Looking for a "Welcome Wednesday" email?

Email Archive

Below are archived communications distributed to new VEO students regarding the upcoming semester.

 

Welcome to UVA!

We are excited that you have chosen to join us in pursuing answers to critical global challenges. Welcome to our community of scholars.

Over the summer, we will send weekly Welcome Wednesdays emails with information about life at UVA, the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), and campus resources. Topics will include academics, university processes, and health and wellness support.

Important: All future communication from UVA Engineering, including these weekly emails, will be sent to your UVA email address. Please set up your account as soon as possible.
 

Set Up Your UVA Account

The University of Virginia Information Technology Services (ITS) provides instructions for:

  • setting up your account
  • verifying your identity
  • accessing email
  • connecting to wireless services

Please review the ITS account setup instructions:

After you accepted your offer of admission, you should have received an email from [email protected] with the subject line “UVA Student Information System (SIS) Access.” This message includes your UVA computing ID and setup instructions.

Please complete this process early. UVA Engineering uses UVA email for all official communication. You do not need to be in Charlottesville to activate your account.


If You Need Help


Important Dates

  • Course enrollment begins: Wednesday, July 1
    Please review your program requirements before enrolling.
  • New VEO student orientation: Monday, August 17, via Zoom
    Mark your calendar.


Please watch for additional messages from your department about program-specific onboarding and orientation.


We look forward to welcoming you to UVA this fall.


Best,

Matthew B. Panzer, PhD
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Post-Doctoral Affairs
Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Biomedical Engineering 

Welcome to SEAS!

We want to welcome you to UVA Engineering, which provides every student with vibrant and diverse opportunities. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and preparing engineering leaders to solve global challenges. You can find more information about our mission and vision while abiding by our core values, at UVA Engineering.

Please take a moment to watch a welcome message from Matt Panzer, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Post-Doctoral Affairs and Professor in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. As he shares in the video, UVA Engineering offers many people and resources to support you as you pursue your graduate degree.

Contacts

Office of Graduate Programs

The Office of Graduate Programs leads and provides direction for all aspects of UVA Engineering's graduate education program and includes School-wide contacts such as the Associate Dean for Graduate Education, Graduate Registrars, and more.

Program Contacts

It is important to become familiar with your program’s Graduate Coordinator(s)  They will be your primary point of contact for form approvals, inquiries regarding enrollment and funding, and many of the common questions that graduate students have. In addition to your advisor, this will often be the first person you should go to with questions.

Each academic program has designated a faculty member as the Director of Graduate Programs (also referred to as the Director of Graduate Studies). This individual is the primary liaison between graduate students and the Department and School. You should contact your Director of Graduate Programs with questions or concerns that cannot be resolved by your advisor as they are the primary point of contact for students who may need to make special requests regarding academic requirements such as changing your program or degree.

VEO Contacts

Students in the Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) program have a designated Graduate Online Programs Administrator, and each program has a faculty member appointed as Academic Advisor. You can find your program contacts on the VEO contacts page.

Information and Policies

All UVA Engineering graduate students should bookmark the Current Graduate Students webpage for important information about the different resources and services, academic forms, and degree requirements. In addition to this school-wide information, each graduate program has its own graduate student webpage with important information including the Graduate Student Handbook that outlines policies, curriculum, program, and degree requirements.

You should also familiarize yourself with University and School of Engineering policies and regulations in the Graduate Record.

You can also view past Welcome Wednesday communications in the Welcome Wednesday archive.

Next week, we will share information about living in Charlottesville.

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs
UVA Engineering
she, her, hers


 

Are you excited to start planning your academic journey at UVA Engineering? New graduate student course enrollment for the Fall 2026 semester opens on July 1, 2026. Later this month, we will share specific information about how to register for courses. Today, we want to provide course planning tips and helpful information to support you as you prepare.
 

Course Planning

As a Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) student, you have a designated faculty academic advisor for your degree program. Your advisor can help you understand your program requirements and answer questions about courses and timelines based on your needs and interests.

