Syracuse University Gradcast

Dr. Treviene Harris is Project Manager with Doctoral Futures, an initiative of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) that aims to identify and promote ways doctoral programs can evolve to meet current challenges and better serve students. Treviene shares her own PhD journey, her current work on the project, and strategies the ACLS and its partner organizations can use to encourage widespread adoption of their recommendations and transform doctoral education and outcomes at the national level. 

In this episode, Ava Breitbeck sits down with Alexia Chatzitheordorou, PhD Candidate in Physics, to discuss her leadership as a graduate student. In her role as representative to the SU Board of Trustees, she has championed numerous initiatives to support graduate students' professional development. We discuss strategies to succeed as a student and scholar. 

Ruohan Xu, an Energy Systems Engineer in the Carrier Engineering Leadership Program (ELP) in Syracuse and a master's degree holder from ECS, has a lot of insight to offer. As an alum of the university as well as someone working locally in Syracuse, I was grateful for the opportunity to hear about how he was able to leverage his experience at SU in his current work--and I think anyone looking for industry opportunities will be better for hearing his story. As somone who has stayed involved at Syracuse after his graduation, talking about his journey is essential listening for those looking to follow a similar path.

Mary-Jo (MJ) Robinson is an experienced nonprofit leader and consultant and is a proud graduate of the Maxwell School, having earned her MPA there. Listen in to learn how she applied her skills as a graduate student to work in a variety of nonprofit settings, including spending two years conducting rewarding work in Kenya! Now a project manager with the Engaged Humanities Network at SU, MJ is a leader in facilitating experiential opportunities for graduate students. 

In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Balduzzi, Ed.D. — Associate Director of Graduate Student Engagement and Success — to strategize how graduate students can make the most of their participation at conferences. Listen in to hear about what you should do to prepare for a conference, how to network with colleagues, and how to ensure that your new conference connections are sustained long after the conference concludes. 

Sahar El Abbadi, PhD (she/her), is a newly-minted Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa, and I've been a fan of Sahar's for a while! Her postdoc at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), a government lab in California, offers an important glimpse into the life of a postdoc in that kind of environment. I also got to see up close her job search as she transitioned from that role to her new faculty position at Iowa, and I wanted to chat with her to learn more about that process. Sahar completed a bachelor of science in environmental engineering science from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a master of science and PhD at Stanford University. Prof. El Abbadi conducted postdoctoral research in energy science and engineering at Stanford University before moving to the Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).

"We need people who have the capacity to analyze as deeply as you do, and your writing is the way to get it out there," says Collie Fulford, Ph.D., Writing Center Director and Associate Professor of Writing and Rhetoric at SU. Through a fascinating conversation about writing and the amazing work of the Writing Center, I gained a newfound appreciation for the centrality of writing in the life of grad students. I hope you give it a listen!

A great deal has happened in the past year in the world of fellowships and funding in general, and since the dust has settled a little bit, I wanted to get an update on where we are. So I reached out to Melissa Welshans, Ph.D., Assistant Director of CFSA (Center for Fellowships and Scholarships Advising) here at Syracuse University to help us understand what's changed, what has stayed the same, and what applicants can do if they want to be funded through these types of awards.

Great news! Our grad assistant, Ava Breitbeck (doctoral candidate in Science Teaching) is our newest podcaster, and this is her very first episode! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Hannah Payne, a Masters student in Art History and 2026 Palitz Scholar, joins GradCast to share her passion for art history and the importance of effectively engaging the public in scholarly endeavors as a graduate student. Listen in on Hannah's inspiring academic journey to learn more about publicly-engaged work and to receive some great travel recommendations in the process!

"The world is moving so fast, we all need to be thinking big picture" says Shawn VanDerziel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the foremost source of information on the transition from college to career. No one is better suited to provide this big picture, and I was delighted to get his take on where the jobs economy is now, where it might be headed and, of course, what to do to get a job in the age of AI.

Meg Healy, a PhD candidate in English at Syracuse, joins GradCast to discuss videographic criticism, in which audiovisual media are used to interpret texts and make scholarly arguments in ways very different from traditional print-based academic essays. Find out how Meg uses videographic tools to enhance her research into sci-fi films.

Listen in on a conversation with Dr. Ramon Goings, a faculty member and doctoral program director in Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and founder of The Done Dissertation, a consultancy helping doctoral candidates and dissertation advisors develop habits that promote productive writing and efficient degree completion. Learn about the "80% Rule" and other tips from Dr. Goings' book, 14 Secrets to a Done Dissertation!

