GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN
A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators
Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and the 16th of the month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/
October 16, 2025
IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
1. Graduate Mentoring to Enhance Research and Academic Success
2. Faculty Panelists Needed for Graduate Honor System
3. Mentorship Workshop
4. GPD/GC Meeting
Deadlines & Dates to Remember
None at this time.
Policy Updates
None at this time.
Administrative Announcements
5. Graduate Alumni Achievement Award: Call for Nominations
6. CSGS Awards: Call for Nominations
7. Upcoming TOEFL Scoring Scale Change
Announcements for Distribution to Students
None at this time.
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
1. Graduate Mentoring to Enhance Research and Academic Success
Friday, October 17, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Zoom and in-person
Monday, October 20, 3:00-5:00 p.m., Zoom and in-person
Join Bevlee Watford, Catherine Cotrupi, and Allison Jones for a workshop created by the Equity in Graduate Education Consortium. This event is part of a national effort to enhance mentoring skills for current and future faculty members and to lead to more productive research and academic success. Register here: https://gs.vt.edu/gec
There will be an additional hybrid session for graduate students on Friday, November 14, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Register here: https://gs.vt.edu/gecgrad
2. Faculty Panelists Needed for Graduate Honor System
Tuesday, October 21, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Zoom: 89531184685
Friday, October 24, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Zoom: 83151775405
The Graduate Honor System relies on trained faculty and graduate student panelists who review academic integrity violations and determine the outcome of GHS cases. Training takes approximately one hour and after that you may serve on panels as you are available. On average, active faculty panelists devote 5-10 hours of service per year to the GHS. Two training sessions are coming up; if interested, please complete this registration form to indicate your planned attendance: https://gs.vt.edu/panel
3. Mentorship Workshop
Monday, November 3, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Blacksburg Campus (in-person)
Multipurpose Room, Graduate Life Center
Mentorship is a critical element in our careers, yet few of us have had any formal mentorship training. These workshops are intended to provide introductory training in mentorship, primarily through active learning, for early career faculty members, other faculty members, and postdoctoral fellows who have an interest in improving their mentorship skills.
The event will include panel discussions with outstanding VT mentors, a separate discussion with experienced graduate student mentees and mentors, a session of the highly participatory Mentorship Road Show, and comments on mentorship from Dean Aimée Surprenant. We will conclude with lunch (provided by the Graduate School) and a networking opportunity. Register here: https://gs.vt.edu/mentorship
4. GPC/GC Meeting
November 5, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Zoom
This is a reminder of the upcoming monthly Graduate Program Director and Graduate Coordinator meeting. If you are not currently included in the calendar invitation, please contact jhazelwood4@vt.edu.
Administrative Announcements
5. Graduate Alumni Achievement Award: Call for Nominations
The Graduate School is accepting nominations for the Graduate Alumni Achievement Award. This award recognizes outstanding national and/or international achievement and exemplary contributions by the winner to their profession, discipline, community, or society. Nominees must be engaged in efforts that enhance the reputation of Virginia Tech to a national and/or international audience. Only alumni who have obtained a graduate degree from Virginia Tech are eligible. The submission deadline is Friday, October 31, at 5:00 p.m. For more information on nomination requirements and to submit a nomination, click here.
6. CSGS Awards: Call for Nominations
The Graduate School invites nominations for the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) Awards. Please send submissions to gsdean@vt.edu by October 24, 2025, so that the Graduate School may finalize and submit nominations by the November 3, 2025, deadline.
Outstanding Master’s Thesis Awards Categories
- Social Sciences, Business and Education
- Life Sciences
- Non-traditional Thesis/Project Award
Faculty Awards
- Outstanding Mentor Award
- Outstanding Contributions Award
Consider nominating those recognized during Graduate Education Week 2025 or through the Faculty Mentor of the Month program. For full eligibility, nomination details, and prizes, click here.
7. Upcoming TOEFL Scoring Scale Change
ETS is launching a TOEFL iBT scoring scale change effective January 21, 2026. Overall scores and section scores will be reported on a 1-6 banded scale. Based on the ETS TOEFL concordance table, the Virginia Tech Graduate School will require an overall score and section scores of 4.5 or higher for admission. Students who anticipate appointments as Graduate Teaching Assistants are expected to have scored a 5 or greater on the TOEFL Speaking section. GTA appointment of a student scoring 4.5 on the Speaking section should be justified explicitly within the particular academic unit; appointment of a student scoring below 4.5 on the Speaking section requires justification with the Graduate School.