Dear Graduate Students,
As vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, I extend a warm welcome to our new and returning graduate students. Whether you are beginning your Graduate School academic journey or continuing your studies, I am thrilled that you are part of our vibrant and diverse community.
To our incoming students, I want to express my sincere congratulations on choosing The Ohio State University for your graduate studies. You are about to embark on an exciting and transformative experience. As you step onto our campus, you’ll find a wealth of resources, opportunities, several welcoming events and a supportive network to guide you through this important phase of your academic career.
For our returning graduate students, welcome back! Your commitment to advancing knowledge and contributing to your field is commendable. As you continue your studies, I encourage you to take advantage of the rich academic environment at Ohio State. Engage with faculty mentors, collaborate with fellow students, and participate in research and scholarly activities that align with your passions.
Regardless of if you are a new student or returning to campus to complete your degree, I encourage you to explore our comprehensive online orientation through Carmen Canvas. This orientation provides essential information about university policies, academic resources and campus life. From understanding degree requirements to accessing library services, CarmenCanvas will be your go-to platform for a successful start. Explore the online orientation as part of your assigned courses.
This year, Ohio State is launching Listen. Learn. Discuss., an initiative that centralizes information about courses, workshops and events that give you opportunities to learn and practice the necessary skills to navigate difficult conversations. Listen. Learn. Discuss. is specifically designed to help you more easily draw connections and form skills for more productive dialogue. Learn more today at listen-learn-discuss.osu.edu/.
As we look ahead this year, the Graduate School’s mission encompasses four key areas: Academic Excellence, Graduate Student Experience, Graduate and Postdoctoral Training, and Operations Strategy and Innovation. Within these areas we are working daily to focus on innovations in graduate education; exemplary student support services prioritizing your professional development and well-being; identifying comprehensive funding strategies, including internal and external fellowships; supporting your research and scholarly endeavors; and streamlining business operations to provide seamless interactions with the Graduate School.
A specific initiative you will hear more about is the gradSERU (Graduate Student Experience in the Research University) survey , which is a comprehensive assessment tool for graduate and professional students. It covers various aspects of the student experience, including financial support, advising, research involvement and overall satisfaction. The most recent administration occurred in spring 2023, and I am excited to launch the second instance of the survey in spring 2025. The findings from gradSERU help identify areas for improvement and inform initiatives to enhance graduate education. One such initiative is how Ohio State is actively supporting students facing food insecurity. The New Student Resource Center plays a crucial role in providing resources to meet students’ nutritional needs. By addressing food scarcity, the university ensures that all students have the necessary support to thrive academically and personally.
Lastly, we’re excited to announce that we will soon be hiring of a new assistant dean for graduate mentoring to augment our goals in supporting students, faculty and staff across the university with graduate mentorship resources and programming.
As you begin your term at Ohio State, know that the Graduate School is here to help you reach your goals and celebrate your achievements. I wish you an amazing start to your semester!
Cheers,
Mary Stromberger, PhD
Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education
Upcoming Welcoming Events
Graduate and Professional Student Welcome Picnic
Friday, Aug. 23, 4-7 p.m., Ohio Union, Performance Hall
Graduate and Professional Student Involvement and Resource Fair
Friday, Aug. 23, 4-7 p.m., Ohio Union, Archie Griffin Ballroom, second floor