Many students benefit from creating a comprehensive academic plan to fulfill all degree requirements. We strongly encourage you to meet with your academic advisor before the start of each semester to plan your courses. Careful course planning can help you align your interests, professional goals, and degree requirements as efficiently as possible.


VEO advisors by program:

Review the UVA engineering online fall 2026 class schedule here: engineering.virginia.edu/offices-programs/virginia-engineering-online/class-schedule/veo-fall-2026


Cardinal Education

Cardinal Education is a longstanding partnership among higher learning institutions in Virginia. Through Cardinal Education, eligible students may complete up to half of their degree credits through approved courses offered by partner institutions. This can expand your course options and provide added flexibility.

Participating institutions include:

  • University of Virginia
  • George Mason University
  • Old Dominion University
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Virginia State University
  • Virginia Tech

 Learn more about Cardinal Education and how to take advantage of this unique opportunity here: engineering.virginia.edu/offices-programs/virginia-engineering-online/prospective-students/cardinal-education
 

Looking Ahead

We will share more information soon about how to enroll in courses using UVA’s Student Information System (SIS). Details about enrolling in Cardinal Education courses will be covered during the VEO Welcome Session in August.


Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs

Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator

SEAS Resources

This week, we will review the resources that are available to all School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) students. These resources help students with academic success, social and emotional wellness, and professional and career readiness. Attending workshops and events organized by these offices is also a good opportunity to make connections and build relationships with your peers.

1) Office of Community, Opportunity and Engagement (OCOE)

Led by UVA Engineering's Associate Dean for Community, Opportunity, and Engagement, Meara Habashi, the OCOE works to promote the School of Engineering's mission of making the world a better place. Through a variety of initiatives, the office supports faculty, staff, and student recruitment, benefiting the School and University, seeks external support for research, education, and community partnerships, and operates the Center for Connection in Engineering (The Connect), a student support center. 

The Connect provides undergraduate and graduate students with the academic, financial, health, and community resources they need to thrive at UVA and in the world. It includes an open study area, event space, and dedicated staff members on site. More information can be found on UVA Engineering's Center for Connection in Engineering website or by emailing James Bland ([email protected]) or Katie Giwa-Osagie ([email protected]). 

2) Center for Engineering Career Development (CECD)

UVA Engineering has a dedicated career services department: The Center for Engineering Career Development (CECD). Its mission is to help engineering students achieve their highest aspirations and become the next generation of global engineering leaders. The CECD works with engineering graduate students to provide professional and career advising and counseling, application material review and creation, interview preparation sessions, and hosts career fairs, to name a few. Please visit the CECD website to explore our offerings, resources, and events.

Miss a message or want to go back without digging through your email? All of our messages are archived on the  Welcome Wednesday website! 

Next week, we will discuss information about admission and enrollment. 

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs
UVA Engineering
she, her, hers

Admission, Enrollment and RCR

Enrollment for Fall 2026 opens on Wednesday, July 1.

As a new student, you may have questions about choosing classes and completing enrollment. Review the information below for admission requirements, enrollment details, and key contacts.

Admission

As a reminder, your letter of admission may have stated admission is contingent upon conditions such as receipt of your final transcript conferring your bachelor's and/or master's degree. Please be certain that these contingencies have been satisfied or you may be unable to register for coursework. To avoid this, be sure to mail documentation in advance. If timely delivery is impacted by unavoidable conditions, please email our admissions team at [email protected].

We do not accept hand-delivered transcripts. Official transcripts should be sent electronically through a verified service to [email protected] if your institution's Registrar's Office participates. Official transcripts (sealed in an envelope and signed by your institution's Registrar) can also be mailed to:

  • For US Postal:
    Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions
    P.O. Box 401103
    Charlottesville, VA 22904
  • For UPS/FEDEX:
    ATTN: Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions
    Room 232
    1001 North Emmett Street 
    Charlottesville, VA 22903

Student Information System (SIS) - This is where you register for classes

The Student Information System is referred to as SIS and is the administrative information system of record for all student-related information, including class enrollment, transcripts, grades, degree requirements, student finance, university maps (with parking lots and bike stands), and more. Your faculty also uses SIS to advise students, grant students permission to enroll in classes and review and submit grades.You can review the SIS help guide for instructions.

