- Gradstudents - mailman.cs.vt.edu

Welcome Sara Coulson
by Cliff Shaffer 29 Jan '24

29 Jan '24

Join me in welcoming Sara Coulson to the CS Department! She is our new Director of the Office of Graduate Programs, taking over the position previously held by Trey Mayo. Sara comes to us from Radford University where she was most recently International Admissions and Education Abroad Coordinator, and before that Assistant Director of Academic Advising. So she brings a wealth of knowledge about the various IT systems that we use at Virginia Tech, extensive experience with international students, and academic advising skills. We are so sorry to lose Trey Mayo, who has gone to be an Assistant Dean at William and Mary. But we are fortunate to have such a highly qualified new member of the graduate program team in Sara Coulson! -- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer

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First Digital Education Reading Group Meeting for Spring 2024
by Cliff Shaffer 28 Jan '24

28 Jan '24

We invite you to join us for our first Digital Education Reading Group Meeting for Spring 2024. This will be Friday, February 2 at 11:00AM, by Zoom at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/shaffer. Our paper will be: https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3478431.3499389 Tracking Large Class Projects in Real-Time Using Fine-Grained Source Control More broadly, I hope to have a discussion about how having "real-timeish" data to provide to a GTA on student progress on the current programming assignment can help the GTA interact with the student. Hope to see you on Friday! Note that we will not advertise future group meetings to this listserv. If you are interested in the Digital Education Research Group and our reading group meetings, feel free to join our Google Group at https://groups.google.com/g/digital-education-research-at-vt -- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer

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[Open House Event] Reimagining Equity and Accessibility in Computing for Humanity (REACH) Lab at VT
by Williams, Ihudiya 27 Jan '24

27 Jan '24

Hello! I would like to cordially invite members of the graduate and undergraduate CS community to REACH Lab's Open House on January 31st, 2024, from 3 pm to 6 pm. The event will take place at 220 Gilbert St in Gilbert Place 3001. REACH Lab<http://reach.cs.vt.edu/> is currently recruiting for part-time research positions (undergraduate and graduate). The goal of this open house is to expose students to a career in academia and inform students about part-time research positions at REACH. We aim to engage with students from various backgrounds to bring new perspectives into the field. With that in mind, we look forward to your attendance! Attached to this email are flyers with the information provided in this email, along with the RSVP link. Please RSVP by January 29, 2024. We look forward to seeing you (yes you) at the open house! Sincerely, REACH Lab RSVP LINK: https://bit.ly/3S0oNUN More about REACH Lab: REACH Lab<http://reach.cs.vt.edu/> is an HCI research lab in the Department of Computer Science. We are currently actively recruiting part-time research assistants at 20 dollars an hour. Interested applicants should apply here: http://bit.ly/applytoreachlab. Upcoming research projects can be found on Handshake under Job #8594616. Best, Dr. Williams [https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zDEVb9qkqBTdIIH2dlXN0GcICb…] Dr. Ihudiya Finda Williams Assistant Professor Virginia Tech | Department of Computer Science Address: 620 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Email: iogburu(a)vt.edu<mailto:iogburu@umich.edu> Website<http://www.ihudiyawilliams.com/> | LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/in/ihudiyawilliams> | Schedule a Meeting<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/c5efbccff6f543b9b9401e7adf09e322…>

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Friday seminar: "How to Succeed in Research as a CS Graduate Student"
by Cal Ribbens 25 Jan '24

25 Jan '24

Dr. Shaffer will be giving a presentation tomorrow (Friday, Jan 26) at 2:30 in Torgersen 3100 on "How to Succeed as a Research-track Graduate Student". If you are relatively new to the department and are planning to do an MS thesis or a PhD, I highly recommend this! In person recommended. Zoom option at https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/83928441335?pwd=UFFVbjZibkVIaVFsdXpoVXFKS3lG… Dr. R. -- Head, Department of Computer Science Virginia Tech

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Reading Group on Convex Analysis
by Bansal, Akshay 24 Jan '24

24 Jan '24

Hi all, Hope you have had a great start to the Spring semester! We, in collaboration with some research groups at VT are planning to organize a reading group on "Convex Analysis" this semester (starting February). The primary focus of this reading group will be to work through classical results in convex analysis, with the possibility of exploring "modern convex analysis" towards the end of the semester. The plan is to work through a textbook in convex analysis, and here are a few options: 1. "Convex Analysis<https://convexoptimization.com/TOOLS/AnalyRock.pdf>" by Rockafellar 2. "Convex Analysis and Minimization Algorithms<https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-662-02796-7>" by Hiriart-Urruty and Lemarechal 3. "An Easy Path to Convex Analysis and Applications<https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-26458-0>" by Mordukhovich and Nam We plan to meet once a week for approximately 1.5 hours (tentatively on Fridays). Each session will have assigned readings, and participants can take turns leading the discussion on the material. If you are interested, please have a look at the above references to get an idea on the weekly readings. Please drop me an email at akshaybansal(a)vt.edu<mailto:akshaybansal@vt.edu> for any questions. Best, Akshay

