EducationUSA Weekly Update      

No. 100, October 6, 2008

I. Scholarships and Fellowships
- Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Conservation – NY
- Postdoc/Assistant Professor: Environmental Studies and Sustainability
- Fellowship: Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowships in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy
- Postdoc: Andrew W. Mellon Foundation -Postdoctoral Fellow positions in Environmental Studies The Associated Colleges of the South (ACS)
- Undergraduate: Montana State University will offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to non-resident freshmen who apply for admission for the Fall of 2009
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

II. News you can use
- Q&A Live Discussion:  Assistant Secretary Goli Ameri on Exchanges and Alumni Engagement
- Digital Reference Section, Library of Congress, Offers Monthly Orientation to Web Site
- Next America 
- MAA Minute Math

I. Scholarships and Fellowships

Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Conservation - NY

The Graduate Ecology program at Fordham University has new research opportunities and both teaching and research fellowships available for well-qualified students interested in pursuing a M.S. or Ph.D. in Fall 2009. We have research opportunities through our expanded graduate program, which links scientists at our main campus, the Louis Calder Center Biological Station, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Accepted MS and PhD candidates could receive stipends in the range of $26,000 to $27,000 per year, plus full tuition remission. Students may work in many areas of ecology, evolution, and systematics, as well as applied areas such as conservation of endangered species, urbanization effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and responses of plants and animals to climate change.
Specific research areas of our faculty include:
- Anthropogenic and disturbance-related effects on nutrient dynamics
- Biodiversity, biogeography, and ecology of freshwater algae
- Ectomychorrhizal fungal communities and nutrient availability
- Effects of climate change on hibernation and survival of mammals
- Experimental evolution of bacterial symbionts
- Ecology and epidemiology of vector-borne diseases
- Evolution of animal social behavior
- Evolution of herbivory defense in invasive plants
- Freshwater food webs in streams and rivers
- Fungal community structure and ecosystem processes
- Landscape ecology and spatial distribution of disease vectors
- Nutritional and biochemical adaptations to seasonally cold environments
- Using molecular tools to measure disease transmission in wild populations
Interested students should contact relevant faculty members or research scientists to discuss mutual research interests via the following websites.
Graduate Ecology program at Fordham University:
http://www.fordham.edu/calder_center/calder-center/ecolgradprog.html
Opportunities at the New York Botanical Garden:
http://sciweb.nybg.org/science2/GraduateStudies.asp
Opportunities the Wildlife Conservation Society:
http://www.wcs.org/
Louis Calder Biological Field Station:
http://www.fordham.edu/calder_center
The deadline for applications is January 5, 2009, and application fees will be waived if application is completed between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15, 2009. Online applications are available from: http://www.fordham.edu/gsas
For any questions, feel free to contact Amy R. Tuininga by email:
Tuininga@fordham.edu
 
The Garden offers Graduate Fellowships for study in systematic and economic botany.

Stipend

The annual stipend is approximately $24,000, paid in 26 biweekly installments. A paid vacation of four weeks is offered each year. Tuition required by the universities and medical insurance are paid in full by the Garden.

Term

Appointments begin July 1 or September 1 annually by special arrangement. Fellowships may be renewed annually, contingent on satisfactory scholastic progress. Fellows are expected to complete their degree in five years.

Deadline- Applications for financial aid must be received by January 15 annually.

Appointments Made by March 15 annually.

Each fellow is expected to devote half-time to formal graduate study, leading to a Ph.D. degree in biology from one of the affiliated universities, and half-time to assisting different research projects and related activities, such as curatorial work, within the institution.

Financial support is also available directly from the participating universities in the form of fellowships, assistantships, and loans. Prospective students should contact the university of interest about direct financial assistance.
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Post Doc/Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Drew University, a highly selective liberal arts college located 30 miles outside New York City, seeks applications for a two-year Teaching Post-Doctorate Assistant Professor position (non-tenure track) in humanities or social sciences to help build a new major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Candidates should have
completed the Ph.D. by September 2009 with a research and teaching focus on environmental issues, particularly sustainability. Preference will be given to fields other than economics and anthropology with a particular interest in candidates from English and Sociology. Candidates with inter-disciplinary degrees are welcome. Responsibilities include two courses per semester and mentoring undergraduate projects in an environment where thoughtful and creative teaching is valued. Requires Ph.D. and a record of teaching and research excellence.  Submit CV, statement of teaching philosophy and description of research, three reference letters, and evidence of teaching excellence to: Prof. Fred Curtis, Economics Dept, Drew
University, Madison NJ 07940, fcurtis@drew.edu. On-line submission is acceptable. Application deadline: November 1st.  To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an AA/EOE employer.
 
