Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference

Slides and Graduate Program Fair Brochures/Flyers/Information Sessions

2024 AGE Program

AGE Graduate Program Fair diagram

Dear AGE Participants:

Welcome!

We are thrilled to have you join us today at the Advancement to Graduate Education conference. Our plan is for you to spend the day learning more about the path to applying to graduate school. You will have an opportunity to acquire information about the process from our incredible faculty members, staff, current students and alumni. Whether you are currently applying to graduate school for a 2025 start or you are just exploring options, these sessions will ensure that you gain a greater understanding of the overall graduate school experience. We encourage you to take advantage of the workshops being offered both today and throughout the year ahead in the Office of Graduate Studies.

Please visit our office and explore our website to learn ways we can support your journey to graduate school. We wish you personal success and professional fulfillment in your future graduate educational endeavors and beyond.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amy Levin
Assistant Vice President of Graduate Studies

Dr. Allen Lipscomb, Social Work Department

About the Keynote Speaker

Allen E. Lipscomb, PsyD, LCSW is an Associate Professor, Associate Chair, Director of MSW Online Program; as well as Director of Minority Male Mentoring (M3) and Student Success Allies (SSA) program at California State University Northridge in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Lipscomb is a clinical psychologist with the highest degree earned and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. Dr. Lipscomb received his doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.) with a clinical emphasis in marriage, family and child psychotherapy from Ryokan College and his Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California. Upon completing his doctorate, he earned a certification in mixed-methods community-based research from the University of Michigan in the School of Social Work. In addition, Dr. Lipscomb studied diversity and inclusion practices within organizations through Cornell University, earning a certification from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell.  In 2022, Dr. Lipscomb earned a certification in Executive Public Leadership within organizations at Harvard University in the Kennedy School of Executive Education.

Dr. Lipscomb specializes in providing anti-oppressive and inclusive mental health services to individuals, children, youth, and families of color. His areas of research are centered on the psychiatric epidemiology among racialized and marginalized individuals who have experienced trauma (i.e., complex trauma, traumatic-grief, and race-based trauma). Specifically, Dr. Lipscomb has conducted numerous qualitative research studies on racialized Black identified men across the Black/African Diaspora exploring their grief, loss, and complex-trauma experiences. His pedagogy is centered on cultural anti-oppressive and clinically responsive inclusive practices with communities of color. Dr. Lipscomb maintains a private practice; conducts local, national, and international trainings; is a clinical consultant and keynote speaker. Dr. Lipscomb has numerous peer review journal articles that centers Black male grief experiences and has a published two books titled: Black Male Grief Reaction to Trauma: A Clinical Case Study of One Man's Treatment; and BRuH Approach to Therapy (BAT) and Other Related Services to Promote Healing of Traumatic Grief Among African American Men and Youth: A Clinical Practice Guide and Workbook: Honoring-Based Practice Approach. 

9:00 AM
Welcome Remarks

9:05 AM
Keynote Address

10:00 AM

• Applying to Graduate School: Choosing Schools, Creating a Strategy, and Identifying your Brand
  Location: Northridge Center, University Student Union

11:00 AM (select one of the following workshops below) 

• Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Business & Economics, Health & Human Development, and Social & Behavioral Sciences,
  Location: Northridge Center, University Student Union

• Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Engineering & Computer Science and Science & Mathematics
  Location: Thousand Oaks Room, University Student Union

• Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Arts, Media, & Communication, Education, Humanities, and University Library
  Location: Flintridge Room, University Student Union

12:00 PM LUNCH and CSUN Graduate Program Fair


1:30 PM Workshops (select one of the following workshops below)    

• Financing a Graduate Education
  Location: Northridge Center, University Student Union

• Application Components: Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts, Resume, GRE, Writing Sample, Interviews
  Location: Thousand Oaks Room, University Student Union

 
2:30 PM

• Panel: Grad Health and Wellbeing During the Application Process and Beyond
  Location: Northridge Center, University Student Union

3:30 PM

• Closing Remarks and Resources for Additional Support
  Location: Northridge Center, University Student Union

Applying to Graduate School: Choosing Schools, Creating a Strategy, and Identifying your Brand
Presenter: Professor Heidi Schumacher, GRAD Center

Workshop Description: In this workshop, students will learn about selecting a graduate program, application timelines, application fee waivers, and how to make application materials come together to convey a clear message to graduate programs. We will also explore the concept of creating a “brand”—conveying a clear message to schools about who you are as an applicant and why they need you in their program.

