The Intersection

The September 2023 College of Science

Graduate Student Newsletter

From varied places, experiences, perspectives and traditions, our shared Aggie spirit, curiosity, interests, quest for knowledge, passion for discovery and love of SCIENCE UNITES us. Welcome to the 2023-24 academic year. May it be your best year ever!

Your student leaders for the 2023-24 academic year are Science Senator Jaxton Wilder and Science Council President Joe Halling. They and the student-led Science Council have great activities planned for you, including USU Science Week, Oct. 30-Nov. 3. Sarah Pope, a doctoral student in the Psychology Department, serves as USU’s Graduate Studies Senator. Fun Fact: Jaxton is the first GRAD STUDENT to serve as Science Senator in more than 25 years! 

Want to advocate for your fellow Aggies, help plan events such as Science Week, mentor your peers and help shape the future of the College of Science? Undergrad and grad student College of Science majors are invited to apply to serve on the student-led Science Council. Questions? Contact Science Senator Jaxton Winder at sciencesenator.ususa@usu.edu. 

Science Unwrapped was awarded USU’s 2023 Committed Community Partner Presidential Award for Community Engagement. We’re excited to kick off our new 2023-24 “Building on Basics” series, which debuts Friday, Sept. 22, with the presentation “Waves,” by USU climate scientist Jon Meyers. 

Effective Aug. 1, Utah State became an institution member of the National Center for Faculty Diversity and Development. USU faculty, postdocs and grad students may register individually with the NCFDD to access to a nationwide mentoring network, as well as numerous career-building resources. 

The School of Graduate Studies hosts an Iced Tea and Lemonade Social with a Service Project, Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a Taco Bar Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5-9:30 p.m.; both in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. Grab-n-Go Bags are planned Tuesday, Dec. 5, during Finals Week.

USU Libraries is hosting USU’s inaugural Science Story Slam! Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the TSC Big Blue Room. All students, faculty and staff are invited to be considered to participate in a STEM communication workshop and present a 5-minute story.  

Need help with your classes? Free tutoring services, including math, statistics, science and science writing, are available for USU students. Reach out! 

Help Aggies find you! The College of Science website has a newly updated Student Clubs and Organizations page with an online form to encourage groups to keep their contact information up-to-date. As your club elects new officers and makes plans for the future, please update your organization’s information on the website. 

The ETE Program, hosted by the USU Provost’s Office, offers the EXPLORE Canvas course specifically for graduate student teachers. Enhance your CV with an online program you can complete at your own pace. Questions? Contact Associate Dean Sean Johnson at sean.johnson@usu.edu. 

No need to re-invent the wheel! USU’s University Marketing and Communications Office offers attractive, effective, university brand-compliant poster templates (and templates for other communications materials) to aid your communications efforts. 

Did you know Utah State offers a variety of support services for students? Don’t hesitate to reach out tothese resources for information and assistance. You matter.

The USU Emergency Hardship Fund grants help to students who encounter circumstances that could derail their educational progress.

Sep 4

• Labor Day - No class

Sept 6

• Computer Science Opening Social @5 pm

Sept 18 - May 3

• Geo Speaker Series: Tanisha Barker @3:30 pm

Sep 22

• Science Unwrapped: Waves @7:00 pm

Sept 25

• Geo Speaker Series: Dr. Marissa Tsugawa @3:30 pm

Stay in touch for event updates and announcements