Summer/Fall 2011 Newsletter

Message from the Dean

Graduate education at Idaho State University. What an opportunity! Graduate students at Idaho State University are crucial to research involving capturing mule deer from helicopters, developing cancer drugs, assisting hard-of-hearing children, creating nuclear isotopes, recovering historical documents, determining the relationship between sleep and alcohol usage, investigating success factors in college students, demonstrating the interplay between wood and metal, and many, many exciting topics. The research of graduate students at Idaho State University provides us with a window to the future. Graduate education at Idaho State University is amazing! As Dean of the Graduate School, I have been fortunate to participate in many of these scholarly endeavors during the past five years and my life has been enriched by these experiences. I will be retiring in October, 2011 and hope the next phase of my life is as exciting as the one at Idaho State University. Thanks.

Tom Jackson, PhD

Dean, Graduate School

Professor, Psychology

Policy & Practice Information

Advancement to Candidacy:

Students seeking doctoral degrees must submit a Program of Study to the Graduate School upon completion of examinations, along with a letter verifying advancement to candidacy noting the candidate’s successful examination completion.

Petitions-Petitions-Petitions:

As yet petitioning is still a hardcopy transaction. Please note the Graduate School returns both the Department and Student copies of an acted upon petition to the Department. Departments are responsible for communicating petition outcomes to students.

Examination Committees:

All examining committees (e.g., thesis, dissertation, case analysis, etc.) shall consist of an odd number of members. The third (master’s level) or fifth (doctoral level) committee member serves as the GFR, and must be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. The GFR must be a member of the Graduate Faculty, represents the Graduate School and reports examination results to the Graduate School on behalf of the examining committee.

Graduate Faculty Information

Graduate Council

Graduate Faculty Nomination Forms

Non Graduate Faculty “Instructor Approval Request" Form

The Idaho State University Graduate Assistant Teaching Experience – “GATE” Scholars Program

The purpose of the Graduate School’s Graduate Assistant Teaching Experience “GATE” Scholars Program is to provide master's level Idaho State University graduate teaching assistants with a focused opportunity to explore and consider aspects and information associated with faculty preparation and a career in the academy. The GATE program was launched during the 2009-2010 academic year with a class of 6 scholars. During the 2010-2011 year there were 3 scholars. In reflecting on their GATE experience the 2010-2011 scholars noted the following:

According to Michelle Winmill (MA In Historical Resource Management): Participating in the GATE program is a unique experience because it exposes scholars to new information and insights about graduate education that would not otherwise be available to students. The readings supplied to students relate to issues surrounding the reality of graduate education today, including legal issues and the relationship between mentees and mentors.

Seth Clark (MA in English) reflected on his GATE experience as follows: The GATE seminar at ISU functions under the leading principles of Preparing Future Faculty (PFF), namely, that “graduate education can and should acquaint those students aspiring to academic careers with the broad and complex realities of faculty life” (Gaff, et al. 9)…My GATE was a combination of attendance at Graduate Student Association meetings, participation in a composition pedagogy course, participation in the GATE seminar, and enrollment in several skills-based, technological courses throughout the semester. I feel each of these experiences exposed me to new aspects of higher education of which I may have otherwise been unaware.

Paul Judson Dodez (MFA in Painting/Drawing) noted: I found the experience has been a grand addition to my education….[Prior to the GATE]…I was for the most part grossly unaware of the future I would be facing as I completed my degree and would be searching for a career start as a university professor…I sense[d] intentionality in this experience to enhance me as an individual and the institution of higher learning.

We’re thrilled to announce and welcome our 2011-2012 GATE Scholars!

Margaux Burleson, originally from Portland, the City of Roses, received her Bachelor of Arts from Multomah University in Bible/Theology and Ancient Hebrew. Margaux feels honored to be chosen as a GATE Scholar, and looks forward to diligent study in the English Program at Idaho State University as she pursues a Master of Arts in English. She looks forward to the study of English as a language and to the careful analysis of literature, and especially to the unique opportunities that come with teaching and learning to teach.

Rachel Rowan, originally from Cypress, California, received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in History from Idaho State University. Rachel is pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology. In relation to her GATE award, Rachel stated, "I feel so privileged to be a part of the GATE program. I'm excited for the future and how this opportunity will enhance it."

Sean Sorensen grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming before attending Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. There he received his Bachelor of Arts in History. He is currently enrolled in Idaho State University pursuing a Master of Arts in Historical Resources Management, with expectations of graduating in May of 2012. His thesis project uses geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze the urban growth and development of gold mining regions as they transitioned from temporary “boom” towns to more permanently established population centers. He is extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow through his assistantship and the GATE program.

Bryson Webber, originally from Durango, Colorado, received a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Ecology, and Wildlife at Brigham Young University-Idaho. He is now pursuing a Master of Science degree in Geographic Information Science from the Department of Geosciences. His thesis project will analyze the behavior of domestic sheep in the presence of livestock guardian dogs, as it relates to stress caused by predation on these animals. In addition, Bryson enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Liang Yan, originally from Mainland China, received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Idaho State University. He is part of the Chemistry BS/MS program, pursuing a Master of Science in Chemistry. Liang is looking forward to the GATE scholarship opportunity as a valuable experience in both education and preparation for pursuing a Ph.D. in the near future. According to Liang, "It is an absolute honor for me to receive this scholarship. I thank the Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry very much for this honor and the opportunity offered me to be engaged in science."

Created by: Ms. Anna Siddoway, Ms. Carine De Sy & Ms. Rhonda Woodruff

Bon Voyage... Dr. Pemberton

Dr. Cynthia Pemberton, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach at the University of Malta, in Misida, Republic of Malta, for the 2011-12 academic year.

"A Fulbright is like the academic Olympics," Pemberton said. "It is the gold standard in terms of academic achievement. I am thrilled, honored and delighted."