For class schedules, you may also use Hoo’s List, an unofficial site that shows current and past UVA course offerings.

Stellic

Stellic is designed to enhance your advising and academic planning experience by providing a centralized space to communicate with your advisor and connect with student support teams and resources across the university.

  • Plan your coursework across multiple semesters
  • Track your degree progress as you complete program requirements
  • Explore course options and see how they align with your academic goals
  • Connect with your advisor and other support teams and resources across the university through integrated messaging and appointment tools

Course registration will still take place in SIS, but Stellic is your go-to platform for advising and tracking your degree progress.

Log in to Stellic using your NetBadge credentials at stellic.virginia.edu. If you need assistance, visit the Stellic Help Center or contact [email protected].

Coursework

If you are an international student and/or will be receiving funding from your department, you must be a full-time student and register for a combination of 12 hours of coursework and research/teaching assistant hours. Contact your faculty advisor or department's graduate program director if you do not yet have an advisor for assistance with course selection. 

New Graduate Student Course enrollment begins Wednesday, July 1st; however, be sure to consult departmental handbooks for course requirements.

Fall 2026 Classes begin Tuesday, August 25, 2026. For additional important dates, please consult the UVA Academic Calendar provided by the University Registrar's Office. 

If you have questions regarding course selection, assistance with forms you may need to complete in the future, and your academic requirements, please contact your departmental Graduate Coordinator.

If you experience any technical issues with course enrollment or have questions about your academic program, please contact Jayne Weber, Graduate Registrar via email at [email protected] or swing by her office located in Thornton Hall, room A108, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. She will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have and looks forward to working with you throughout your graduate career.

Responsible Conduct of Research (For Research based degree only)

You must successfully complete a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training to be eligible to enroll. An enrollment hold is placed on your student account until this required training is completed. This training requirement reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of research integrity and compliance with federal guidelines, and it aligns with best practices across peer institutions.

Fortunately, the RCR training offered through CITI is relatively straightforward and can be completed online. Access to the CITI training can be found below. Please note, it can take up to a few days after completion of the training to remove the enrollment hold.

RCR training is not optional. Students who do not complete the training or have expired RCR training will:

  • Lose their ability to enroll for the semester and lose your UVA student status
  • Lose their eligibility for graduate assistantships which cover stipend, tuition, health insurance, and fees.

Access a UVA CITI training guide with instructions for accessing UVA’s CITI portal. Do not create an account without following the instructions in this UVA-specific guide.

  • Accessing CITI and creating an account
  • Logging into CITI
  • Selecting courses in CITI to complete training. This guide contains links to multiple training courses. Please select the Responsible Conduct of Research course.

You can view previous messages in the Welcome Wednesday archive.

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs
UVA Engineering
she, her, hers

Peer Guides

In addition to your advisor and graduate coordinator, new Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) students may be paired with a returning VEO student who serves as a peer guide. Peer guides can offer student-to-student insight about VEO courses, program expectations, and the online student experience. Many students find this connection especially helpful during their first few weeks in the program.
 

Request a Peer Guide

If you would like to be matched with a peer guide, please email Jennifer Mauller. She will connect you with a returning student in your degree program. The time commitment is flexible. You and your peer guide can decide together how often to connect and what format works best.

 

VEO Canvas

The UVA Canvas VEO site is another way to connect with other VEO students across programs.

This site is designed to help you:

  • Build community
  • Connect with peers
  • Share information and resources
  • Network with other VEO students

Please watch your UVA email later this week for your invitation to join the site.


Looking Ahead

A peer guide and the VEO Canvas site are two ways to connect with support designed specifically for VEO students. Next week, we will share additional support resources available to all UVA graduate engineering students.

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs
 
Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator
 

Student Support

At UVA Engineering, we are committed to supporting your academic progress and personal well-being. The offices below can help you navigate your time at UVA. This information is also available on our website, and we encourage you to bookmark that page for future reference.

