Graduate Student Appreciation Week
>Monday, April 7th to Friday, April 11th is the 2025 UConn Graduate Student Appreciation Week, a week full of activities and events designed to celebrate graduate students here at UConn.
According to National Association of Graduate-Professional Students: “In 1993, three students, Tony Rosati, Gina Pearson & Anne Holt, all activists within the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, wanted to find a way to physically manifest support and appreciation of the contributions, impact and value of graduate students. Their effort led to a cooperative initiative called National Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week.”
We are excited to celebrate your achievements at UConn through events hosted by The Graduate School, campus partners and academic departments.
In addition, we would like to appreciate and acknowledge that the land on which The Graduate School gathers is the territory of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Nipmuc, and Lenape Peoples, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land and aspire to uphold our responsibilities according to their example.
UNIVERSITY-WIDE EVENTS
Pre-Graduate Student Appreciation Week Kickoff Events
March 31 - April 4, 2025
Monday, March 31st
Avery Point Campus Pre-GSAW Kickoff
When: 10:30am-11:30am
Where:LWB 123
Start your morning off right with free coffee, donuts, and merch!
Thursday, April 3rd
Farmington Campus Pre-GSAW Kickoff
When: 9-10am
Where: TBD
Come pick up some free coffee, donuts, and grad school merch!
Hartford Campus Pre-GSAW Kickoff
When: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Where: HTB 216
Come enjoy some free food and merch!
Stamford Campus Pre-GSAW Kickoff
When: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Where: DWTN 108
Get a running start into Grad Student Appreciation Week with free food and merch!
Graduate Student Appreciation Week Events
April 7-11, 2025
Monday, April 7th
The Graduate Student Symposium
When: 10am-1pm
Where: To be announced
The University of Connecticut is home to more than 7,000 graduate students, who work and study on all seven UConn campuses, and belong to more than 100 different graduate degree programs. While each of these students exemplifies the critical role of graduate education in shaping the future of Connecticut, geographical distance and disciplinary boundaries hinder their joint pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
The inaugural Graduate Student Research Symposium seeks to remove barriers and promote a sense of connection and shared purpose across ALL graduate campuses. By uniting graduate students through research, impact, and community value, we aim to unlock the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Applicants who have been selected, will compete in the Graduate Student Symposium Poster Competition on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 10am - 1pm. Lunch will be provided. Symposium Finalists will be announced the same day.
Negotiate with Confidence: Salary Negotiation for Grad Students
When: 12-2pm
Where: At the Women’s Center, on the 4th floor of Student Union
Come to the Women’s Center to learn how to ask for the wages you deserve. Food will be provided! Please register for this event in advance.
Photo Opportunity and LinkedIn Profile Review
When: 12-3pm
Where: Room 202, Wilbur Cross Building, 2nd floor, Storrs campus
Get your headshot taken with our Iris Photo Booth at the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills (formerly the Center for Career Development). First come - first served - no signup is required.
Some common uses for a professional headshot include:
- Conference presentation bio
- LinkedIn profile
- Professional or scholarly website
- CV or Résumé in countries outside of the U.S. (not included on these documents in the U.S.)
- And much more!
While waiting to take the headshot, join a one-on-one LinkedIn Profile Review session to learn about the best way to present yourself in LinkedIn – the largest social media professional network. In this 10-minute session, career coaches from the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills will review your LinkedIn profile with you and offer tips and strategies to help you optimize your profile to confidently reach out to others.
Curious about what to wear for taking a professional headshot? Choose an outfit that best reflects how you want to look when interviewed, presenting at a conference, or conveying your value as a researcher of future employee. Solid colors often work best. There are restrooms in Wilbur Cross where you can change.
Tuesday, April 8th
Art in the Darkness: Shadow Puppetry Workshop
When: 11am-1pm
Where: At the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry
From films like Candyman (2021) to traditional Indian rituals like Tholpavakoothu, shadow puppetry has been used to tell stories around the world for centuries. Come learn the tools of this medium, and start telling your own stories!
Wednesday, April 9th
Waffle Wednesday!
When: 9:30-11am
Where: Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS)
Please join CISS during Graduate Appreciation Week for “Waffle Wednesday”! We will have (free) fresh waffles and toppings, fruit, coffee, and tea. This is a great time to meet other international students, reconnect with friends, and chat with CISS staff.
Lunch with QTs: Social at the Rainbow Center
When: 12-1pm
Where: At the Rainbow Center, on the 4th floor of Student Union
Join us at the Rainbow Center for a chance to grab lunch with fellow 2LGBTQIA+ and allied grad students.
Thursday, April 10th
ELIN’s Graduate Student Appreciation Breakfast
When: 8-11am
Where: Ryan Building, El Instituto Common Area
Join us for a day-long event to network with other graduate students, faculty, and staff within the University, starting with providing complimentary breakfast! All Graduate Students in any discipline are welcome! You must RSVP to save your spot!
ELIN’s Graduate Student Appreciation Lunch
When: 1-3pm
Where: Ryan Building, El Instituto Common Area
Join us for a day-long event to network with other graduate students, faculty, and staff within the University, starting with providing complimentary lunch! All Graduate Students in any discipline are welcome! You must RSVP to save your spot!
Robert G. Mead Jr. Lecture Graduate Student/Faculty Talk: Sheila | Vélez Martínez
When: 12pm
Where: Ryan Building, El Instituto Common Area
The talk will analyze how the current changes to immigration policy and enforcement could directly affect international students, faculty, and staff, as well as undocumented individuals and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in colleges and universities. Learn more here.
Robert G. Mead Jr. Lecture Series with Sheila Vélez Martínez
When: 4-6pm
Where: Student Union, SU 310
This is part of El Instituto’s Graduate Student Appreciation event. RSVP today to join us for dinner and attend our Mead Lecture event. This event will also be live streamed, link TBA.
Friday, April 11th
Take a Taste: Multi-Cultural Food Festival
When: 6-8pm
Where: In the Heritage Room, on the 4th floor of the Library
Come celebrate diversity at UConn through delicious dishes from local restaurants. Organized in collaboration with the Asian American, African American, and Puerto Rican Latin American Cultural Centers, and Native American Cultural Programs. No reservations required, first come first served.
