What is the OG Program?
GSEE (formerly GO-MAP) is committed to enhancing equity and social progression to promote the recruitment and success of Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students at our Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses.
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 corps of Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students who support GSEE, academic departments, and student organizations to enhance outreach and recruitment efforts for prospective and incoming graduate students. The goal of the OG Program is to introduce Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students to numerous opportunities and resources that help build community and increase racial and ethnic diversity within the graduate student pipeline. *The OG Program attempts to serve UW Bothell (UWB) and UW Tacoma (UWT) as well as UW Seattle; however, UWT and UWB engagement depends on the availability and participation of UWT and UWB graduate students.
The OG Program focuses on three key tenets:
- Proactive Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander student outreach and recruitment efforts tied to building community and increasing the pipeline for Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students
- Investment in professional development opportunities for OGs in the form of workshops and trainings
- Strengthen tri-campus partnerships
What is the role of an OG?
OGs are trained to lead and support prospective, incoming and current Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students 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, communicating in virtual spaces (as applicable), and finding academic and relevant resources. To aid in assessing graduate student needs and to cultivate an inclusive campus community, OGs can assist in the following ways:
- Connect and share opportunities and resources with prospective Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students (virtually and/or in-person)
- Participate in professional development seminars, leadership training and social justice workshops
- Share graduate opportunities with UW registered student organizations to help build the graduate student pipeline
- 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 Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander 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. Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students interested in becoming an OG may fill out the 2022–23 OG Interest Form or contact uwgsee@uw.edu.
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 2022–23 OG Departmental Request Form.