Fall 2026: Last day of work for GAs holding F-1 and J-1 visas

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Dear International Huskies,

This message is going out to all international graduate assistants at UConn as a reminder. If the the information does not apply to you now, it will be important for you to be aware of these limitations in the future. Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you will be a Fall 2026 graduate, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after your degree conferral on December 20, 2026 and you can no longer work on campus as of this date.

If you hold a Fall 2026 GA appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is January 6, 2027. If your degree is conferred in December and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time between the degree conferral date and the appointment end date should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure that you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before your degree conferral date. You will still receive your full fall GA stipend.

In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to December 20, 2026 if you are graduating in December and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training, will begin December 21, 2026. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account.

Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this guidance as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.

Leslie M. Shor
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services

The Graduate School Newsletter: Fall 2026

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Dear UConn Graduate Students,

Welcome to the fall semester! I hope that the summer months were restorative for you. As we approach the new academic year, I’d like to share a few news items, resources, and events with you. One of the most critical updates is the change to Duration of Status for international graduate students. Please view our newsletter to read more about this important immigration update.

This summer, The Graduate School launched a new online Graduate Student Orientation platform for all UConn graduate students. Whether you are a new or returning student, this tool will assist you in finding the support you need when you need it. Click here to visit the new site.

During the fall months, we hope to see you either online or in-person at our events. Be sure to check out the Graduate Student Resource Fair, taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 2-4pm on the Storrs campus. We are expecting 15+ offices supporting graduate students to attend. Also, consider joining us for the online GRADCHAT series, designed to provide a safe space for you and to help you succeed in graduate school. We invite you to view our Fall 2026 newsletter to learn more about what we have in store for you.

As always, The Graduate School is here to help. Reach out anytime for assistance.

Best wishes for a successful fall!

Leslie M. Shor

Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Fall 2026 Graduate Student Timely Topics Series

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The Graduate School’s Timely Topics is a series of learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with subject matter experts on topics relevant to graduate education. The student track of this series features sessions that highlight University resources and supports, answer questions about academic processes and procedures, and provide strategies to help students successfully navigate their graduate career. All sessions are offered virtually.

Register for a Session | View the full student track schedule and session descriptions

Fall 2026 Student Sessions:

Difficult Subjects/Civil Conversations: A Structured Dialogue Workshop
In today’s polarized academic and social climate, graduate Teaching and Research Assistants play a critical role in fostering respectful and productive conversations. This one-hour, tools-based workshop introduces structured dialogue techniques that support active listening, constructive engagement, and communication across difference. Participants will gain practical strategies to navigate challenging discussions in classrooms, research settings, and collaborative environments. Join the Democracy & Dialogues Initiative to strengthen your ability to lead with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitators: Nana Amos, Director of Community Outreach & Engagement, The Dodd Center for Human Rights; Co-Director, Democracy & Dialogues Initiative & Brendan Kane, Professor, History and Literature, Cultures, and Languages; Co-Director, Democracy & Dialogues Initiative

Researcher Privacy for Graduate Students
In today’s increasingly connected academic landscape, researchers face unique privacy and security challenges. This session will provide you with practical strategies to assess and protect your digital footprint, implement essential privacy measures, and respond effectively to potential issues. From managing your scholarly identity to handling controversial research areas, learn how to balance academic visibility with personal privacy.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Assess your digital footprint and identify potential vulnerabilities specific to your academic work and online presence
  • Implement essential privacy protection strategies including password management, identity compartmentalization, and data removal techniques
  • Develop a personalized response plan for managing potential privacy threats related to your research activities

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Jennifer Schaefer, Research Services Librarian, Homer Babbidge Library

Being Strategic: Career Readiness Milestones
Have you ever wondered whether you truly understood everything involved in reaching your career goals?
Do you ever feel like you wished you had taken a career prep action step sooner?
Maybe you know you need to do something, but “what” remains a mystery.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the career preparation process, a roadmap of important milestones for different career paths, and actionable next steps to help you navigate your career readiness with greater confidence. Identifying and reaching your career goals requires intentional steps and a structured plan.

Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Kay Gruder, Associate Director, Graduate Student and Postdoc Career Programs and Services, Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills

Making Connections That Count: Professional Communication & In-Person Networking
Strong professional communication—whether in person, over email, or in professional settings—is essential to success in graduate school and beyond. This session highlights strategies for communicating clearly and professionally in a range of contexts, as well as strategies for starting conversations, navigating in-person networking events, and following up effectively to turn brief interactions into lasting professional relationships.

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success, The Graduate School

Register for a Session

Learn more about all of The Graduate School’s Timely Topics

Onboarding Program for Directors of Graduate Studies

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For Fall 2026, The Graduate School is introducing an onboarding program for new Directors of Graduate Studies. Directors of Graduate Studies are key supporters and contributors to graduate student success. This role can include mentoring, problem-solving, and having difficult conversations, as well as being responsible for knowing and ensuring the program’s compliance with rules and regulations set by the Graduate Faculty Council of The Graduate School.

To support those taking on this new role, The Graduate School invites you to participate in the Directors of Graduate Studies onboarding program. This program is designed to bring faculty in similar roles together, establish connections, provide you with helpful resources for your new role, and create a shared understanding of our goals and opportunities.

Building relationships early is important to the success of any community, and we hope this program, including the initial kickoff sessions outlined below, will provide a foundation for ongoing collaboration and support throughout the academic year.

Virtual Preview Session: Thursday, August 27, 11am – 12pm
Join link (a separate invite will also be sent)
Before the in-person kickoff, we will host a brief virtual preview to introduce our intent, provide an overview of what to expect, answer questions, and take an opportunity to get to know each other.

In-Person Kickoff: Monday, September 14, 12pm – 1:30pm
Babbidge Library Heritage Room (located on Level 4)
Light lunch will be served
Please RSVP by September 3 (RSVP here)

What you can expect from the kickoff:
Explore how to leverage resources, policies and procedures to support the graduate experience and outcomes in collaboration with The Graduate School
Develop interdisciplinary connections and community with your colleagues in graduate leadership positions
Engage in Q&A with a panel of experienced Directors of Graduate Studies representing a variety of disciplines

We look forward to bringing everyone together and seeing a supportive community grow around this work going forward to support our students. Please reach out to graduatedean@uconn.edu with any questions.

Graduate Student Resource Fair

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The Graduate School, in partnership with the Graduate Student Senate, invites all graduate students to RSVP and attend the Fall 2026 Graduate Student Resource Fair. The event will be held in the North Reading Room, Wilbur Cross Building, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

The Resource Fair is designed to connect graduate students with a variety of campus resources that support their academic, professional, and personal success at UConn. Whether you are new to campus or continuing your graduate studies, you will have the opportunity to learn about the many services available to help you thrive throughout your graduate journey. Although the fair will be held on the Storrs campus, graduate students from UConn’s regional campuses who are interested and able to attend are also welcome to join us.

Graduate student Michael Nyarko and Karen Bresciano, Assistant Dean of The Graduate School at the Spring 2026 Graduate Student Resource Fair.

Graduate students on the Storrs campus, especially new graduate students, are encouraged to RSVP and attend. Representatives from the Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) team in The Graduate School, along with more than 15 campus offices and 30+ representatives, will be available to answer your questions and share information about the many resources and services available to support your success at UConn. Additional offices may be added as we get closer to the event. 

RSVP Here

Browse the participating offices by category below. 

RSVP Here

Leading up to the Resource Fair, The Graduate School will host a Graduate Student Panel on Tuesday, August 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Current graduate students from a variety of academic disciplines will share what they wish they had known before starting graduate school, the campus resources that helped them succeed, and advice for navigating graduate school. The panel will also include an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. 

The Graduate Student Panel is open to all new graduate students and will be held in the Class of 1947 Room, Homer Babbidge Library. RSVP HERE.  

For questions about the Graduate Student Resource Fair or the Graduate Student Panel, please contact The Graduate School at gradschool@uconn.edu. 

Connect with The Graduate School on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook for event updates and future opportunities. Light refreshments will be provided at both events. 

Kun Chen Named Academic Director of UConn’s M.S. in Data Science Program

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Appointment positions the interdisciplinary program for continued growth and an increasingly AI-driven future

The University of Connecticut is pleased to announce that Kun Chen, Professor of Statistics, has been named Academic Director of UConn’s M.S. in Data Science program.

