The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) assists and supports eligible students with disabilities. The primary goal of OAS is to reduce barriers to access, eliminate the stigma around disability, and to promote student self-advocacy and independence. Graduate students who may benefit from accommodations are strongly encouraged to meet with OAS to discuss setting up an accommodation plan, even if they have never used accommodations before. Please visit hood.edu/accessibility for more information or reach out to accessibilityservices@hood.edu with questions. We look forward to meeting you.
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. Get ready for the special women-mentoring events later this month (August), grad-school workshops in September and October, the big Science & Technology Networking Night and Career Fair in November and more!
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 to set up a virtual appointment for resume polishing, job searches, LinkedIn profile audits and so much more.
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 Fall2024 course site, then click on the “START HERE” video in the center of your screen.
Here’s to a successful first semester!
Happy fall, everyone! I hope the summer months have left you all well rested and eager to begin or re-engage with your coursework. My name is Autumn Smith, and I’m excited to be serving as your Graduate Student Success Coordinator again this semester. I’m pleased to announce that the Graduate School will be rolling out several new initiatives and events aimed at supporting and facilitating community among our graduate students. I’m particularly excited to announce the launch of our new graduate student Discord server. See below article, but this server is a space for graduate students from all programs to connect in dedicated academic and non-academic spaces. We hope to see you there! Please stay tuned for future emails from me regarding other programming, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at GradSuccess@hood.edu if there’s anything I can do to support you. Wishing you a wonderful fall semester, and I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the semester!
The Graduate School is excited to announce the launch of Hood’s new graduate student Discord server. Discord is a voice and text based social platform which allows users to connect in members only virtual communities. The Graduate School’s Discord server will have dedicated spaces for all program clusters and identity-based channels as well as more general spaces for students from all programs to connect. Join our server here or click here to download Discord and make an account. We hope to see you all there!
Whether this is your first semester or you are returning for your third year, we hope you had a wonderful summer and are getting geared up to start a new year. New things can be exciting and energizing, but they can be a little (or a lot!) scary, too. Transitions are hard, and it’s common for us to feel more stress, anxiety, and worry during times of change. If the transitions in your life are causing you stress, here are some things to try:
Find some consistency: In a world that seems full of change, little pieces of routine can be grounding and comforting. Try to notice opportunities to inject some predictability into your day, whether that be a morning or evening routine, time spent exercising your mind or body, or time spent talking to a friend or family member on your way to campus. Even though some of your day might be new and unfamiliar, this will give you predictable pieces to hold onto!
Practice self-care: Change is tiring, both physically and mentally. All of the new situations you’re finding yourself in put stress on your mind and body as they try to adapt and learn how to navigate this new environment. Take some time to be gentle towards yourself by getting good sleep, feeding and nourishing your body, and taking time to relax.
Embrace your community: Here on campus, all of us are going through this season of change together, whether it’s our first year on campus or our fiftieth. The start of the new academic year brings new challenges and transitions for everyone. Don’t be afraid to reach out for that little extra support as you adjust!
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 out 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?
Kate Ehrlich, M.A.’10, is a graduate of Hood College’s humanities master’s program and is a local teacher in Frederick County. Before Hood, Ehrlich graduated from Towson University in 2006 with a bachelor’s in history, social sciences and secondary education. Ehrlich has been teaching in the county for 18 years and has taught at Governor Thomas Johnson High School and Oakdale High School. We spoke with her about her experiences in the humanities program, and how the content knowledge she gained in the program has helped in her teaching career. Read more here.
Hello! My name is Christian Villarosa, and I am the newest member of the Graduate School at Hood College’s staff, joining this past summer. I am Assistant Director of Graduate Admission and the Diversity-Inclusion Liaison.
I have been part of the Frederick community since I was a child and have been working in the area since I received my degree in communications in 2018. Most recently, I served as the enrollment specialist at Saint John’s Catholic Prep in Buckeystown. I still currently serve as their Head Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field.
I have many interests, but one I’d like to highlight is my love for travel. I like learning about the unique differences cultures around the world have from each other, but also their similarities. I hope in my role as the Graduate School's Diversity-Inclusion Liaison, I learn from a variety of new cultures, including YOURS. In addition to the Graduate Diversity-Inclusion Liaison, I also am the liaison for the graduate computing programs. I look forward to working with you! Reach out anytime at villarosa@hood.edu.
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 past academic year, we hosted two new events for the 4PLUS program: the 4PLUS induction ceremony, and our 4PLUS mixer and panel. 11 new 4PLUS students were honored at our inaugural induction ceremony, and we had 3 panelists in various stages of the program speak to 19 current undergraduate students. We look forward to honoring our newest inductees into the program on November 15, 2024. Students interested in the program are welcome to attend! Our next mixer and panel event will be during the Spring 2025 semester on April 10, 2025.
Our 4PLUS liaison, Nick Masucci ‘17, also had the opportunity to present data on the program through the SAFIRE research conference on campus. Our presentation focused on an analysis of tuition savings for students, program growth, and the importance of brand awareness for the program. You can click here to see the findings!
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 28 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.
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.
For more information, please email our director of international student services, Amani Al-Dajane, MBA’20, at al-dajane@hood.edu.
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.
We look forward to celebrating our next round of 4PLUS inductees on Nov 15 from 1-2 PM. Friends and families are welcome to attend the celebration! Reach out to our 4PLUS liaison Nick Masucci ’17 at 4PLUS@hood.edu for more information. You can also stop by the graduate school office on the 3rd floor of the Apple Resource Building.
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!
CONTACT & FOLLOW US
Email: GoFurther@hood.edu
Website: www.hood.edu/graduate
Location: 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, Maryland
Phone: (301) 696-3600
LinkedIn: @hood-college
Instagram: @hoodgradschool
Facebook: @HoodGradSchool
TikTok: @hoodgradschool