Now here's an unexpected way to do career exploration: ask a subject area librarian! And that's exactly what I did. I reached out to Steph McReynolds, Librarian for Business, Management and Entrepreneurship, a curator of an excellent research guide on careers, who walked me through her research's fascinating resources. What followed were some ways of learning about companies and opportunities that I didn't know about!

Stacy Hartman, Program Officer for Higher Education Initiatives with the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), discusses how professional organizations have addressed the need to prepare doctoral students for a range of careers.

We have talked about how to get the coveted tenure-track job on Gradcast, but we've never really discussed what it's actually like to get tenure! I was so glad that Candace Receno, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Graduate Program Chair, Exercise Science and Athletic Training at Ithaca College, newly-tenured, could join me in a great conversation about the process and what it looks like to be on the other side of the tenure track!

"In a world of robots, be a human," says Maren Wood, Ph.D., CEO and director of the Center for Graduate Career Success, home of Beyond the Professoriate, an invaluable career exploration platform brought to you by the Graduate School. But what does that mean in the context of job searching? How and in what ways should we use AI in our job search, how much is too much, and how do we stand out when we know that AI has permeated the career landscape regardless of whether you are a hiring manager or a job seeker?

I've known Allison Alberts, Ph.D. (English Literature, Fordham University) since our days in grad school together--I owe her a ton for all the reviewing and constructive conversation about my work to this day! I was delighted, then, to have her on the podcast talking about her career as a private high school English teacher, since many people are interested in finding ways of teaching that are not necessarily at the college level. Allie shares about her transition from grad school to teaching and offers some tips about how to thrive in this kind of role.

Emily Roberts (Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, Duke University) made a big pivot from her research to her current role as founder of Personal Finance for Ph.D.s https://pfforphds.com/, helping fellow Ph.D. students and degree holders navigate the world of budgeting while getting a Ph.D.I'm happy to announce that Dr. Roberts will be joining us on Friday Sept. 5th via Zoom to share her insights. I was able to learn a little more about her and her passion for finance in advance of her visit, and I hope you'll give it a listen!

In this episode, Ashley Watson, Assistant Professor of Communication at SUNY Geneseo, discusses the research behind her recently completed dissertation, “Born Unveiled: The Process, Protest, and Product of Racialization among International Black African Collegians in U.S. Graduate Education” (University of Minnesota, 2024).

Syracuse is now home to a fantastic resource for international students!Interstride is an interactive portal supporting international students in their job search, immigration journey, and community building. If you've ever been unsure of where to look for jobs with employers who are willing to sponsor, this is the place. If you've had questions about how to present your value to employers as an international student, again, Interstride is your friend. Our guest is Dan Pack, Career Exploration Specialist at SU, who will tell us all about this new, fantastic resource.

Mallory Fix-Lopez discusses her consultancy Language ConnectED, which provides research communication and professional development trainings for academics. Fix-Lopez will visit Syracuse on February 28, 2025, to deliver a 4-hour workshop for international grad students on “Telling Your Research Story.”

Ten years after the Report of the MLA Task Force on the Future of Doctoral Education in Modern Language and Literature, task force chair Russell Berman (German and Comparative Literature, Stanford) reflects on which of the report’s recommendations have had traction over the past decade, which goals have been elusive, and where we stand now with efforts to help PhD students pursue diverse career options.

As president of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), Suzanne Ortega, Ph.D. advocates for graduate issues, leads research projects, and fosters best practices in graduate education. In this episode, Ortega discusses CGS’s mission, her role with the organization, and what institutions can do to improve graduate experiences and outcomes. If you've ever wanted to hear a high-level discussion of the state of graduate students and the future of graduate education, this is a great podcast to listen to.

Carrie Murawski, PhD has a fascinating career trajectory. Starting out as a visit assistant professor at a small liberal arts college, she transitioned to being a full time, tenure-track faculty member--before deciding to take a different path. Recently arrived at Syracuse University, she is the Director of DEIA Learning and Development at Syracuse University. Carrie and I talked about her roles in academia, how and why she decided to take another route, and her hopes for advocating for DEIA here at SU.

The Charlotte Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for graduate students who have written dissertations which respond to and participate in deep and meaningful conversations within religion, values, and ethics. Fellows receive a $31,000 stipend to complete the writing stage of their dissertation, and it is available regardless of citizenship status. I was privileged to sit down with Nimisha Thakur, doctoral candidated in Anthropology at SU and current Newcombe Fellow, to talk about her experience applying for and receiving this award. Her story is an inspiration, and I hope it encourages you to consider applying to this prestigious award, due November 1!

