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Weekly Digest Jan. 12

January 12, 2026

To Graduate Students, Graduate Support Staff, & Directors of Graduate Education | Week of January 12, 2026

Below are this week’s updates from the Graduate College, including professional development resources, partnership opportunities, and upcoming programs and events. Please follow the links provided for more information.

🧰 Resources & Reminders

  • Teaching Assistant Training: New to being a teaching assistant at Iowa State? This interactive Zoom workshop introduces policies, resources, and best practices for effective teaching. Participants will work through real classroom scenarios in breakout rooms and hear from a panel of Dean of Students Office experts. ➡️ Register here

  • Digital Accessibility Training: New digital accessibility training is available to all graduate students through Workday Learning. Graduate Teaching Assistants are strongly encouraged to complete this training to learn best practices for creating accessible instructional materials. ➡️ Complete Online Training

  • Career Conversations: Strategic Career Planning for Graduate Students: This interactive workshop explores strategies for developing an actionable career roadmap that aligns with professional goals and supports success throughout graduate education. 

🤝 Partners

  • CyMath: Math for STEM Success: Grade to Grad School is a free two-day hybrid workshop focused on math teaching, communication, and long-term STEM success. This opportunity is open to graduate students, faculty, and others interested in math education and outreach.

    • Dates: Friday, January 30 (afternoon) & Saturday, January 31 (morning)

    • Registration: FREE. ➡️ Register here

  • Tufts Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards Program (IRACDA): The IRACDA Program is an NIH-funded postdoctoral training opportunity at Tufts University that prepares scientists for academic careers through a combination of biomedical research, teaching, and professional development.

    • Live Virtual Info Session: Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 4:00–5:00 p.m. (CT). Registration required. ➡️ Register here

    • Application deadline: March 15, 2026. ➡️ Learn more and apply

  • Food Resilience Fellows Program: Applications are open for a one-year fellowship supporting graduate students, postdocs, and early–mid career professionals interested in sustainable and resilient food systems. Fellows receive up to $1,200 in financial support, collaborate with USDA-NIFA project teams, and gain skills in leadership, team science, and proposal development.

  • I-RAISE (Iowa Research Administration Internship Student Experience): Applications are now open for the third cohort of I-RAISE, a year-long internship and career exploration program in research administration. The program is open to ISU graduate and undergraduate students from any major and includes a classroom bootcamp, a Summer 2026 internship at ISU research units/centers, and additional rotations through the 2026–27 academic year.

🏛 Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS)

  • 14th Annual GPSS Research Conference: Graduate and professional students are invited to present research, creative work, and innovative ideas at the 14th Annual GPSS Research Conference.

    • Theme: Shaping the Future: Graduate Leadership in Research, Technology, and Innovation

    • Date: February 20, 2026. 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

    • Location: Great Hall, Memorial Union

    • Highlights: Poster, creative, and oral presentations; keynote speakers; networking opportunities

    • Awards: Cash prizes up to $750, plus a $300 People’s Choice Award

    • Registration deadline: February 9, 2026 ➡️ Register Here ➡️ Learn more here

  • Professional Advancement Grant (PAG): GPSS is also accepting funding requests from graduate and professional students seeking financial support for conference travel. Applications are considered on a monthly basis. ➡️ Learn more here: Awards Information | Allocations | PAG Program

Questions? Contact the Graduate College at grad_college@iastate.edu or visit us at www.grad-college.iastate.edu