Graduate School Bulletin

Graduate School Bulletin 

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators  

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/  

September 1, 2026

In this bulletin:   

Meetings, Workshops, & Events  

1. New GPD Orientation 

2. Writing Successful Student-Initiated Proposals   

Deadlines & Dates to Remember 

None at this time.

Policy Updates  

None at this time. 

Administrative Announcements  

3. Expectations and Annual Progress Report for Graduate Students

4. Expectations and Performance Management for Graduate Assistants (GA, GRA, GTA)

5. Graduate Honor System Resources, Workshops, and Panelist Trainings

6. International travel for students

Announcements for Distribution to Students

None at this time.

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. New GPD Orientation 

Monday, September 28, 3:00-4:00 p.m., https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/81670730433

Graduate Program Directors new(ish) to their role are invited to this orientation session to learn about resources and opportunities available to support them and to connect with Graduate School colleagues and fellow GPDs who can be part of their support network. Returning GPDs and graduate coordinators are also welcome.

2. Writing Successful Student-Initiated Proposals

Monday, September 21, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room, Graduate Life Center

Please share the following workshop opportunity with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and anyone else interested in strengthening their research proposal skills. Presenters will share practical tips, resources, and strategies for writing competitive proposals and improving your chances of securing funding.

The session will cover approaches to developing strong, well-structured proposals, along with an overview of university resources available to support proposal writing and submission. Breakout sessions will offer more targeted guidance on proposal development for NIH, NSF, USDA, NEA, and others. This is an in-person event, open to all interested participants. Lunch will be provided (please bring your own bottle for refilling or beverage). Questions can be sent to jhazelwood4@vt.edu.Click to RSVP

Administrative Announcements

3. Expectations and Annual Progress Report for Graduate Students

Graduate programs are expected to share academic expectations in the form of program-level student handbooks with all currently enrolled students. Graduate education policy also requires that all graduate students have an Annual Review of Progress at least once a year. Students who do not yet have a Plan of Study or an Advisory Committee should be reviewed by the Graduate Program Director or a departmental Graduate Committee (see https://graduateschool.vt.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/annual_review_good_practices.html for details). Setting clear expectations and providing annual progress reviews provide important guidance to our graduate students and we appreciate your efforts to this end.

4. Expectations and Performance Management for Graduate Assistants (GA, GRA, GTA)

It is very important that graduate assistants (GAs, GTAs, and GRAs) receive clear guidelines for and support in carrying out their assistantship duties. Assistantship supervisors are expected to define and clearly communicate duties and performance expectations to their graduate assistants and provide regular feedback, including a performance evaluation at least once a year, but preferably each semester. Guidelines for managing assistantship performance are available in the Assistantship Management Guide (login with VT Google credentials is required for access), including simple templates for documenting expectations and evaluating performance.

5. Graduate Honor System Resources, Workshops, and Panelist Trainings

The Graduate Honor System provides a variety of resources to faculty and graduate students, including short orientation sessions and 1-hour presentations/workshops by request, panelist trainings to interested faculty and students, and online resources specifically for faculty regarding reducing academic integrity violations. To learn more, visit the GHS website. Questions can be sent to ghs@vt.edu.

6. International Travel for Students

Please be aware of international travel restrictions for students who conduct research, fieldwork, or other activities related to their VT degree, and faculty who support/advise them (Policy 1070). Even when a student funds their own international travel, if the research, practica, internships/externships, field work, or conferences contribute to an individual’s Virginia Tech degree or his/her professional activities, it is considered “university-supported” travel under Policy 1070, thus university requirements apply:

• Registering travel with GEO Global Safety
• Coverage with Virginia Tech’s required global medical and security insurance. (No self-enrollment, as of July 1, 2026. Registered travelers are automatically enrolled)
• Requesting an exception to Policy 1070 when traveling to a destination designated as high risk by the university

When GEO’s Global Safety Division knows about travel in advance, they can provide travelers with destination-specific safety information, preparation guidance, and resources, as well as ensure they have access to assistance in the event of an emergency.

Contact GEO Global Safety (VTGlobalSafety@vt.edu) with questions.

Graduate School Bulletin 

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators  

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/  

June 16, 2026

In this bulletin:   

Meetings, Workshops, & Events  

1. Summer Pre-Arrival Zoom Sessions for Incoming Graduate Students

Deadlines & Dates to Remember 

None at this time.

Policy Updates  

None at this time. 

Administrative Announcements  

2. GLC Closure and Graduate School Services Jun 8-Aug 16

3. Supporting International Students Facing Summer Hardship

Announcements for Distribution to Students

None at this time.

