School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Writing a Literature Review
2026-02-10 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | https://southernct.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/southernct/meeting/download/fc4f98ee3760489a8424233c8967d0c9?MTID=m0f85b18321edffb2719b5e53b708b0da
Facilitator: Dr. Tess Marchant-Shapiro SCSU Writing Director, Professor of Political Science

Online Meeting Link

Citation Managers – What are they and why do you need one?
2026-02-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Online
Facilitator: Rebecca Hedreen M.L.I.S., Library Services

Online Meeting Link

3 Minute Thesis®: Final Round Competition
2026-02-19 16:00 - 18:00 | School of Business, Room 102, 10 Wintergreen Ave, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
The final round of the 3 Minute Thesis Competition®.
The Three Minute Thesis® Competition challenges graduate students to explain their thesis or dissertation in 3 minutes or less to a non-specialist audience.

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Accelerated Pathways Information Session
2026-02-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Scholars’ Space, Room 438, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Join us and learn basic information about our Accelerated Pathways Programs. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Find out if you’re eligible and how to sign up!

Career & Internship Industry Fair: Healthcare & Public Health; Social Work, MFT & Counseling
2026-02-26 15:30 - 18:00 | Adanti Student Center, Ballroom B, 345 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
We invite current students and alumni to connect with employers and community partners to learn about both immediate and future hiring needs.
Register Now

Career & Internship Industry Fair: Business, STEM & Manufacturing; Communications, Marketing, Media & the Arts; Recreation, Tourism & Sport Management
2026-02-27 12:00 - 14:30 | Adanti Student Center, Ballroom B, 345 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States

Career & Internship Industry Fair: Education
2026-03-02 15:30 - 17:30 | Adanti Student Center, Ballroom B, 345 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Southern Connecticut State University invites our industry/community partners, alumni, and current students to participate in our spring 2026 Career and Internship Fair series. This event will give students the chance to explore the opportunities open to them while also speaking with recruiters and other professionals.
Attend as a Student

GSA Meeting
2026-03-02 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-06 16:30 - 17:30 | Scholars’ Space, Room 438, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
A meeting where graduate students can speak their mind and receive support form us and their fellow students. The Graduate Student Association acts as an advocacy group to better serve the needs of the graduate student body as a whole. for the If you are enrolled in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies you are automatically a member of the organization, no need to apply!

Join Online

Phi Kappa Phi Installation Ceremony
2026-03-05 10:00 - 11:00 | School of Business, Room 102, 10 Wintergreen Ave, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Join us in honoring the new Phi Kappa Phi Honor’s Society chapter on Southern’s campus!

Personal Branding Workshop | Connect & Grow
2026-03-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Scholars’ Space, Room 438, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
This workshop is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your professional presence and gain insights that will support your academic and career journey.
Your commitment to your professional development is an important part of your graduate experience, and we look forward to seeing you — in person or virtually — and supporting your growth.

Workshop led by Dr. Swapna Bhargavi Gantasala Student Success Coach, Director of Career Springboard
Assistant Professor, School of Business

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Information Session
2026-03-09 16:30 - 17:30 | https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/d2cb1c65-6522-4ce5-b086-d65fc41ed329@58736863-d60e-40ce-95c6-0723c7eaaf67/registration
This information session will present basic information about the SCSU EDL 092 program.
Fall 2026 hybrid cohorts will be starting on campus (Wednesday evenings) and at the ACES campus at 88 Bassett Road in North Haven (Monday evenings). After a brief overview, there will be ample time for questions about the program design and delivery.
This session will be recorded and everyone who registers will receive access to that recording.

AI Tools for Article Searching and Review
2026-03-10 17:00 - 18:00 | Online

Simplifying the Writing Process: One Chunk at a Time
2026-03-24 17:00 - 18:00 | https://southernct.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/southernct/meeting/download/73bf5209ea9546aaaebfec5ddb3bd405?MTID=m7a0dadf0e5a1bc5f66ed6a767d1041b3

Annual Graduate Student & Faculty Excellence Awards 2026
2026-03-25 15:00 - 17:30 | Scholars’ Space, Room 438, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
A ceremony designed to celebrate the recipients of each award this year.

What I Wish I Knew When I Started as a School Leader
2026-03-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Michael J. Adanti Student Center, Ballroom, 345 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Join us for one casual, two-hour pit stop: 5-7 PM, light refreshments, no prep work. Share for twenty minutes on the panel with other school leaders—just one question, “What do you wish you knew when you started as a school leader?” Then pull up a chair at a round table and let the questions come to you. Leave knowing you shortened someone’s learning curve—and maybe met the AP you’ll want to hire next year.
One evening, straight talk, big ripple effect.
Register Today!