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Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowships in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy

The University of California, Berkeley invites applications for the 2009-2010 S.V. Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowships in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy.

The S.V. Ciriacy-Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellowships in Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year to support advanced research at the University of California, Berkeley. For the purposes of this fellowship, natural resources are defined broadly to include environmental resources. The fellowship encourages, but is not limited to, policy-oriented research. Applications are open to scholars from any social science discipline, and related professional fields such as law and planning, who will make significant contributions to research on natural resource economics broadly defined. Preference will be given to proposals whose orientation is broadly institutional and/or historical, and which are conceptually and theoretically innovative. Proposals with a primarily statistical or econometric purpose are not eligible for consideration.
 
Two types of awards are available:
 
 
1. A one-year postdoctoral award with a salary of $54,192, renewable for a
second year. It is expected that the applicant will possess a doctorate or equivalent conferred within the past five years. Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed as UC employees and are governed by the UC Policy on Postdoctoral Scholars located
here<http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-390.pdf>

2. A one-year award with a salary of $54,192 to support a professional or sabbatical leave from an academic or professional position, without option to renew.  Applicants for visiting scholar fellowships must have received their doctorate or equivalent within the last ten years.  Applicants must provide documentation of the home institution's or agency's concurrence of their leave. Visiting Research Fellows are appointed as UC employees and are governed by the UC Policy on Visiting Appointments located here<http://www.ucop.edu/acadadv/acadpers/apm/apm-230.pdf>.
 
Both types of fellowships include $2,000 toward research-related expenses and one-way economy airfare to Berkeley for each fellow and his/her immediate family.
 
http://research.chance.berkeley.edu/page.cfm?id=184
 
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Andrew W. Mellon Foundation -Postdoctoral Fellow positions in Environmental Studies The Associated Colleges of the South (ACS)

The Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) is a consortium of sixteen nationally recognized, distinguished liberal arts colleges and universities (http://www.colleges.org/institutions.html), located in twelve southern states (see map at http:// www.colleges.org/acsmap.html). Since 1998, our institutions have grown increasingly stronger in the field of Environmental Studies, and because of our excellent faculty and strong student interest, we continue to thrive in this academic area. Therefore we were gratified recently when the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded the consortium $3.5 million to create postdoctoral Fellow positions in Environmental Studies at our institutions.

With these funds, we will hire 24 new Ph.D.'s at approximately $45,000 per year (plus benefits and travel funds). For two years each, those Ph.D.'s will teach 2-3 environmental studies courses per year. They will also have plenty of time for research, and will be mentored by seasoned professors in their fields. In addition, Fellows will have many excellent opportunities to discover the advantages of teaching at small private liberal arts institutions while they engage in creative exchanges with faculty at all 16 of our institutions.

Obviously, we would like to recruit topnotch young Ph.D.'s to fill these postdoctoral positions. With your help, we would like to begin by focusing our search within member institutions of the Association of American Universities. Therefore, I am writing to request a contact name and email address of a graduate advisor at your institution to help us identify promising young Ph.D.’s who might be interested in this opportunity. If at all possible, we would like this contact information by the first week of October.

We thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter, and hope that our future collaboration will be beneficial to your institution as well as to our own colleges and universities.

Elizabeth L. MacNabb, PhD
Director, Programs in Sustainability and the Environment
www.colleges.org/enviro
Associated Colleges of the South
Wiseman 102, Centre College
Danville, KY 40422
859.238.6234/fax 859.238.6226
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Montana State University will offer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to non-resident freshmen who apply for admission for the Fall of 2009

Montana State University offers scholarships based on ACT or SAT scores to non-resident freshmen who apply for Fall Semester. The MSU Achievements Award is valued at between US$6,000 and US$60,000 based on official SAT scores over 1560. A student who scores 2140 or higher is eligible for an award of US$15,000, renewable for four years with maintenance of a 3.0 / 4.0 grade point average. MSU strongly encourages freshman applicants to take the ACT or SAT tests as they will automatically qualify for a scholarship if their score meets the minimum score of 1560. For more information, go to the following webpage: http://www.montana.edu/admissions/scholarshipsnonres.shtml

Montana State University offers a variety of excellent undergraduate and graduate programs to students from across the United States and around the world. A mid-sized university of 12,500, including 450 international students from over 65 countries, MSU is especially known for quality programs in the fields of agriculture, architecture (NAAB), business (AACSB), computer science (CSAB), engineering (ABET), film production, nursing, and the sciences. The university attracts US$103 million annually for research and creative activities, and bright undergraduate students are encouraged to participate. The Carnegie Foundation ranks MSU in the top tier of Research Universities, demonstrating very high research activity, along with Harvard, Yale and MIT. Tuition costs remain reasonable when compared to those charged at institutions of similar good quality. For more information: http://www.montana.edu  

