Student Spotlight: DeVonna Gatlin
Chemistry affects us all, whether we study it or not—and that’s what Devonna Gatlin wants everyone to know. She has made it her goal to spread the knowledge of chemistry—the “chemistry of life”—to all people, especially minority groups who may not be exposed to the field.

Summer Vacation for Everyone—Yes, Everyone!
Some graduate students call the warmer months “summer break.” Others call them “summer semester.” Either way, everyone deserves a vacation from the stress of the regular school year. We usually define “vacation” as a trip to somewhere far away, but you can find a mini-getaway in your own backyard (and save some money, too!). Whether it’s an adrenaline-spiking rollercoaster or a Sunday morning trip to the farmer’s market, getting out in the sun can make you more productive when it’s time to get back to work. Forget about the semantics of “summer break” vs. “summer semester”—let’s all take a “summer vacation.”

The Battle Against Misinformation—Project: Citizen Science
If you want to separate the real facts from the “alternative,” science is your biggest and best asset. This is easier said than done when our Facebook pages are constantly saturated with misinformation. What resources can we trust to supply fair and balanced scientific facts in a time when that trust seems ill-advised? Project: Citizen Science answers this call for trustworthy, accessible scientific information. This multidisciplinary group aims to increase the public’s understanding of science by using “art and storytelling to bring science to the public.”

2017 Excellence in Mentoring of Doctoral Students Award: Dr. Suzanne Masterson
In the years following graduation, there are many details students forget about their time at the University of Cincinnati. They forget papers they’ve written, lectures they’ve attended, quizzes they’ve graded and books they’ve read. But they will undoubtedly remember the person that went above and beyond to guide them through their graduate education. For many business administration students, that person is Dr. Suzanne Masterson.

The Doctoral Hooding & Master’s Recognition Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know
The end of the semester has finally arrived! With it comes a day all about celebrating the accomplishments of graduate students at the University of Cincinnati. The Doctoral Hooding & Master’s Recognition Ceremony will be Saturday, April 29, and the event is open to everyone. Before you arrive for the Doctoral Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony—either as a graduating student or a guest—please review the ceremony information.

A New Initiative: The Professional Development Council
What does it mean to be a professional? Representatives from across the spectrum of graduate education and student services are coming together to define what this term can mean to UC graduate students. The Professional Development Council is a new initiative to coordinate the professional development efforts that prepare today’s graduate students to become tomorrow’s scholars, researchers, scientists and performers. Get a glimpse of the latest professional development initiatives currently in the works.

2017 MFA Thesis Exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center
For the soon-to-be graduates of DAAP’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program, it has all come down to this final exhibition. With their time as graduate students coming to a close, they are ready to showcase the culmination of their experiences here at UC. Get an in-depth look at their thesis work in the 2017 MFA Thesis Exhibition. Installed on the fourth floor of the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art (CAC), visitors will have the opportunity to experience works in a variety of modes and materials. The exhibit is free and open to the general public through April 20, 2017. There will be an Artist Talks event from 1-3 p.m. on April 9 where the students will discuss their work in person. Hear it here first as they talk through their thesis presentations.

From "Hair" to "Hamilton": Q&A with Michael Kennedy
We go to the theater not just to escape our own lives, but to see part of ourselves reflected on the stage. Michael Kennedy’s work explores the ties between musical theater and the world around us. A PhD candidate in musicology, Kennedy was recently selected as a 2017-18 Dean’s Fellow. His dissertation, “(Re-)Orchestrating the Music: Broadway’s Postmodern Sound from ‘Hair’ to ‘Hamilton,’” examines how Broadway’s orchestral sound has undergone considerable change since the late 1960s. Here, he discusses his favorite era of musicals, the relationship between politics and theater, Broadway’s legal issues, and his next act after graduation.

Meet the New Leaders of the Graduate Student Governance Association
As the UC graduate student government body, the Graduate Student Governance Association (GSGA) provides a united voice across program and college lines, advocating on behalf of the UC graduate student population. Meet the newly-elected officers who are ready to step up as representatives for the graduate student population: President Arunkumar Muthusamy, Vice President Jelena Vicic, Treasurer Siddharth Sridhar and Campus Ambassador Mar Gámez.

President’s Office Recognizes Outstanding Graduate Students
The Office of the President established the Presidential Medal of Graduate Student Excellence (PMGSE) this academic year to recognize graduate students who best exemplify scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of UC. We are proud to announce that the 2017 recipients are:

• Kendra Leahy (A&S)
• Jessica Ross (College of Medicine) 
• Sid Thatham (CEAS, LCOB)

The Lowdown on Hooking Up
What do the social sciences and everyday college life have in common? More than you might think—just ask clinical psychology PhD candidate Eliza Weitbrecht. Her award-winning master’s thesis explores the “hook up” culture of college students. Nominated for the MAGS competition, Eliza’s research focuses on the motivations and expectations young adults associate with casual sexual encounters.

GATEways to Teaching
Have you ever wanted to learn about learning, or be taught how to teach? As a graduate student, your day-to-day life is immersed in academic culture. The further you go in your education, the more you become invested in its practices. If you want to make a difference in the teaching community, the Graduate Association for Teaching Enhancement (GATE) is the place for you.

Got a Conflict? Call the Ombuds
If you aren’t a lawyer, words like “mediation” and “negation” may be a little intimidating. But when conflicts come up, these resolution methods can help you make the best of the situation. So what do you do when you need to mediate or negotiate, but aren’t sure where to start? Call upon the Office of the University Ombuds to guide you to a successful resolution.

Meet Your IPALs
Bearcats come from all over the world. As a student at UC, your cultural experience can go far beyond the limits of Cincinnati. You may be from or have classmates from China, India and South Korea. You can go to international events around campus. And you’ve also got IPALs—International Partners and Leaders—to help you find your place in UC’s diverse community. Meet some of the IPALs as they share who they are, how they got involved, and why they love being part of this group.

