The ultimate goal of the Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program is to offer a well-rounded training to the GAANN fellows both in breadth and depth in the areas of research, teaching and professional development.
Research
Each GAANN fellow will undertake Doctor of Philosophy research in one of the research areas related to the broad area of infrastructure resilience in the context of advanced construction methods. All GAANN fellows will have access to the cutting-edge experimental facilities of Texas A&M University, such as the Center for Infrastructure Renewal and its advanced equipment, including small-scale and large-scale 3D printers. Each GAANN fellow will be co-advised by a group of faculty that will provide a broad perspective in the fellow’s research endeavors.
Teaching
The teaching experience of the GAANN fellows will comprise four elements:
- Two training programs: the Center for Teaching Excellence’s (CTE’s) Teaching Assistant Institute program and the Center for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning’s (CIRTL’s) College Classroom Teaching Course with the latter also providing the CIRTL Practitioner Certificate.
- Mentoring of undergraduate (and/or Master of Science) students.
- At least one teaching assistantship in a selected undergraduate course.
- A graduate teaching fellowship to teach an undergraduate course as instructors of record.
Professional Development
In addition to the research, teaching and mentoring activities, the professional development will also include CIRTL’s Academy of Future Faculty program, which will also provide the fellows with CIRTL Associate Certificates.
Also, all GAANN fellows will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of outreach activities organized by the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as well as in various student organizations available on campus. Furthermore, depending on their research project, GAANN fellows will have the opportunity to gain international experiences by spending one to three months in another country via existing Texas A&M University international programs such as Halliburton Engineering Global Programs.
Financial support at the level given to graduate students at the Texas A&M College of Engineering's Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will be available for all GAANN fellows. However, the final amount given to each fellow will be determined based on by their demonstrated financial need from the FAFSA review.
More Information
For questions, please email us at civil-gaann@tamu.edu.