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CS|Source: Announcements & Opportunities | January 24, 2024
by Watson, Joan 24 Jan '24

24 Jan '24

[cid:image001.png@01DA4EE2.9468C300] !! THIS AFTERNOON !! [Image] Working In Professional Environments (sponsored by Peraton) Wednesday, January 24, 2024 • 6:00 PM • 1100 Torgersen Hall Greg Caufman, the Director of Operations at Peraton in Blacksburg, invites you to attend the workshop “Working in Professional Environments” to discuss and prepare for making the transition from student to career professional in innovative tech roles. Space is still available! Undergraduate Interns Needed in the PRIME Lab in CS@VT Dr. Yan Chen's (ych(a)vt.edu<mailto:ych@vt.edu>) research group at PRIME Lab (https://chensivan.github.io/) , Blacksburg, has several internship openings for undergraduates. These projects involve Large Language Models (LLMs), data analytics, and visualization systems. There are both unpaid and paid positions available. We are especially interested in students with experience in database development (e.g., PostgreSQL), full-stack visualization system design and implementation (e.g., d3.js, Node.js), and/or conducting lab studies (including recruitment, IRB processes, and user data analysis). If you are interested, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/jKSGXFYJ5BkCY1XCA The Carey Lab in Biological Sciences is hiring two undergraduate technicians for Spring and Summer 2024. Please see the attached flyer for more details and application information. Note: Applications for this position are due via email by February 1st, 2024. Break Through Tech AI - Application Now Open! The Break Through Tech AI Virtual Program is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 cohort, which will begin in June 2024! The priority application deadline is Monday, February 5 at 11:59 PM (PT), and the final application deadline is Monday, March 18 at 11:59 PM (PT). Apply here: https://ecornell.cornell.edu/portal/break-through-tech-ai-application/. An initiative of Cornell Tech, Break Through Tech AI is a paid, 1-year extracurricular experience that helps undergraduate college women (trans and cis), nonbinary, and other underrepresented groups in tech gain the skills they need to get jobs in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The program includes an online Machine Learning course over the summer, followed by industry challenges and mentorship and career coaching during the Fall and Spring - all meant to help you launch your career in AI and Machine Learning. All accepted participants who successfully complete the program will receive a $2,000 award. Complete the interest form to join the mailing list for application updates and reminders, and to register for upcoming virtual information sessions.<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS5zVGyczPPsC0CFIhbqt87fBRW06yaID…> For any questions or concerns, please contact Abby Kawola (amk295(a)cornell.edu<mailto:amk295@cornell.edu>). See the attached flyer for more details. [Image] Apply NOW to the CGI Consulting Challenge! Applications are due by February 7, 2024. See the attached flyer for more information. Spring 2024 CS|Source MOCK Career Fair Thursday, February 8, 2024 • 1:00-4:00 PM • 1100 Torgersen Register HERE<https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hGiVYK0Q-kCGPU8yweOjelv…> to participate! SAVE THE DATE! CS|Source Stakeholder Information Sessions Sunday, February 11, 2024 • 10 AM – 5 PM • Torgersen Hall We will be providing specific details about stakeholder companies and the time/location of their information sessions. SAVE THE DATE! Spring 2024 CS|Source Career Fair SAVE THE DATE! Monday, February 12, 2024 • Commonwealth Ballroom, Squires Student Center Please see the attached flyer for important details about admittance times! [Image] Technical Interview Workshop, Q&A, and Pizza! (sponsored by GEICO) Tuesday, February 13, 2024 • 12:00-1:30 PM • 1100 Torgersen SAVE THE DATE! A registration link and workshop details will be provided closer to the day of the event. Employer Panel Discussion: The Who, What, When, Where & Why of Internships Tuesday, February 13, 2024 • 5:00 – 6:00 PM • 2150 Torgersen Hall Please join us for this moderated employer panel that unpacks the value and processes involved in industry internships. Discussion will include processes such as submitting applications, creating an impactful resume, interviewing, professionalism in the workplace, what to expect as an intern, etc., as well as the value and significance of completing an internship during college. Students are encouraged to bring their own questions about internships to ask our in-person panelists from some of our largest employers, including Lockheed Martin, GEICO, CGI, and Peraton. Registration is required. REGISTER HERE by February 9: https://forms.office.com/r/guZz6XiRvK [See attached flyer for more information.] Employer Panel Discussion: Professionalism & Ethics in Computer Science Tuesday, February 13, 2024 • 6:30 – 7:30 PM • 1100 Torgersen Hall Representatives from some of the largest employers of CS students will be on hand to discuss the role of professionalism and ethics in computer science careers. Discussion will include professionalism in the workplace; corporate/tech innovations and social/environmental responsibilities; personal accountability in team environments; engaging in continuing professional, career, and personal development opportunities, etc. Students are encouraged to bring their own questions to pose to our employer panelists. Registration is required; attendance is limited to 70 students due to room capacity. REGISTER HERE by February 9: https://forms.office.com/r/1wkCD09gGS [See attached flyer for more information.] *************** Joan Monahan Watson, Ph.D. Director of Administrative Operations Department of Computer Science Virginia Tech 3160D Torgersen Hall 620 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 Phone: 540.231.8874 Email: jmwatson(a)vt.edu<mailto:jmwatson@vt.edu>