(select one of the workshops below)
We’ve created three groups for this workshop based on similarity in expectations for the document, so you’ll receive information targeted to your general field. The first two SOP workshops have the same workshop description.

Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Business and Economics, and Health & Human Development
Presenter: Dr. Anastasiia Timmer, Criminology and Justice Studies Department

Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Science & Mathematics and Engineering & Computer Science
Presenter: Dr. Priya Ganguli, Geological Science Department

Workshop Description: The Statement of Purpose (SOP, sometimes called an Objectives Statement or something similar) is an important component of your application, and the Personal/Diversity Statement (or similar title) complements that document to reflect how your lived experience contributed to the goals outlined in your SOP.  In this workshop, we will explore how your SOP (1) outlines what you intend to focus on in graduate school; (2) how your academic and work experiences informed your decision to pursue a graduate degree; and (3) how your intended school(s) is/are the ideal place to pursue your graduate education. We will also discuss strategies for standing out from the crowd while adhering to the structure and content schools expect in the document. You will leave this workshop with an understanding of content and approach so you can get started with a draft.

Statement of Purpose and Diversity/Personal Statement: Humanities, Arts, Media & Communication, University Library, and Education
Presenter: Dr. Mira Pak, Secondary Education Department

Workshop Description: The Statement of Purpose (aka. Personal Statement, Objectives Statement, etc.) is an important component of your application, and the Personal/Diversity Statement (or similar title) complements that document to reflect on how your lived experience has contributed to the goals outlined in your SOP.  In this workshop, we will explore how to examine the prompt, what you might write about, and how your intended school is the ideal place to pursue your graduate education.  You will leave this workshop with an understanding of content and approach so you can get started with a draft.

We are hosting a Graduate Fair during lunchtime for students interested in pursuing graduate studies at CSUN. Please make sure to attend to learn more about your program of interest.

(select one of the workshops below)                  
Financing a Graduate Education
Presenter: Dr. Ross J. Fenimore, UCLA Division of Graduate Education

Workshop Description: In this workshop, you will hear about the various types of financial assistance available for graduate students and we will explore the specific kinds of funding packages offered to PhD students across the country, including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, and grants.

Application Components: Letters of Rec, Transcripts, Resume, GRE, Writing Sample, Interviews
Presenter: Dr. Hilary Yip, Music Department

Workshop Description: In this workshop, we will discuss the components of an application package which includes the GRE, requesting transcripts, formatting your CV or resume and the kinds of things to include in both. We will also review who to ask and how to ask for letters of recommendation, discuss the different kinds of writing sample programs are looking for and key things to know about interviews.

Panel: Grad Health and Well-being During the Application Process and Beyond
Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Dabach, Family and Consumer Sciences Department
Graduate Student Panel: Jacob (Jake) Markarian, Psychological Science, Class of 2024 and Melissa Baghoumian, Higher Education Leadership, Class of 2024

Workshop Description: In this workshop, we will discuss approaches to stress management during the application process, and how to prioritize self-care while you are a graduate student. We will also hear from a panel of former CSUN graduate students who will share how they balance graduate school with other responsibilities to make their well-being a priority.

• Advancement to Graduate Education Workshops
  Who: Students interested in graduate school
  When: Fall and Spring semesters
  This series of workshops is designed to help students explore, prepare for, apply to, and transition into graduate school.

• GRAD Center Faculty Mentoring Program
  Who: Students applying to graduate programs who want to be paired with a faculty mentor.
  When:Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (deadline is Friday, October 11th).
  This program provides support to students preparing or applying to graduate school. Students are paired with a CSUN faculty member and receive one-on-one mentoring.
   
• The California Pre-Doctoral Program
  Who: Students interested in pursuing a PhD (must be enrolled at CSUN next year).
  When: Fall semester 
  This program is designed to increase the pool of potential CSU faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. Once selected as a Sally Casanova Scholar, students are supported by a faculty mentor as they explore and apply to PhD programs. Students will also receive financial support for application fees, travel to visit doctoral programs, and other activities.

• The Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program
  Who: PhD students who want to teach in the CSU (may apply before you leave CSUN)
  When: Fall semester This program prepares faculty to teach in the CSU and is the largest pipeline program in the nation. PhD students who are interested in teaching in the CSU are mentored by a faculty member, receive financial support through travel and research funds, and have access to an optional loan which is forgiven if the CDIP Fellow obtains a faculty position in the CSU. CSUN students can apply for this program while they apply for PhD programs.