Gradstravaganza: Graduate Student Welcome 2024
Multi-Day, August 13-22, 5:30-7:30pm: Success Sessions (online)
Saturday, September 7, 12-3pm: Picnic (Wilkins Plaza, Fairfax Campus)
All new and continuing Mason graduate students are invited to Gradstravaganza, Mason’s annual graduate student welcome event! Gradstravaganza is a multi-day event: first, a fully virtual line-up of sessions spanning six evenings over two weeks, which will kickstart your graduate student experience, followed by an in-person picnic to celebrate the beginning of a new year and the beginning of your graduate and/or professional journey at Mason on Saturday, September 7 on Wilkins Plaza! Brought to you by Graduate Student Life, the Graduate Division, the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA), Mason Recreation, Office of International Programs and Services, UL Mason Square and University Life.
The Success Sessions will be held Tuesday, August 13 through Thursday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 20 through Thursday, August 22 in the evenings. These sessions will feature workshops highlighting strategies for success in graduate school and special sessions for Graduate Assistants (GRAs, GTAs, and GPAs).
The Picnic on Saturday, September 7 will feature FREE food, t-shirts, games, crafts, giveaways, and plenty of activities to enjoy! You will also have opportunities to connect with academic units, campus resources, and graduate student organizations. Families are welcome!
Registration instructions for Success Sessions and the Picnic are below. Contact Graduate Student Life with questions at gradlife@gmu.edu.
Gradstravaganza Success Sessions Agenda
August 13 - 22, 2024, 5:30-7:30pm (Virtual Sessions)
Registration is required. Please use the links provided to register for each individual session you wish to attend. [registration will be live by July 15, 2024]
Some sessions run concurrently. Please note the specific time, as well as date, for each session of interest to you.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 - 5:30-6:30pm
Pathway through the PhD
Presenter: Dr. Julie Owen, Associate Professor of Leadership Studies in the School of Integrative Studies, and Dr. Julie Choe Kim, Director of Graduate Student Life Are you wondering what to expect during a doctoral program? Although specific requirements will vary by graduate program, this session will provide an overview of the key benchmarks of a doctoral program and will highlight available resources to help you make the most of your journey. Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267760 |
Strategies for Success in Your Master's Degree Program
Presenter: Jill V. Deering, Senior Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs at the Schar School of Policy and Government
Wondering what to expect during your master’s program? Whether you are a part- time or full-time student, come learn strategies to make the most of your master’s degree experience at Mason.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267761
Wednesday, August 14, 2024; 5:30-7:30pm
How to Get On-Campus Employment as a Graduate Student, 5:30-6:30pm
Presenter: Kaylie Wray, On-Campus Employment Specialist, University Career Services
Finding an on-campus job can be both time-consuming and overwhelming. Join us for an informative session where University Career Services will be reviewing:
- Different types of on-campus employment opportunities and where to find them (Graduate Assistantships, Student Wage, ect.)
- Job application best practices (resumes, cover letters, interviewing)
- Handshake
- How to determine if you are a good fit for a position.
