Home / Professional Enhancement / Professional Enhancement

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 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.  

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
Angela Garner
Angela Garner
Coordinator of International Graduate Student Initiatives
859-323-4951
angela.garner@uky.edu

The 2023 Annual Safety and Security Report includes the latest statistics for 2022, as well as statistics from 2021 and 2020 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 2023 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_2023_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-fy23pdf. 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.

Connect with Us!