Join us on August 17th for our Fall Graduate Orientation in the Student Center Theater!!

Table of Contents

Orientation will tell you everything you need to know about life at Southern as a graduate student. We will have a myriad of things to do like…

  • Hearing from faculty speakers
  • Taking part in engaging themed breakout sessions
  • Exploring the resource fair
  • Taking part in the free raffle
  • Going on a campus tour

Agenda

Dean’s welcome and introduction of VIPs 

  • President’s welcome 
  • Provost’s welcome 
  • Explain format: Outline available sessions and locations/length and next steps 

Sessions will be 20 minutes with 5 minutes in between.

Session 1: 5:20 – 5:40pm

Session 2: 5:45 – 6:05pm 

  1. Getting Started & Navigating Grad School – Panel Discussion

Covers: 

  • What makes grad school different 
  • Managing workload and expectations 
  • Working with advisors 
  • Common early mistakes 

Guest speakers: Younjun Kim, Anuli Njoku, Venice Michaelsen 
Moderated by: Dr. Jessica Jensen 

  1. Well-being & Balance

Covers: 

  • Mindfulness, Connection, and Growth 
  • Top 10 Wellbeing Tips 
  • Resources for Thriving 

Guest speaker: Dr. Nick Pinkerton

  1. Funding, Assistantships & Finances

Covers: 

  • Payment plans 
  • Borrowing 
  • Budgeting tips 
  • Where to go for financial issues 

Guest speaker: Lewis DeLuca

  1. Career & Professional Development

Covers: 

  • Academic vs non-academic pathways 
  • Internships, networking 
  • Building a CV early 
  • Campus career resources 

Guest speaker: Thierry Thesatus 

  1. Writing & Academic Support

Covers: 

  • Writing support 
  • Academic integrity basics 
  • Productivity strategies 

Guest Speaker: Dr. Katie DeOlivera and Rebecca Hedreen 

 

Bring everyone back together 

Dean’s wrap up: 

3MT and PKP – Rabia Hos 

Research Conference – Jessica Jensen 

GSA – Daphne Alston  

Open Q&A

An opportunity to ask questions.

Resource Fair booths TBA.

Cant make it? Try this!