates TBD)

Visit http://www.international.umd.edu/studyabroad/1029 to view application, fees, and more information about the program.

 

University of Kent

GVPT students at the University of Maryland are eligible to apply to study for a year at the University of Kent in England. Exchange students are enrolled as full-time students at Kent, so applicants are expected to be self-sufficient and highly motivated. As the University of Maryland does not maintain a permanent faculty presence in Britain, students handle their academic and personal lives quite independently. As a result, exchange students have a unique opportunity to truly assimilate into the British culture. The University of Kent is located in Canterbury, a small medieval city south-west of London. Canterbury is known for its cathedral, as well as its ancient streets and walkways, packed with second-hand bookshops, craft shops, pubs and restaurants. Located only 56 miles from London, Canterbury is an easy base for travel around England.

 

Applicants must be GVPT majors and must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Students must also plan to study abroad during their junior year.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2007

Visit http://www.international.umd.edu/studyabroad/725 to view application, fees, and more information about the program

 

 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

UMCP students can use their university, state and federal financial aid towards study abroad expenses. In addition, the Study Abroad Office offers a limited number of study abroad scholarships to deserving UMCP students. Maryland scholarship applications are available on our website and are due by THIS FRIDAY, February 16. Exchange students are welcome to apply for these scholarships.  Visit http://www.international.umd.edu/studyabroad/189 for more information on various study abroad scholarships. 

Senior Summer Scholars

Senior Summer Scholars applications for summer 2007 are now available. The Senior Summer Scholars (SSS) Program is a competitive grant sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research. SSS provides funding for talented rising seniors to work on a research project with a faculty member during the summer.

Applications and more information can be found at:  http://www.ugresearch.umd.edu/aboutsss.html 

Complete the Dean's Survey

On-line Surveys for the Review of the Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and His Administrative Offices

The University Provost has formed a Review Committee for the review of Dean Edward Montgomery. As indicated in an earlier e-mail message, the Review Committee needs the assistance of the faculty, staff, and students to permit us to do a thorough review and to make constructive recommendations to the Provost. The  on-line survey is now available for your completion at http://www.faculty.umd.edu/survey . We strongly encourage your participation in this important process!

Responses are ANONYMOUS and will be held in CONFIDENCE. (If you would prefer to submit a hard copy of the survey, please print out and mail the completed survey to the Office of Faculty Affairs, 1119 Main Admin. Building.) Responses are due by *February 14, 2007*.

Scholarship Opportunities
 

The GVPT Departmental Website, www.bsos.umd.edu/gvpt has a newly updated section devoted to scholarships. Interested students can click here.   The deadline for most departmental scholarships is March 9, 2007.

 

NOW ANNOUNCING: BSOS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2007-2008

If you are an outstanding student in the Behavioral and Social Sciences department, it's that time of year again to apply for a BSOS scholarship for the 2007-2008 year. The following five scholarships are available, ranging from $500-$1500:
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Murray E. Polakoff Scholarship Award
COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Irv and Micki Goldstein Scholarship Award
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP: Katherine Pedro and Robert S. Beardsley Scholarship Award
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT: Jean and Robert Steele Scholarship Award
FINANCIAL NEED: BSOS Future Alumni Scholarship Award

For more information  visit http://www.bsos.umd.edu/advising/student_handbook/2006-2007%20Descriptions.pdf and applications are available at

http://www.bsos.umd.edu/advising/student_handbook/scholarapps.html
Applications are also available at each BSOS Department Office. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Katherine Smith at 301-405-7515 or the BSOS Deans Office at 301-405-1679. The deadline for all applications is Monday, March 26, 2007, no later than 4:30p.m.

 

APPLICANTS FOR THE 2007 FORD MOTOR COMPANY CHLI LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute invites Hispanic college students to apply for the 2007 Ford Motor Company CHLI Leadership Program.  Applications can be downloaded from the CHLI website at www.chli.org. Eight Hispanic students will be selected to become part of this exciting six-week internship program in Washington, DC. The interns will be placed with Members of Congress from various states who share the goals of the Institute.
 
