Announcements for Current Students

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

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Dear International Huskies,

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 Spring 2026 graduate, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after May 10, 2026 and can no longer work on campus beyond that date.

If you hold an academic year or spring GA appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is May 22, 2026. If your degree is conferred in May 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 you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before your degree conferral date. You will still receive your full spring GA stipend.

In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to May 10, 2026, if you are graduating in May 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 May 11, 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 later in May.

If you will be offered a summer GA appointment and will complete your degree during Summer 2026, please be aware that the summer term will be considered your final semester, and you may be employed for no more than 20 hours per week. The date you submit all final degree requirements to Degree Audit will be your degree completion date and the last date you may be employed under a graduate payroll title. Your form I-20 will be shortened to this date.

Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change 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

Graduation Reminders from Degree Audit

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Are you graduating for Spring 2026? Did you know you must apply for graduation online via your Student Administration account?

You can visit Steps to a Successful Graduation for guidance or the Master’s Degrees page, the Certificate programs page, the Doctoral Degrees page for instructions and information about:

  • applying for graduation
  • submitting required paperwork
  • uploading your thesis or dissertation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

I didn’t know the deadline to apply for graduation was the end of the 4th week of the semester. What if I missed the deadline?
If you missed the deadline, please apply ASAP in order to not delay the conferral of your degree.

I plan on graduating in the Summer. What is that deadline to apply to graduate?
Summer candidates are asked to apply no later than April 1st to ensure their information makes the Commencement publication. Applications received after April 1st will not be included in the commencement program

Do I submit a plan of study via Student Administration?
No, graduate students submit plans of study via email to degreeaudit@uconn.edu. These forms can be found on the Master’s Degree page, the Certificate programs page, the Doctoral Degrees page, or the Forms Section of the Office of the Registrar’s website.

I have external advisor(s) on my advisory committee; how do I ensure they are approved?
An external advisor is someone not affiliated with UConn or UConn Health. Students can use the External Advisor Request form to officially add an external advisor to their committee.

Master’s Degree and Certificate Students must receive approval to include an external advisor prior to submitting their Final Plan of Study (POS). The final plan of study is submitted when applying for graduation.

Doctoral Students must request approval for an external advisor prior to submitting their Plan of Study (by the time 18 credits are completed) or when the external committee member is invited to join the committee.

Is there a deadline to submit my master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in the Thesis and Dissertation Portal to qualify for a Spring 2026 conferral date?
Yes, the deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026. User Guides for the Thesis and Dissertation Portal are available online: Doctoral Dissertation User Guide and Master’s Thesis User Guide.

Can I change my graduation term from Spring to Summer or Fall if I end up needing more time?
Yes, please email degreeaudit@uconn.edu to request the change.

Do I have to apply to graduate for my Certificate program?
Yes.

Important Note: All students are advised to review their transcript to ensure that it is in agreement with their plan of study. Any missing grades, documents, or discrepancies between a student’s plan of study and transcript can result in a delay of degree conferral or cancellation of degree candidacy. Please refer to the Registrar’s guide, Steps to a Successful Graduation, as you prepare to complete your degree.

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

If you wish to attend the Ceremony, you’ll need to RSVP after spring break. Information regarding commencement can be found on the Commencement webpage.

UConn Health graduate students can find commencement information at the following link: UConn Health Commencement.

IMPORTANT DATES

Please reach out to degreeaudit@uconn.edu with questions.

Preparatory Workshops for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase

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Leading up to the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase on Wednesday April 8, 2026, at the Konover Auditorium in The Dodd Center for Human Rights, and as part of the 2026 Graduate Student Appreciation Week (UConnGSAW26), The Graduate School invites graduate students to participate in two preparatory workshops ahead of the competition.

The workshops are open to all applicants of the 3MT® competition and the broader graduate student population and are designed to help participants translate their research or professional experience(s) for a general audience, improve oral presentation skills, and prepare for the April showcase. All applicants are strongly encouraged to register and attend.

Workshop 1

Designing Engaging Presentations: Preparing for UConn’s 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase

Friday, February 20, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM

Location: Online

Instructors:

Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success, The Graduate School, UConn.

Melanie Sinche

 

Sam Lake, Director of Career & Professional Development, University of Virginia.

 

Workshop 2

Creating Effective Presentations

Friday, February 27, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM

Location: Homer Babbidge Library, Room 1102

Instructor:

Dr. Faye Assanah, Assistant Professor in Residence, UConn College of Engineering.

Fayekah Assanah, Ph.D.

