Graduate College

The Graduate College
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5242 USA
(269) 387-8212

Dissertation Cafe

2017 Dissertation Cafe participants with Dr. Christine Byrd-Jacobs, Acting Dean of the Graduate College and Dr. Di Pierro, Program Manager for Graduate Research and Retention. A group of eleven diverse students surround a large gold W which pronounces the WMU brand. Walwood Hall, where the Graduate College is located, has been recently renovated with new carpet and furniture to host small and large groups. The original murals from 1939 can be seen behind the students, while the tall narrow windows frame a view of East Campus with its many trees and classic buildings.
Top Row: From left to right: Dr. Marianne Di Pierro (Graduate Research & Retention); Dr. Christine Byrd-Jacobs (Acting Dean, Graduate College); Hazim Abdulrazzaq Abdulameer Al-Zubaidi (Chemistry); Joy Juliana Kiefer (Geoscience); Sarah Gillette (English/Medieval Studies); Miranda Lee (Interdisciplinary Evaluation); Jason Vonfossen (English); Cheryl Endres (Interdisciplinary Evaluation); Vinay Babu Gavirangaswamy (Computer Science) Bottom Row: Chartanay Bonner (Chemistry); Lisa Marie Van Plew-Cid (Art Education); Sharon Long (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences); Stephanie Bobbitt (Counselor Education/Counseling Psychology) Not present: Gregory Greenman III (Interdisciplinary Evaluation)

 

Dissertation Café Writing Retreat

The Graduate College sponsored its annual Dissertation Café this summer. Twelve master’s and doctoral students took advantage of the opportunity to write from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for an entire week, supported by Dr. Marianne Di Pierro, Program Manager, Graduate Research and Retention. The graduate students who were selected to participate went through a rigorous admissions process, submitting an application and a letter of support from their dissertation or thesis chair. Meetings with Dr. Di Pierro, who served as writing coach, at the beginning and end of the retreat allowed students to set goals and measure their progress. All participants agreed that the Dissertation Café helped them advance toward completion of their degree. With the generous financial support of WMU’s Graduate Student Association, more Dissertation Cafés are planned. The Graduate College also sponsors workshops and seminars on various topics throughout the year. Please contact Dr. Di Pierro at (269) 387-8249 or via email for more information or to apply. Find out more about fall 2017 events at: http://www.wmich.edu/grad/events