Whether you are seeking financial support, professional growth, or a chance to become more involved in the George Mason community, this webinar will give you the knowledge to determine the next steps of your on-campus job search.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267639
Access and Inclusion for Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Students, 6:30-7:30pm
Presenters: Jamilah Anderson, Associate Director, Disability Services, and Morgan Thompson, Analyst for Education and Strategic Initiatives, Disability Services
Join us for a rich discussion about fostering accessible and inclusive experiences for disabled and neurodivergent graduate students. Attendees will learn about resources available to disabled and neurodivergent graduate students and strategies that promote student engagement and contribute to an inclusive thriving community.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267763
Thursday, August 15, 2024; 5:30-6:45pm
Finding External Funding while in Graduate School
Presenter: Dr. Megan Bruening, Director of the Office of Fellowships
Funding is one of the greatest challenges graduate students face as they plan studies. This session will offer an overview of funding opportunities and support available to Mason grad students. The session will help graduate students learn how to identify funding opportunities from external sources, including government agencies, foundations, professional associations, and more. The session will also provide information on support and advising services available to students through the Office of Fellowships, which assists Mason students seeking external funding in support of research, training, or professional development opportunities.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267636
Tuesday, August 20, 2024; 5:30-6:45pm
Resilience in Graduate School: Strategies to Support Your Thriving
Presenter: Alexander Harrison, LPC, Associate Director, Clinical Services, Counseling and Psychological Services
Although balancing the demands of graduate school and your personal life can be challenging, there are effective, evidence-based strategies for strengthening resilience. This workshop will provide you with tangible skills that you can use to manage stress and thrive both in school and in your personal life.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267637
Wednesday, August 21, 2024; 5:30-6:45pm
Building an Effective Relationship with Your Mentor/Advisor
Presenter: Dr. Stephanie Bluth, Associate Director of Graduate Career and Professional Development, Graduate Division
Your faculty advisor or mentor is a key part of your success in your graduate program and your intended future career. Find out strategies for how to make the most of this important relationship.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267638
Thursday, August 22, 2024; 5:30-7:30pm
Building Professionalism through your Graduate Professional Assistantship
Presenters: Amy Snyder, Director of Staff Experience, University Life, and Meeghan Milette, Associate Director of Professional Development, University Life
This is a session designed for graduate students currently holding a Graduate Professional Assistantship, so that they may learn strategies for navigating their academics and their GPA position, professionalism in the workplace, professional communication, and leading meetings.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267632
Graduate Research Assistants as Researchers, Mentors, and Professionals
Presenters: Dr. Christopher DiTeresi, Associate Vice President of Research Integrity and Assurance, and Joel Thurston, Director for Research Integrity
This is a session designed for graduate students currently holding a Graduate Research Assistantship, so that they may learn strategies for navigating their GRA position and their academics.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267633
Starting Strong: Planning for the First Two Weeks as a GTA
Presenter: Dr. Crystal Anderson, Assistant Director for Teaching Excellence at the Stearns Center for Teaching & Learning, Affiliate Faculty in African and African American Studies and Art
Serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) is rich professional experience, but it can also be a daunting challenge. In this session, learn tips for engaging students and giving feedback online, face-to-face classroom management strategies, working with your faculty advisor, creating a teaching persona, and more.
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267634
Gradstravaganza Picnic
Saturday, September 7, 12:00-3:00pm on Wilkins Plaza, Fairfax Campus
Rain location: Johnson Center Ground Floor
Register here: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2267631
Registration is required for the picnic.
Saturday’s picnic will feature FREE food, t-shirts, games, crafts, giveaways, campus tours, and plenty of activities to enjoy! You will also have opportunities to connect with academic units, campus resources, and graduate student organizations. Families are welcome!
When you first arrive, please check in at a Graduate Student Life Tent: one Graduate Student Life Check-In Tent will be located by Horizon Hall and the other will be located by the George Mason Statue. Please have your Mason360 ticket QR code or the Mason360 app downloaded (and logged in!) and ready in order to expedite the check-in process. All non-Mason guests should remain accompanied by their Mason graduate student host. Once checked in, attendees will receive a ticket for lunch and a wristband that must be worn throughout the event.
NOTE: All food, giveaways, and this year’s graduate student t-shirts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, as quantities are limited. While the food, activities, and general giveaways are open to all Picnic guests, the t-shirts are for Mason graduate and professional students only.
Menu
The menu for lunch includes barbecue chicken, beef hot dogs, veggie burgers, regular and gluten-free buns, cole slaw, mac & cheese, corn bread, assorted brownies and cookies, soda, lemonade, and water. We regret that we cannot accommodate all dietary needs.
Parking
Gradstravaganza attendees may park without a permit in Lot K on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 11:00am to 4:00pm (parking map). If you have a parking permit for the Fairfax Campus, you are welcome to park in your designated lot/garage.
Get Your Mason ID
The Mason ID is George Mason University's official ID card and your key to life on campus! You can choose between a physical ID card and the Mason Mobile ID. Visit the Mason Card Office website to learn more and make plans to get your ID.
In Case of Inclement Weather
A decision to move the Gradstravaganza Picnic due to forecasted inclement weather will be made on Friday, September 6. If that happens, the announcement will be posted on this webpage and on social media (@MasonGradLife on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook); in addition, all participants registered for the picnic on Mason360 will receive an email about the location change.
The rain location is the Johnson Center Ground Floor. The Johnson Center is Building #30 on the Fairfax Campus map.
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