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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It's a week filled with math events! |
You're welcome at all of these events -- please join us!
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Wednesday: Math & Stats Club |
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| Thursday: Alumni in Residence |
Meet 2022 GVSU math Alumnus in Residence Lucas Smielewski at two events. Lucas is now a Scouting Analyst for the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Pizza meet-and-greet Thursday November 6, noon-1 in the PCS. Meet Lucas and ask questions about his work, sports analytics, and more. Plus, pizza!
- Mathball! Thursday November 6, 4 - 5 pm in Loutit 103.
The 2025 Milwaukee Brewers had the best MLB regular season record (97W and 65L) by prioritizing player development, efficient roster construction, and strategic, often unconventional, on-field strategies that defy traditional analytics. Learn how data analytics make for good baseball decisions and what it's like to work in the big leagues!
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Friday November 7: Math Circle: Liar's Bingo! 1 - 2:30 pm in the PCS.
Join us to explore fun math! We'll play a new type of bingo:
can you catch the liar?
Come any time, leave any time. Everyone is welcome!
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Upcoming math & stats events |
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new! Thursday November 13: Pizza dinner with a grad student, 5 - 6 pm in the PCS. Have dinner with Julie Geraci, a 6th year graduate student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Join us for pizza and discussion about what grad school is, how it works, applications, research, and more. Whether you're curious about grad school or already applying, this is for you!
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new! Friday November 14: Student seminar: Introduction to Neural Codes, Rings, and Ideals. 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.
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Register soon! Monday November 17: Statistics Career Day. All day in Kirkhof. Includes a keynote, breakout sessions, and employers. Math students are welcome! Free registration is required (or $5 for a box lunch) by November 10.
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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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| 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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tomorrow! MTTC Test Prep Webinar: Thursday November 6, 3 - 4 pm. The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification is required for all education students. This webinar will help you navigate that process, including finding test prep materials, registering, and reading a score report. Register here, and find general MTTC info here.
- 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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Featured research opportunity:
Undergraduate Research Scholar designation
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Have you completed two semesters of mentored scholarship, or one OURS Summer Program (like Student Summer Scholars) and shared your work on- and off-campus?
You can apply for a Undergraduate Research Scholar transcript designation. This adds a note to your transcript about your level of research experience, and also qualifies you for special cords at graduation.
Applications are due Friday December 5 if you're graduating in fall, or in April for winter graduates. Earlier is better.
There are several parts to the application, including a faculty endorsement and up-to-date CV. Start soon!
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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.
- 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.
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Modified S3: Similar to S3, but half time and half pay. Talk with a mentor soon if you're interested!
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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 7 at 5 pm: Last day to withdraw from classes with a "W" grade.
- November 26 - 30: Thanksgiving break (No classes Wednesday through Friday).
- December 6 - 13: Exam week!
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One important thing to know:
Withdraw with a "W" deadline
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This Friday, November 7 at 5:00 pm, is the final deadline to withdraw from a class. If you withdraw, you’ll have a “W” grade listed on your transcript, but it won’t count in your GPA. After that, you’ll have to stay in all classes and will earn a final grade.
If you are thinking about withdrawing from a class, talk to your professor and your advisor first (and as soon as possible)! We can help you think through plans and consider ways to catch up that you might not know about. Plus, withdrawing may affect your financial aid and other things too. If you’re unsure, check in with your professors as soon as possible.
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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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