Symposium on Graduate Education
Three Magic Letters: Getting to Ph.D.
A symposium for graduate faculty, students, and alumni
Monday, February 26, 2007, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Illini Union Rooms B & C
Program
For their landmark study, Three Magic Letters: Getting to Ph.D., keynote speakers Michael T. Nettles and Catherine M. Millett surveyed more than 9,000 students from the top 21 doctorate-granting institutions in the United States. Their findings shed light on the diversity of factors critical to doctoral degree completion, particularly the significance of engaged faculty mentors and adequate institutional funding.
1:00 p.m. WELCOME & INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Illini Union Rooms B & C
Richard Wheeler, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate College
1:15 p.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Illini Union Rooms B & C
A JOINT VENTURE: UNIVERSITIES AND STUDENTS ACHIEVING HIGH QUALITY DOCTORAL EDUCATION
Dr. Michael T. Nettles, Senior Vice President for Policy Evaluation and Research at Educational Testing Service.
Dr. Catherine M. Millett, Research Scientist in the Policy Evaluation and Research Center at Educational Testing Service.
2:45 p.m. BREAK
3:00 p.m. MAKING THE MAGIC HAPPEN: IMPROVING GRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCES
Student Session: Illini Union Room 314
Faculty Session: Illini Union Room 407
Students and faculty are partners for graduate student success. Students must be proactive, energetic, and take responsibility for charting their own course of study and research agenda. Faculty must be responsive, supportive, informative, and available. This session will discuss the challenges that graduate students might face and explore the reasons for these challenges, including contradictory student and faculty expectations, the importance of clear communication, and different faculty advising styles. Graduate students and faculty will meet in two separate rooms but will explore the same case studies and discussion questions. We encourage you to continue these discussions — between faculty & students — at the reception that follows.
Student Session
Kim Graber, Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, Moderator
Faculty Session
Dale Brashers, Associate Professor, Department of Speech Communication, Moderator
