Hi, Thank you for your interest in being a GEAR Ambassador for 2023-24! "GEAR" stands for Graduate Engagement in Academic Outreach & Recruiting. The GEAR Program is an incentive program for Allen School graduate students to engage in various doctoral program recruiting initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This form is intended for Allen School Ph.D. students seeking a direct way to impact diversity outreach and recruiting for the Ph.D. program. The Allen School is implementing a national conference recruiting strategy by reserving exhibit space (information booth) at the annual conferences of the national organizations listed below. If selected as a GEAR Ambassador, all travel-related expenses (conference registration, airfare, hotel, and meal per diem) will be covered and paid for by the Allen School.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Please fill in this application form to be considered for a GEAR Ambassador position.
AISES American Indian Science and Engineering Society [Oct 19-21, travel dates October 18-21st, Spokane, WA]
The AISES National Conference will host a College and Career Fair on Friday October 20, 2023. It will be the largest college and career fair in the United States for Native college students. AISES provides opportunities and financial support to Native college students to increase access to and boost success in STEM studies in higher education. The vision of AISES is for the next seven generations of Native people to be successful, respected, influential, and contributing members of our vast and ever-changing global community.
SACNAS Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science [Oct 26-28, travel dates October 25-28th, Portland, OR]
SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. The Graduate School & Career Expo will be held on October 26 & 27, 2023. Founded in 1973, SACNAS has over 20,000 members and 110 chapters on college campuses across the United States and United States-held territories.
Description of Responsibilities:
As GEAR Ambassadors, selected students will be attending the conference and staffing the booth (up to 4 hours per day) along with a member of the graduate student services team (typically Les Sessoms, the Recruitment & Retention Specialist). Responsibilities include:
- During the conference: Initiate conversation with prospective students (PS);
- Probe for relevant information regarding preparation, e.g. How much research experience, REU, CS foundational courses, what is their motivation for a Ph.D.? Any publications? Any UW faculty of interest?
- Assess the preparation level of each inquiry made;
- Encourage the PS to fill out the inquiry form and book a virtual appointment with the Recruitment & Retention Specialist;
- Be prepared to discuss our signature programs e.g. DUB REU, “PAMS” (pre-application mentorship service), and also the “CS Next Grad School Prep Workshop” (April of every year);
- To the seniors, remind them of the Allen School Application Prepayment Program and to apply by December 15;
- Collect CV's from future CS faculty and postdocs;
- Encourage the prospective student to book a 1:1 appointment with the Ph.D. Recruiter as a post-conference follow-up
Qualifications:
Open to all UW CSE doctoral students; must be in good academic standing. Must have excellent communication skills with the ability to develop rapport with undergraduate college students. Must have good knowledge of a wide variety of computer science topics and be familiar with the various Allen School research areas and labs.
