The Graduate School and GSEE provide ways for graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences 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/Graduate Student Success Calendar
Annual Excellence 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.
Excellence in Graduate Education Series
The Excellence in Graduate Education Series (EGES) (formerly Equity Focus Office Hours) are a series of events hosted by the Office of Graduate Student Success (OGSS) and the Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE). The series features current topics that impact graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences and is designed to support faculty/staff invested in the success of these students. The series often hosts campus partners and guest speakers committed to moving beyond theory and performative action to support graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences and has culminated in an annual Excellence in Graduate Education Summit over the last four 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 graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences 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 or visit this webpage.
GSEE New Student Welcome
This event is a summer virtual meet & greet for incoming 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.
Join us to see what topics emerge this year! We ask that newly admitted/incoming students register for GSEE’s 2025 New Student Welcome.
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. 15, 3:30–5:00 p.m. PT | Zoom
Day 2: GSEE’s Getting Connected Reception (in-person) | Oct. 16, 4:30–7:30 p.m. PT | wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, UW Seattle
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. Graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences 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.
- Stay Tuned for 2025-2026 Power Hour opportunities
Prospective Student Days
Prospective Student Days (PSDs) are two-day welcome events for admitted, prospective graduate students with a focus on supporting potential graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences. These events feature current students and GSEE staff panels. There are opportunities to gather with other prospective, admitted graduate students across disciplines.
2026 PSD events
- Virtual Student Panel
Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. PT via Zoom - In-Person Reception
Friday, April 3, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. PT at the Peterson Room, Allen Library, UW Seattle
Learn more about our Prospective Student Days
Spring Soirée
The GSEE Spring Soirée is a chance to relax and celebrate the end of the academic year with other graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences from across campuses and disciplines.
2026 Spring Soirée
Stay tuned and save the date: Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House at UW Seattle.
Staying Connected
Hosted by our Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB), Staying Connected are monthly social mixers meant for graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences to gather in community while supporting local businesses. If you are interested in meeting new folks, come hangout at this community event. This is a no-host gathering. No speakers or name-tags just a good old fashioned way to mingle!
Stay tuned to our social media channels and weekly newsletters for updates on Staying Connected events. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Staying Connected usually occurs on the first Friday of each month.
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 graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences. Topics rotate and students are encouraged to bring up issues of concern to them.
MLK Day of Service
GSEE invites you to observe and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. For MLK Day 2026 we will be sharing 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.
GSEE events and programming that focuses on supporting graduate students from diverse perspectives and experiences. GSEE programing is open to all UW graduate students, faculty and staff, and those who share the goal of promoting a supportive and encouraging environment for all.