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Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), a leading college for engineering education in the United States, is proud to announce additional scholarship money for International Students!  International Students interested in studying one of MSOE’s major fields of Engineering, Nursing and Business can benefit from increased scholarship opportunities that will lower International Student tuition!  MSOE has always placed high importance on educating students from around the world and with average scholarships starting at $9,900 USD (2008/2009 year) this is a great opportunity for you!
MSOE is now offering academic scholarships to full-time/non-fully sponsored International Students based on their most recent academic performance.  Scholarships range from $7,000 to $15,000 USD based on program of interest and grade average from secondary or post-secondary education.  For more information about your place at MSOE and the scholarship opportunity that awaits you, please contact Caleb Black at black@msoe.edu .

II. News you can use

Q&A Live Discussion:  Assistant Secretary Goli Ameri on Exchanges and Alumni Engagement

Goli Ameri, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will join us live on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 11:30-12:30 to discuss the value of exchange programs and how these experiences further mutual understanding.  Assistant Secretary Ameri has made engagement with the nearly one million State Department exchange program alumni one of her top priorities.  As alumni, you all know that your exchange experience does not stop when you return home.  Ms. Ameri would like to find out what you are doing to remain connected with fellow alumni and share your experiences with others who might be interested in our programs, and how the State Department and our U.S. embassies around the world can better support your efforts.  The Assistant Secretary will also present exciting new social networking and technology opportunities for alumni.
Please log in to the State Alumni website (https://alumni.state.gov) and submit a question for Ms. Ameri prior to the web chat, or live on Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 11:30-12:30 at https://alumni.state.gov/https/alumni/news2/qa-live/ameri?func=addPost

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Digital Reference Section, Library of Congress, Offers Monthly Orientation to Web Site
 

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world, with more than 134  million books, recordings, photographs and prints, maps, music items, and manuscripts. Collected in more than 470 languages, the materials range from rare cuneiform tablets to born digital materials. Through its Web site (www.loc.gov), the Library makes available its resources, services, and its American Memory online historical collections which
contain more than 13.6 digital files.
 
How can you access the wealth of information available on the Library*s Web site? What resources and services can assist you?  The Digital Reference Section (DRS) conducts a free, one-hour orientation monthly, on the second Wednesday at 11 a.m. - noon, Eastern time, via Web conference. Throughout the program, DRS staff provide opportunities to ask questions, learn strategies for online access of
the materials, and sample the collections and resources provided to facilitate your research.
 
The next session will be October 8, 11 a.m. - noon, Eastern time. To register for the Orientation, use the Participant Registration Form, available from http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/orientation_form.php.  Confirmation, log on instructions, and the handout will be sent via email. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to request the Orientation for a group, contact the Digital Reference Section via the Ask A Librarian form at
http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-digital.html.
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Next America 

http://nextamerica.csis.org/
Next America's website implores the visitor to "Debate. Decide. Connect". It's all part of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a bipartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. The website gives young future leaders the opportunity to debate the future of U.S. foreign policy with their peers, on issues such as "Energy & Climate", "Economic Integration", "Defense and Security", and "Human Rights and Development". To see what specific topics from these issues are currently being debated on the site, click on the "Debates" section. From there, you can see a photo of the person from each side of the debate, and read what they have to say. Those who have registered to be a member of the site can comment on the debaters' responses, in writing or by creating a YouTube video. If the visitor continues to scroll down the "Debates" page, they can see previous debates, with members being given the same opportunity to comment on the debaters' responses. The purpose of the all the debating and commenting on the site is to enable the staff of Next America to put together a memo outlining the policy priorities of the "twentysomething" generation, and give it to the new administration. It's a rather fine idea, and the site may inspire debates and fruitful conversation.
From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/
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MAA Minute Math

http://maaminutemath.blogspot.com/
The good folks at the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) keep on turning out engaging and interactive mathematics resources, and this latest release follows in that admirable path. The MinuteMath feature brings together a host of problems from the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions, and these playful problems can be used in a variety of settings, including the classroom or a good-spirited mathematics get-together outside the classroom walls. The site was launched in September 2008, and so far the offerings here are quite nice and they include questions that deal with sums, geometry, and positive integers. Each question is also rounded out with an interactive version of both the problem and the solution.
From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2008. http://scout.wisc.edu/