About Us

Graduate Student Affairs (formerly Core Programs) — housed within the Office of Student & Postdoctoral Affairs in The Graduate School — utilizes a holistic approach to supporting graduate students through student-centered programming, timely resources, and intentional tri-campus partnerships.

Vision

We strive to promote the well-being of our diverse graduate student body in our tri-campus network, so they can thrive and be successful at the university and beyond.

Student Success Domains

Our work to enhance the success of our graduate students includes the following areas:

Wellness. Graduate students are successful when their whole selves are validated and supported. We utilize growth-mindset messaging in all of our workshops, events, and e-newsletters. We also leverage tri-campus partnerships to connect students with emotional, physical, and intellectual wellness services and programming.

Community. Graduate students are successful when they feel a sense of belonging in their departments and across the university. From quarterly socials to networking events, we provide multiple opportunities for students to engage with one another. We also promote and co-sponsor events that are inclusive of graduate students’ diverse social identities and backgrounds.

Professional Development. Graduate students are successful when they can explore a range of potential career paths. We design and co-sponsor events that allow students to hone career development and workplace communication skills, build professional networks in and beyond academia, and develop career exploration plans.

Leadership. Graduate students are successful when they can participate in civic engagement. To inform our work in student affairs, we convene advisory boards comprised of graduate student leaders from across disciplines and who come from underrepresented backgrounds. By taking on a variety of speaking, facilitation, and organizational roles at events, participating in advisory boards, or designing events of their own, graduate students grow their capacities as decision-makers, problem-solvers, and public speakers.

Equity. Graduate students are successful when they are visible and have equitable access to information and opportunities across the university. We coordinate the First-Generation Graduate Student and International Graduate Student Initiatives, in order to amplify the voices of first-gen and international graduate student populations, to build and sustain community, and to develop programming tailored to their unique experiences.