Rossier Doctoral Support Center Blog

Upcoming Library Sponsored Workshops - Fall 2019

Jenga - Creating Dissertation Support Groups that Support Degree Completion

REMINDER - DSC Weekend Write, July 9-10 at WPH 202 (location change)

Please note the change in location for the DSC Weekend Write from Leavey Library, 2^nd Floor to WPH 202 and the time change on Sunday from 12 noon – 7 PM to 9:00AM – 4:00PM.  I apologize for the short notice, but the library administration just notified me that the hours of operation changed due to facilities issues. 

Saturday, July 9 at 9:00AM – 4:00PM at WPH 202
Sunday, July 10 at 9:00AM – 4:00PM at WPH 202

 

Evelyn Felina Castillo, Ed.D.
USC Rossier School of Education | Doctoral Support Center
3470 Trousdale Parkway, WPH 402A | Los Angeles, CA  90089-4032

t:  213.740.3845 | f:  213.740.8092 | e:  [email protected]

Helpful Resources for the Qualifying Exam (Proposal Defense)

As you continue to refine and edit drafts of your proposal, you are encouraged to review the following topics at Navigating the Dissertation, http://dissertionedd.usc.edu/:

• Chapter 1 – Topic 3:  Background and Introduction, http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/3-background.html
• Chapter 2 -  Topic 4:  Literature Review, http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/4-lit-review.html
• Chapter 3 -  Topic 5:  Methods, http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/5-methods.html
• Dissertation Template: http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/recommended-resources-and-readings2.html
• Dissertation Self-Assessment: http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/self-assessment-exercise1.html
• Proposal Defense (Qualifying Exam) PowerPoint Template:  http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/preparing-your-powerpoint.html
• Qualifying Exams & IRB: http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/6-qualify-exam--irb.html.  

For additional assistance, please contact your assigned cohort advisor at the DSC, [email protected] or (213) 740-8099.

Reminder - DSC Weekend Write - Sept 20 & 21 @ WPH B49

The Rossier Doctoral Support Center will be hosting a Weekend Write on Saturday, Sept 20 and Sunday, Sept 21 at 9AM - 4PM.  A writing advisor will be available during these hours.  You can attend as many days or hours as is convenient for you.

All Doctoral students are welcome to attend as we support students in all phases of the program.  Students are provided the opportunity to commit to writing and have an advisor available to assist with questions regarding academic writing or the dissertation process. 

Remember to bring your Student ID to access the building and don't forget your laptop, work materials, and ear buds to work on your dissertation or paper. Please RSVP at http://www.doodle.com/mugk5tkh98nmz3m5. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Requests for Paper Reviews

The DSC is committed to your success in all your academic endeavors.  As we ramp up in the semester, the writing advisors will accommodate as many requests for paper reviews as possible.  Please be reminded of the following with regards to scheduling a paper review:

1. Contact your assigned writing advisor to schedule a review date for your paper or dissertation via email or by phone. 

2. Submit your draft within 48 business hours of the scheduled review date.
    
3. The scheduled review will consist of your writing advisor reviewing your paper for clarity and coherency, and providing feedback via email (or in-person when a meeting is requested).

It is very important to plan ahead.   Schedule reviews in advance especially during peak periods.  Requests for a quick turn around will depend on the writing advisor’s caseload.

Generally, a paper or a course assignment is reviewed only once.  Chapters for a proposal or dissertation can be reviewed multiple times prior to the defense. 

You may schedule an individual meeting to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to academic writing, the dissertation process or feedback provided on drafts.  These meetings can be held in person, over the phone, or online.

The writing advisors are assigned as follows:

Cohort 2012:  Dr. Linda Fischer, [email protected], (213) 740-3813                  

Cohort 2013:  Dr. Evelyn Felina Castillo, [email protected], (213) 740-3845

Cohort 2014:  Dr. Ilda Jimenez y West, [email protected], (213) 740-2199   

 
Be aware there are other resources available to you.  See the helpful links below:

                             Navigating the Dissertation

                             OASIS – Online Academic Student Information System

                             Rossier Doctoral Programs Information

                             The Graduate School (Thesis/Dissertation Submission)

 

We look forward to hearing from you soon.  Thank you for your consideration.

DSC Writing Advisors

USC Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) Opportunities

Please see below for information regarding opportunities offered through the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching:

Writing Your Cover Letter & CV - Monday, Oct. 6th, Noon - 1:00 pm
Doheny Memorial Library (DML) 240 
Presented by: CET Faculty Fellow Erin Moore, Associate Professor (Teaching) of Anthropology
Lunch Provided
More Information
RSVP here

Negotiating an Academic Job Offer - Tuesday, Oct. 7th, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Doheny Memorial Library (DML) 240 
Presented by: CET Distinguished Faculty Fellow and Executive Vice Provost Michael Quick, CET Distinguished Fellow Bruce Zuckerman, Professor of Religion, and Jessica Cantiello, Lecturer, The Writing Program 
Lunch Provided
More Information
RSVP here

Instant Contact: How to Shine on Your Interview Day - Wednesday, Oct. 8th, Noon - 1:00 pm
Doheny Memorial Library (DML) 240 
Presented by: CET Faculty Fellow Krishna Nayak, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering
Lunch Provided
More Information
RSVP here
  
Drafting Your Teaching Philosophy / Research Statement - Thursday, Oct. 9th, 12:30 - 1:00 pm
Doheny Memorial Library (DML) 240 
Presented by: CET Distinguished Fellow Armand Tanguay, Jr., Professor of Electrical Engineering/Electrophysics
Lunch Provided
More Information
RSVP here

Cohort of 2013 - September Update

Hello everyone!  Welcome to the Fall 2014 semester and your second year in the Ed.D. Program. 

