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Student Spotlight: Kyle Delin

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In the College of Education and Human Development, our students participate in a wide range of educational opportunities – both inside and outside of the classroom.

Kyle Delin in Radio City Music Hall

This holiday season, Kyle Delin, a student in the MS Athletic Training program, is engaging in the unique opportunity of working with the Radio City Rockettes! Keep reading to find out more about his Practicum experience:

Tell us a little about your Practicum experience. . .

“I am working with the Radio City Rockettes’ Athletic Training department under Madison Square Garden (MSG) Entertainment as their Athletic Training Student Associate. I will have this position for the entirety of the Christmas season while the Rockettes have their Christmas Spectacular show. Since I’ve been here, I have been working with other athletic trainers, physical therapists, and doctors since I’ve been here and have learned a lot from each of them. I’ve also been able to provide evaluation and treatments and prevention techniques for injuries to the performers that they may have sustained during rehearsals. While the show stars the Rockettes, they are not the only performers that I have been able to work with. There are over 100 cast members that I work with between the Rockettes, Ensemble, Singers, etc. Now, we are finalizing the show and have been opened to the public since November 17th. From this point on, I will be working with the other Athletic Trainers to cover the shows through the new year until close of show in January.”

Photo of the Radio City Music Hall stage
What does a typical day look like in your Practicum experience?

“My typical day consists of reporting to Radio City Music Hall to complete pre-rehearsal/show treatments, covering run-throughs of the show/performances, complete post-rehearsal/show treatments. However, these next few weeks will be a bit different. This is because of a handful of appearances that the Rockettes will be having, from the Today Show to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I feel lucky enough to have the opportunity to either attend the appearance or attend the rehearsal preparations for the appearance on site.”

How did you find out about this opportunity?

“I learned about this opportunity through one of my professors, Dr. Ambegaonkar. He had received an email from an MSG employee regarding the position and had our program director, Dr. Mrs. Caswell, share it with everyone in the program. I originally did not believe I would get the position when I had applied but decided to take the chance. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview for the position with the creator of the department and my current mentors/preceptors. The whole process for getting the position, from application to interviews to receiving my offer, took about 4 months and I couldn’t feel any luckier.”

How has this experience shaped your interests/career plans?

“This experience has opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities for my career. I’ve enjoyed working with everyone and could see myself working in this type of setting, however, I also can see myself working in other settings as well, based on my experiences at my other practicum sites. At this point, it’s difficult to say where I would like my career to take me, but either way I know that I will be happy.”

“This experience has opened my eyes to the numerous possibilities for my career.”

Kyle Delin

What has been your favorite memory of Practicum so far?

“So far, my favorite memory that I have of my experience is seeing each of the parts of the show come together. I’ve been able to watch each of the numbers from initial rehearsal to nearly final product come together with choreography, props, stage elements, costumes, etc. and it’s been amazing to see.”

What advice can you share to students going into a new Practicum experience?

“For all students going into a new practicum experience, take the opportunity to learn as much as you can. New techniques, new methods, everything, and anything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone does and it will be all right. Make sure to talk with your mentor/preceptor and listen to their feedback. No one is ever perfect, especially not during practicum experiences. This is the time to make mistakes and to learn. It can be nerve-racking and there will be times that you will be completely lost, but it will be okay and you will get through it. Believe in yourself, rely on what you’ve learned from your professors, but also be open to criticism and open to learning other methods/techniques that your mentors/preceptors may have to offer. Doing this will only make you a better professional.”


Are you engaging in an exciting Practicum or internship experience?

Let us know about it! Reach out to Communications Coordinator for Student and Academic Affairs, Anna Ondieki, at ahornber@gmu.edu with details about your upcoming or current opportunity.

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First-Gen+ Center is Hiring

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The First-Gen+ Center is looking for enthusiastic students to become student peer mentors. These positions will begin during the Spring 2024 semester and will continue through the 2024-2025 Academic Year. Students selected will be REQUIRED to enroll in a UNIV 300-level course during the Spring 2024 semester (typically Thursdays 1:30 – 2:45PM). Applications close on January 7th, 2024 at 11:59PM. 

Please note that there is ONE application for STEP Mentors and First-Gen Peer Mentors. You may note your preference in your cover letter.

(Handshake Job Post #8396727)


LEARN MORE
First-Gen Peer Mentors
FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT PEER MENTORS

The First-Generation (“First-Gen”) Peer Mentoring program is a program to support first gen student success at George Mason University. First-Gen Peer Mentors will provide support while serving as a positive role model for these students. 