Many folks looking for academic jobs struggle to figure out the "two-body problem," in which both members of a couple are seeking academic jobs at more or less the same time. What do you do? How do you prioritize? How do you talk about this issue as a couple? I'm joined this week by Laura Coutts, Associate Director of Career Services in Biostatistics at Duke University to discuss this thorny issue--and, we hope, to offer some ideas as you pursue your academic career(s).

Leonard Cassuto, Professor of English at Fordham and author of Academic Writing As If Readers Matter. He is a leader in innovative graduate education, and his book is essential reading for all writers, whether for academic audiences or otherwise. He is visiting Syracuse On Sept. 30th and Oct. 1st, giving two talks: How to Go Public: Writing for People Outside Your Specialty September 30, 2024 at 2:15pm – 3:30pm EDT Bird Library, 114 Academic Writing: How to Do It Well and Why We Must October 1, 2024 at 12:00pm – 1:45pm EDT Schine Student Center, 304ABC

The Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O. International) is the most important funding agency for women that you've never heard of. P.E.O. supports women in all fields with two awards, one for U.S. citizens, and another, the International Peace Scholarship, for international students. This podcast, with P.E.O. representative Lisa Blystone, focuses on IPS and gives a sense of the organization generally.

Melissa Welshans, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA), walks us through the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Award, a generous and unusual award for early-stage doctoral students. This award is meant to support early-stage doctoral students pursuing innovative approaches to dissertation research in the humanities and interpretive social sciences, and I asked Melissa to join me to talk about the award and what the funders are looking for. Among other reasons for applying: the award is $42,000 base stipend for the fellowship year, plus up to $8,000 for project-related research, training, development, and travel costs! The award also provides a separate $2,000 stipend for external mentorship.

If you’re writing a dissertation, it’s likely you’re incorporating at least some material that is under copyright and thus requires permission to reproduce. In this episode, Dr. Dylan Mohr, Syracuse University’s Open Scholarship Librarian, discusses copyright issues that dissertation-writers are likely to encounter, including identifying, approaching, and perhaps negotiating with copyright holders; how the concepts of fair use and the public domain come into play; and reproducing your own previously published work in your dissertation. Dylan also considers the questions of whether to formally register copyright on your dissertation, whether to make your dissertation available on your institutional repository, and what resources exist to help you. Don’t let ignorance of your dissertation’s copyright context trip you up at the finish line!

I'm joined today by Maren Wood, PhD, CEO and Director of the Center for Graduate Career Success. A longtime friend of Syracuse University, Dr. Wood has created a platform, Beyond Graduate School dedicated to preparing Master's students for their careers after graduation, from career exploration, to networking, to resume prep, to closing the deal in an interview. Maren joins me today and tells us all about the platform. I hope you enjoy it and, more important, give Beyond Graduate School a try!

I recently sat down with my new collegue, Claire Perrott, PhD, Professional Development Postdoctoral Fellow in Syracuse's Office of Research, to learn about her transition from her doctoral program and from tenure track roles she held to higher education administration. Claire offered an honest, unsparing picture of her transition, and I think you'll learn a great deal from that perspective. If you are a postdoc (or will be one at Syracuse soon), you'll also be pleased to know that she is here to support you and to grow our efforts in the postdoctoral area. Listen in!

The founder and owner of the consultancy Data Dozen, Erin Waldron leverages her expertise in data analytics to help grad students, postdocs and faculty communicate their research with compelling visualizations. Erin discusses her career path, reviews the state of play with data visualization, and gives a preview of her two upcoming workshops, “Data Visualization 101: Visualizing Data with Tableau” (February 16, 2024) and “How to Communicate Effectively with Data” (February 23, 2024). https://calendar.syracuse.edu/events/2024-feb-16/visualizing-data-with-tableau-109707/ https://calendar.syracuse.edu/events/2024-feb-23/how-to-communicate-effectively-with-data/

Ariel Ash-Shakoor, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineer at FDA in their Cardiovascular Devices division, sits down with me to talk transitions from her PhD program in Bioengineering to her role in the federal government. Along the way, Ariel shares about her experience in building community at Syracuse University, making hard decisions in choosing the right job for her, and succeeding in her demanding role.

Nneka Eke, PhD, a graduate of Syracuse's Political Science department and a current Research Associate at SEIU Local 721, joins us to discuss her career exploration journey. From a graduate to doing great work outside of academic, Nneka's experience is instructive for us all.

As Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement in the SU College of Arts & Sciences, Brice Nordquist created and directs the Engaged Humanities Network, which “seeds, supports, and fosters exchanges across publicly engaged research, teaching, and creative projects” connecting the University with communities in Syracuse and across Central New York. In this episode, Dr. Nordquist discusses the work of the EHN and the many opportunities for grad students to get involved – including academic-year RAships, summer intern- and assistantships, and the Feeding Collaboration lunch series.   

What does a recruiter do? How can a recruiter help you in your job search, if at all? Natalie Schmitt, a recent Career Associate in the Graduate School and a former staffing agency recruiter, has lots of great insights into the many applicants she met over the course of her time in that role and what a candidate can do to maximize their chances on the job market.

Today, Mary Idzior of the Center for International Services (CIS) takes us through their Top 10 Tips for international students to take advantage of the resources that CIS offers. If you had questions about CIS but haven't wanted to ask, this episode is for you!

In our first "Careers In" episode of the semester, we are joined by Vinnie Ustach, PhD, a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at GeneDX. Join us as Vinnie talks about his sometimes-circuitous path to his current role, his experiences--good and bad--in graduate school, and offers excellent advice on finding the right job for you.

Leo Lambert is president emeritus of Elon University in North Carolina and a nationally prominent advocate of student-centered higher education. But back in the 1990s he was associate dean of the Syracuse University Graduate School and a driving force in the establishment of SU’s highly reputed Future Professoriate Program. In this episode, Dr. Lambert discusses his tenure at Elon, his philosophy of “relationship-rich education,” his memories of SU, and his impending return to campus as guest speaker at the 30th anniversary FPP Kickoff event, 2:45 pm on Friday, September 15, in Lyman Hall 132.

Melissa Welshans, Ph.D., of the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising, joins Dan Olson-Bang, Ph.D., to discuss the collaboration between the Graduate School and the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) to support the many types of fellowships and scholarships for graduate students and postdocs.

In this episode, Tracy Bauer, G’15, is joined by Dan Klamm, ‘08, Vice President, Global Head of Social Media (Marketing). Dan uses Critical Thinking skills all the time as he makes important decisions in his work, and life. He’ll talk about what critical thinking is and how you can strengthen these skills that employers want. Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Career readiness is made up of eight career competencies that all employers want, regardless of industry or discipline: Career and Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity and Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

This episode's Grad Views features Yousr Dhaouadi, a Chemical Engineering doctoral candidate and the current president of the Graduate Student Organization (GSO). Yousr and Dan Olson-Bang discuss her experience coming here from Tunisia, what she's enjoyed about Syracuse University, and her perspective on the GSO--and she has a lot to share, having served in several roles leading up to the presidency. 

Trenna Hill, ’14, G’18, is the Director of Athlete Development at Fire Lacrosse and a certified life coach. Trenna played lacrosse at Syracuse University, worked in Career Services, and went on to earn her master’s degree in higher education and C.A.S. in Athletic Advising and Administration before moving to Los Angeles. Trenna talks about her experiences being bi-racial and how being yourself is your superpower. Within the intersections of being biracial, indigenous, and a female athlete, Trenna became passionate about helping other athletes, biracials, and anyone struggling through their own identity crisis, build a strong core of confidence and authenticity, and redefining belonging while embracing what “fullness” really means. Not ironically, she is known for her ability to create and build strong team cultures with belonging, refreshing realness, and contagious confidence at the center. Trenna obtained her ICF Life Coaching Certification in 2020. You can follow her at @trenski23 or @_thegirlscoach on Instagram, and follow along at Thebiracialblog.com. Her podcast, Full of Myself, debuts in Spring 2022.