Chen brings to the position an exceptional record of interdisciplinary scholarship, academic leadership, teaching, and mentorship. A professor in UConn’s Department of Statistics and a research fellow in the Center for Population Health at UConn Health, his research spans statistical learning, machine learning, optimization, health data science, bioinformatics, population health, and healthcare analytics.

An internationally recognized scholar, Chen is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and an elected member of the International Statistical Institute. In 2024, he received the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Innovative Scholarship Award, which recognizes outstanding interdisciplinary research addressing significant challenges to knowledge, human well-being, and society. His work exemplifies the collaborative, application-focused approach that is central to UConn’s vision for data science.

As Academic Director, Chen will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the M.S. in Data Science program. He will work across UConn’s schools and colleges to guide the program’s academic direction, strengthen its curriculum, support faculty collaboration, enhance the student experience, deepen relationships with industry and external partners, and identify new opportunities for growth and innovation.

UConn’s M.S. in Data Science is a 30-credit, career-focused graduate program offered in both an intensive, cohort-based on-campus format and a flexible online format. Drawing on faculty expertise from five schools and colleges—the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, the School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Neag School of Education—the interdisciplinary curriculum prepares students across the full data science lifecycle, including statistical analysis, computing, machine learning, data management, visualization, communication, research design, ethics, and responsible data use. The program culminates in a team-based capstone through which students work collaboratively to address consequential, real-world challenges, often in partnership with industry and organizational collaborators.

Chen’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the field. As data science and artificial intelligence rapidly converge, organizations increasingly need professionals who combine advanced analytical and AI capabilities with strong statistical foundations, ethical judgment, and deep domain expertise.

Under Chen’s leadership, the program will build on its strengths in statistics, computing, machine learning, and applied problem-solving while expanding opportunities at the intersection of data science and artificial intelligence. This next phase will strengthen connections with UConn’s growing AI research and educational ecosystem, deepen industry engagement, expand the program’s national visibility, and prepare graduates to lead in a professional landscape increasingly shaped by generative AI, advanced machine learning, and intelligent decision systems. At the same time, the program will preserve the qualities that distinguish it: its interdisciplinary structure, academic rigor, commitment to responsible practice, and focus on translating technical knowledge into meaningful real-world impact.

Chen succeeds Jeremy Teitelbaum, who has served as Academic Director since 2023 and is stepping down from the role. As the program’s first dedicated director following its launch, Jeremy has led the M.S. in Data Science program through a formative period of growth and development. His leadership has helped establish the program’s academic identity, strengthen its interdisciplinary partnerships, expand enrollment, and build a strong foundation for continued success. We are sincerely grateful for Jeremy’s vision, dedication, and service, and we thank him for the lasting contributions he has made to UConn’s M.S. in Data Science program.

Please join me in thanking Jeremy, and congratulating Kun.

Upcoming Fall 2026 GA Registration Deadline

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As a reminder, all students employed as Graduate Assistants are required to maintain full-time student status (6 or more credits), as noted in their offer letter and the Graduate Catalog. Employment as a GA is a result of student status, therefore it is recommended that you register by August 1 and it is required that you are registered for a minimum of 6 credits before the start date of your employment (August 23, 2026). Please be aware that if you do not enroll in the minimum 6 credits required to maintain full-time student status, the University cannot employ you as a GA.

To register now, log into Student Admin. You can also find helpful information, resources, and to-do items specific to your role as a GA, including information about GA health insurance and deadlines for enrolling in GA payroll deductions to pay your fee bill, at the Graduate Assistant Onboarding page.

If you have any questions about this requirement or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to megan.petsa@uconn.edu.

Postdoc Appreciation Week 2026

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The University of Connecticut Postdoc Working Group, in partnership with The Graduate School, UConn Health (Farmington), and the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, is excited to announce National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW26) 2026, taking place from Monday, September 21, through Friday, September 25, on the Storrs campus.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating 150 Years of the U.S. Postdoc Position,” recognizes the important role postdoctoral scholars have played in advancing research, innovation, and higher education. It also reflects the purpose of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which is dedicated to recognizing and supporting postdoctoral researchers across institutions nationwide.

