Student Support & Engagement
At UVA Engineering, we support our graduate students with wrap-around services from the moment they arrive.
Embedded Support Services
Students in the School of Engineering have access to an expansive student support team, including an embedded UVA assistant dean of students and counselors from UVA's Counseling and Psychological Services team.
Assistant Dean of Students
The School of Engineering hosts an embedded assistant dean of students from the UVA Care and Support Services team. The assistant dean specializes in providing crisis triage and response, Engineering and University resource referrals, information about University conduct policies and generalist support for students in distress. The assistant dean also works closely with support services and resources in other offices or areas of the Engineering School and the University to connect students with the most helpful and relevant support available for their specific needs or concerns. This position is temporarily vacant, while we search for a new assistant dean to join our school community.
How to Make An Appointment
While we search for a new assistant dean, students who wish to make an appointment to speak with anyone from the Office of the Care and Support Services can call the office at 434-924-7133. Students may also contact the office via email at [email protected], or walk in any time during business hours to Peabody Hall (second floor). Staff on the team will meet with students, listen to their concerns, and work to determine what additional meetings or referrals will be appropriate and helpful.
Embedded Counseling and Psychological Services
Liz Ramirez-Weaver and Katie Fowler are the School of Engineer's embedded counselors from the UVA Counseling and Psychological Services team. Liz and Katie specialize in helping students find effective ways to cope with:
- Personal concerns: Stress, anxiety, depression
- Academic concerns: Perfectionism, lack of motivation, performance anxiety
- Developmental concerns: Adjustment to college life, identity (personal, cultural, sexual orientation, gender identity)
- Trauma-Sexual assault, abuse and other traumatic events
- Substance Use concerns: Alcohol and other drugs
- Other concerns: Career direction, body image concerns, personal values, spiritual concerns etc.
How to Make an Appointment
You may schedule an initial phone assessment online using the HealthyHoos patient portal (login using your Netbadge ID) or by calling the CAPS main number (434-243-5150) and notifying the receptionist that you are enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
For more information, please see Getting Started at CAPS.
Confidentiality
Liz and Katie are UVA confidential employees.
CAPS Outreach
Liz and Katie are available for virtual presentations on mental health and wellness. Please email Liz at [email protected] or Katie at [email protected] and submit the CAPS Outreach Request Form.
Student Health and Wellness
In addition to embedded Care and Support Services and Counseling and Psychological Services, graduate students have access to medical and well-being services and the Student Disability Access Center through UVA Student Health and Wellness.
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Student Disability Access Center
The Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) strives to promote a culture of access and inclusion for students with disabilities across all academic programs and University services. Courtney MacMasters and Sarah Cole are the accessibility specialists for the School of Engineering from the UVA Student Disability Access Center. Students are encouraged to submit an application and reach out to SDAC ([email protected]) with any questions.
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TimelyCare and TalkNow
UVA CAPS, in partnership with TimelyCare, offers 12 FREE scheduled telehealth counseling visits with a licensed mental health provider to all students who have paid comprehensive health fees with their tuition (no insurance needed).
TalkNow, which is an additional service through TimelyCare, allows students to connect with a mental health professional any time of day, either by phone or video. Click here to learn more about TimelyCare, or to get started.
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More Health and Wellness Resources
Learn more about care and resources available through the Department of Student Health and Wellness, which is dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of all students by providing high-quality, integrated, and affordable care across primary health, counseling and mental health, well-being, and disability access services.
Sign Up for UVA Alerts
UVA Alerts provide warning about imminent threats or hazards to members of the University community. Students, faculty, and staff are able to register additional email addresses and mobile phone numbers in their UVA Alerts account.
Academic Support
At UVA Engineering, we strive to ensure that students get well-rounded support for their academic needs.
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Office of Graduate Programs
The Office of Graduate Programs leads and provides direction for all aspects of UVA Engineering’s graduate education program. The office’s work is aimed at attracting outstanding graduate students and ensuring their success during the pursuit of their degrees and beyond.