Office of Graduate Programs

The Office of Graduate Programs supports all aspects of graduate education in UVA Engineering and helps students connect with the resources they need.

Contacts:

Amy and Priya can assist with academic, personal, professional, and career-related questions and can help connect you with school and university resources.

Office of the Registrar

The Office of the University Registrar (UREG) provides services related to academic records, enrollment, and transcripts.

For UVA Engineering graduate students, the Engineering Registrar can assist with transcripts, records, and degree certification:

Student Safety and Support

The Office of Student Safety and Support helps students access care, navigate challenges, and connect with appropriate support resources.

UVA Engineering’s embedded Assistant Dean of Students is:

Kelly can assist with:

  • Crisis response
  • Resource referrals
  • Conduct-related concerns
  • General student support

You may also contact the central office:

Student Disability Access Center

The Student Disability Access Center (SDAC) supports access and inclusion for students with disabilities across academic programs and university services.

For Engineering students, the assigned accessibility specialist is:

To get started, submit an application through the Student Disability Access Center and indicate that you are in the School of Engineering and Applied Science so you can be assigned to Courtney.

Welcome Wednesday Archive

An archive of previous Welcome Wednesday messages is available here.

Please feel free to contact any of these offices during your time at UVA.


Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs
UVA Engineering

Graduate Student Expectations

This week’s message highlights what Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) students can expect as they begin graduate study at UVA.

Graduate students are expected to build expertise in their field and engage in advanced academic work throughout their program.

Course Enrollment

New graduate student course enrollment opened on July 1, and you may now register for fall courses.

If you have questions about course selection:

  • Contact your VEO academic advisor
  • If you have not yet been assigned an advisor, contact your department’s graduate coordinator

A list of VEO contacts is available here.

Fall 2026 classes begin: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

For additional important dates, please review the UVA Academic Calendar.

If you need help with enrollment or have questions about your program, please contact:

Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 434-924-4051

Personal and Professional Development

We encourage you to take advantage of opportunities that support your professional and personal growth, including:

  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Training programs
  • Mentoring relationships
  • Networking opportunities

These experiences can help you build your academic, professional, and personal skill sets throughout your time at UVA.

Honor Code

All UVA students are expected to uphold the University’s culture of honor in both academic and personal life.

To learn more, please visit the UVA Honor Committee.

Welcome Wednesday Archive

An archive of previous Welcome Wednesday messages is available here.

We are honored that you chose UVA and look forward to supporting you throughout your graduate experience.

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs

Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator

As a reminder, peer guidance is available to all incoming Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) students. 

Peer Guides

In addition to your advisor and graduate coordinator, you may be paired with a returning VEO student who serves as a peer guide. Peer guides can offer helpful insights into courses, program expectations, and the student experience from a current student's perspective.

Many students find this support especially helpful during their first few weeks in the program.

If you would like to be matched with a peer guide, please email Jennifer Mauller.

Once you are matched, you and your peer guide can decide together how often to connect and what format works best.

VEO Canvas

The UVA Canvas VEO page is another way to connect with other VEO students across programs. Contact Jennifer Mauller if you cannot find your invitation to join the VEO Community Canvas page. 

This site is designed to help you:

  • Build community
  • Connect with peers
  • Share information and resources
  • Network with other VEO students

 

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs

Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator

This week’s message is about orientation.

Please save the date for the VEO Welcome Session, a Zoom event designed for online students. We will share information about Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) and Cardinal Education, and there will be time for questions.

VEO Welcome Session

Date: Monday, August 17
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Join the Zoom session

We hope you can join us.

Zoom Information

UVA students can register for a UVA Zoom account and may also move an existing Zoom account to UVA.

Click here for more information about UVA Zoom accounts.


Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs

Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator

Navigating Technology

Technology is an integral part of higher education. UVA Information and Technology office makes commonly used platforms and software available to students. Below are some commonly used products which you will have access to using your UVA account.

UVA Canvas
UVACanvas is the University of Virginia's centrally supported course management and collaboration system. It supports and facilitates coursework as well as collaboration among project teams, research groups, committees, etc. You can access and log into the UVACanvas portal here, and you can find UVACanvas help and support resources here.