 

Who Should Attend

Applicants to the 3MT® and Graduate Student Showcase, the broader graduate student population, and anyone interested in enhancing their presentation skills. Tell a friend or colleague.

Register Now!

 

Learn more about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase or explore additional events happening during Graduate Student Appreciation Week (UConnGSAW26), April 6–10, 2026.

For questions or accommodation requests ahead of any of these workshops, please contact Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Success at melanie.sinche@uconn.edu or Michael Inkoom Nyarko, Graduate Assistant at rdu25001work@uconn.edu

UConnGSAW26, We See You. We Celebrate You!

The Graduate School Newsletter

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Welcome, UConn grads, to a new semester! Thank you all for your many contributions to the UConn community as students, trainees, teachers, researchers, and more. UConn could not be what it is without graduate students.

As we begin a new year, I want to remind you that The Graduate School is here to support you. Members of The Graduate School’s Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) Team are available for private conversations with you. When concerns arise, The Graduate School works with students, faculty, and staff to determine the best steps to take and the most beneficial resources for the given situation. Contacting the GSPA team is a great starting place for any graduate student concern, especially if you are not sure where to begin.

The Graduate School is also here to assist you in your development as a scholar and professional. Throughout the spring semester, there will be numerous opportunities for you to build the skills required to thrive during your graduate program and beyond and we invite you to view our newsletter to learn more about what we have in store for you.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and academically successful new year,

Leslie M. Shor
Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase

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As part of the 2026 Graduate Student Appreciation Week at the University of Connecticut and in celebration of the Because of UConn campaign, The Graduate School invites you to apply for and participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Graduate Student Showcase. It is an event that celebrates the impact, creativity, and purpose behind graduate students’ work through brief, engaging presentations for a general audience. The showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Konover Auditorium in The Dodd Center for Human Rights and is open to degree-seeking graduate students from all UConn campuses.

Application Deadline EXTENDED: 

Monday, February 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET

Goal of the Event:

For eligible degree-seeking graduate students at UConn to gain experience in communicating the significance of their work to a non-specialist audience in 3 minutes or less.

Timeline:

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Application opens
Monday, February 9, 2026 Application deadline for graduate students
Friday, February 20, 2026 Decisions made, graduate students notified
Friday, February 20, 2026 Designing Engaging Presentations workshop (recording)
Friday, February 27, 2026 Creating Effective Presentations workshop (in-person)
March 2-13, 2026 Preliminary round
Wednesday, April 8, 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:

To compete, students must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program in the Spring of 2026.

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 April 8, 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 April 8, 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, April 8, 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 $6,000.

Application Process:

  1. Submit your application for the event, ensuring that you answer all questions fully and to the best of your ability, using language that a general audience can understand.
  2. If selected to participate in the preliminary round, you must present your 3-minute talk to a panel of judges between March 2-13. This presentation may be virtual or in-person.
  3. From those who participate in the preliminary round, 10 finalists from each category will be selected to participate in the final competition on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Judging Criteria:

To select applicants to advance on to the preliminary round in March, readers will use 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 3-minute 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)

TO APPLY: Visit this link.

Connect with The Graduate School on social media for updates and highlights from UConnGSAW26 on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (formally Twitter) and Facebook.

UConnGSAW26, We See You, We Celebrate You!

   

The world moves forward because of UConn, and all we do is possible because of YOU.

Industry Insights

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The Graduate School, together with the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, invites you to attend Industry Insights, a series of virtual events designed to introduce graduate students and postdocs to a variety of industries. Each series will be held online and will feature working professionals from different industries. The discussions will be based on the skills required to enter and succeed in these industries.

The first series of the program, taking place in the spring of 2026, will focus on the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

The online events will take place:

  • Friday, January 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (NOTE: Date change)
  • Monday, February 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Monday, March 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Monday, April 27, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

To register for any of the events, please visit this link. Once registered, you will receive the link to attend virtually.

Second Session: Monday, February 23, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Speakers include:

Martha Brown, Executive Director, Discovery Research Site Strategy and Operations, Boehringer Ingelheim

Dr. Martha Brown is the Executive Director of Discovery Research Site Strategy and Operations at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. With a 27‑year tenure at the company, she has held a range of strategic and scientific leadership roles across Research and Development. Her experience includes leading High Throughput Screening and overseeing Structural Biology for all on‑site small‑molecule research programs.

Dr. Brown earned her PhD in Biology from The Johns Hopkins University and has dedicated her career to advancing scientific innovation, operational excellence, and the advancement of innovative therapies that bring meaningful benefit to patients in need.

O. Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez, Associate Director, Precision Medicine & Diagnostics, Eli Lilly and Company

Hecmarie Meléndez-Fernández, PhD, is a Neuroscientist by training, and serves as an Associate Director in Precision Medicine Diagnostics at Eli Lilly & Company. Her industry experience spans clinical trial management, project portfolio management, medical content creation focused on clinical care care gaps and disease state education. 

Hecmarie was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology, at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras. Initially focused in academia, Hecmarie pursued multiple academic and research opportunities within Neuroscience, obtaining a T32 fellowship from the NIH, a CLIMB fellowship from NIGMS, an SfN Neuroscience Scholars Fellowship, among others, working at Baylor College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Northwestern and West Virginia University. Her doctoral dissertation focused on understanding the effects of disrupted circadian rhythms on aortic endothelial function, metabolism and sleep, within the context of sex differences. 

Hecmarie is passionate about supporting people from underrepresented backgrounds in science, so they can achieve their maximum potential and career goals, just as she has. In graduate school she developed the Non-Academic Careers in Science seminar series, where she coordinated webinars with PhD-holding scientists outside academia, to educate current graduate students on careers outside the traditional academic research path. She has a long-standing history of leading and participating in outreach and service efforts, such as Científico Latino, in which she has volunteered in different capacities, since 2023. Additionally, she participates in mentorship and outreach opportunities through local organizations (e.g., Girls Inc, Indiana Latino Institute, Project Stepping Stone, etc.), where she provides scientific and professional development support. Knowing how important this support has been in her development, and how she can also positively impact others, her motto is “Pay It Forward”.

To register: Visit this link.

____________________________________________________________________________

First Session: Friday, January 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (NOTE: Date Change)

Speakers include:

Manisha Sinha, Founder of Clarity Bio

Manisha Sinha, Ph.D., is a strategic R&D leader, a well-published translational biologist, founder of Clarity Bio, and an adjunct faculty member with a proven track record of advancing programs from target validation to clinical candidates. With 12+ years of experience at Biogen and high-growth biotechs, she leads multi-disciplinary teams to advance complex therapies while mentoring the next generation of scientists to lead with data-driven rigor and operational excellence in the life sciences industry.

Cassandra Tierney, Senior Principal Scientist and Lab Head, Pfizer

Cassandra Tierney, PhD is a Senior Principal Scientist and Lab Head at Pfizer, where she leads a CLIA‑regulated genomics laboratory dedicated to advancing biomarker strategies and delivering pharmacogenomics insights that inform drug exposure in clinical trials. With deep expertise in qPCR, NGS, digital PCR, and the development of laboratory‑developed tests, Cassandra combines scientific rigor with a passion for mentorship. She actively supports early‑career scientists through her role as a mentor in Pfizer’s R&D rotational program and continues to teach as an adjunct instructor in human biology. Cassandra earned her PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology (Genetics) from the University of Connecticut.

First Session available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULCs2p8meBI

 

Spring 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

Spring 2026 Student Sessions:

Getting to Conferral: Master’s Degrees and Graduate Certificates
This session will discuss the Office of the Registrar’s degree audit process for master’s degrees and graduate certificates, including 6th Year Certificate programs. Degree Audit staff will share auditing terms and timeline, degree requirements for Plan A and Plan B, as well as the thesis submission process. Time will be available at the end of the session for participants’ questions.

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Sandra Cyr, Master’s Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs Registrar Specialist

Getting to Conferral: Doctoral Degrees
This session will discuss the Office of the Registrar’s degree audit process for doctoral (Ph.D.) students. Degree Audit staff will share auditing terms and timeline, degree requirements, the master’s on the way process, and the dissertation submission process. Time will be available at the end of the session for participants’ questions.

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Facilitator: Jenn Horan, Doctoral Degree Registrar Specialist

You’re Not an Imposter! (We promise.)
Many graduate students struggle with feeling like an imposter, including feeling like they don’t belong in graduate school and will be “found out”. This session will dive into Imposter Phenomenon, including its roots, how it impacts our academic and personal lives, and strategies to combat it.

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitators: Kim Curry, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support, The Graduate School & Megan Petsa, Director of Graduate Student Administration, The Graduate School

Accessible Scholarship: Building Inclusive Theses and Dissertations
Your research deserves to be accessible to everyone. In this workshop, you’ll discover how simple choices like using descriptive headings, true tables, and alt text, can remove barriers and make your dissertation or thesis inclusive for all readers. These same practices will strengthen your ability to create accessible materials in your future academic or professional work. In addition, with new Title II regulations taking effect by April 2026, now is the perfect time to understand accessibility standards and ensure your work meets these upcoming requirements.

