GVSU Math Major Newsletter |
This newsletter comes to your inbox each week from the GVSU math department. You can find past newsletters and information about previously announced events and opportunities at the newsletter webpage.
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This week: Seminar and grad student visit |
You're welcome at all of these events -- please join us!
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Thursday: Pizza with a grad student |
tomorrow! Pizza dinner with a grad student, Thursday November 13, 5 - 6 pm in the PCS.
Have pizza and chat with Julie Geraci, a 6th year graduate student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Join us for discussion with a current grad student about what grad school is, how it works, applications, research, and more.
Whether you've never thought about grad school or are already applying, this is for you! Join us any time.
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Introduction to Neural Codes, Rings, and Ideals, Friday November 14, 1 - 2 pm in the PCS.
Julie Geraci from University of Nebraska-Lincoln will speak about her research on Neural Codes, Rings, and Ideals as well as UNL's graduate program. Everyone is welcome!
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Tuesday: Last Lecture by Dr. David Austin |
Last Lecture by Dr. David Austin, Tuesday November 18, 5 - 6:30 in Kirkhof 2270.
The "Last Lecture" is hosted by the Student Senate to honor a professor who has made a profound impact on the Grand Valley community. It's inspired by the idea of sharing wisdom as if it were their final opportunity to speak to students. Come learn from Dr. Austin!
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Friday November 21: Applied Math Seminar, 1 - 2 pm in the PCS. Dr. David McClendon from Ferris State will speak on analyzing methods used to measure recruiting classes of major college football programs and assign star ratings to recruits.
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Every Friday at 1pm in the Peer Collaboration Space (MAK A-2-610). The math department hosts events throughout the semester on Fridays at 1pm. Keep this time available so you can attend. Everyone is welcome!
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Featured career opportunity:
OURFA2M2 free virtual conference
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OURFA2M2 is the Online Undergraduate Resource Fair for the Advancement & Alliance of Marginalized Mathematicians
The 6th OURFA2M2 Conference will be held on February 7-8, 2026. It includes "crash courses" on math topics, resource presentations, stories, and panels from professional mathematicians.
Check out their website for more info and also subscribe to OURFA2M2's incredibly useful monthly newsletter.
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Career and internship opportunities |
What can you do with a math major? Check out job and salary info from GVSU alumni:
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- Employer of the day: A new employer comes to campus every week.
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Community-Based Work Study: If you are eligible for work study, this is a chance to earn money and make a difference in your community.
- Applied Math Capstone opportunities: Applied math majors should read these right away!
- Register soon for MTH 498 - Project-based Applied Mathematics (Capstone). Applied math majors who intend to graduate by Fall 2026 need to take MTH 498 this winter.
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Capstone credit for your internship (MTH 490): Applied math majors can get capstone credit for a mathy internship. The process to get approved for MTH 490 takes time -- email or talk to Dr. Clark right away to get the process started. Don't wait!
- The GVSU Career Center can help you find career and internship opportunities:
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Career Communities: Tailored communication about job & internship postings, events, and resources related to the industry area you are interested in. New communities have been added for Education; Engineering, Technology, & Data; and Science and Research.
- CareerLab offers drop-in hours virtually and in-person.
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Unpaid Internship Support. If you find an internship and register for MTH 490 but aren't paid for it, you can apply for up to $1500! There are many details; click the link for more.
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Math education opportunities |
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MI Future Educator Stipend. Applications are now open for this $9,600 one-time stipend is for students in their student teaching ("internship") semester.
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MI Future Educator Fellowship. Applications are now open for a $10,000 scholarship for future educators, renewable for up to three years. There is a commitment to teach in a Michigan school as part of the fellowship.
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Teach in Tanzania. Priority application deadline is December 1, final application deadline is February 1. Explore the rich culture and beauty of Tanzania while teaching and studying issues in education in the US and Tanzania. Learn from and interact with teachers and students in a different culture. Can count as your math capstone and other class credit as well.
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Research and grad school opportunities |
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new! Free practice GRE test. Register by December 4 at 5 pm, access to the test runs for 60 days after December 6th. Experience a full-length, computer-based practice GRE exam. This event will give you a chance to experience all sections of the exam, and a feel for the timing of the real test.
- GVSU paid research opportunities: There are many ways to complete a research project at GVSU and get paid for it. Here are a few:
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Kindschi Research Fellowship: Applications for Winter 2026 are due November 14. This offers funding (pay!) for 5-10 hours of research per week during a semester or an entire year, plus extra funds to support dissemination and travel.
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Student Summer Scholars (S3): Applications for Summer 2026 are due February 6. Apply with a mentor to be funded for a 12 week, 40 hour per week summer project. Pay is $5000 plus some travel funding too. There's also a Modified S3: Similar to S3, but half time and half pay. Talk with a mentor soon if you're interested!
- Graduate school information: Interested in graduate school? Did you know that most math graduate programs are funded (that is, they pay you to complete a masters or doctorate)? Talk with your advisor or Dr. Clark and use these resources too.
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Finding graduate programs: Looking for graduate programs to apply to? Here are two websites that will help find and filter graduate programs that are right for you: USA/Canada Math PhD Programs GRE Requirements and AMS Find Grad Programs.
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Learning about graduate school: Want to learn more about what graduate school is and how to prepare for it? Try these sites: Grad Guide (advice on applying to graduate school), STEM Graduate Programs website (help creating resumes, applying to fellowships, and more).
- Grad school advertisements: Sometimes we hear directly from graduate programs that are looking for students. Here's one we heard from recently:
- Northern Arizona University has funded masters' programs in math, stats, and math education. No GRE required; teaching assistantships are offered to most students.
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Fellowship opportunities: Fellowships are a big category of research-related opportunities that can pay you to complete research internships, offer tuition support, and more. GVSU keeps a large list of fellowships. Here are one of particular interest to math majors:
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Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI): A research internship offered by the Department of Energy during Summer 2026. You can work at a national lab on a project of national interest. Applications are due January 7, 2026.
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AWM Student Essay Contest: Interview and write a biography of a woman or other person in an underrepresented gender identity who has a mathematical career. Prizes include money, publication, and an AWM membership. Submissions are open now and are due February 1, 2026.
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Put these dates on your calendar!
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- November 26 - 30: Thanksgiving break (No classes Wednesday through Friday).
- December 6 - 13: Final exam week!
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One important thing to know:
Make sure you're registered for the right classes!
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Are you registered for next semester’s classes?
Have you double-checked that you're in the right classes?
If not, or if you need to make changes, now is the time to do it! Take a moment to review your classes on Banner (log in to Banner Self-Service → Student tab → Registration).
If you need advice about which classes to take, or if you think you should change your classes based on this semester, talk with your advisor soon and make a plan!
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If you have any questions about the newsletter, suggestions for things to add, or general advising questions, please email me!
David Clark
clarkdav@gvsu.edu
Mathematics Advising and Engagement Coordinator
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1 Campus Drive
A-2-178 Mackinac Hall
Allendale, MI 49401
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