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Professional Enhancement

About Us 

The Office of Graduate Student Professional Enhancement (GSPE) fosters scholarly and professional growth, pedagogical and career success, and holistic wellbeing. As a centralized resource, we offer a variety of in-person and online programs and services, guided by professionals with years of experience in graduate education and enriched by a broad spectrum of campus partnerships. We are also a place of belonging and networking, apart from yet aligned with departmental academic pursuits, where graduate students may discover transdisciplinary collaborations and explore diverse career paths. 

Calendar of Events

Date Time (EDT) Event Location
August 13, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Fall 2024 TA Orientation, Day 1 Worsham Cinema
August 14, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Fall 2024 TA Orientation, Day 2 Assigned
August 14, 2024 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. New Graduate Student Resource Fair Ballrooms 212AB, Gatton Student Center
August 30, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Experienced TA Panel Zoom
August 30, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Experienced International TA Panel Zoom
September 3, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Exploring Non-Academic Career Opportunities: Finding a Career You Love Zoom
September 5, 2024 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. International TA Coffee Chat 502 Margaret I. King Library
September 13, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. International Career Day The Cornerstone
September 17, 2024 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Careers in Cybersecurity: A Panel with UK Alumni Zoom
September 18, 2024 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Postdoc Symposium Gatton Student Center
September 19, 2024 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ITA Series: Who Are Our Students? Zoom
September 20, 2024 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Graduate Student Career Fair Prep Workshop  Stuckert Career Center
September 25, 2024 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Grad Student Power Hour @ The Career Fair (Registration Encouraged) Gatton Student Center
September 26, 2024 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. TA Workshop: How Students Learn Zoom
October 1, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mastering Transferrable Skills: How to Develop and Articulate Your Strengths Zoom
October 3, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ITA Coffee and Tea Chat 502 Margaret I. King Library
October 4, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Communicating Your Research Workshop Zoom
October 9, 2024 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CyberCon 2024 The Cornerstone
October 17, 2024 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ITA Series: Active Learning Strategies Zoom
October 21, 2024 8:00 a.m. GradResearch Live! Video Submission Deadline Registration Required
November 6, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ITA Coffee and Tea Chat 502 Margaret I. King Library
November 6, 2024 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. GradResearch Live! Finals Esports Theater, The Cornerstone
November 12, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Networking and Professional Branding: Elevating Your Professional Presence Zoom
November 14, 2024 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. TA Workshop: Learning Through Discussion 502 Margaret I. King Library
November 19, 2024 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. TA Workshop: Establishing and Cultivating Community in the Classroom 502 Margaret I. King Library
December 3, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Job Search Strategies and Application Materials: How to Set Yourself Apart in the Job Market Zoom
January 7, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Spring 2025 TA Orientation, Day 1 Jacobs Science Building
January 8, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Spring 2025 TA Orientation, Day 2 Jacobs Science Building
January 29, 2025 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Kentucky Graduate Internship Scholarship Information Session Zoom
January 31, 2025 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Communicating Your Teaching Philosophy Workshop Zoom
February 10, 2025 8:00 a.m. GradTeach Live! Video Submission Deadline Online Submission
February 21, 2025 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Graduate Student Career Fair Prep Workshop Stuckert Career Center
February 26, 2025 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Career Fair Gatton Student Center
February 27, 2025 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. GradTeach Live! Finals Esports Theater, The Cornerstone
March 17 - 21, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Spring Thesis & Dissertation Writing Camp Zoom (Registration Required)
March 25, 2025 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Trainee Research Day Gatton Student Center
April 4, 2025 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. GradScholar: A Doctoral Re-Orientation 330AB, Gatton Student Center
May 19 - 30, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Summer Thesis & Dissertation Writing Camp Zoom (Registration Required)

Graduate Student Success Pathways 

Graduate Student Success Pathways is an online navigational tool, like a compass, that can help you in any stage of your graduate study by charting a personalized professional enhancement plan to guide you from wherever you are to exactly where you want to go. Pathways provides resources, opportunities, and actionable steps to supplement your graduate education and diversify your experiences. The GSPE Office uses Pathways to guide all our professional development efforts and to assist students in achieving the four goals of a well-rounded graduate education.  

Click here to learn more!

Our Programs & Services

 

Fulfilling Profession 

Developing the skills, knowledge, and experience for a fulfilling career.  

Impactful Research 

Gaining the insights and experience necessary to make an impact in the field and beyond.  

Transformative Teaching 

Sharpening and broadening career opportunities through transformative teaching practices.  

Holistic Wellness 

Pursuing personal growth through a holistic balance of mental, physical, and financial wellness. 

Advocacy & Partnerships 

Below is a list of vital partners across campus with whom we collaborate to offer a diverse array of resources and initiatives for graduate students.  

Meet the Staff

Professional Enhancement Team

Ashley Sorrell, PhD
Assistant Director
859-323-6807
ashley.sorrell@uky.edu
Chad Gilpin
Program Manager / TA Credentials Database Coordinator
859-257-4137
chadwick.gilpin@uky.edu
Abbie Wood
Assistant Director of Graduate/Professional Student & Post-Doctoral Career Support
859-218-4035
abbie.wood@uky.edu

The 2024 Annual Safety and Security Report includes the latest statistics for 2023, as well as statistics from 2022 and 2021 concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by UK; and on public property immediately adjacent to campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security. You can access the report at police.uky.edu/get-informed/annual-safety-security-reports. Paper copies will be provided upon request.

The 2024 Annual Fire Safety Report includes statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported fires in on-campus student housing facilities, such as residence halls, Greek housing, graduate housing, or at any facility designated as a place of residence for students. The report also includes a description of fire safety systems; yearly fire drills; policies on portable electrical appliances, furniture, decorations, bicycles/motorized scooters, and open flames; evacuation procedures; policies on fire safety education and training; and contact information. You can access the report at ehs.uky.edu/docs/pdf/fs_annual_fire_safety_report_2024_01.pdf. Paper copies will be provided upon request.

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) requires co-educational institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid and have intercollegiate athletic programs to prepare an annual EADA report. The Report on Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data includes athletic participation, staffing, revenues and expenses for men's and women's teams. You can access the report at uknow.uky.edu/files/report-athletic-program-participation-rates-and-financial-support-data-fy24pdf. Paper copies will be provided upon request.

University of Kentucky Graduate School
Ezra Gillis Building
502 Administration Drive
Lexington, KY 40506-0033
859-257-4613

For contact information organized by function, please visit our "Who Does What" page.  For a comprehensive staff listing, please visit our Staff Directory.

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