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Karen Skudlarek, IT Accessibility Coordinator, ITS

From Grad Student to Postdoc: Navigating a Successful Transition
Are you considering a position as a postdoc after you graduate? Moving from graduate school to a postdoctoral position marks a significant shift in your education and training. This workshop will help you prepare for that transition by addressing key topics such as selecting a postdoc, understanding expectations, establishing productive mentoring relationships, and setting professional goals. Participants will also explore how to balance research, career development, and personal wellbeing during this pivotal stage.

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Melanie Sinche, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoc Success, The Graduate School

Register for a Session

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

Spring 2026 Registration Information for Graduate Students

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Dear Graduate Students,

The message below includes information relevant to both new incoming graduate students and those who will be continuing on as students in Spring 2026. Please review the information below carefully and reach out with any questions you may have. If you have not done so already, please be sure to enroll in classes prior to the start of the semester*, which begins January 20.

*Students who are using an employee tuition waiver should follow the timeline associated with their waiver.

Information for New Students
Departments and programs may have more specific guidance for new students on what courses they should be enrolling in. Students should reach out to the program or their academic advisor for guidance on which courses they should enroll in during their first semester. (This information may also be available on the program’s website or in the Graduate Catalog.)

If a student has holds on their account that prevent enrollment, such as the Student Financial Responsibility Statement or an immunization hold, they will not be able to register for classes until those holds have been cleared. We advise students to try to register early so that there is plenty of time to review and clear any holds before classes fill up or enrollment deadlines approach.

The Office of the Registrar’s website provides an overview of useful registration tools available in Student Admin along with registration-related forms. UConn’s Knowledge Base provides step-by-step instructions on how to manage your enrollment through the Student Administration system. If you have difficulty registering, please reach out to onestop@uconn.edu (or registrar@uchc.edu for UCH grads) for assistance. Please note, permission numbers for courses are typically managed by the course instructor.

Continuous Enrollment
Continuous enrollment is a requirement of all graduate programs. Continuing students who will not be registering in coursework or research credits must register for a zero-credit continuous registration course to maintain their active student status. Continuous registration courses include GRAD 5997, GRAD 5998, and GRAD 6998, as well as GRAD 5999 (Thesis Preparation) and GRAD 6999 (Dissertation Preparation). Enrollment in these sections should be completed before the first day of classes. There are financial implications when changing from being enrolled in credits to no credits as of the first day of classes. Changes from credits to a zero-credit placeholder cannot be made after the first day of classes.

Research Credits
Students should consult with their advisor regarding when it is appropriate to enroll in research credits for their course of study. Doctoral students should register for GRAD 6950. Plan A Master’s students should register for GRAD 5950. Each section number corresponds to the number of credits you will earn (e.g., GRAD 6950-001 will earn one credit, GRAD 6950-002 will earn two credits, etc.). All sections will show “Staff” (or similar) as the instructor. Through an automatic process later in the semester, students will be moved to a grade roster associated with their major advisor. Permission numbers are not needed for students to register for these research courses during the academic year and the permission number field should be left blank when registering. If you attempt to register and receive an error, contact onestop@uconn.edu for assistance. Be sure to include your 7-digit student ID in all correspondence.

Graduate Internship Courses
Students who will be engaging in an internship for which they plan to earn academic credit can find information about course options and how to enroll on The Graduate School’s Graduate Internship Courses page.

Cancelling Enrollment/Leave of Absence
Continuing students who wish to cancel enrollment prior to the start of the semester or any student who attends class and then decides to withdraw from all their courses should notify The Graduate School (TGS) by completing an online Voluntary Separation Notification Form as soon as possible. The add/drop period that extends through the 10th day of classes is only available to students who plan to be enrolled in credited coursework throughout the semester. A student who wishes to go down to zero credits or withdraw from their program completely will need assistance from The Graduate School and will be subject to the University’s Withdrawal Tuition and Fee Adjustment Schedule which will apply based on the date the student notifies TGS of the intent to withdraw via the online Voluntary Separation Notification process, not when they last attended classes. Visit The Graduate School’s voluntary separations webpage to learn more about options available, including the academic leave of absence process.

Deferral of Admission
If you are an incoming student for the fall semester and wish to request a deferral of your application/admission to a future semester, more information on that process is available on The Graduate School’s admissions FAQ and questions can be directed to gradadmissions@uconn.edu.