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. Summer Pre-Arrival Zoom Sessions for Incoming Graduate Students

Please share this opportunity with incoming graduate students as appropriate. The Graduate School has organized 12 sessions for incoming graduate students that cover a broad range of topics, including getting started as a student, health insurance and immunizations, finding community, managing your assistantship, and more. All sessions will be on Zoom over the summer and are open to graduate students at any campus. More information can be found on the Orientation and Welcome Events webpage.

Administrative Announcements

2. GLC closure and Graduate School services Jun 8-Aug 16

The GLC will be closed to the public, including all graduate students, between June 8 – August 16 due to renovations in the Squires Student Center. All GLC swipe card access will be terminated during this period and Graduate School personnel will be working remotely.

There will be no drop-in student services. Graduate students and others may contact the Graduate School by emailing to grads@vt.edu or to the direct email of the person they are trying to reach. Zoom meetings can be scheduled as usual.

• Bryan Hanson/Ombuds services will be available in the Newman Library in Room 427 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Students may schedule in-person meetings in this space.
• The weekly GLC Cafe will be moved to the CID.
• Notary services must be arranged in advance by emailing to grads@vt.edu or to the individual notaries to set up an appointment.

3. Supporting International Students Facing Summer Hardship

A resource guide developed by the Cranwell International Center and other campus offices is now available to help advisors and staff support international students facing hardship this summer due to immigration uncertainty. The guide covers financial and basic needs, work authorization, mental health, and academic progress.

The guide is stored in the GPD Teams channel here: International Student Summer Support. If you do not have access, please email gsdean@vt.edu.

Graduate School Bulletin

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

June 1, 2026 

In this bulletin:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events 

1. GPD/GC Meeting Reminder 

2. Summer Pre-Arrival Zoom Sessions for Incoming Graduate Students 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

None at this time. 

Policy Updates 

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements 

3. GLC Closure and Graduate School Services Jun 8-Aug 16 

4. Supporting International Students Facing Summer Hardship 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

5. Summer Writing Drop-Inns Begin June 5 

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. GPD/GC Meeting Reminder

Wednesday, June 3, 2:00-3:00 p.m. 

This is a reminder of the upcoming monthly Graduate Program Director and Graduate Coordinator meeting. If you are not currently included in the calendar invitation or need access to the Teams channel, please email gsdean@vt.edu. 

2. Summer Pre-Arrival Zoom Sessions for Incoming Graduate Students

Please share this opportunity with incoming graduate students as appropriate. The Graduate School has organized 12 sessions for incoming graduate students that cover a broad range of topics, including getting started as a student, health insurance and immunizations, finding community, managing your assistantship, and more. All sessions will be on Zoom over the summer and are open to graduate students at any campus. More information can be found on the Orientation and Welcome Events webpage. 

Administrative Announcements

3. GLC closure and Graduate School services Jun 8-Aug 16

The GLC will be closed to the public, including all graduate students, between June 8 – August 16 due to renovations in the Squires Student Center. All GLC swipe card access will be terminated during this period and Graduate School personnel will be working remotely. 

There will be no drop-in student services. Graduate students and others may contact the Graduate School by emailing to grads@vt.edu or to the direct email of the person they are trying to reach. Zoom meetings can be scheduled as usual. 

• Bryan Hanson/Ombuds services will be available in the Newman Library in Room 427 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Students may schedule in-person meetings in this space. 
• The weekly GLC Cafe will be moved to the CID. 
• Notary services must be arranged in advance by emailing to grads@vt.edu or to the individual notaries to set up an appointment. 

4. Supporting International Students Facing Summer Hardship

A resource guide developed by the Cranwell International Center and other campus offices is now available to help advisors and staff support international students facing hardship this summer due to immigration uncertainty. The guide covers financial and basic needs, work authorization, mental health, and academic progress. 

The guide is stored in the GPD Teams channel here: International Student Summer Support. If you do not have access, please email gsdean@vt.edu. 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

The notice(s) in this section have been shared with graduate students through the Graduate School channels, but we ask that you consider sharing it with individual students or student groups as you see fit.  

5. Summer Writing Drop-Inns Begin June 5

June 5th, 2026 – Drillfield Room, Inn at Virginia Tech 

June 8th, 2026 – Drillfield Room, Inn at Virginia Tech 

June 17th, 2026 – Newman 207A Classroom, Newman Library 

The Graduate School will be hosting summer Writing Drop-Inns at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Newman Library this summer. Times and additional dates are to be determined. 

Students are invited to enjoy continuing momentum and productivity with fellow graduate students and work at their own pace in a quiet, supportive environment. No registration is required.  Snacks and coffee will be provided. A limited number of monitors will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. More information can be found on the Professional Development Workshops webpage under “Writing Series.” Questions and/or accommodation requests can be sent to Will Hutton at wdh@vt.edu. 

