As part of its commitment to elevating graduate education, the University of Georgia is launching GradFIRST—the Graduate First-Year Introduction to Research and Scholarship Training seminar series.
“GradFIRST was developed in response to input from graduate students and other stakeholders, identifying tools to help students thrive in their graduate studies and beyond,” said Anne Shaffer, associate dean of the Graduate School.
These mandatory one-credit, faculty-led seminars will begin in fall 2022.
“The University of Georgia is making significant investments in graduate education that will benefit our students for years to come,” said Ron Walcott, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. “GradFIRST seminars will help ensure the successful transition of new graduate students in areas relevant for their scholarship and professional development.”
GradFIRST seminars will supplement discipline-specific training in graduate students’ academic programs with focused professional development and networking opportunities with faculty and other graduate students across UGA’s campuses.
Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, noted that the launch of GradFIRST comes at a time of growing graduate enrollment at UGA.
“The demand for a graduate degree from the University of Georgia is rising in tandem with our national reputation and research activity,” Hu said. “GradFIRST seminars are an important contribution to the success and well-being of our outstanding graduate students.”