The Graduate School and GSEE provide ways for Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander students to connect, to foster community and a sense of belonging in graduate school. Here is a list of the ongoing and periodic events and resources.
See the Complete GSEE/Equity & Justice Events Calendar
Annual Equity in Graduate Education Summit
The Graduate School’s annual tri-campus summit is a partnership with equity-focused, graduate student facing units across the UW.
The summit guides faculty, staff, graduate students, and campus leaders to not simply observe or feel bad about inequalities in graduate education, but to learn the tools to change those inequalities.
Equity Office Hours
Equity Focus Office Hours are a series of events hosted by the Office of Equity and Justice (OEJ) and The Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE). The series features current topics that impact Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students and is designed to support faculty/staff invested in the success of Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students. The series often hosts campus partners and guest speakers committed to moving beyond theory and performative action to support Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students and has culminated in an annual Equity in Graduate Education Summit over the last three years.
Weekly Newsletters
Current UW graduate students who self-identified as a racial or ethnic minority on their UW application will receive weekly GSEE emails. New Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students should receive their first GSEE email in mid-October. If you are not on the listserv and would like to be added, please email uwgsee@uw.edu.
GSEE New Student Welcome
This event is a summer virtual meet & greet for incoming historically underrepresented master’s, Ph.D., and professional students, including a student panel and breakout rooms to exchange tips and tricks on transitioning to Seattle and the UW.
Topics have included QTPOC Community, POC Outdoors, Student Activism/Advocacy, Parenting while in Graduate School, Find a Roommate, Free Chat.
Getting Connected—Autumn Welcome
Getting Connected is GSEE’s signature Autumn Quarter event that occurs over two days. Day 1 features a virtual student panel (via Zoom) and Day 2 features an in-person reception (complete with food, dancing, and dessert!). Please note that you must RSVP to each day separately.
Day 1: GSEE’s Getting Connected Student Panel (virtual) | Oct. 17, 3:30–5:00 p.m. PT
Day 2: GSEE’s Getting Connected Reception (in-person) | Oct. 18, 6:30–9:00 p.m. PT
Power Hours
GSEE Power Hours are designed to create a supportive community. These events feature UW faculty and community leaders and are designed with introspective and professional growth in mind. Master’s and doctoral historically underrepresented graduate students have an opportunity to be a part of interactive discussions on topics that are unique to their academic and professional journeys.
Topics range from leadership development, self-care, overcoming the imposter syndrome, countering microaggressions and negotiating salaries.
As one student noted, graduate school can be a “lonely journey.” Taking some time to connect and talk with others is restoring and rejuvenating. At the Power Hour, “my soul was fed,” she added.
Prospective Student Days
Prospective Student Days and Virtual Visit Days are two-day welcome events for admitted, prospective Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students. These events feature current students and GSEE staff panels. There are opportunities to gather with other prospective, admitted graduate students across disciplines.
Last year’s PSD events
Spring Soirée
The GSEE Spring Soirée is a chance to relax and celebrate the end of the academic year with other historically underrepresented graduate students from across campuses and disciplines.
2024 Spring Soirée
Stay tuned and save the date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House at UW Seattle.
Staying Connected
Hosted by our Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB), Staying Connected are monthly social mixers meant for historically underrepresented graduate students to gather in community while supporting local businesses. If you are interested in meeting new folks, come hangout at this happy hour. This is a no-host gathering. No speakers or name-tags just a good old fashioned way to mingle!
Real Talk Tuesdays
GSEE and the Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity (CCDE) co-host Real Talk Tuesdays, a safe space to engage in real talk about issues that impact historically underrepresented graduate students. Topics rotate and students are encouraged to bring up issues of concern to them.
RSVP for upcoming Real Talk Tuesdays
MLK Day of Service
GSEE invites you to observe and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. For MLK Day 2024 we will share a few community events that aim to provide us with an opportunity to reflect on and rededicate ourselves to our shared commitment to creating a just and equitable future for all. *Note: These events are not sponsored or hosted by GSEE.
Past community activities have included:
- Youth events, workshops, and an opportunity fair, hosted by the Seattle MLK Jr. Coalition
- A full day of activities including food trucks, music, art, films, and a keynote address culminating in a grand reopening party at the Northwest African American Museum
- An annual lobby day on MLK Day organized by the Statewide Poverty Action Network
Thriving in Graduate School Series (TIGS)
GSEE partners with Graduate Student Affairs and the UW Counseling Center for the Thriving in Graduate School Series (TIGS). This series gives graduate students the opportunity to learn from experienced Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander alumni. Guest speakers/facilitators will share their wisdom and strategies for surviving and thriving-within and outside of graduate school.
While GSEE events and programming are geared toward Black, Latinx, Native American and Pacific Islander graduate students, they are open to all UW graduate students, faculty and staff, especially those interested in supporting and increasing a racially diverse graduate student population.