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For Graduating MS/PhD Students: Student Activity Reports
by Cliff Shaffer 24 Jan '24

24 Jan '24

This message is only for MS/PhD students who plan to graduate this semester. The Student Activity Report is used both for annual evaluations, and as raw data for Departmental program evaluations. As such, we need to ensure that we gather reasonably up-to-date information from everyone. For this reason, I will require everyone to submit their 2024 SAR before I will sign off on scheduling a FINAL EXAM through the Grad School online system. SAR information can be found at https://gpc.cs.vt.edu/. You will need to log in with your CS account credentials (NOT your University password). Once you are logged in, you should see a pulldown menu tab in the top line labeled SAR. Remember that you can import the information from the SAR you gave in the prior year. So you should only need to update things (milestones, publications, funding) for this year if you did this properly last year. Please make sure to include all publications, including those planned for submission, during your time at VT. This is especially critical to our assessments. Thank you! -- Dr. Cliff Shaffer Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies Department of Computer Science Phone: (540) 231-4354 Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 WWW: www.cs.vt.edu/~shaffer

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Fwd: Tapia 2024 - Call for Participation is Now Open!
by Mohammed Seyam 23 Jan '24

23 Jan '24

Hello CS Grads! Please check below for opportunities to participate in TAPIA 2024. Students with accepted submissions will be considered for CS@VT-funded scholarships to attend the conference. Let me know if you have any questions. Best regards.. ---------- Forwarded message --------- Tapia 2024 - Call for Participation is Now Open! View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/cmd-it/tapia-2023-call-for-participation-is-now-open-156…> Tapia 2024 Call for Participation NOW OPEN! The Call for Participation for Tapia 2024 is now open! We *invite you to submit* any of the following program components: - *Panels and Workshops: *Sessions on current technical topics such as AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, as well as topics related to broadening participation in computing and professional development for diverse communities - *Birds of a Feather (BoF): *Sessions that provide an informal, town-hall like forum for the discussion of technical or social issues among interested parties, providing a venue for communities (existing or dynamically organized) to network and collaborate - *Scholarships:* Students and post-docs at institutions in the U.S. or U.S. Territories and faculty at Minority Serving Institutions are welcome to apply for a Tapia scholarship - *Student Posters/ACM Student Research Competition (SRC):* Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to present their latest research results and methodologies - *Doctoral Consortium:* PhD candidates have the opportunity to present and discuss their research with a panel of established researchers The submission deadline for all components is: *February 26, 2024, 11:59 PM HST *(Hawaii Standard Time)*.* Submit Today! <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> The *CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing* conference is the premier venue to acknowledge, promote and celebrate diversity in computing. The Tapia Conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities to: - *Celebrate the diversity* that exists in computing - *Connect with others* with common backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, and gender to create communities that extend beyond the conference - *Get advice* from and make contacts with computing leaders in academia and industry - *Be inspired* by great presentations and conversations with leaders with common backgrounds The Tapia Conference brings together CMD-IT’s target communities: *African Americans/Blacks, Native Americans/Indigenous People, Hispanics/Latinxs, and People with Disabilities*. Please visit tapiaconference.org <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> for additional details. [image: Twitter] <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> [image: Facebook] <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> [image: Instagram] <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> [image: LinkedIn] <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> [image: Website] <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…> *Our mailing address is:* CMD-IT, 1244 State St, Suite 360, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/profile?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5&id=…> or unsubscribe from this list <https://cmd-it.us12.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=f719871b72a9a1ee359bdf3a5…>. -- *Mohammed Seyam <https://website.cs.vt.edu/people/faculty/mohammed-seyam.html>, *PhD Collegiate Assistant Professor Coordinator for Experiential Learning <https://xl.vt.edu/> Department of Computer Science <http://cs.vt.edu/> Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VirginiaTech <http://www.vt.edu/>). Website <https://cs.vt.edu/people/faculty/mohammed-seyam.html>|LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/msseyam/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/MSSeyam> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Fwd: CAPWIC2024: Submission deadline is February 9, 2024
by Mohammed Seyam 23 Jan '24

