With career paths shifting and financial challenges mounting, under the leadership of Dean Ryan King, Brian Orefice, assistant dean of graduate students is advancing the charge to transform graduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University. His efforts, driven by insights from the 2023 GradSERU survey, focus on expanding career resources, increasing financial aid, and improving overall student success.
Expanding Career Support
Recognizing the need for enhanced career services, particularly for students pursuing non-academic paths, Orefice has formed partnerships and taken action. "Our career counselors work with both undergraduates and graduate students, providing personalized, one-on-one coaching." he says. The college has hired additional staff for graduate student services and cross-trained career advisors to assist both undergraduate and graduate students.
Orefice has also played a pivotal role in securing new funding for graduate students seeking career development opportunities.
"About 90 to 95% of our departments offer a five-year funding package for PhD students, ensuring they are supported through fellowships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships. We've also worked to make the assistantship stipends more competitive," he explains.
Boosting Financial Support
Understanding the financial challenges graduate students face, the college will support the university effort by implementing an 8% increase in the minimum stipend for graduate associateships, set to take effect next fall.
To further support recruitment efforts, the college launched a pilot program to fund additional recruitment fellowships, supplementing those provided by the Graduate School. "By proactively increasing our stipends, we remain competitive and ensure adequate support for students.," Orefice emphasizes.
Strengthening Graduate Student Engagement
Every fall, Orefice convenes graduate studies directors and coordinators to review priorities found in GradSERU survey. Recent discussions have centered around mentoring best practices and career development strategies. "For me, it is what we can do with the data to better coordinate within the college and beyond the college,” he says.
Additionally, he has supported doctoral students conducting qualitative research on key themes, including advising, mentoring, and self-efficacy.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Financial emergencies can arise unexpectedly for graduate students, and Orefice is committed to ensuring they have the necessary support. In collaboration with university partners, he has established processes to assist students in need, reinforcing the college’s commitment to increasing stipends and fellowships.
Leveraging Survey Data for Growth
Orefice has been instrumental in using GradSERU survey data to shape initiatives at both the college and department levels.
He has cultivated collaboration with the Graduate School and Student Life to centralize essential efforts, such as orientation practices, ensuring all graduate students receive critical information regardless of discipline.
Looking ahead, Orefice is eager to enhance communication efforts next semester, ensuring that faculty, department coordinators, and the Graduate School are effectively reaching students. Through strategic leadership and data-driven insights, he continues to strengthen Ohio State’s standing as a leader in graduate education.
Learn more and take the Graduate Student Experience Survey
Authored by Jessica Stoneham