GWS Graduate Student Welcome Week

9:00 am to 10:00 am: Welcome and introductions with Prof. Sami Schalk, Director of Graduate Studies and Duachi Yang, GWS Graduate Program Manager in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor) Breakfast, Coffee/Tea served.

10 am to 10:30 am: Meet GWS Department Chair and Staff in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor)

• Department Chair’s Welcome and Staff Introductions: Nicholas Syrett, Jamie Gratrix, Christine Garlough, Nina Valeo Cooke, Lindsey Hoff, Lachrista Greco, Karla Strand, Joslyn Mink, and Tracy Lemaster

10:30 am to 11:30 pm: General Onboarding and History of GWS at UW–Madison with Prof. Sami Schalk Duachi Yang in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor).

12 pm to 1:30 pm: Grad School: The Proactive Mentee Workshop, DeLuca Forum, Discovery Building, 1st floor

• Join us for this focused session to refine your approach and build high-value, mutually beneficial relationships with your academic mentors. This interactive workshop includes best practices and a discussion of a real-life case scenario for maximizing your role as a mentee. (Lunch will be provided; vegetarian options available).

2 pm to 3 pm: Teaching Assistants Association (TAA) representative in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor)

• Will speak about student’s right and responsibilities as graduate student workers, an overview of the Graduate Assistant Policies and Procedures, and any recent changes to working conditions (e.g. our tentative revival of our diaper program for student families) that may impact them.

4 pm to 6 pm: Optional Graduate School Event (please register by clicking on the blue title link):

• Bridge and Build Welcome Reception
  • Pyle Center, AT&T Lounge, 702 Langdon St.
  • Join us for an evening of connection as we welcome graduate students to campus and kick-off the Bridge and Build community event series. This program fosters peer networks, supports academic and professional growth, and helps students navigate the graduate experience. Attendees can meet fellow graduate students, connect with campus partners and leadership, and learn about resources that promote success and belonging. Designed to support students from an array of backgrounds and life experiences, this event invites all graduate students to participate.

9:00 am to 10:15 am: Program Requirements – Overview and Q&A with Prof. Sami Schalk, Director of Graduate Studies and Duachi Yang, Graduate Program Manager in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor). Breakfast, Coffee/Tea served.

10:15am to 10:30 am: Break

10:30 am to 11:30 am: Navigating the Advisor-Student Relationship with Prof. Sami Schalk and Duachi Yang in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor)

11:30 am to 1 pm: Lunch (Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor))

1 pm to 3 pm: GWS TA Workshop in Union South-Fifth Quarter Studio (2nd floor)

• Information here: Welcome, new grad students! and New TA Training

3 pm to 4:15 pm:

• Cool Tools: Apps and More to Increase Productivity
  • Tuesday, August 25 | 3 – 4:15 pm| 1310 Sterling Hall
  • Prepare to maximize your time and energy by taking advantage of software available to UW–Madison graduate students that can help streamline your workflow. This workshop, presented by Pete Valeo from Software Training for Students (STS), will introduce you to basic and advanced software tools, including cloud storage services, note taking apps, mobile scanners, research tools, tasks managers, password managers, lifestyle apps, and more.

11 am to 4:30 pm: New Graduate Student Welcome in Varsity Hall at Union South. 1308 W. Dayton St.

The Graduate School invites all newly admitted graduate students to participate in the New Graduate Student Welcome event each year. The New Graduate Student Welcome is an opportunity to hear from the Graduate School and campus leaders, get advice from a panel of current students about grad student life, learn about the many campus and community resources available to you, and meet other new graduate students from across campus.

New students will receive an email invitation in early July with information about registering for the New Graduate Student Welcome.

Check-in begins at 10:30 am. To avoid long lines, arrive early.

View or download the New Graduate Student Welcome visual agenda.

Optional FREE Social Events (No registration needed):

• Open Mic Night
  • Wednesday, August 27 | 7 – 9 pm| Terrace at Memorial Union
  • At Open Mic Night, presented by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Music Committee, we welcome all styles of music, comedy, spoken word, poetry, and pretty much any type of stage performance you can condense into a performance slot! Sign up with the host starting at 6:45pm. Performances from 7:00pm-9:00pm. We provide a sound system–monitors and microphones. Unfortunately, we don’t have any backline instruments or amps available. We can plug in backing tracks to our sound system.

8:30 am to 4 pm: L&S TA Trainings for new (required) and returning (optional, but strongly recommended) TAs

10:00 am to 11:00 am: Flourishing in Graduate School: How to Manage Stress and Maintain Your Mental Health (Online)

• This workshop will focus on promotion of psychological well-being in graduate school. Topics covered will arm graduate students with strategies to thrive through the challenges of graduate school, including managing the transition/adjustment process, coping with stress, promoting work/life balance, and establishing habits to maintain or improve mental health. Meet other graduate students at the post-event reception.

12 pm to 2 pm: International Student Welcome and Information Fair (ISWIF). Hosted by International Student Services in the International Community Center (Suite 130), Pyle Center    

• Welcome event and resource fair for all incoming international students hosted by International Student Services (ISS). Learn about academic resources, student organizations, campus identity and cultural centers, and other UW–Madison partners as you get to know your fellow international students. Lunch provided. Special guest Bucky will also be helping to welcome our new Global Badgers! 
• If you need an accommodation to attend this event, please email issprograms@iss.wisc.edu.

9 am to 12 pm: General Onboarding/Program Questions, 5188 Levy Hall

• This onboarding session is designed to address any lingering questions you might have from this week on onboarding and program questions.

12 pm: New and Returning GWS Graduate Student Lunch and Social.