graduate resources header image

Graduate Student Resources

Book Stipends | Conference Travel Support | Community of Student Mentors (CSM) | Community Building Activities | Study Networks | Research Cafes | Student Advisement | Professional Development Workshops | Seminar Series


  Book Stipends
 
Financial support to reimburse "AGEP-eligible" students for a portion of the costs associated with their purchase of course or project-related books, supplies, software, etc.

  1. All enrolled "AGEP-eligible" graduate students (doctoral and master´s) may apply for reimbursement of the costs of course or project-related books, supplies, software, etc., up to a maximum of $150 per semester (fall and spring only), however 1st and 2nd year PhD students may request up to $300 per semester (fall and spring only) with a copy of their course syllabus. Books and other study/project items must be related to the students´ major area of study.
  2. Original receipts for allowed items, must be brought (not mailed) to the AGEP Office, E1340 Melville Library.
  3. Students must have an AGEP Registration form on file with the AGEP office


  Conference Travel Support
 
 
Conference Travel Awards will be issued on a biannual basis, with each call being active for six months in synchronization with the fiscal year calendar. A priority deadline date will be established for each call. Applications received by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. All applications received after the priority deadline date will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis, based upon availability of funds. (See: Call for Applications)
 
Financial support to assist in meeting the allowable costs of an enrolled "AGEP-eligible" doctoral or master´s student´s attendance at an appropriate professional conference or meeting related to his/her studies. Such travel and other conference expense support under the program will be limited to a total of $1,200 in allowable costs per conference/meeting; one (1) conference per calendar year per doctoral student and one (1) conference per master´s student over the duration of study (time spent as an enrolled student at Stony Brook University). Standard Research Foundation travel policies and reimbursement limits will apply (http://www.stonybrook.edu/procurement/employees/travel/rf_guidelines.shtml), and original receipts and other customary documentation will be expected at the time reimbursement of expenses is sought by the student. The form to be used in requesting such support can be found here. Under this category of support the following additional conditions will apply:

  1. All students must be registered with the AGEP program.
  2. Enrolled "AGEP-eligible" master´s students will not be eligible for such financial support for conference/meeting attendance until their third semester of study.
  3. The student does not have to be on the conference/meeting program (e.g., giving a paper or presentation; serving on a panel, etc.) to qualify for such support in their first four semesters of study. Thereafter, it is highly preferred that the student be an active participant in the conference.
  4. Students who will be accompanied by a Stony Brook University faculty member from their academic department/program will be given priority for such financial support of conference/meeting attendance.
  5. A master´s student will be able to receive financial support under this category only once during the course of his/her master´s program.
  6. A doctoral student will be able to receive financial support under this category only once per calendar during the course of his/her doctoral program.
  7. There are some limitations to international travel, therefore it is required that those requesting international travel meet face to face with the AGEP program staff to determine the best way to navigate those limitations.
  8. This financial assistance for conference travel does not include events sponsored by SUNY AGEP, including those at SUNY Albany, SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Buffalo. Attendance at SUNY AGEP sponsored events may be funded separately and will not count against the student´s conference travel.


  Writing to Win
 
A service to enhance the writing skills of our AGEP students, as writing is deemed an essential and fundamental skill for the successful acquisition of grants, which is central to academic and scientific careers. Enhanced writing skills put AGEP students at an advantage for submitting competitive fellowships and research applications. Participants who register for this workshop will be paired with a current NSF fellow to work one-on-one on the application essays and submission process. We will establish an application schedule and communicate via e-mail or personal appointments until your application is submitted. To date we have had three winners of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program and two honorable mentions. Information sessions will be announced early in the fall semester.


  Community of Student Mentors (CSM)
 
The Center for Inclusive Education is now accepting applications for mentors and mentees who would like to participate in the Community of Student Mentors Program (CSM). The CSM program is an opportunity for senior level and entering graduate students in the same or similar academic programs to forge relationships centered on the sharing of experiential knowledge and support of one another in successful academic progression. Building on the successes of the previous AGEP Community of Science Mentors program (AGEP-CSM), the Community of Student Mentors program is expanded to include those graduate students in the humanities and social sciences who would also be interested in developing a peer to peer mentoring relationship with fellow graduate students.
 
Applications for both senior level graduate student mentors and entering graduate student mentees are available here.


  Community Building Activities
 
Community Building Activities throughout the academic year to enrich the academic environment and provide opportunities for students to network with each other such as monthly socials, fall orientations/welcome receptions, and workshops on topics such as communicating scientific research and securing internships. Keep checking our website for the latest news and activities.


  Study Networks
 
AGEP provides Academic services in the form of tutoring, structured study groups, and summer workshops. Please contact our office for more information.


  Research Cafes
  Our goal is to bridge academic connections and communications by providing a platform for AGEP students to present their research outside of their department to a broader audience, which promotes cross discipline knowledge and collaborations. Research Cafes are held monthly and are moderated by a Turner Postdoctoral Faculty Trainee. The duration of the event does not exceed 30 minutes to ensure that interested but busy individuals can still accommodate it into their schedules


  Student Advisement
  AGEP leadership provide student advisement to AGEP students focuses on (1) an appreciation for the diversity they bring to the campus and the potential they have to transform historical trends of underrepresentation (2) an understanding of graduate school hardships, particularly issues facing minority students (3) empowerment to deal with the isolation associated with the low minority representation in their department or field (4) a deep commitment to the completion of their degree and successful transition into the professional ranks, (5) general academic guidance and professional development


  Professional Development Workshops
  The primary purpose of these workshops is to connect AGEP graduate students with resources and individuals who can help foster their professional development and entrance into the professoriate. Examples of past workshops are:

  • CV & Resume Writing
  • When Professors Say "X", they Really Mean "Y"
  • Money Management for Graduate Students
  • Speaking About Science
  • Secret Tips for Preparing a Winning Fellowship Application


  Speaker/Seminar Series
  The AGEP Program in conjunction with the Center for Inclusive Education hosts a speaker series for our students and for the graduate student population as a whole.
 
Examples of past speakers are:

  • Dr. Jorge Cham of Piled Higher and Deeper Comics "The Power of Procrastination"
  • Dr. Desiree A. Byrd of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine "HIV Neuropsychology: Insights from biomarkers & health disparities"
  • Dr. Bonita London of the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University "Navigating your Professional Career: Overcoming Imposterism, Embracing Success"
  • Dr. Carlos Castillo Chavez, Professor of Applied Mathematics, Arizona State University “Building & Linking Communities through Mathematics: Adventures of a Mathematical Biologist”
  • Dr. Mark Hernandez, Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder/Director of the Colorado Diversity Initiative “Leadership, Reciprocity and our Disappearing Mentors”
  • Dr. Glake Hill, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Jackson State Mississippi “Growth of a Lion; Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists”
  • Dr. Calvin Mackie, Tulane University, “Achieving Personal Greatness” Film Screening: "Naturally Obsessed; the Making of a Scientist"