Georgia Tech hosted the Inaugural Graduate Education Symposium: Graduate Student Experience Summit on Nov 14. This landmark event brought together faculty, staff, and graduate students to address the evolving landscape of graduate education.

The Symposium served as a platform to discuss pressing issues, share new innovations, and mark graduate education's growing prominence in Georgia Tech's strategic initiatives. Topics covered mentorship, student wellness, career development, and the transformative role of AI in research and education.

Keynote speakers Ronald Johnson, senior vice president for Strategic Initiatives and chief of staff, and Daniel Denecke, program director at the National Science Foundation’s Division of Graduate Education, set and maintained an inspiring tone for the event. Johnson emphasized the importance of ethical leadership, innovation, and fostering relationships to build a strong leadership culture, while Denecke shared insights on the national trends and drivers shaping graduate education. Their remarks highlighted the critical role of adaptability and collaboration in their lessons on leadership.

The Symposium featured a diverse range of sessions tailored to address the needs of Georgia Tech's graduate community: three strategy sessions focused on the development of a new academic advising platform, opportunities for the College of Lifetime Learning, trends in graduate education, and the importance of supporting student well-being. Six-panel discussions offered insights on mentoring, professional development, and student engagement, including a special panel led by graduate students, allowing them to voice their perspectives directly to faculty and staff. Eleven lightning round sessions showcased a range of projects, resources, and ideas focused on teaching innovations, academic enrichment, and ethical AI use in research and education. 

A notable aspect of the Symposium was the group of sessions designed for graduate students. These sessions explored student wellness, professional preparation, and strategies for academic success. Each standard session, lightning round, and panel discussion fostered meaningful dialogue between students, faculty, and staff. Key themes from the graduate student panels included the need for graduate student preparedness and student’s need for a sense of belonging on campus.

The Symposium was organized by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning, the College of Lifetime Learning, Graduate SGA, and Student Engagement and Well-Being. View the photos from the Symposium here.