Shaun Hoppel started as director of accessibility services on May 1, 2023. Shaun has over ten years of experience supporting students with disabilities in higher education and is excited to support students with accommodation at Hood College. Graduate students who may benefit from accommodation are strongly encouraged to meet with accessibility services to discuss setting up an accommodation plan. If you have ever received accommodation in another educational setting, you likely qualify for services at Hood College. If you are not sure you are eligible, the accessibility services office can help you determine that and navigate the accommodation process. Please reach out to accessibilityservices@hood.edu with any questions or use the below QR code to book an information session.
The Hood College Career Center invites you to explore opportunities at a series of on- and off-campus events throughout the year. Remember to check your email regularly for the Career Center Weekly newsletter, which includes up-to-date information on many campus activities. We’ve also developed a great resource for graduate students on our website—visit your dedicated page: https://www.hood.edu/student-life/catherine-filene-shouse-center-career-development-experiential-education/graduate-international-students
For more information about these and other programs, stop by the Career Center on the 2nd floor of the Apple Building or email careers@hood.edu.
Welcome to all of our new graduate students this semester! I hope you’ll visit and peruse the online modules your faculty and the graduate-school team have created to support you. From cultural awareness to financing your degree and planning your course progression, we have compiled a one-stop shop to prepare you for success in your first semester as a graduate student.
The site is unique to your entering spring cohort of graduate students, and it will serve as a resource for you again and again during your time at the College. Periodically, we will add new modules that mirror your degree progress—preparing you for that internship, capstone/thesis/dissertation experience, and career change or advancement. Click here for the link, which will take you to your Blackboard login screen. Once you’re logged in, simply click on the New Graduate Student Orientation Spring2023 course site, then click on the “START HERE” video in the center of your screen.
Here’s to a successful first semester!
Welcome to Hood College! We are thrilled to have you with us this semester. My name is Gabby Güiza, and I am your Graduate Student Association (GSA) president. I am an international student from Colombia and look forward to working with our diverse graduate-student body. The Graduate Student Association was created to support and enrich the graduate student experience at Hood College. The goal and mission of GSA is to facilitate communication between graduate students and the College and to create a community that advocates for ALL students, regardless of race, gender, religion and cultural background.
I am here to help you have a great experience outside of the classroom during your time at Hood. Your GSA has several events planned this fall, so be sure to stay in the loop by following us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Help us stay connected with everyone by sharing our posts and spreading the word. Email your questions to GSA@hood.edu.
Remember YOUR VOICE MATTERS, and every grad student, whether you’re online or on-campus, or pursuing your master’s, certificate or doctoral, can help our graduate community thrive. Thank you for choosing Hood College for your graduate education and welcome home, Blazers, where #YOUBELONG! Wishing you all a great semester and year.
Welcome to new and returning Blazers! I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are coming to campus (or logging to Zoom) feeling refreshed and ready to start a new semester. My name is Jazzmyn Proctor, the Graduate Student Success Coordinator for Hood College. I serve as a support for graduate students by ensuring you are connected to the resources necessary for SUCCESS.
We have so many exciting opportunities happening this semester. Our affinity nights, which were newly introduced last Spring, will be back this Fall! Keep an eye out on your emails for more information about these events. Affinity nights are opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds to connect with students across disciplines.
Next, for new grad students, please keep an eye out for the Sexual-Assault Prevention and Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging trainings provided through Vector. All new students, regardless of profession, are required to take these training courses ONCE during their first semester at Hood College.
I am here to support you all! Please do not hesitate to reach me at GradSuccess@hood.edu with any questions or concerns. Wishing you a wonderful Fall semester and I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the semester!
GradCare: Resources for Health, Wellness and Success
GradCare is intended to be an all-encompassing resource to connect graduate students with services and resources to help them be healthy at Hood. We are constantly updating the site with resources and services located on-campus and in the community, so check back often!
Campus Cupboard: Addressing Hunger at Hood
Campus Cupboard aims to provide non-perishable food staples and hygiene items to students with a temporary or long-term need via a confidential system. If you are currently experiencing food insecurity or are struggling to afford groceries or basic toiletry items, simply fill our our interest form or email our secure mailbox at campuscupboard@hood.edu to receive additional information on requesting/receiving this support.
Private Lactation Room Available On-Campus
The private lactation room is located on the first floor of the J. Henry Apple Resource Building in room 8B. The room accommodates one person at a time and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Individuals should bring their own personal equipment, including membranes, clean tubing, breast shields and collection bottles. For more information, contact Amanda Dymek at dymek@hood.edu or 301-696-3439.
It’s that time again—time to brag about yourself! We are always looking for stories about the wonderful accomplishments of our students, both current and alumni. To facilitate the collection of such good news, we have a handy online form for you to use as often as you like. Whether you just presented at a conference or received an academic award or work promotion, we want to know about it. So what are you waiting for?
The Graduate School is pleased to welcome Dr. Timothy Coffin as the new Health Informatics Program Director. Dr. Coffin is a board-certified (AMIA )Health Informatics professional with over 20 years of healthcare executive leadership experience. Dr. Coffin is part of the Dept. of Computer Science & Information Technology and will oversee and teach in Hood College’s new certificate and master's in health informatics starting this fall. He is also serving as the bioinformatics program director in the interim.
