The faculty of graduate and postdoctoral studies held its fall orientation with the help of UMGPS on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at St. John’s College’s Robert B. Schultz Theatre, welcoming new graduate students to campus.
Emma Heath, UMGPS president, said “the orientation [was] to welcome students to campus, provide them with essential resources and to let them know where they can find further assistance.”
The orientation brought together university representatives and UMGPS leaders to introduce new graduate students to campus resources and support services. Students also took part in workshops covering topics such as working with advisors and navigating university resources.
For Heath, creating a sense of connection was an important part of the event.
The U of M’s large campus can initially feel “intimidating” or “overwhelming” for new students, making opportunities to meet other graduate students particularly valuable, she said.
Heath encouraged new students to take advantage of the resources available to them.
She identified students’ university email accounts as one of their most important resources, noting that much of the information about their programs and the university reaches students through their inboxes.
Abiodun Adejumo, UMGPS vice president, events and clubs, shared that UMGPS hosts many social, recreational and educational events that graduate students can get involved with.
“Attending one event can be the beginning of meeting people and becoming more comfortable within the graduate community,” he said.
Heath further urged new graduate students to embrace opportunities that could help them build connections, strengthen their resumes and gain new experiences.
Stephanie Sagoe, a new graduate student in the faculty of law, said positive experiences shared by relatives who attended U of M influenced her decision to study at the university.
Sagoe described her brief experience as “good,” adding that the willingness of people on campus to help has contributed to her transition.
“The colleagues I’ve encountered have made my time here beautiful,” Sagoe said.
Sagoe’s transition into U of M has already involved building connections beyond the classroom as she now serves as a member of the UMGPS board of directors.
“I’m not here just for the degree,” Sagoe said. “I want to build a community and a network.”
She expressed her support for prospective graduate students to consider U of M for its financial aid opportunities and resources that support personal and professional development.
UMGPS remains a point of contact for graduate students beyond orientation and offers students both practical resources and an avenue to seek assistance.
“If they ever need a quiet space to sit and work, a listening ear, or a microwave or fridge for their lunch, our office is open to them,” Heath said.
Adejumo revealed that graduate students should expect some future initiatives and are welcome to suggest what events they would want to be offered.
“We want our programming to reflect the needs and interests of graduate student,” Adejumo stated.
For updates on upcoming UMGPS events, services and opportunities, graduate students can visit the association’s website or follow UMGPS on Instagram at @uofm_gps.