Day 10 Automatic Separation
Students who do not register for either credit-bearing classes or a continuous registration course by the 10th day are automatically discontinued from their program. If the student then wishes to be enrolled after Day 10, the student will need to request reinstatement to their program, which is not guaranteed and incurs a $65 fee. Students should also be aware that classes with insufficient enrollment will be cancelled and will then be unavailable even if the student is reinstated. A lapse in active student status may also affect access to University systems, such as student email and OneDrive, and may result in permanent data loss. Timely registration will maintain active student status and prevent this.

Additional Registration Information for GAs
Graduate assistants (GAs) are required to be enrolled as full-time students (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 GAs are expected to be registered for a minimum of six credits before the start date of their employment (~January 8, 2026). GAs who have not completed their registration for a minimum of six credits by their start date are not fulfilling one of the contingencies of employment and will be subject to termination from their assistantship. (GAs employed solely at UConn Health should follow UCH registration deadlines.)

Please note, the tuition waiver will not post to a GA’s fee bill until the GA is registered for at least 6 credits. Therefore, if a student is not fully registered in a timely fashion, this can result in a Bursar hold on the student’s account that blocks enrollment and other services, as well as incur late fees.

Students should consult with their advisor regarding when it is appropriate to enroll in research credits for their course of study. Doctoral students should register for GRAD 6950. Plan A Master’s students should register for GRAD 5950. GAs should NOT register for GRAD 6960 (Full-Time Doctoral Research) or GRAD 5960 (Full-Time Master’s Research). GRAD 6960 and 5960 are only 3 credits and will create duplicate fee charges or prevent the tuition waiver from populating if it is the only course the GA is registered for.

GAs employed at Storrs and regional campuses who fall under the Graduate Employee Union (GEU) are encouraged to visit the Graduate Assistant Onboarding webpage. This page provides information, resources, and to-do items specific to being a GA that helps GAs successfully transition into their assistantship.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to The Graduate School for assistance. Please include your 7-digit student ID number in all correspondence.

To register now, please log in to the Student Administration System.

Best,

Megan Petsa
Director of Graduate Student Administration

The Graduate School
University of Connecticut
The Whetten Graduate Center, Second Floor
438 Whitney Road Extension, Unit 1152 | Storrs, CT 06269-1152
860.486.0977 | www.grad.uconn.edu | Pronouns: she/hers

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 2025 Student Sessions:

What’s Your Job Offer Negotiation Game Plan? (Do you even have one?!)
Don’t wait until you get an offer! Join this session to learn how to approach job offers with an understanding of negotiating key elements like salary, sign-on bonuses, moving costs, growth opportunities, etc. We will also dive into communication techniques that will help you express your needs and value to the employer. And with GenAI as a resource, you will see how you can strengthen your negotiation abilities. Job offer negotiation does not have to be an awkward or uncomfortable conversation. 73% of employers anticipate salary negotiation for job candidates and in a 2022 report by Fidelity Investments, 87% of professionals ages 25 to 35 who countered on salary, other compensation or benefits, or both pay and other compensation and benefits got at least some of what they asked for.

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Kay Gruder, Associate Director of Graduate Student and Postdoc Career Programs & Services, UConn’s Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills

Research, Coursework & AI: Tips, Tricks, and Risks for Graduate Students
AI is here to stay. Join us as we explore some AI tools in academic research, best practices for using AI (including how to craft effective prompts), use cases for leveraging AI while maintaining academic integrity, and the importance of critically evaluating AI-generated content. Along the way, we’ll introduce the library resources and AI literacy initiatives can support you in your coursework and research. We’ll finish with a discussion of the academic consequences of inappropriate AI use.

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitators: Kimberly Curry, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support, The Graduate School & Erica Charis-Molling, Instructional Design and Learning Librarian, Homer Babbidge Library

Creating the Right Mentoring Team for You
A successful mentor/mentee relationship can be an incredible asset to your graduate school career. This session will discuss the importance and benefits of curating a mentoring team throughout your time in graduate school, how to identify and approach individuals that will provide the kind of guidance you need, and how to navigate the mentor/mentee relationship. We will discuss how to apply The Graduate School’s new Mentee Guide and share information about the Network for Enriched Mentoring (NEM).

Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Mary Anne Amalaradjou, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, and Faculty Affiliate for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and The Graduate School

Designing Your Personal Brand: A Graduate Student’s Guide
In today’s competitive academic and professional landscape, a strong personal brand is essential. This session is designed to help graduate students from diverse disciplines understand the fundamentals of personal branding and how to effectively articulate their unique value proposition both on-line and off-line.

Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Theo Menounos, Assistant Director, UConn’s Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills

Register for a Session

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