What is the OG Program?
The Office of Graduate Student Equity & Excellence (GSEE) – formerly known as GO-MAP – is committed to enhancing the promotion and success of graduate students impacted by racism and its intersections* at the UW. While GSEE is based on the Seattle campus, Bothell and Tacoma graduate students are welcome to participate in GSEE programming.
The Outreaching Grads (OG) Program is a comprehensive and collaborative outreach and recruitment program housed in GSEE of the Graduate School. The OG Program is a group of graduate students impacted by racism and its intersections. OGs help to support GSEE, academic departments, and student organizations as they enhance outreach and recruitment efforts for prospective and incoming, traditionally underserved graduate students. The OG Program introduces graduate students to opportunities and resources that help build community and increase racial and ethnic diversity within the framework of the graduate student cycle.
What is the role of an OG?
OGs are trained to lead and support prospective, incoming, and current graduate students impacted by racism and its intersections in navigating the numerous aspects and phases of graduate school. They provide a personal lens, as well as meaningful guidance on living in the Pacific Northwest. To aid in assessing graduate student needs and to cultivate an inclusive campus community, OGs can:
- Connect and share opportunities and resources with graduate students impacted by racism and its intersections (virtually and in-person)
- Participate in professional development opportunities
- Share graduate opportunities with UW registered student organizations to promote graduate education
- Engage in graduate student panels, public speaking and recruitment events, and networking engagements
How can I become an OG?
Becoming an OG is a way to give back to our communities, create meaningful friendships across campus, and ensure graduate opportunities remain open to all. OGs will also benefit from:
- Creating new friendships with prospective and current graduate students
- Gaining leadership strength, public speaking expertise and other professional skill sets
- Expanding social and professional networks
- Building professional and community involvement skills that will enhance career goals
Our OG trainings typically occur during Fall Quarter of each academic year. Current graduate students interested in becoming an OG may fill out the 2023–24 OG Interest Form or contact uwgsee@uw.edu.
Update: As of 12/8/23, we have concluded our OG orientation sessions for the 2023-24 academic year and will need to turn our attention to recruitment season during winter and spring quarters. If you are interested in being a GSEE OG for the 24-25 academic year, please complete the OG Interest Form and we will contact you when the next series of OG orientations begin.
Thank you! – The GSEE Team
How can a department request the assistance of an OG?
We are happy to send OGs to departmental functions or have them visit one-on-one with prospective students or groups. We do ask, however, that your request be submitted one week in advance. To request that an OG meet with or contact your prospective student(s), please complete the 2023–24 OG Departmental Request Form.
*Intersections include sexism, homophobia, ableism, Islamaphobia, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.