I am pleased to partner with the newest member of the Doctoral Support Center (DSC), Dr. Evelyn Castillo, who is a graduate of our Ed.D. program and joins us as an experienced USC student services professional with expertise in supporting doctoral student success.    Dr. Castillo is the Writing Advisor for the Cohort of 2013 and she will be contacting you with information about the DSC services offered and protocol for paper reviews.  You may also contact her directly at:

Dr. Evelyn Castillo
Doctoral Support Center
USC Rossier School of Education
3470 Trousdale Parkway, WPH 402A | Los Angeles, CA 90089-4032
t: 213.740.3845 | f: 213.740.8092 | e: [email protected]

As the new semester begins, please keep in mind the following dates and deadlines regarding registration and health insurance waivers.

Session 001:

Classes Begin: 8/25/14
Last Day to Drop W/ out a “W” and Last Day to Register or Add Classes: 9/12/14
Last Day to Drop with a “W”: 11/14/14
Classes End: 12/5/12

Session 365:

Classes Begin: 9/5/2014
Last Day to Drop W/ out a “W” and Last Day to Register or Add Classes: 9/12/2014
Last Day to Drop with a “W”: 11/14/14
Classes End: 12/6/14

Session 839:

Classes Begin: 9/5/2014
Last Day to Drop W/ out a “W” and Last Day to Register or Add Classes: 9/12/2014
Last Day to Drop with a “W”: 11/14/14
Classes End: 12/6/14

Waive Out of USC Health Coverage

This is serving as a reminder that every Fall Semester, you have the option to waive out of USC Health Coverage. If you need to waive out of the USC health coverage, you must do so before Friday, September 12, 2014. Please follow the instructions on the following link:
http://engemannshc.usc.edu/insurance/waivers/

Financial Aid

If you have any questions regarding your financial aid award or loans, please contact USC’s Financial Aid Office at (213) 740-4444 or visit them in person at John Hubbard Hall (JHH) from 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Please visit their website (http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/) for more information regarding scholarships, fellowships, loans, work study and jobs, etc.

Independent Dissertation

If you have secured a chair for an Independent Dissertation, please make sure that you have already sent me the signed Independent Dissertation Chair Application.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Fight On and Carry On!
Melisa Carson
Cohort of 2013
Ed.D. Program Advisor

Managing Your References

Are you struggling with your references?   Is the volume of your references getting too big to handle?  Do you want to be able to have your references at your fingertips, any time, any where?  

If you aren't already using RefWorks, a web-based bibliography and database manager, I encourage you to check it out.  Our library supports RefWorks.  You can use it to search, read and annotate your references.  For more information regarding RefWorks at USC, go to http://libguides.usc.edu/RefWorks.

I also encourage you to check out Mendeley, which is not supported by USC Libraries.  It is a free online reference manager.  One of the best features is that you can use Mendeley to collaborate with your peers and/or your advisor. Compare its functionality with RefWorks, EndNote, Zotero, and Papers at http://www.mendeley.com/compare-mendeley/.

If you need any assistance with your papers, please contact your assigned writing advisor:  

Cohort 2012 - Linda Fischer, [email protected], (213)740-3813
Cohort 2013 - Evelyn Felina Castillo, [email protected], (213)740-3845
Cohort 2014 - Ilda Jimenez y West, [email protected], (213)740-2199

Time to Write - Summer 2014

The DSC Time to Write 2014 will be in session from June to August 2014. There are Weekend Writes and Thursday Night Writes. All Doctoral students are welcome to attend as we support students in all phases of the program. Students are provided the opportunity to commit to writing and have an advisor available to assist with questions regarding academic writing or the dissertation process. Students are encouraged to develop individual writing goals and plans. You can attend as an individual or create a writing group which meets regularly. Students are encouraged to coordinate with their writing advisor for meetings and to schedule any review dates for drafts. Bring your laptop, work materials, and ear buds and go to work. Remember to bring your Student ID to access the building. I look forward to seeing all of you. RSVP at http://www.doodle.com/mugk5tkh98nmz3m5 .

Summer Weekend Writes- WPH 201

• Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, 2014, 9 am – 4 pm, WPH Rm. 201

• Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, 2014, 9 am – 4 pm, WPH Rm. 201

• Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, 2014, 9 am – 4 pm, WPH Rm. 201

              Saturday Finale: August 23, 2014, 5pm – 7 pm, McKays

For those engaged in the Dissertation Process a number of resources and insights for Navigating the Dissertation are provided at http://dissertationedd.usc.edu/. There are handouts and videos available to assist with the completion of the dissertation.

Mark your calendars. Please RSVP at http://www.doodle.com/mugk5tkh98nmz3m5 . This is a great opportunity to focus and get ‘er done! I look forward to celebrating with all of you at graduation.
 

Write On and Fight On!

Linda
  
Contact Information: Dr. Fischer via [email protected] or (213) 740-3813