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Graduate Program Advising
Graduate student advising involves the roles of faculty advisors, department support staff, and the central office of graduate programs to support graduate students.
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Office of the Registrar
The Office of the University Registrar (UREG) provides academic record services. The office's website is a guide to the many services available to faculty, staff, and students.
Student Life
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Getting to Know Charlottesville
There's good reason why the U.S. Bureau of Economic Research ranked Charlottesville the happiest city in American, and why Travelers Today ranked it the top college town. Charlottesville has it all: history, culture, nature, educational opportunity and proximity to the nation's capital.
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Parking & Transportation
Parking and Transportation manages the UVA bus system and other transit options, as well as parking passes for graduate students.
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Student Safety and Support
UVA is committed to creating the safest possible living and learning environment. The UVA Student Affairs team provides safety resources through their website.
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UVA Recreation
UVA Recreation offers state-of-the-art facilities and recreational sports teams, exercise instruction and wellness services. Members have access to all recreation centers and enjoy discount program registration fees.
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UVA Student ID Cards
UVA ID allows you access to research buildings, classrooms as well as other recreational facilities. You will need to activate your UVA email account before you can receive your ID card. Many graduate programs distribute IDs as part of their orientation schedule; check closely for communications from your program on where to obtain your ID.
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More Student Life Resources
The University of Virginia offers a broad range of resources for graduate students, including housing and technology resources, career and networking support, and information for international students.
Payroll and Patent Information
All students receiving funding must see the Graduate Coordinator in your department upon your arrival, as you cannot be paid until you arrive in Charlottesville. If you plan to begin later, make sure you have discussed this with your advisor.
All Graduate Assistants are responsible for providing tax withholding and direct deposit information directly entered into the Workday app. You will also be prompted to complete I-9 information in Workday. Complete Part I of the Federal Employment Eligibility Form I-9. You will be required to complete Part II of the I-9 form within three days of completing Part I via additional instructions that are communicated through Workday. You may also need to enter direct deposit information into SIS if you are also receiving scholarship or fellowship funding.
Only scholarship/fellowship awardees will enter direct deposit information into SIS rather than through Workday.
Failure to do so will preclude being put on payroll.
International students receiving financial assistance in the form of research/teaching assistantships must apply for a social security number as soon as possible. You must have completed the check-in procedure with the International Studies Office before you apply for the social security number and it may take two or more weeks to be assigned a new social security number and receive your card. International students will need to request a letter through ISSP Connect before applying for a social security number by following the instructions here, which also includes information about the local social security office and its hours. Payroll personnel at UVA will assist you as soon as you present your social security card, but paychecks may take two or more weeks to be issued. Plan accordingly, and make sure you have access to enough money to take care of yourself until this process is complete- up to 2 months! You can also go to www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ for more information on obtaining your social security card.
Any person who may be engaged in university research is required to execute the University’s Patent Agreement and Assignment. Once you have activated your NetBadge, you need to sign your patent agreement.
Additional Resources
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UVA Research Computing
UVA Research Computing empowers researchers to achieve more through the use of cutting-edge computational resources, training, and consultation. Services include high performance computing, data analysis, image processing and visualization, bioinformatics, cloud solutions, and storage.
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UVA Library System
The UVA library system offers a range of services (and workshops too!) to help graduate students with research, class instruction, publication, and teaching. Learn more below, and remember to Ask a Librarian if you have any questions!
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Office of Community, Opportunity and Engagement
The Office of Community, Opportunity and Engagement leads student-focused initiatives including the Center for Connection in Engineering, a student space designed to help students succeed academically and beyond.
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Center for Engineering Career Development
The Center for Engineering Career Development prepares students to make smart, strategic career decisions throughout their professional lives.
Get Involved
Find out more about how to get involved with student organizations.