We talk about equity and inclusion with Diane R. Wiener, M.S.W., Ph.D. (Pronouns: she/they/Diane), Research Professor and Associate Director of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach at the Burton Blatt Institute and College of Law at Syracuse University. Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Career readiness is made up of eight career competencies that all employers want, regardless of industry or discipline. Resources: Sins Invalid: https://www.sinsinvalid.org Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature: https://www.wordgathering.com Wiener, D. R. (2021, August). Dis/Ability and Critical Cultural Studies. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Wiener, D. R. (2020, June). Rev. of Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the 21st Century, edited by Alice Wong (Vintage Books, 2020). In Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, 14(2). Wiener, D. R. (2018, December). Rev. of Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People: Crip Wisdom for the People, edited by Alice Wong (Disability Visibility Project, 2018). In Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, 12(4). Penner, P., & Wiener, D. R. (2018). Language Guide – Disability Cultural Center (2018 edition). Syracuse: Syracuse University Disability Cultural Center. Pollack, K., & Wiener, D. (2018). A Guide to Planning Inclusive Events, Seminars, and Activities at Syracuse University (2018 edition). Syracuse: Syracuse University Disability Cultural Center. Wiener, D. R., & Harris, J. (2017, 28 Feb.). On fortune cookies, neurodiversity, and accessibility. Huffington Post. Wiener, D. R. (2016, 21 Nov.). Intersectional politics and accessibility. Huffington Post. Wiener, D. R., & Hsu, M. (2016, 6 Sept.). Disability rights and the Sagamihara 19: A dialogue with Mizuki Hsu. Huffington Post. Wiener, D. R. (2016, 23 June). ‘Suck it, bipeds’: Finding Dory’s disability narratives. Huffington Post. Wiener, D. R. (2016, 25 May). On mad advantage: A letter to ‘the normals’ (and to the rest of us). Huffington Post.

Communication is defined as: Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization. Shannon Andre, ‘09, G’17, serves as the executive director of communications for the student experience at Syracuse University. She leads the division’s communications strategy and planning, along with a team of communications professionals who manage digital content, design, social media, campaigns and writing efforts for divisional departments and student-focused initiatives. Shannon joined the University as a staff member in 2011 after working at the United Way of Central New York. She earned a master's degree in communications management and a bachelor's degree in public relations and political science from Syracuse University. Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Career readiness is made up of eight career competencies that all employers want, regardless of industry or discipline.

Leadership is defined as: Recognizing and capitalizing on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. In this episode, we hear from Greg Victory, G’04, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs and Fannie Mitchell Executive Director, Career Center at Duke University. Greg received his master’s degree in higher education from Syracuse University’s School of Education. Previously, Greg served as Executive Director of the Tufts Career Center from 2016-2020, and as Executive Director of Continuing Education at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he was previously Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of the RISD Career Center. At Syracuse University, Greg taught in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, led the First-Year and Transfer Programs office, and served as a lead with employer engagement in the Career Center. Greg has also held positions at Colgate University and Ithaca College and taught junior high school social studies. One of Greg’s favorite jobs was serving as “Scooch,” mascot for the Syracuse Mets (formerly the Syracuse Chiefs), a AAA baseball club. That position allowed him to “be as goofy as I wanted to be, to bring joy, laughter and excitement to fans,” he said. “It offers a glimpse of my spirit, energy and enthusiasm.” In his free-time he enjoys traveling, food (cooking and exploring new restaurants), and spending time with his partner, David, and puppy, Faya. Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Career readiness is made up of eight career competencies that all employers want, regardless of industry or discipline.

In a new series in partnership with the Graduate Student Organization, Syracuse University Gradcast is featuring the voices and perspectives of graduate students on campus. Today we hear from Prajakta Mane, a master's student in the iSchool, about life in the US, the differences between the Indian and American educational systems, and her thoughts on life at SU. 

Career and Self-Development is defined as: Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization. In this episode, we hear from Geoff, “DeafGeoff” Herbert, ‘05, about his career and self-development as a student and professional. Syracuse University alumnus, Geoff “DeafGeoff” Herbert, ‘05, is a New York Emmy-nominated reporter and SEO Lead for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, where he's worked since 2010. He has also been a DJ for more than 20 years known as "DeafGeoff," and previously worked at Syracuse radio station Hot 107.9 (WWHT-FM) for six years. He was born with a profound binaural hearing loss, gives motivational speeches about growing up with a disability/different ability, and is known on Twitter (@deafgeoff) for lipreading Jim Boeheim during Syracuse basketball games. Herbert grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School in 2005. He now lives in Syracuse with his wife and two children. Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management. Career readiness is made up of eight career competencies that all employers want, regardless of industry or discipline: Career and Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity and Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

Chris Caterine holds a classics Ph.D., worked in academia for a few years...and then wanted to get out. As with many, life had complicated the once-clear path that he'd expected and wanted, and he found himself casting about for new opportunities. Now, Chris works at Deloitte as a Lead in the Pursuit Center of Excellence and puts the skills he learned during his doctorate to work every day. His recent book, Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide, is essential reading for anyone wondering what their next step might be. Hear Chris's story, his thoughts on the pandemic, and on academia in general right here.