The UH Graduate School has an Ombudsperson for Graduate and Professional Students. The Ombudsperson provides a safe setting for graduate and professional students to confidentially raise and discuss their concerns about workplace and academic issues, address interpersonal difficulties, and receive assistance in identifying options for resolving the conflicts and concerns.

What an Ombudsperson Does

• Provides a confidential forum for raising issues and expressing concerns.
• Listens without judgement and offers impartial feedback.
• Assists the graduate/professional student in exploring options to address concerns.
• Identifies and refers the graduate/professional student to resources for addressing problems and concerns.
• Clarifies policies and procedures that apply to the graduate/professional student’s problem or issue.
• Provides coaching on effective communication for difficult conversations.
• Analyzes and reports trends in complaints and concerns, and provides recommendations for institutional improvements.
• Promotes highest standards of university governance and a supportive, ethical and healthy organizational culture.

UH Ombudsperson - Funda Suhin, Ph.D.
Dr. Suhin is an associate professor of supply chain management. Her teaching and research interests are in operations and supply chain management. She is passionate about the UH community and student well-being. Over her career, she has worked with graduate students in a wide variety of roles, including teaching graduate courses, directing graduate student research, and coordinating a doctoral program in Bauer College of Business. She has served on numerous committees related to graduate student education and policies, and as a graduate student mentor.

Learn More about the Office of Ombuds Services

Contact the Ombudsperson: gradombuds@uh.edu

The LS-PAC MODELS Center announced the 2024 Building Future Faculty in STEM Program to be held July 14-17 at Baton Rouge Marriott in Baton Rouge, LA. The Building Future Faculty in STEM Program is open to doctoral students in their last two years of study and postdoctoral scholars.

Attendees will gain an understanding of how to navigate the academic job market, the importance of mentorship, how to balance expectations, and how to thrive as an early career faculty member. Emphasis is placed on providing mentoring, professional development, and networking opportunities in support of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines. These groups include African-American/Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, or Hispanic/Latinx.

All expenses (lodging, transportation, and meals) are covered for accepted participants.

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Interest in an academic career in STEM
• Ph.D. student (anticipated graduation by 2026) or postdoctoral scholar

More Information

Application Deadline: Fri, June 14, 5 pm Central

Kscholastic Tutoring Company is seeking academic tutors in Math, Physics and other STEM topics for K-12 students.

• Flexible scheduling
• Houston-area in-person tutoring (must have a personal vehicle)
• Must be available 2 evenings a week
• Must be available until the end of the school year (May 31, 2025)

Starting Pay: $30/hour (pay increases based on experience)

Learn More: Visit www.kscholastic.com

To Apply: Send your resume and a statement of interest to karla@kscholastic.com.

UH is a member of the Gulf Coast Consortia (GCC), one of the largest inter-institutional cooperatives in the world. Are you interested in a postdoc or research position at a GCC member institution? Open positions can be found on the GCC Job Board.

This service, sponsored by the GCC and its member institutions, provides opportunities for job seekers from GCC member institutions and employers to learn more about each other. The GCC’s mission is to build interdisciplinary collaborative research teams and training programs in the biological sciences that intersect the computational, chemical, mathematical, and physical sciences.

Graduating Ph.D. students and postdocs from GCC institutions can post their resumes and search for jobs at GCC institutions. To place a resume on the Job Board, register as a Job Seeker and enter the requested information.

What is it?

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship is a prestigious award that supports research-oriented students in a range of STEM and social science fields during their first three years of graduate school. The award provides $53,000/year ($37,000 stipend + $16,000 Cost of Education Allowance), international research and internship opportunities, and more to support future knowledge experts with the potential to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering.

Who can apply?

Eligible fields of study are: Chemistry, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Engineering, Geosciences, Life Sciences, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, STEM Education and Learning Research.

To be eligible, applicants must be either rising seniors or 1st year or 2nd year graduate students, plan on a PhD/research-oriented career, and be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. The NSF welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

What’s in it for me?

• A three-year annual stipend of $37,000/year
• A $16,000 education allowance for tuition & fees, tenable at any accredited US institution
• Opportunities for international research and professional development
• The increased freedom that comes with having your own graduate funds

What are the next steps?

Attend an upcoming NSF GRFP information session and or workshop:

• July 1st at 4:00 PM - Introducing the Research Statement

All sessions are virtual. You can register via the Zoom link above. Please try to sign up as soon as possible.

Please contact Dr. Ben Rayder (btrayder@central.uh.edu) with any questions.