The Legends of UC
When October rolls around each fall, it’s hard not to find yourself sitting around talking about the many myths, spooky events and urban legends out there. It’s even more fun talking about legends when they are about places you pass every day! Ghosts, silly rumors and urban legends abound at UC. Have you heard of any of them?

Research Librarians to the Rescue: Experts to Elevate Your Research
When you’re writing papers and conducting research, it can be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. Wouldn’t it be great to have a subject matter expert to guide you? Wouldn’t it be even better if this expert were right here on campus? These superheroes are real, and we call them research librarians.

Fall Spooks and Sights
The air is crisp, the leaves are crunchy and the coffee is pumpkin-spiced. Telltale signs of fall are everywhere, and they may have you itching for a caramel apple or a good scare. Get your fall fix with these events happening around Cincinnati.

Discounts for Bearcats
Show your Bearcat Card to save on things you already buy or discover something new at a great deal. Here are some of the best reasons to always carry your student ID, so you can take full advantage of being a Bearcat.

Safety Resources On and Off Campus
Campus life can keep you busy day and night. Whether you’re leaving a night class, working late in the lab or studying at home, you should know about the strategies UC and the city of Cincinnati have implemented to keep you safe. Stay up-to-date on the safety resources available to you, both on and off campus.

Say Hello to the Streetcar
If you’ve ever wished for an easier way to get around downtown, your wish was granted this past weekend with the opening of the Cincinnati streetcar. The brand-new transportation system, freshly dubbed the Cincinnati Bell Connector, launched into motion on Sept. 9. Learn more about the newest way you can explore downtown.

Fund Your Education this Fall
You’re easing into new classes, getting to know your professors and nailing down a schedule. In the rush of it all, have you kept up with the latest funding opportunities? Just because the semester has begun doesn’t mean the scholarship and awards applications have ended. Check out our list of awards to line up some funding opportunities for next year.

Getting Around Cincinnati
How do you plan on navigating through Cincinnati this semester? You may be surprised at some of the options available to UC students. Whether you own a car or not, check out this list of inexpensive and eco-friendly ways to get where you need to go.

PFF Spotlight: Daniele Bologna
Daniele Bologna may have arrived at UC as an experienced business manager, but leading a classroom proved to be a new challenge for the doctoral candidate in psychology. Learn how Preparing Future Faculty helped him and other graduate students gain their footing as teachers.

Catalyst Billing and You
The Office of the Bursar recently sent an email to all UC students about changes to the student billing process. Using Catalyst, the new student information system, the Bursar will now charge fees based on each student’s enrollment at different academic levels, or “careers,” during a term. Most graduate students will not be affected, but those enrolled in multiple programs or taking classes in the College of Law and College of Medicine may see changes in their bills. Check our FAQ to see how your bill could be affected by new policies.

Hyperloop UC Students Zoom Ahead in Global Competition
An interdisciplinary team of UC students is one of only 30 to qualify for the final round of the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition. Engineers, designers and marketers are working together to prototype the transportation system of tomorrow.

Graduate School Dean's Fellow: Alexandre Bádue
Musical theater can be much more than light entertainment. Alexandre Bádue, a doctoral candidate in the College-Conservatory of Music, researches how musical composers stretch the boundaries of storytelling through their work.

Become a Better Writer with the Academic Writing Center
No matter your program, writing is a fact of graduate life. Classwork, journal and conference papers, the intimidating bulk of a thesis or dissertation: you’re constantly putting your knowledge into words. Complicated academic ideas can be hard to communicate, but you don’t have to do it alone. The tutors at the Academic Writing Center (AWC) provide free assistance to get you through even the trickiest writing tasks.

Make Your Research Mark with ORCID
After all the hard work you put into your research, you want to make sure everyone knows you were the one who did it. ORCID provides a free, permanent, unique identifier that marks research documents as yours alone.

Excellence in Teaching Award: Maurice Todd
Maurice Todd, master's winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award, focuses on the basics of double bass technique to prepare his students for the high-stakes world of orchestral auditions.

Q&A with Yonatan Eyal, Director of Graduate Studies
Learn more about Dr. Yonatan Eyal, the Graduate School's new Director of Graduate Studies. The education enthusiast and history buff shares his plans to improve the graduate experience, his love of the American Civil War and what he'd do with $10 million.

Prep for Success with an Individual Development Plan
The winter break is a perfect time to think about what comes after graduate school. Learn how to make an Individual Development Plan that will help kickstart your exploration.

Excellence in Teaching Award: Megan Lamkin
Megan Lamkin, doctoral winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award, uses expertise from outside the biology classroom to blow minds, cultivate confidence and inspire professionalism.

Talking Blues with Saul Meyerson-Knox
Where does the blues come from? The African blues might sound like a good guess, but College-Conservatory of Music graduate Saul Meyerson-Knox found that its origins aren't so clear-cut. Read more about his thesis, nominated for the MAGS 2016 Distinguished Master’s Thesis Competition.

Doing Research Right: The Institutional Review Board
If you do human subjects research at UC, you'll need to deal with the Institutional Review Board. Learn how the IRB protects the rights of research participants and ensures ethical conduct throughout the research process.

Partners in Health Engage
Today's globe is interconnected not only in culture and economy, but also in health. Discover how the members of Partners in Health Engage advocate to promote equal access to healthcare in nations around the world.

Images of UC
To those outside the University of Cincinnati community, the school is defined by a handful of emblems: the name of the university itself, red and black uniforms in motion and an odd mascot that is neither a bear nor a cat. But what do you know about how these symbols came into being?