Connections & Conversation Luncheon

Thursday, Dec. 4, noon to 1:30 p.m., Peter, Wright & McKenna Rooms, CUC

Join us for the rescheduled Connections & Conversation Luncheon! We’ll honor the annual tradition of gathering to celebrate the Dietrich College community with good food and even better company.

Register for Connections & Conversation by Nov. 24

Nominate a Student for the 2025-26 Plaut Award

Deadline: Dec. 8

The Daniel M. Plaut Student Opportunity Fund was established in honor of Daniel Plaut by Marlene Behrmann, David Plaut and their family and friends. Totaling approximately $2,500, the award provides one or two humanities and social sciences students each year with dedicated mentoring and funded opportunities for professional development in their field of interest.

All students would benefit from additional mentoring and professional development opportunities, but some students have less access to these resources than others. The Daniel M. Plaut Award is meant to identify students for whom dedicated support would open doors and provide opportunities which otherwise would not be as readily available to them.

Submit the Plaut Award Nomination Form (pdf) to dietrichdean@andrew.cmu.edu by Dec. 8. 

Getting Through Finals: A Faculty Grab and Go Breakfast

Thursday, Dec. 11, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Warner Hall 109

CMU faculty are invited to join us for a well-deserved moment of rest at the end of the semester!

Connect and network with fellow faculty from across the university as we reflect on key takeaways and plans for the upcoming break. Stay to enjoy breakfast on site or grab your meal to go as you recharge at the semester’s end.

Register for the Breakfast

Staff Book Discussion: Ink & Insights

Thursday, Feb. 5, 3 to 4 p.m., Dean's Office Conference Room (Baker 154R)

Register by Dec. 12 to receive a copy of the book!

“Think Again” offers an insightful examination of the power of rethinking and unlearning. Grant, a leading organizational psychologist, explains that embracing curiosity, humility and flexibility can lead to better decision-making, stronger relationships and improved adaptability. Through research and real-world examples, he argues that true success comes not from always being right but from knowing when to change direction. We invite you to discuss key ideas, share your experiences with rethinking and reflect on how we can all grow by remaining open to change.

Registration is capped at 15. Books provided by the publisher.

Humanities Center Faculty Research Grant (Cycle Two)

Application deadline: Jan. 9

The Humanities Center is excited to open the second round of its Faculty Research Grant, which supports original, human-centered research across CMU. Awards of $5,000–$10,000 will help faculty advance projects at any stage over the course of one year. Applications are due Jan. 9, 2026. Find out more about the grant and apply here.

Faculty, Post-Doc & Ph.D. Student Workshop: The Art of Negotiation

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, noon to 1 p.m., Baker A60

No matter your role or experience level, learning how to negotiate is an essential leadership skill to apply in every aspect of your life. Register to attend this presentation and you will be able to recognize the barriers to making the ask, start to create your negotiation plan and discover your bargaining power!

RSVP for The Art of Negotiation by Jan. 6

Registration is Open for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

Registration Deadline: Feb. 4, 2026

3MT is an internationally recognized competition that challenges Ph.D. students to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance in just three minutes, in language that anyone can understand. 3MT is not an exercise in trivializing or "dumbing down" research, but requires students to consolidate their ideas, crystallize their research discoveries, and capture the imagination of their audience. More information on 3MT can be found at the 3MT website.

Register by Feb. 4, 2026

Ph.D. Student Support Group

Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Virtual

A pre-group consultation is required. For more information, please contact Kym Jordan Simmons, PhD.

Master's Student Support Group

Wednesdays, 1 to 2 p.m., In-Person

A pre-group consultation is required. For more information, please contact Adrijana Vukelic, MSCP.