Our Mission
The Graduate School enhances Northwestern University’s academic excellence and reputation by providing centralized support and services across the graduate community.
We advocate for excellent graduate and advanced educational opportunities; cultivate a healthy, inclusive, and equitable experience; and connect graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with supportive communities and engagement opportunities.
Strategic approach
In order to achieve our mission, our strategic approach at The Graduate School is to:
Advocate
For:
- A diverse graduate student and postdoctoral fellow population
- An equitable graduate student experience across Northwestern
- A clearly defined postdoctoral fellow experience across Northwestern
- Mentorship for all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
- Comprehensive academic and professional development for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
Cultivate
- Recruitment and retention of diverse graduate student and postdoctoral fellow populations
- Clear processes and empathetic support systems
- Resources and support for excellence in interdisciplinary scholarship and research
- A comprehensive approach to graduate student and postdoctoral fellow wellness and engagement in collaboration with campus partners
- The global leadership abilities of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows
Connect
Current and prospective graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, graduate faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni with:
- Each other, facilitating collaboration and fostering community
- Information, centrally gathered and shared
- Supportive communities and global opportunities
- Experts and resources within and beyond Northwestern
- Partners in recruitment, engagement, and academic and professional development