Business Writing for Professionals
2026-03-31 17:00 - 18:00 | https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_YTMwNGY2MDctOTQ0Yi00M2JlLTg0MjgtMjI5NmQ0OWNjZjhl%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%252258736863-d60e-40ce-95c6-0723c7eaaf67%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%252251192b12-28d1-4ab8-9c94-13d9b43e8951%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=cc1b8c37-52ff-4003-a688-b4d39317c4e6&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true
Facilitator: Attorney Rob Smith, Jr. Chairperson of the Management and International Business Department

Join The Meeting

Dissertation Defense: Serginho Walker
2026-04-01 09:00 - 10:00 | Adanti Student Center, Room 217, 345 Fitch Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06515, United States
Title: Examining the Unique Mental Health Challenges of Nonbinary and Gender Expansive Gay Black Men
Abbreviated Abstract: This study examines the unique mental health challenges experienced by nonbinary and gender expansive gay Black men, with particular attention to how intersecting systems of oppression—including anti-Black racism, cisnormativity, heteronormativity, and gender binarism—shape their lived experiences. Despite growing research on LGBTQ+ mental health, the experiences of gender expansive Black men remain significantly underrepresented in counseling and psychological literature. Using a qualitative methodology grounded in Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) paired with autoethnography, this study centers the voices and narratives of participants to generate rich, in-depth understandings of how individuals make meaning of their intersecting identities, mental health experiences, and sources of resilience. IPA, combined with autoethnographic reflection, is particularly appropriate for this inquiry because the researcher serves as a participant-observer, allowing for deeper interpretive engagement with the phenomenon being studied (Hurst, 2023). This methodological approach emphasizes the co-construction of meaning between researcher and participant and is grounded in phenomenological and interpretive traditions that prioritize lived experience (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). The study is further informed by counseling and counselor education frameworks that emphasize culturally responsive, identity-affirming, and strengths-based perspectives when working with marginalized populations (Hays & Singh, 2019). Findings from this research aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the mental health needs of nonbinary and gender expansive gay Black men while informing more inclusive clinical practices, strengthening culturally responsive mental health interventions, and supporting ongoing social justice efforts within counselor education and related helping professions. This presentation will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams, with an in-person viewing available in Room 217.

Volunteers for Commencement Celebration video response due
2026-04-03

Commencement Student Speaker Application Due
2026-04-06
Apply Now!
Learn More

Poster Design - The Basics
2026-04-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Buley Library, Room 118, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515
Facilitator: Todd Lane MAT, MLS Assistant Librarian – Research and Instruction
(Bring your poster drafts to this workshop!)

Building Writing Structures to Communicate Clearly
2026-04-07 17:00 - 18:00 | https://southernct.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/southernct/meeting/download/f827428e74914050b57b9971fc0412a8?MTID=m0a473871b492d719951b7db78e1ac9f4

Day of Caring
2026-04-08

Chill-Out & Care: Ice Cream for the Grad Fund
2026-04-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Academic Quad, 345 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Join us on Southern’s Day of Caring and support the Graduate School by getting some delicious ice cream! The Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck will be on campus from 12pm – 3pm, and a portion of all proceeds will go to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Show that you care by stopping by and treating yourself to some ice cream!
Give Today!

Academic Oral Presentations
2026-04-08 15:00 - 16:00 | TBA
Facilitator(s): Dr. C. Michele Thompson, Professor of Southeast Asian History and Dr. Jonathan Wharton, Associate Professor of
Political Science & Urban Affairs

Networking at Professional Conferences
2026-04-10 10:00 - 10:30 | Scholars’ Space, Room 438, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Facilitator: OCPD

Poster Presentations: Perfecting Your Pitch
2026-04-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Scholars’ Space, Room 438, 377 Fitch St, New Haven, CT, 06515, United States
Facilitator: Dr. Kelly Bordner, Professor of Psychology
(Bring your poster drafts to this workshop!)

Last Day to Submit Abstracts (Graduate Research and Creativity Conference 2026)
2026-04-12
Abstract Requirements

Maximum 250 words
Clearly state the purpose, methods/approach, results or outcomes, and significance/impact

Your faculty advisor must approve your proposal before submission.
!! You must register for the event as a presenter after submitting your proposal !!

Proposal Submission Form

Event Registration

Graduate Research and Creativity Conference Info

GSA Sponsored Poster Printing
2026-04-12 - 2026-04-27
This year (2026), the Graduate Student Association will be covering the cost of poster production (24×36 color posters (no foam backing, no lamination) for graduate students participating in the Graduate Research and Creativity conference.
To make use of this, graduate students will fill out the Poster Request form and write “Graduate Conference” in the section for Academic department.
GSA will only cover the cost of the 24×36 color posters (no foam backing or lamination). If they choose to include foam or lamination, or select a larger size, GSA will not cover the cost and the student will be charged.

Poster Printing Request Form

Powerpoint Poster Template (Optional)

Graduate Research and Creativity Conference Info

Dissertation Defense: Keith Smith
2026-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 | https://southernct-edu.zoom.us/j/2681641067
Title: THE WORK: EXAMINING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF CT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DEI DIRECTORS
Abbreviated Abstract: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioners play a critical role in advancing equity within independent schools, yet research examining their lived experiences remains limited—particularly within K–12 independent day school contexts. This qualitative study addresses this gap by exploring the lived experiences of DEI directors in Connecticut independent schools, centering how they navigate complex, often ambiguous roles within institutions historically shaped by privilege.
