OPA Program

Tuesday, May 26, 12:00pm-1:20pm, LKSC

Giving a successful job talk requires more than simply knowing your topic inside and out. In this interactive session, you’ll learn strategies for structuring your talk, accommodating diverse audiences so they see the value of your research, and enhancing your delivery so that your talk is clear, engaging and memorable. You’ll see a few example approaches from successful job talks, so you can consider how to apply them to your own.

Tuesday, May 5, 12:00pm-1:20pm, LKSC

Are you going on the faculty job market next fall? Now that universities are no longer asking for a Diversity Statement, you need to rethink your strategy for demonstrating who you are and what you care about. 

This workshop will walk you through how to incorporate your story and your values into every aspect of your faculty job application materials. 

Required Readings: 

Archila, P. A., Ortiz, B. T., & Truscott de Mejía, A. M. (2025). Beyond the Passive Absorption of Information: Engaging Students in the Critical Reading of Scientific Articles. Science & Education, 34; pp. 2189–2223. DOI: 10.1007/s11191-024-00507-1 -- LINK

Recommended Readings:

Required Readings:

Grasha, A. F. (1994). A Matter of Style: The Teacher as Expert, Formal Authority, Personal Model, Facilitator, and Delegator. College Teaching, 42(4); pp. 142-149. DOI: 10.1080/87567555.1994.9926845 -- LINK

IV. Accent Reduction

Prerequisite: Oral Communication

Summer Session: Wednesdays, July 8 - August 12, 12:00pm-1:20pm

This class helps non-native speakers to recognize and practice American English sounds, stress, and intonation patterns in order to improve comprehension and intelligibility. This is accomplished through identification of problem areas, focused practice and recording of exercises for instructor feedback.

Course topics:

II: Professional & Academic Writing

Prerequisite: Oral Communication

Summer Session: Mondays, July 6 - August 10, 12:00pm-1:20pm

This  course on academic writing for publication focuses on learning to write coherently, clearly, and concisely. It will also include some practice in writing effective emails, letters, and short proposals. The course includes two 30-minute individual tutorials with the instructor.

I: Oral Communication

Summer Session: Mondays and Wednesdays, June 22 - July 1, 12:00pm-1:20pm

Attendance is required at ALL sessions

This course focuses on helping students improve their oral communication skills for academic and daily life. Emphasis is on increasing confidence and fluency through realistic activities both in and out of class covering pronunciation, idiom and slang usage, active listening skills, and conversation strategies.

Course topics:

Monday, April 27, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

As the summer research internship season approaches, many postdocs prepare to welcome a new cohort of enthusiastic students. While this "summer surge" brings curiosity and energy, it can also lead to significant mentor fatigue if not managed strategically. 

Monday, April 20, 12:00pm-1:00pm, On Campus 

In this interactive session, we will explore how group dynamics shape effective teamwork and influence collaboration, communication, and trust within a team. 

Through guided discussion and engaging group activities, participants will reflect on team roles, practice strategies for working through challenges, and identify ways to build stronger, more cohesive teams.