Welcome, New ESGP Students!<\/strong> Read on for events, funding, and resources to help you hit the ground running this term.<\/p>\n Spring term is underway, and April brings Earth Month. This issue is packed with award deadlines, seminars, upcoming events, and a few new opportunities. Please read on, and reach out if there’s anything we can do to support you.<\/p>\n Carolyn Fonyo<\/a>, ESGP Director New to the program, or just need a quick reference? Here are answers to some of the most common questions. For the full FAQ, visit the ESGP FAQ page<\/a>.<\/p>\n What does my degree require?<\/strong> What are the areas of concentration?<\/strong> How do I register for thesis, reading, project, or internship courses?<\/strong> How long will my degree take?<\/strong> How do I find funding and scholarships?<\/strong> How do I meet with the Program Director?<\/strong> Where do I find program forms and templates?<\/strong> How do I attend peers’ defenses?<\/strong> Where can I find current student resources (checklists, degree requirements)?<\/strong> The Water Resource Engineering Seminar Series kicks off this term with Dr. Todd Jarvis<\/strong> presenting “Get Your Game Face On: Societal Engineering with Serious Gaming in Water.”<\/em> The annual BGSS is April 10! Register to attend and discover biology research across OSU. Contact Olivia Noonan or Elena Gasiorowski with questions.<\/p>\n Extended research residencies at DOE national labs for PhD students. Attend the informational workshop on April 9, 2:00\u20134:30 PM ET<\/strong> (register here<\/a>). Deadline to apply: May 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Apply here<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Field Report,” the 2026 Art About Agriculture Touring Exhibition, is on display at the Giustina Gallery, LaSells Stewart Center (875 SW 26th St, Corvallis) through April 17<\/strong>. Open Mon\u2013Fri, 8:00 AM\u20135:00 PM. Free.<\/p>\n SOLVE Oregon is coordinating the Oregon Spring Cleanup throughout April, with 200+ projects statewide. Visit solveoregon.org<\/a> to find or host a project near you.<\/p>\n Coming up in May! Keynote speaker: Dr. Jessica Hernandez<\/strong> (Binniz\u00e1\/Zapotec & Maya Ch’orti’), Indigenous scientist, climate justice leader, and author of Fresh Banana Leaves<\/em>. OSU invited speaker: Dr. Bryan Tilt<\/strong>, Professor of Anthropology at OSU. More details to follow.<\/p>\n The International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) is hosting their annual conference in June right here in Corvallis! Registration is open.<\/a> Student scholarships are available; see the IASNR financial support FAQ<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n Join us to celebrate our graduating students at the ESGP Commencement Reception in June. Details and RSVP information to follow.<\/p>\n Informal weekly Zoom to connect, network, share ideas, and ask questions. Organized by ESGP student Taro Cole<\/strong>: low-stakes casual sessions to get work done alongside peers. In person at Snell Hall 323; e-campus students join via Zoom. Monthly; watch for the next announcement or contact esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n ESGP student Chad Thurman<\/a> is interested in starting an informal environmental non-fiction book club, with a loose reading schedule and one or two Zoom discussions per term. Some titles on his recent reading list: Is a River Alive?<\/em> by Robert Macfarlane, We Loved It All<\/em> by Lydia Millet, Erosion<\/em> by Terry Tempest Williams, and Fresh Banana Leaves<\/em> by Patricia Kaishian.<\/p>\n Interested in joining or helping organize? Reach out to esgpcomms@oregonstate.edu<\/a> and we’ll connect you with Chad<\/a>.<\/p>\n Did you know you can earn a Certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation<\/strong> concurrently with your MS or PhD, with no extra credits, no extra work, and no extra time required? The 18 certificate credits count within your existing degree requirements and are available to both on-campus and online students.<\/p>\n To explore the curriculum and benefits, visit the Certificate Program page<\/a>. If you’re interested: (1) discuss with your primary advisor first, then (2) complete the Change of Degree\/Major\/Certificate form<\/a>. Questions? Contact Lynette de Silva<\/a> (available Tue\/Thu afternoons for in-person or Zoom meetings).<\/p>\n Several deadlines are coming up quickly. Please review the award websites carefully, as prompts for letters of nomination, student statements, and other materials have been updated this cycle.<\/p>\n
\nIf this is your first ESGP newsletter, we’re so glad you’re here! A few quick starting points:<\/p>\n\n
\nIndy Leonard<\/a>, Graduate Student Assistant<\/p>\nImprove Your Access to Our Community<\/h2>\n
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Important Resources for Graduate Students<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\nFull requirements are in the Student Handbook<\/a>. MS students complete 45+ graduate credits including core courses, a methods requirement, your area of concentration, and a thesis or project. PhD and PSM requirements are also detailed in the handbook.<\/p>\n
\nESGP offers eight tracks: Biogeochemistry, Ecology, Environmental Education, Natural Resources, Quantitative Analysis, Social Science, Water Resources, and Climate Change. See Areas of Concentration<\/a> for track-specific course requirements and contacts.<\/p>\n
\nEmail your name, student ID, course number, and term to esgp@oregonstate.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nTypically around 2 years for an MS and 4 years for a PhD, though this varies. Talk to your advisor early to build a timeline that works for you.<\/p>\n
\nStart with the ESGP Funding page<\/a> and the Graduate School Funding page<\/a>. Also see the award deadlines in this newsletter!<\/p>\n
\nEmail Carolyn Fonyo<\/a> to schedule. She holds in-person office hours Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Heckart Lodge.<\/p>\n
\nThe Graduate School Forms page<\/a> has forms for program-of-study planning, change of degree, and more.<\/p>\n
\nWatch your inbox for defense announcements, or contact Renee Freeman for location, time, or Zoom link. All defenses are open to the community; please come support your peers!<\/p>\n
\nCarolyn shares MS\/PhD\/PSM checklists with students. You can also visit: MS\/PSM Students<\/a> | PhD Students<\/a> | Certificate Students<\/a><\/p>\nUpcoming Events<\/h2>\n
Water Resource Engineering Seminar Series: Starts April 8<\/h3>\n
\nWhen:<\/strong> Tuesday, April 8, 4:00\u20135:00 PM | Where:<\/strong> Burt Hall 193 (also on Zoom)
\nFree and open to the public. OSU students may enroll for credit: Seminar WRD 507 (CRN 52900). The series continues through June with upcoming speakers Dr. Michelle Busch (May 20), Dr. Erin Seybold (May 27), and Caelan Simeone (June 3).<\/p>\nBiology Graduate Student Symposium (BGSS): April 10, 2026<\/h3>\n
DOE SCGSR Program: Workshop April 9<\/h3>\n
Art About Agriculture Tour 2026: Through April 17<\/h3>\n
SOLVE Oregon: Earth Month Volunteering (All of April)<\/h3>\n
16th Annual Hydrophiles Symposium: May 2026<\/h3>\n
IASNR Conference: June in Corvallis<\/h3>\n
OSU Commencement Reception: June 2026<\/h3>\n
Weekly ESGP Friday Zoom Meetings<\/h3>\n
\nWhen:<\/strong> Fridays, 1:00\u20132:00 PM PT (excluding holidays and term breaks)
| Interested in leading a session? Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\nESGP Monthly Co-working Sessions<\/h3>\n
Community Spotlight: Interested in an Environmental Book Club?<\/h2>\n
Certificate Opportunity: Water Conflict Management and Transformation<\/h2>\n
Funding, Awards & Scholarships<\/h2>\n
OSU Graduate Awards: April & May Deadlines<\/h3>\n