About Us
Developed with graduate students and postdoc input, myHub was designed to be a useful tool for all UR SMD trainees. myHub brings together eight critical areas, including learner life/wellness, writing services, fellowships and grants, career services, internships, graduate student and postdoctoral groups, alumni mentorship, and events.
Mission
To empower learners’ education and career through dedicated professional staff, services, and programs.
Vision
To ensure all learners have a positive and productive educational experience and an impactful, fulfilling, and prosperous career.
Our Team
Amber Rivera – Director of Learner Life/Wellness
Amber Rivera, MSW, is the newest member of the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, and is happy to fill the new role of Director of Learner Life/Wellness. Amber has over 20 years of social work, counseling, and case management experience serving the Rochester community. For the last 15 years, she has worked in higher education, providing comprehensive counseling, advocacy, and wellness care to diverse student populations. Amber is passionate about ensuring individuals are thriving within an academic community with support, a sense of belonging, and overall well-being. Amber will be working with myHub to support SMD graduate students and postdocs and provide opportunities to focus on physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. She’s a mom of 3 and cherishes any moment of solitude she can get to read books, listen to music, paint with watercolors, and take walks.
More Information About Learner Life/Wellness
Elaine Smolock – Director of Writing Services
Smolock received her PhD in Pharmacology and Physiology from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2007. She then came to the University of Rochester Medical Center where she was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and a Research Assistant Professor at the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute. Elaine was one of the founding members of our Postdoctoral Association. In 2015, Elaine joined the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, where she currently serves as Director of Writing Services and Training Grant Development. Elaine leads multiple writing initiatives, including grant writing clubs and workshops, and is passionate about professional development and mentoring. Elaine works closely with myHub leadership to tailor programming and events to advance the goals of our learners.
More Information About Writing Services
& Training Grant Development
Eric Vaughn – Director of Career Services
Eric Vaughn earned his Master’s of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, in 2003. With over 18 years of experience in the career services/development field. Eric has been a member of UR SMD Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs team since 2017. Eric coordinates career exploration and development programs for current SMD trainees including alumni career stories and career panels, career resource seminars, and 1:1 appointments. Currently, he actively participates in the Graduate Career Consortium (GCC) and volunteers on the Virtual Career Expo Committee and is currently establishing a Community of Practice on Artificial Intelligence. Eric previously held the position of treasurer for the GCC and serving as the co-chair of the GCC's Benchmarking committee. In his leisure time, Eric enjoys conducting genealogy research on his family and holds the role of President at the Rochester Genealogical Society (RGS).
More Information About Career Services
Schedule an appointment with a member of the myHub team for your learner life/wellness, writing/grant, and career planning needs. In-person and Zoom options are available.
Schedule an Appt.