Throughout the week, postdocs from all UConn campuses are invited to participate in a variety of events focused on professional development, networking, and community building. These events provide opportunities for postdocs to connect with colleagues, learn about available resources, and celebrate their contributions to the UConn community.

This year’s NPAW26 will also feature the Second Annual Postdoc Research Day. Postdocs interested in participating in the Postdoc Research Day should read more HERE and register once application opens. Postdocs, Faculty, staff, graduate students, and all other attendees should use the general RSVP form to register for the week's events. Please see below for more information about the scheduled events and activities.

The Week at a Glance

We invite you to stay connected throughout NPAW26 by following The Graduate School on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for highlights and updates. More events and activities will be added in the coming days. Questions, feedback, or ideas for NPAW26 may be directed to The Graduate School via Melanie V. Sinche (melanie.sinche@uconn.edu) or Michael Inkoom Nyarko (rdu25001work@uconn.edu).

2026 Postdoc Research Day

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The University of Connecticut's Postdoc Working Group, in partnership with The Graduate School, invites you to register and participate in the Second Annual Postdoc Research Day. This one-day event will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, from 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m., with oral presentations in the Student Union Ballroom and poster presentations in Student Union Room 304. The event is designed to provide postdoctoral scholars with an opportunity to present their research to a general audience while participating in career development training that prepares them for the next steps in their careers. 

Three postdoc winners
Winners of the 2025 Postdoc Research Day (left to right): Shadi Izadidehkordi, Cao Thuy Giang Nguyen, and Hoang Quan Truong.

Postdocs from all UConn campuses, with the exception of UConn Health, are encouraged to register and participate in the 2026 Postdoc Research Day. The competition will feature a maximum of 30 poster presentations. In addition, up to 20 postdocs will be selected to deliver a three-minute presentation about their research to a general audience. All postdocs are welcome to present their research.

Since space is limited, participation will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a complete application. Selections will also take into consideration equitable representation across UConn's schools, colleges, departments, and institutes. 

To help participants prepare for the competition, all selected presenters will be required to attend a mandatory practice session, either in person at the Whetten Graduate Center, Giolas Conference Room, second floor or virtually via Microsoft Teams. During the practice session, judges will provide constructive feedback to help presenters strengthen their presentations before the competition.

Please note that all oral presentations must be no longer than three minutes. Interested postdocs are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as registration opens, as available presentation spots will be filled on a rolling basis.

Submit Your Application Here

Timeline:

Monday, Oct 5, 2026   Application opens 
Friday, Oct 23, 2026   Application deadline for postdoctoral researchers.  
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026    Designing Engaging Presentations workshop 
November 2-6, 2026  Presentation week for postdoctoral researchers
Wednesday, December 9, 2026   Final competition 

Applicants who submit their applications after all oral presentation slots have been filled may be placed on a waitlist and will be notified if an oral presentation opportunity becomes available. Selected postdocs will have the opportunity to present their research through a three-minute oral presentation. All interested postdocs are also welcome to participate in the poster presentation session.

On the registration form, please indicate whether you would like to be considered for an oral presentation, a poster presentation only, or both. Postdocs participating only in the poster presentation are encouraged to drop off their posters at The Graduate School front desk by December 7, 2026. Alternatively, posters may be dropped off at the registration desk on the day of the event before the poster session begins. 

For postdocs (if you are not presenting), faculty members, staff, graduate students, and members of the UConn community who wish to attend the event to support their colleagues, lab mates, or department's representation, please RSVP for the event using this link.

Leading up to the event, The Graduate School will host two presentation workshops, including Designing Effective Presentations for postdocs. These workshops will also be open to graduate students. Additional information regarding directions, parking, and other event resources will be shared closer to the event date.

If you have questions about the Second Annual Postdoc Research Day, please contact The Graduate School by reaching out to Melanie V. Sinche at melanie.sinche@uconn.edu or Michael Inkoom Nyarko at rdu25001work@uconn.edu.

Apply Here

Connect with The Graduate School at UConn on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formally Twitter) and Facebook for more event updates.

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase : Fall 2026

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The Graduate School at UConn invites you to RSVP to attend the second annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase. This event celebrates the impact, creativity, and purpose behind graduate students’ work through brief, engaging presentations designed for a general audience. The showcase will take place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Konover Auditorium at The Dodd Center for Human Rights. The competition features eligible degree-seeking graduate students from all UConn campuses.

