The University of New Mexico

“What sets MMUF apart is the way it illuminates the connection between diversity and academic excellence; the importance it places on mentoring relationships; its injunction to students to build supportive networks; the positive functions of the cohort; the disposition to collaborate as well as compete; and the obligation to pay these benefits forward to the next generation of young scholars.”

~ Armando Bengochea, MMUF Director, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

MMUF Seminar

2024 Fall Schedule

- Regular Seminars: Fridays 12:30-1:45 pm @ Honors College Classroom 1004

 

August 23: Welcome Back!

We will do some icebreakers, discuss our summer research and personal experiences, and discuss the fall semester of MMUF. You will work on a mini-report of your summer research.

Homework: Email your summer research report 

August 30: Semester Planning

Due: Semester Plan by 9/6

September 6: Pathway to the Doctorate

We will discuss a shift in language, from “Pathway to the Professoriate” to “Pathway to the Doctorate.” We’ll talk about the “Hot Tips” sheet and touch on:

  • Vocabulary of the professoriate
  • What career paths your degree unlocks
  • Quantitative vs. qualitative research

September 13: Grad School Grid: How to Prepare for Grad School Applications

We will discuss how to make a grad school matrix and how to locate the information that should ideally go on it. We will have a conversation around disciplines and why disciplines matter and how to talk about a program when you’re writing to programs you don’t know much about.

September 20: Abstract Writing

We will cover writing abstracts for research that is complete, incomplete, and planned for the future.

Due: MMUF abstract by TBD 

September 27: Making the Ask | IRB

We will discuss how to requisition letters of recommendation. We will also discuss how to cold “call” (email) professors you don’t know and why/when you might do this, including reaching out to authors of journal articles/books.

October 4: Writing Personal Statements and Cover Letters

We will review all the elements of exceptional personal statements and cover letters, including successful ones from our former fellows.

Due: Personal Statement due by October 18

October 11: FALL BREAK—NO SEMINAR

October 18: Workshop Personal Statements

Everyone will submit their personal statement on Slack before workshop. You will be paired with someone to workshop your personal statement.

October 25: Presentation Practice for Conference

Senior fellows will practice their presentations. Using a feedback sheet and discussion, everyone will provide feedback. El Puente fellows will be joining us. 

Nov 1: Presentation Practice for Conference

Junior fellows will practice their presentations. Using a feedback sheet and discussion, everyone will provide feedback. El Puente fellows will be joining us.

November 8: MMUF Regional Conference hosted by Whittier College

We depart to California on Thursday, November 7th. The conference will take place Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th. We will return Sunday, November 10th. Please let your professors know SINCE NOW that you will be missing class on Thursday and Friday. If you need a letter from Kiyoko asking for your absence to be excused for this school-sponsored activity, please let us know.

November 15: Conference De-Brief | Writing a CV

We will discuss the elements of a CV and you will spend workshop working on your own CV with the opportunity to ask questions as you work.

Due: CV by 11/22

November 22: Literature Reviews

November 28: THANKSGIVING—NO SEMINAR

December 6: Last meeting— Planning for Spring

We will discuss the plan for the spring seminar, which is a semester dedicated to writing a journal article. (party + wrap-up the fall)