The application deadline is Thursday, March 1, 2007.  The program begins June 18 and ends July 27, 2007. To apply, applicants must:

§        Be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents of Hispanic or Portuguese origin.
§        Be residents of and/or attending college in the following states: California, Florida, Texas or Puerto Rico.
§        Be enrolled in an accredited four year college/university or two year community college.
§        Submit a completed application form, personal statement, legislative analysis, resume, two letters of recommendation and official transcripts.

Compensation:

§        Air fare and housing accommodations during Washington, D.C. stay.
§        $2,000 stipend.
§        Dell laptop computer.
§        Metro card provided.

 For more information please contact Yisel Cabrera, Program Manager, Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute at ycabrera@chli.org or at 202-429-2033.

 
 

Campus and Local Events

 

 

Multicultural Internship Networking Panel

Come and participate in this innovative panel discussion and networking event to learn more about internship opportunities for ALL students. Bring several copies of your resume and UMCP Student ID. Dress is professional.

When & Where
Thursday, February 15, 2007
5:00 - 7:00 PM
University Career Center
3100 Hornbake Library, South Wing

Panelists:
NASA
Booz Allen Hamilton
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
INROADS
Minority Access Internship Program
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Prince Georges County Department of Health
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
NIH

Brief summary of program:
This event will begin as a panel discussion among employers who represent various departments, agencies, and organizations that value diversity and multiculturalism. During the panel, employers will give a brief overview of their offices and the internship opportunities that they have available. After the panel discussion, employers and students will move into the Resource Room for a networking event. During the networking event, employers will staff tables, collect resumes, answer questions, and provide information about student opportunities.

For more information, please check out the University Career Centers Website at: http://www.CareerCenter.umd.edu

Co-sponsored by the University Career Center and the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE).

 

Study Abroad Fair
Think Outside Your Borders!
Date & time: Wednesday, February 14, 2007; 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Grand Ballroom, Stamp Student Union
Studying abroad provides the unique opportunity for you to see the world from a different point of view. International experience offers new and marketable skill sets and can be an attractive aspect of a resume. University of Maryland students are taking advantage, in growing numbers, of the exciting variety of programs available to them.

 

Women's Leadership in the Workplace

The Smith School Women's Society is having a guest speaker from IBM discussing the leadership role of women in the workforce on Tuesday, February 13th at 7 p.m. at Margaret Brent Room A (2nd floor of the Student Union). This is SSWS's first General Body meeting, so it's a wonderful opportunity to get involved with leadership and committees! Based in the business school, we are
primarily an undergraduate business women's association, but women of all majors are welcome since the skills we learn are relevant to everyone! Dress is business casual and there will be FREE FOOD!!!

For more information, email us at smithwomen@gmail.com or visit us on facebook or our website at http://studentorg.umd.edu/ssws/

 

Preparing for Your Career: Upcoming Events at the University Career Center
Look for these and other programs and events at the UCC this Spring!
*Resume 101
* Diversity Job Search Series
* On Campus Interviews
* Multi-Ethnic Internship Fair
* Criminal Justice Career Fair
* Spring Career Fair
* Mock Interviews
* Maryland Metropolitan Education Expo
* Federal Resume Clinics

Check the UCC website at www.CareerCenter.Umd.Edu for event details including time, date and location. Or contact Autumn Womack at awomack@umd.edu if you have questions.

 

FREE practice GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT Saturday, March 10th @ 12 noon at the UMCP Armory Bldg.    (sponsored by the UMCP Pre-Med Society)

On Saturday, March 10th at 12 noon, the University of Maryland Pre-Medical Society is holding a FREE opportunity for students to take a practice GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, or PCAT. The event will be held in the Armory building at the UMD campus in College Park. It is open to anyone who would like to take a practice test, even if you are not a UMCP student. Last year we had over 4,000 registrants for this event.  Each test will last up to 3 hours and will be proctored like an actual exam. After the test, guest instructors will give a short workshop on test-taking strategies and answer questions.

Even if you cannot make it out on March 10th, as long as you register by e-mail, we will order you a copy of the exam that you want, and you can pick it up sometime later in March to take home and bring back.  This is a great opportunity for students to see how they might score on the real thing, and also to get an idea of the kinds of questions that will be on the real test. The tests will be scored and returned to the students at a later date with computerized feedback about their individual performance on the test.

To sign up for the event, you just need to provide us with the following information by e-mail at:
UMCP.PreMed.Society@gmail.com .