Zoom
During your time at UVA, you will likely attend some meetings or sessions virtually. UVA students have access to a UVA Zoom account, which you can easily set up before arriving.

Getting Zoom:

Please visit the Zoom FAQs website for additional information about accessing and using Zoom. Also remember to keep your Zoom version current by regularly checking for updates.

VPN
UVA has a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to provide easy access to UVA online resources such as textbooks, peer reviewed journals, and databases available through the UVA library. Other uses include working on any UVA owned computational resources. It is also a viable way to connect to the U.S. local network when traveling outside of the U.S. Note that you do not need to use VPN for Zoom, SIS, Collab and other basic software. Check with your advisor to find out if you will need VPN access for your work.

Please view the VPN website for additional information, including how to install.

Software Access
UVA students have access to some commonly used software available for download, purchase, or use through a shared virtual desktop.

You can log in to the UVA Software Catalog to access software for download and/or purchase such as MATLAB. Students also have access to Office 365 apps online for download such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.

Remote access to the Windows editions of some UVA-licensed engineering, math and science software is available through Remote Apps. Use this service to run licensed software like Minitab, MATLAB, Rstudio, etc., remotely on your computer. Follow the instructions on the page to download, install, and connect to Remote Apps. 

Tech Support
The UVA Help Desk offers technical support through online resources, help articles and is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via email, live chat or phone. Bookmark the website so you have it when you need help.

Also, there is a page dedicated to new UVA students to help you get set up.
 

Computer Purchase Using UVA Funds
Standards - Ownership and Management 

Computers purchased with University funds, regardless of funding source, are the property of the University. The intended use of all the University’s IT resources is typically for supporting the mission of the University. All unauthorized use is prohibited. The University prohibits the use of University-issued devices solely as personal devices. Incidental personal use is permitted. For clarification, review UVA policy IRM-002: Acceptable Use of the University’s Information Technology Resources. 

You should reach out to your program/department to fill out an Equipment Attestation form for any purchase you make. Please also refer to them for any questions you may have about equipment purchases.


Common Online Platforms and Terms
Below are some additional online platforms and technical terms you may use as a student:

  • UVA Information Technology Services (ITS) website- we referenced this in the last section, but bookmark this site for links to all of your technology needs including quick links to UVA Box, Zoom, software, UVA systems and more.
  • NetBadge- NetBadge is the gatekeeper between users and websites, services, or applications at UVA that need to know and verify user identity before granting access.
  • DUO- All UVA students, faculty, and staff (excluding Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center employees) are required to enroll in 2-Step Login (DUO) to access NetBadge- protected resources.
  • Digital Certificate- A personal digital certificate is like a digital ID card that resides on your computer. At UVA, you can use your certificate to authenticate access to numerous services (e.g., log in via NetBadge). Also, you must install a personal certificate on your phone or PC to use the UVA VPN service.
  • Workday- The HR and payment system which includes pay slips, tax information, W-2 forms, and more.
  • UVA Virgo- UVA library catalog, where you can check the availability of library resources and where to find them.
  • Sympa Mailing Lists- Place to check, search, subscribe, and setup a new UVA Mailing list.


Please note, an archive of all Welcome Wednesday communications sent to date can be accessed by clicking on the link here. 

Next week we will look at how to get around UVA's campus.

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs
UVA Engineering

Reminder: VEO Welcome Session

We are excited to welcome you to the Virginia Engineering Online (VEO) community.

Please join us on Monday, August 17 for our virtual orientation and welcome session. We will share important resources and information to support your transition to UVA.

VEO Welcome Session

Date: Monday, August 17
Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. (ET)
Location: Join the Zoom session

During this session, we will cover:

  • Virginia Engineering Online (VEO)
  • Cardinal Education
  • Questions and answers

We hope you can join us.

Zoom Information

UVA students can register for a UVA Zoom account and may also move an existing Zoom account to UVA.

Click here for more information about UVA Zoom accounts.

Best,

Amy Clobes, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Affairs


Jennifer Mauller
Graduate Online Programs Administrator