Professional Enhancement
- About Us
- Calendar of Events
- Graduate Student Success Pathways
- Our Programs & Services
- Advocacy & Partnerships
- Meet the Staff
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 7, 2023 | 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Fall 2023 International TA Orientation | Gatton Student Center Rm. 212A |
August 8, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Fall 2023 TA Orientation, Day 1 | Whitehall Classroom Building |
August 9, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Fall 2023 TA Orientation, Day 2 | Whitehall Classroom Building |
August 9, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | New Graduate Student Resource Fair | Gatton Student Center Rm. 212AB |
August 15, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | PFF/GS Course Overview with Q&A | Zoom |
September 1, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Experienced TA Panel | Zoom: Register Here |
September 12, 2023 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Designing a Course Workshop | Zoom: Register Here |
September 27, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Writing Group Information & Facilitation Session | Zoom |
September 29, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | PhD Career Exploration: Where to Begin | Gillis Building, Rm 104; Register Here |
October 5, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Conducting Useful Informational Interviews | Gillis Building, Rm 104; Register Here |
October 6, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Communicating Your Research to a Public Audience Workshop | Zoom |
October 13, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Classroom Management Strategies Workshop | Zoom: Register Here |
October 19, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Converting Your CV to an Effective Resume | Gillis Building, Rm 104; Register Here |
October 25, 2023 | 8:00 a.m. | GradResearchLive! Preliminary Submission Deadline | Online Submission |
November 2, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Networking: Why Do It and How to Do It with Ease | Gillis Building, Rm 104; Register Here |
November 8, 2023 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | GradResearchLive! Finals | UKFCU eSports Theatre |
November 9, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Putting Your PhD to Work: Establishing a Job Search Strategy | Gillis Building, Rm 104; Register Here |
November 14, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Converting Your CV to an Effective Resume | Registration Coming Soon |
November 17, 2023 | 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. | Assessing Student Learning Workshop | Zoom: Register Here |
January 3, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Spring 2024 TA Orientation, Day 1 | Jacobs Science Building |
January 4, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Spring 2024 TA Orientation, Day 2 | Jacobs Science Building |
January 4, 2024 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Spring 2024 International TA Orientation | 330 AB, Gatton Student Center |
January 26, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | "I'm Supposed to Teach What?": Strategies for Teaching Content Outside of Your Expertise | 502 King Library & Zoom |
February 2, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Communicating Your Teaching Philosophy Workshop | Zoom |
February 14, 2024 | 8:00 a.m. | GradTeachLive! Preliminary Submission Deadline | Online Submission |
February 15, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Getting Started with Teaching Philosophy and Diversity Statements | 502 King Library & Zoom |
February 29, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | GradTeachLive! Finals | UKFCU eSports Theatre |
March 11 - 16, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Spring 2024 Thesis & Dissertation Writing Camp | Zoom (Registration Required) |
March 16, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Transferable Skills for TAs | 502 King Library & Zoom |
April 5, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | GradScholar: A Doctoral Reorientation | TBD |
April 18, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Using Student Evaluations for Reflection and Growth | 502 King Library & Zoom |
May 13 - 24, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Summer 2024 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.
- Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Advisor
- Preparing Future Faculty/Professionals
- GradDegree+
- Beyond the Professoriate (for Doctoral Students)
- Beyond Graduate School (for Master's Students)
- Job Search the SMART WAY: A Podcast with Dr. Maren Wood
- Imagine PhD
- Interstride
- myIDP (Individual Development Plan) for Science Careers
- Other Career Resources
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.
- Pedagogy Track of GradDegree+
- Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and Learning
- New Teaching Assistant Orientation
- GradTeachLive! (the teaching version of the 3MT)
- Magna Digital Library
- National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity
- Other Resources for Graduate Teaching Assistants
Holistic Wellness
Pursuing personal growth through a holistic balance of mental, physical, and financial wellness.
- GradScholar
- New Graduate Student Orientation (NGSO)
- Thomas D. Clark Graduate Study
- Graduate Student Congress (GSC)
- Money Management Matters
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.
- A&S Careers Beyond the Professoriate
- CELT
- CESL
- Graduate Student Congress (GSC)
- Society of Postdoctoral Scholars
- Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
- Stuckert Career Center
- Human Resources Training and Development
- Counseling Center
- Human Resources
- Libraries
- International Center
Meet the Staff
Professional Enhancement Team