1. Name
2. Home address
3. E-mail
4. Phone number
5. Which test you would like to take

Before the event, we will send you an e-mail confirming your registration and giving you the room number for your test.
Again, this is a completely FREE event and a great opportunity for anyone interested in going to grad, business, law, med, dental, or pharmacy school in the next few years!

 

 

Internship Opportunities

            
 

The Republican Governors Association is looking for intelligent, energetic college students to spend a semester learning the nuts and bolts of politics in America.  The internship program is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and tools that will assist an intern in all future professional endeavors. 

Interns will have exposure to the various aspects of the RGA. Responsibilities include assisting the finance team with fundraising, events and member services, working with our political team tracking news, polls and other information related to the gubernatorial campaigns as well as administrative tasks necessary for the overall success of the organization.

Any student who is interested in interning with the RGA should visit our webpage at www.rga.org and navigate to the intern program tab.  A letter from RGA Chairman and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is posted as well as application details and a link to our online application.

 

Details of the program:

Application deadlines:

Summer 2007 – April 1, 2007
Fall 2007 – July 1, 2007

Stipend:

                        $1,000/month (regardless of whether or not the student receives course credit)

Positions available:

                        DC: 1 Finance, 1 Political, 1 Administrative

                        Atlanta: 1 Administrative/Political

Duration of internship:

                        The duration of an internship will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

School credit:

RGA will be glad to assist in any way if a student would like to receive course credit for their internship.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to send an e-mail to Adam Kincaid at akincaid@rga.org.

 

UNDERGRADUATE PAID SPRING SEMESTER INTERNSHIP

 

High profile international strategic advisory firm seeks undergraduate for paid Spring Semester internship.  The ideal candidate will have an interest and academic background in Latin America or Europe and economics, finance, foreign policy or business.  Fluency of Spanish, Portuguese, French or German is required; additional language skills valued.  Responsibilities will include the following:

 

- Extensive research of public policy and business issues;

- Translation and statistical analysis duties;

- Attending and reporting on speeches, panel discussions and policy forums of interest to the firm and clients;

- Assisting professional staff in building a marketing database of business and media contacts;

- General office and administrative support;

- Commitment to work through the end of May 2007.

 

This internship will pay $11 per hour and requires a work schedule of at least 20 hours in the office each week.  To apply, please send a detailed cover letter, which highlights workday availability, as well as relevant experience and skills, a resume, and a writing sample (8 pages max) demonstrating strong research and concise writing style to Stephanie Lee (email: slee@kmaglobal.com  or fax: 202/419-1421). 

 

Presidential Campaign Internship Opportunity

 

A 2008 Republican presidential campaign is looking for interns to work in the communications department.  Major responsibilities will include media monitoring, research, and writing. Those who are accepted will gain experience in the highest level of politics and an understanding of how a national presidential campaign is operated. Writing and research experience is a plus.  For those interested, please send your resume and a writing sample to gopcampaign@gmail.com.   

 

White House Internship

The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to serve our President and explore public service. We are seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program. In addition to typical office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project. Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer. Every candidate must be a United States citizen, enrolled in a college or university, and at least 18 years of age.
An application and additional information about the program can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html

Strong applications exhibit:
* sound academic credentials
* a history of community involvement and leadership
* solid verbal/written communication skills
* a demonstrated interest in public service

Applications should be submitted to Karen Race, Deputy Director and Intern Coordinator, White House Personnel, at intern_application@whitehouse.gov on or before the following deadlines:
* March 6, 2007 for SUMMER 2007 (May 22 to August 24, 2007)
* June 26, 2007 for FALL 2007 (September 4 to December 14, 2007)
If you have questions you may contact Karen Race at (202) 4565979 or intern_application@whitehouse.gov .

 

Rules for the GVPT Newsletter

The newsletter is sent out each Monday before 5 pm to all current University of Maryland students who have declared and been accepted into the GVPT major. Only information relevant to academic and extra-curricular opportunities for these students will be sent through the newsletter. The government advising office reserves the right to edit and review all submissions to the GVPT newsletter and deny any submissions at their sole discretion. 
 

If you would like to submit information or announcements, please email ADVISING@gvpt.umd.edu. Only those submissions which are denied or delayed will be contacted further.