Spencer Hayes, presenting on the topic “Social Media's Dichotomous Agency in Human Trafficking” during the Spring 2026 3MT and Graduate Student Showcase.
Spencer Hayes, presenting on the topic “Social Media's Dichotomous Agency in Human Trafficking” during the Spring 2026 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase.

The goal of the event is to provide eligible graduate students with an opportunity to gain experience communicating the significance of their work to a non-specialist audience in three minutes or less. Prior to the event, participants will have the opportunity to attend two presentation workshops, as outlined in the table below. The event is open to the UConn community and guests. We invite you to attend, support our graduate student presenters, and vote for your favorite presentation for the People’s Choice Award.

RSVP to Attend

Timeline: 

Monday, July 20, 2026  Application opens
Friday, August 7, 2026  Application deadline for graduate students 
Wednesday, August 12, 2026   Designing Engaging Presentations workshop

Completed!
Friday, August 21, 2026 Decisions made, graduate students notified
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

 Creating Effective Presentations workshop (Room 1102, Homer Babbidge Library)

Register here.
September 10-18, 2026  Preliminary round 
Wednesday, October 7, 2026  Final competition 

Eligibility Criteria: 

  • Category 1: All Master's degrees; Professional and clinical doctoral degrees 
  • Category 2: Arts, Humanities, and Social Science doctoral degrees (PhD candidates only) 
  • Category 3: STEM doctoral degrees (PhD candidates only) 

Please note:

Students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking graduate program during the Fall 2026 semester to participate in the competition. While students from both thesis-based and non-thesis-based programs are eligible to compete and win at the UConn level, only students enrolled in thesis-based programs are eligible to advance to the national and international Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) competitions.

The Graduate School will also host a poster competition during the Spring 2027 semester. While the poster competition is open to all graduate students, those who may not be eligible to participate in the Fall 2026 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase competition are especially encouraged to apply. Additional details about the Spring 2027 poster competition will be shared as they become available. 

To participate in Categories 2 or 3 above: 

  • The applicant must be a doctoral student enrolled in a program with a dissertation requirement. 
  • The applicant must be an active student when they apply and compete. Applicants who complete their degree during the prior semester cannot compete. 
  • The applicant must have documented successful completion of the General Examination by submitting the Report on the General Exam to the Office of the Registrar Degree Audit Team no later than Sept 30, 2026. 
  • The applicant must have documented successful completion and submission of the dissertation proposal by submitting the Dissertation Proposal Form to the Office of the Registrar Degree Audit Team no later than September 30, 2026. 
  • The Dissertation Proposal Form may be submitted to Degree Audit without approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The milestone will be posted as "in progress" and will meet the eligibility requirements for this application. IRB/IACUC approval must be submitted to Degree Audit once received to ensure that the milestone is updated to "complete" on the student record.

Prizes:

Ten (10) finalists in each of the categories listed above will be selected to compete on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. These thirty (30) finalists will receive $100 each for competing. At the event, the following prizes will be awarded within each category:

  • First prize: $1,000
  • Runner-up: $750
  • People's Choice: $500

At the end of the event, an overall winner will be selected from among the three categories and will receive an additional $5,000 for a total Grand Prize of $6,100. The institution's representative for the national and international 3MT® competitions will also be determined based on the eligibility criteria outlined above.

Competition Process: 

Selected participants will present their three-minute talk to a panel of judges during the preliminary round between September 10 and September 18. Presentations may be conducted virtually or in person. From the preliminary round, ten finalists from each category will be selected to compete in the final competition on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.

Judging Criteria: Presentations are evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Clarity and accessibility of the description of your work 
  • Problem, question, or challenge addressed 
  • Connection between your degree program and your future goals 
  • Broader impact of your work 

Rules for the 3MT® presentation: 

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration). 
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted. 
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted. 
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified. 
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs). 
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage. 
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech. 
  • The competition is judged by a panel of professionals with wide ranging academic and non-academic expertise. 
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

RSVP to Attend

Connect with The Graduate School at UConn on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook for more event updates.