STEP Peer Mentors
STEP PEER MENTORS

The Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP) is an initiative of the First-Gen+ Center created to enhance the recruitment, engagement and retention of first-generation college students accepted to George Mason University. STEP mentors play an integral role in helping incoming STEP students transition and build community at Mason.


FURTHER QUESTIONS?

Please email firstgen@gmu.edu.

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Funding Opportunities Available Now to Mason Graduate Students

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The Graduate Division has a pool of funds available to help Mason graduate students earn their degrees and conduct research. Read below for information about currently available funding opportunities. 

Dissertation Completion Grants

(Closing November 1, 2023)

These competitive awards go to doctoral students in the final semester of completing their dissertations. They enable students to focus full-time on research and writing, improve the quality of their work, and shorten the time needed to complete their degrees.  

  • For the TOC template, please click here.  
  • To download an information sheet about this award, please click here
  • Email the Graduate Division for more information about Dissertation Completion Grants. 
  • Click here to APPLY! 

High Impact Grants

(Closing November 8, 2023)

These competitive grants are a new funding opportunity for master’s and doctoral students. They provide tuition support for graduate students’ courses that significantly enhance training and education and/or satisfy credit-bearing requirements towards completion of the graduate degree.  

  • To download an information sheet about this award, please click here
  • Email the Graduate Division for more information about High Impact Grants.  
  • To review a list of courses that are eligible to apply for this award, please click here
  • Click here to APPLY!  

Graduate Student Travel Fund

(Open Year Round) 

This fund helps cover the costs of doctoral and master’s students attendance at and participation in professional conferences. Proof of payment and attendance is required. Details are available at this link

More Funding Opportunities From The Graduate Division

Interested in learning about all the funding opportunities from the Graduate Division for the 2023-2024 academic year? Click on the image below!

Graduate Division AY 2023-2024 Award Schedule
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Graduate Professional Assistantship Opportunity

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Graduate Student Life is hiring a Graduate Professional Assistant (GPA) for Graduate Diversity Engagement and Leadership. Learn more and apply for this position below!


About the Position

The Graduate Professional Assistant (GPA) for Graduate Diversity Engagement and Leadership within Graduate Student Life provides leadership and program support for a co-curricular learning series and other special events addressing cross-cultural learning and leadership, via in-person programming and virtual initiatives. The GPA will assist the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life with curriculum development, facilitator engagement and training, event planning, and administrative management.  The position will report to the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life.

The official term of the assistantship will begin once a candidate is successfully hired through May 24, 2024.


Learn More

Please check out the job posting for qualifications, responsibilities, and time requirements.

Please direct all queries to Austin A. Deray, Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life, at aderay@gmu.edu.


Apply

For best consideration, apply by Friday, October 27.

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Upcoming Undergraduate Research Opportunities

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Are you an undergraduate student participating in research this academic year? Keep reading to learn more about several exciting opportunities to showcase your hard work and take advantage of professional conferences related to undergraduate research: 

  • Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP)  
    • Application Deadline: October 11, 2023 
  • Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa) 
    • Application Deadline: October 15, 2023 
  • National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2024 
    • Application Deadline: December 8, 2023 
  • CEHD Student Research Symposium 
    • Abstract Submission Window Opens: February 2024 

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP)  


The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) is designed to give undergraduates an authentic research, creative, or scholarly experience under the guidance of a mentor. The applications for Spring 2024 are now open and the deadline for applying is October 11, 2023. For more information, go to the OSCAR website or email oscar@gmu.edu


Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa)  

The NURVa conference is an opportunity for undergraduates in all disciplines to present their research and creative work at our 4th annual statewide conference. The conference will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA.   

 
NURVa invites submissions from undergraduates in all disciplines in the categories of oral presentation, poster, or performance. To apply, submit your abstract (750 words maximum) with one letter of support from a faculty mentor endorsing the presentation of the project. The submission deadline for students and for faculty letters is midnight, October 15, 2023. View the submission portal here.  


National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2024  

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) invites undergraduates to participate in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2024. Abstract submissions are now open until December 8, 2023. OSCAR will cover registration and shared lodging for all Mason undergraduate students accepted to present at NCUR 2024. For further questions about NCUR 2024, reach out to NCUR@CUR.ORG or visit their website.   


Interested in engaging in research within CEHD? 

Consider submitting an abstract to participate in the 2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium! The research symposium is open to all students in the College of Education and Human Development at any stage in research. The abstract submission window will be open in early February of 2024. Read a recap of last year’s event here and check the CEHD Student Research Symposium webpage frequently for the most up-to-date information.