New Leaders Enhance Graduate School’s Professional Development
Two new professionals have joined the Graduate School’s professional development staff and are helping to grow the workshop offerings to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Jason Cramer is the new program manager for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars career and professional development, and Vanessa Doriott Anderson is the new program manager for teaching programs and Preparing the Professoriate. They join Laura DeMarse, assistant dean for professional development, who took on that role last year, after joining the Graduate School as director of postdoctoral affairs.
Cramer was previously the program coordinator for the master of microbial biotechnology program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry, a master’s degree in educational leadership, administration and supervision, and a bachelor’s degree in biology, all from Virginia Commonwealth University.
“My philosophy on professional development is that more action can and should take place to enhance the ability of graduate students and postdocs to not only land jobs, but also to be able to experience long-term career success and satisfaction,” Cramer said.
This spring, Cramer is offering several workshops that focus on job search strategies and readiness, and going forward, he hopes to offer programming that also promotes development of professional skills that will strongly transfer into numerous job sectors.
Vanessa Doriott Anderson will be the new program manager for teaching programs and Preparing the Professoriate. Vanessa holds a Ph.D. in French from Duke University, a master’s degree in French from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and a bachelor’s degree in French from Macalester College. Prior to coming to NC State, she was a visiting assistant director of Preparing Future Faculty at Duke, and she spent three years as an assistant professor at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
“I believe that all graduate students and postdocs, regardless of their teaching experience, should have opportunities to develop and refine their teaching strategies in a supportive environment,” Anderson said. “My goal is to make our teaching programs more accessible, flexible, and personalized, and to help participants identify and promote their academic and transferable skills to future employers.”
This spring, Anderson is teaching two workshops designed to help graduate students and postdocs enhance their teaching skills. These workshops will be offered in two parts – the first is an introduction to the topic and the second is a lab for participants to test their new skills.
Just a few of the Graduate School workshops offered during spring semester:
• Developing Your Personal Brand, Feb. 27 and March 30, Jason Cramer
• How to Survive Your First Day of Class, Feb. 14 and 21 , Vanessa Anderson
• How to Engage with Diverse Learning Styles, March 20 and 27, Vanessa Anderson
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