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 see the sections below for 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.

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

IMPORTANT IMMIGRATION UPDATE:

The Department of Homeland Security recently finalized a rule which has significant implications for international graduate students. Scheduled to go into effect on September 15, 2026, the rule changes how long international students may stay in the United States before extending or renewing their status and restricts graduate level international students from changing programs or schools.  Learn more and register to attend an ISSS webinar regarding the rule here.

NEW STAFF!

The Graduate School is pleased to welcome new staff members who will be working directly with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars: Dr. Rachel Prunier, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Development, and Dr. Martina Rosenberg, Director of Graduate Leadership Initiatives and Strategic Assessment. Drs. Prunier and Rosenberg will work to promote evidence-based pedagogy, scholarly teaching, and holistic mentoring through professional development opportunities for graduate students, postdocs, and faculty.

REMINDERS

First Generation Graduate Students Initiative:

The UConn Graduate School, in collaboration with First Year Programs, Learning Communities, and the Academic Achievement Center, is launching a new initiative to support and connect first-generation graduate students at UConn. The initiative will provide opportunities to build community, connect with peers, access resources, and engage in programs that support your graduate school journey. Complete this form to express your interest and help us shape this new initiative.

Complete Form

First generation students are students from families where neither parent or guardian has earned a four-year bachelor's degree from a college or university in the United States.

 

Deadline for Add/Drop

September 14^th is the end of the Add/Drop period for Fall 2026. Please be sure to review these important registration reminders for graduate students as you finalize your course schedule for this fall.

GRADUATE STUDENT PANEL: "What I Wish I Had Known When I Started"
Join The Graduate School for a hybrid event on Tuesday, August 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Class of 1947 Room, Homer Babbidge Library on the Storrs campus and online. 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. Open to graduate students from all campuses. RSVP HERE.  Light refreshments will be provided.

NEW TA ORIENTATION
The Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation, to be held on Thursday, August 27, from 8:45am – 12:30pm, is designed to help students succeed in their TA role at UConn and will introduce principles and practices of effective teaching. It will be held in the Information Technology Engineering Building, C-80 (basement). To learn more and to register for this event, please visit this link.

 

GRADUATE STUDENT RESOURCE FAIR
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. For more information and to see a list of offices attending, click here.

 

TIMELY TOPICS
Timely Topics is an online series of learning opportunities for students to engage with subject matter experts on topics relevant to graduate education. This semester, the student track of the Timely Topics Series events will include sessions on research privacy, career readiness, structured dialogue techniques, and professional communication. Visit the Timely Topics page for dates (the first session is on Wednesday, September 16!), full session descriptions and to register.

 

GRADCHAT
GRADCHAT is a low-stakes forum for graduate students across all campuses, and programs of all modalities, to discuss topics that impact the graduate school experience. The purpose of GRADCHAT is to foster community and connection among graduate students, especially students representing minoritized groups. All GRADCHAT sessions will take place virtually, from 1pm-2pm, on Fridays. Fall 2026 GRADCHAT dates are as follows:

• September 18th
• October 16th
• November 20th
• December 11th

For more information and to register for GRADCHAT, click here. Virtual sessions are NOT recorded.