Emma Bowers, M.S.’12, Ph.D., graduated from the Hood College environmental biology master’s program in 2012. Bowers is the founder and CEO of LabPair, a company that connects research scientists with potential collaborators in their field of study. She holds a B.S. in biology from Shepherd University and earned her Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Read more here.
The Doctoral Program in Organizational Leadership is #HoodProud of recent graduate and philanthropist, Dr. Mamady Kamara! The Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) announced the 2023 Global Woman Award Honorees to recognize those who dedicate their time to the campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) and other injustices on women and girls.
The “Donald A. Strong Man of the Year” was awarded to Dr. Mamady Kamara, who received his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Hood College in 2022. Dr. Kamara has been dedicated to furthering the rights of immigrant women and girls to freedom from harmful traditional practices of their native countries and cultures while promoting the adoption of beneficial traditions and rites of passage.
Dr. Kamara will be presented with the award at a ceremony at the National Sylvan Theater on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
Tanith Fowler Corsi is our director of graduate admission, and she has a special message for you below.
Do you remember how you found out about The Graduate School at Hood College? Chances are you heard about us from a friend, colleague or family member when researching graduate schools. Often, the most effective form of sharing information is via word of mouth! Digital ads and the internet are instrumental in spreading information on a broad scale, but people turn to their own networks to gain personal insights and recommendations time and again.
That is why your word of mouth means the world to us—literally! Your shared experience with The Graduate School at Hood College can make its way around the world and reach someone in India who may have not heard of the College. So, we call on you to share your positive experience at Hood College with others researching their graduate options.
Here are two ways you can help share #HOODLOVE via word of mouth:
- Get featured in our Hood graduate student and alumni story blogs. We love to highlight the breadth of diverse experiences and backgrounds of our graduate students and alumni, so let us feature you in our graduate school blogs, which are posted on our graduate website and social media outlets. To be featured, email gofurther@hood.edu.
- Refer your networks to our graduate open house events. Let your personal and professional networks know that they can attend our regular Open House and Admission Café events (both virtual and in-person) to learn more about our graduate programs and meet program directors, admission staff and current students. They can register for our events here.
Remember what makes Hood unique. We are small, affordable, diverse, career-focuses, flexible and provide personalized attention. Share the #HOODLOVE!
Have more ideas or questions? Contact Tanith Fowler Corsi, director of graduate admission, at GoFurther@hood.edu.
This fall semester, current undergraduate students majoring in sustainability studies can take advantage of our new 4PLUS dual degree pathway in sustainable nutrition. The sustainability studies/sustainable nutrition program is designed for interested students looking to study the relationship between natural resources, the environment, food systems and nutritional health. Students with 3.5 GPA or above and in good disciplinary standing are eligible to apply.
4PLUS is an accelerated, dual-degree program that allows undergraduate students to begin graduate coursework as early as their junior year. Eligible students can earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as five years. The 4PLUS program includes the following master’s degrees:
· Business Administration (MBA)
· Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling
Current undergraduate students and recent alumni also receive special benefits for applying to the Graduate School through our ALTY (Alumni of the Last Three Years) scholarship program. Benefits include waiving the application fee, no cost to your last three graduate credits and an expedited admission process. Interested students should contact our 4PLUS liaison Nick Masucci ’17 at 4PLUS@hood.edu for more information.
Still looking for an on-Campus Employment Opportunity? Join us at our on-campus employment workshop on August 24 at 4:00 p.m. in Whitaker Building, Room 220. You will meet the career Center team members to navigate resources and opportunities. A panel of F-1 students will share their success story in securing on-campus employment. Email PDSO@hood.edu if you have questions.
Join us for our annual virtual job fair. Email careers@hood.edu for more details.
Interested in learning more about Hood’s 4PLUS program? This accelerated dual-degree program allows undergraduate students to begin graduate coursework as early as their junior year. Eligible students can earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as little as five years. All undergraduate students (first year through senior) are welcome to attend one of the below virtual events. We encourage all prospective graduate students (at Hood and beyond) to attend one of the below virtual events, so spread the word! To learn more, register for one now here.
Join us for our annual business networking event to grow your professional connections. Whether you are currently employed or not, there is always value in expanding your network, so join us! Email careers@hood.edu for more details.
Join us for our annual STEM networking event and career fair to grow your professional connections. Whether you are currently employed or not, there is always value in expanding your network, so join us! Email careers@hood.edu for more details.
Nov 9: Virtual Admission Cafe
In the final weeks of the semester, we know that stress is at an all-time high for our graduate students. During this period, we have a tradition where Hood faculty/staff show you their support, dubbed Grad Student Appreciation Week (GSAW). We will have a table set up in the lobby of all the major buildings before classes in the evening (and doctoral classes during lunch on Saturday) as well as virtual Zoom-byes. Stay tuned for more information as the semester draws to a close!
**FACULTY, please volunteer your graduate course for a special visit during GSAW by registering here.
About The Graduate School
Email: GoFurther@hood.edu
Website: www.hood.edu/graduate
Location: Hood College, Graduate School, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 696-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/HoodGradSchool
Twitter: @HoodGradSchool