SUNY Oswego’s Division of Graduate Studies will celebrate Graduate Studies Week, Nov. 8 to 12, with presentations, discussions, awards, a range of social activities and more both on the main Oswego campus and the college’s Syracuse Campus.

Events on Monday, Nov. 8, will connect with National First-Generation College Student Day, which celebrates students who are the first in their family to go to college. This includes first-gen faculty and staff giving out stickers, cookies and first-gen scholarship info from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. just outside the Marano Campus Center auditorium. 

Graduate Studies also co-sponsors a first-generation alumni panel at 1:45 p.m. Monday in 114 Marano Campus Center and virtually via Zoom. Panelists will include 2001 alumnus Saleem Cheeks, vice president of communications at AngioDynamic; 2020 graduate Nikki G. Brown, an artificial intelligence brand specialist for IBM; and 2011 graduate Jenn Lee, lead colorist at ECG; with moderators Dr. Tiphanie Gonzalez, an Oswego graduate and current counseling and psychological services faculty member, and current first-gen student Damien Nguyen.

“Coffee Talk With the Dean,” from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, in Penfield Library will feature Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Kristen Eichhorn welcoming students for a cup of coffee or tea (via voucher) to share how their graduate experience is going, ask for advice or provide feedback. 

Current students can learn more about Oswego’s graduate offerings and how to access them via “Plan Ahead!” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Marano Campus Center concourse. Students can learn more about the college’s 4+1 and five-year programs that allow them to earn a master's degree in less time and at less cost. Attendees also can receive guidance from an admissions counselor about possible steps based on their undergraduate plans, career fields that require a graduate degree and ones with more opportunities available for master's graduates.

Social networking

Also on Tuesday, “Let’s Catch Up -- Pizza With the Dean at the Syracuse Campus” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. will provide these students an opportunity to meet and mingle with Eichhorn, faculty, staff and fellow graduate students.

Wednesday, Nov. 10, will feature two ice cream socials for graduate students and staff: noon to 2 p.m. in Marano’s Chu Atrium in Oswego and 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Syracuse Campus.

Also on Wednesday, a research party from 6 to 8 p.m. with free pizza in Penfield Library will allow graduate and undergraduate students to get help with citations, scholarly sources, writing, conducting research and more, in a social and collaborative setting. Penfield Librarians and Writing Center Tutors will be on hand to assist.

Thursday’s Grad Studies Week Reception and Happy Hour, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Sheldon Hall ballroom, will feature award presentations for outstanding mentors and students with music by the Oswego Jazz Ensemble. This event is free and open to all, with online advance registration available (preferred, but not required).

Friday, Nov. 12, will feature three virtual panel discussions:

  • At 11 a.m., “Mental Health Crisis: The Pandemic, Burnout, Labor Shortages and Access to Care” will probe current concerns and professional opportunities on this topic, with a panel that includes Oswego graduate faculty, alumni and other experts.
  • At 1 p.m., “‘Am I a Fraud?’: Managing Imposter Syndrome in Grad School and Beyond” will explore this common phenomenon and offer helpful advice from Oswego faculty, staff, student and alumni panelists.
  • A 2:30 p.m. session “Is Grad School for Me?” will cover the application process, entrance exams, funding opportunities and more (online advance registration requested).

Visit the Graduate Student Week Celebration website for registration details and to access the Zoom links to these presentations.

In addition, the Division of Graduate Studies provides an opportunity to express gratitude to students, faculty, staff, family and friends via the Grad-itude Project. Campus members can stop by the Marano Campus Center concourse from noon to 2 p.m. every day during Grad Studies Week to pick up a postcard and drop a line to a person in their life who has made a difference and has earned their gratitude.  

In addition, a Grad Studies Kudoboard online invites people to answer the prompt “Grad Studies @ Oswego has given me the opportunity to …” in celebrating and recognizing various accomplishments and achievements. This is a contest with prizes and gift cards available.

For more information, visit the Graduate Student Week Celebration website.