Engagement and Retention: The Graduate School

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Engagement & Retention

The Graduate School (TGS) is committed to providing graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with the tools they need to be successful during their time at Northwestern and beyond. The Graduate School’s Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Success (GPS) hosts a variety of retention initiatives and programming.

Highlighted Initiatives

Bouchet Honor Society

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support and serve as examples of leadership, advocacy, and scholarship.

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Cultural Celebrations

GPS works with graduate students and graduate student organizations to host free monthly cultural celebrations. These gatherings serve as an opportunity for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from across the University to come together, unwind, and build community.

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Peer Mentor Program

The Graduate School's Peer Mentor Program is designed to help first-year PhD students become acclimated to Northwestern. Peer mentors will serve as an additional resource to incoming PhD students and provide support, encouragement, and information as our new students embark on this new academic journey.

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Success Exchange Dialogue Series

The Success Exchange Dialogue Series is a thought-provoking speaker series designed to foster meaningful conversations on growth, leadership, and achievement. Through engaging discussions with experts, professionals, and scholars, participants gain insights and strategies to successfully navigate their academic and professional journeys.

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Community Building Mini Grants

GPS offers a one-time Community Building Mini Grant for those focusing on community-forward research. This yearlong mini grant seeks to support Northwestern graduate students in facilitating, promoting, and advancing innovative ideas on belonging in Northwestern and larger communities.

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Student Organizations

Northwestern and TGS offer many student organizations that promote interactions among graduate students, provide academic and social programs, and serve as advocates for graduate students. All of our graduate student organizations are open to anyone in the TGS community.

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HBCU Hangout

The HBCU Hangout is a social gathering designed for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who attended historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This event provides a unique opportunity for students and scholars of any background to reconnect with their HBCU roots, share experiences, and celebrate the rich culture of HBCU communities.

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