23 Jan '24

Hello CS Grads! Please check below for opportunities to participate in CAPWIC 2024. Students with accepted submissions will be considered for CS@VT-funded scholarships to attend the conference. Let me know if you have any questions. Best regards.. ---------- Forwarded message --------- The conference will be hosted by The University of Virginia, on April 5-6, 2024. All levels of experience are welcome. <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001bf_EFSpFJCfQFXWmpuC-9wDxhemR2SU-Un6qU12_eKt…> ACM Capital Region Celebration of Women in Computing (CAPWIC 2024 <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001bf_EFSpFJCfQFXWmpuC-9wDxhemR2SU-Un6qU12_eKt…>) The University of Virginia <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001bf_EFSpFJCfQFXWmpuC-9wDxhemR2SU-Un6qU12_eKt…>, April 5-6, 2024. CAPWIC is the ACM Capital Region Celebration of Women in Computing and provides a low-cost, regionally tailored, small conference for women in computing. The goal of CAPWIC is to bring together female students and allies to promote the recruitment, retention, and progression of women in computing fields. Submission deadline: February 9, 2024 Submission link: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=capwic2024 <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001bf_EFSpFJCfQFXWmpuC-9wDxhemR2SU-Un6qU12_eKt…> Submission Guidelines: We invite submissions in the area of computing research as well as on efforts to increase diversity in computing in the following formats: - Flash Talks: Five-minute presentations with five minutes for questions. Fast-paced talks on preliminary results, work-in progress, or anything fun and creative related to the conference are welcome in this category. All levels of experience are welcome. - Student Posters: Before the conference, presenters create a 24” x 32” poster of research, a class project, or other type of work-in-progress including efforts to diversify computing and are present at the poster during the session to discuss content. Open to all students. Prizes will be awarded. - Student Research Shorts: Research shorts are an opportunity to give a 15-minute presentation with an additional 5 minutes for questions, similar to a talk at a research conference. Work should be technical in nature, investigating new ideas in any area of computer science. The intention is to give presenters a friendly environment in which to practice a future technical talk or work out details in an ongoing project to get constructive feedback. Only an abstract is required, so future publication of the work is not limited. - Technical Workshops: Workshops present a valuable and current technical skill in a hands-on training session. Proposals must include abstract, the intended audience and power/AV equipment/space needs. - Panels: Panels present multiple perspectives on a topic. Proposals should include an abstract, a list of presenters including their affiliation and perspective, along with a proposed length of 25 or 50 minutes. - Birds-of-a-Feather: Birds-of-a-feather (BOF) sessions are opportunities for a group of participants with similar concerns to have an informal discussion. BOF sessions will be 30 minutes. - Technical Talks: 25 minute technical talk with 5 minutes for questions on a relevant and current technical topic. Priority given to younger faculty and industry partners. More info -> <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001bf_EFSpFJCfQFXWmpuC-9wDxhemR2SU-Un6qU12_eKt…> CAPWIC 2024 <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001bf_EFSpFJCfQFXWmpuC-9wDxhemR2SU-Un6qU12_eKt…> CAPWIC | CAPWIC, Harrisonburg, VA 22807-0001 Unsubscribe seyam(a)vt.edu <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001pxETg31Ia_ijuNRf5WaPzA%3D&…> Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001pxETg31Ia_ijuNRf5WaPzA%3D&…> | Constant Contact Data Notice <http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/about-constant-contact> Sent by duanzx(a)jmu.edu powered by [image: Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.] <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF21_CPE&pn=ROVING&nav=…> Try email marketing for free today! <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF21_CPE&pn=ROVING&nav=…> -- *Mohammed Seyam <https://website.cs.vt.edu/people/faculty/mohammed-seyam.html>, *PhD Collegiate Assistant Professor Coordinator for Experiential Learning <https://xl.vt.edu/> Department of Computer Science <http://cs.vt.edu/> Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VirginiaTech <http://www.vt.edu/>). Website <https://cs.vt.edu/people/faculty/mohammed-seyam.html>|LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/in/msseyam/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/MSSeyam> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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VT ICPC participation
by Godmar Back 22 Jan '24

22 Jan '24

The ICPC is primarily directed at undergraduates, but some grad students may be eligible and interested as well. See below for more information: We're calling all interested students who want to participate in the 23/24 ICPC programming competition season. Our tryout contest is taking place Jan 27, preregistration is required. For detailed information, see https://icpc.cs.vt.edu/blog/icpc23/ or contact Dr. Godmar Back at gback(a)vt.edu. - Godmar

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