Graduate School Bulletin 

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

May 1, 2026 

In this bulletin:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events  

1. GPD/GC Meeting Reminder 

2. Virginia Tech AI Teaching Symposium 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember 

None at this time. 

Policy Updates  

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements  

3. ADA Title II Digital Accessibility for ETDs Requirement 

4. Supporting International Students Facing Summer Hardship 

5. Assistantship Bridge Funding 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

None at this time. 

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. GPD/GC Meeting Reminder

Tuesday, May 5, 2:00-3:00 p.m. 

This is a reminder of the upcoming monthly Graduate Program Director and Graduate Coordinator meeting. ​View the meeting agenda​

If you are not currently included in the calendar invitation or need access to the Teams channel, please email gsdean@vt.edu.

2. Virginia Tech AI Teaching Symposium

Thursday, August 13, 2026, Blacksburg Campus 

Virginia Tech will host its first AI Teaching Symposium on August 13, 2026, at the Blacksburg campus. Please share this event with instructional faculty, graduate students, and teaching support staff in your unit. 

The symposium theme, “AI On / AI Off: The Balance of Human-Centered AI,” recognizes the broad range of perspectives held by our faculty regarding AI in teaching, with a goal of creating a space for thoughtful dialogue across all these viewpoints. We are seeking proposals that explore when and why faculty choose to integrate AI into teaching, when and why they choose to restrict it, and how they make intentional decisions that enhance student learning. 

More information is available in the campus notice and on the symposium website. Details on the keynote speaker and full schedule will be posted soon. Questions may be directed to tlos@vt.edu. 

Administrative Announcements

3. ADA Title II Digital Accessibility for ETDs Requirement

In compliance with the Code of Virginia Information Technology Access Act, effective April 24, 2026, the Graduate School will require that all ETDs must conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). ETD authors are required to ensure their document meets WCAG guidelines prior to submission to the Graduate School. The Graduate School staff will verify any submitted ETD meets these guidelines during review of the ETD and prior to approval. For more information on how to ensure your ETD meets digital accessibility guidelines, utilize the library’s Guidelines for Accessibility in ETD Submissions webpage.  

4. Supporting International Students Facing Summer Hardship

A resource guide developed by the Cranwell International Center and other campus offices is now available to help advisors and staff support international students facing hardship this summer due to immigration uncertainty. The guide covers financial and basic needs, work authorization, mental health, and academic progress. 

The guide is stored in the GPD Teams channel here: International Student Summer Support. 

If you do not have access, please email gsdean@vt.edu. 

5. Assistantship Bridge Funding

Funding from the Graduate School and Provost is available to bridge student funding in cases where grants have been terminated or promised funding has been delayed. Before requesting support, it is expected that: 1) the advisor has determined they do not have funding or only partial funding for the student, and 2) the department does not have the means to fund the student. Requests should be made through the following form: Assistantship Bridge Funding Request. —
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Graduate School Bulletin

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators  

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/  

April 1, 2026

In this bulletin:   

Meetings, Workshops, & Events  

1. Fostering Well-being in Mentoring Environments

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

2. Deadline Today: 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships

Policy Updates  

None at this time. 

Administrative Announcements 

3. 2026-27 Graduate Catalog Update Process

4. Nominations invited for the 2026 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards

Announcements for Distribution to Students

5. Writing Successful Student-Initiated Proposals

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. Fostering Well-being in Mentoring Environments

Thursday, April 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Zoom

Allison Jones, Catherine Cotrupi, and Kamillah Kassam invite graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty to participate in a mentoring workshop organized by the Equity in Graduate Education Consortium. This workshop is part of a national initiative to strengthen mentoring competencies across the academic community, with an emphasis on equity-focused and evidence-informed mentoring practices. Access the registration form here

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

2. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships

Deadline Today: April 1, 2026

Nominations for Graduate School fellowships are now being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page.

Administrative Announcements

3. 2026-27 Graduate Catalog Update Process

The update process for the 2026-27 edition of the Graduate Catalog is now underway. GPDs and faculty members responsible for certificate programs (or their designees) are asked to review their current catalog listings at https://catalog.vt.edu/graduate/ and complete this survey to either 1) confirm the accuracy of the current content or 2) provide details about necessary updates: https://gs.vt.edu/2026catalog.    

All programs are asked to enter new information about: 

• Name and email of the graduate coordinator for your program(s) 
• Link to the program’s student handbook or explanation of when/where/how students may find it

Submissions are due by May 25; the 2026-27 catalog will be published on June 1. If you have any difficulty completing the survey or have any questions about the process, please contact Bill Huckle at wrhuckle@vt.edu or Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu.

4. Nominations invited for the 2026 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards

The Graduate School invites nominations for the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards in the fields of (1) mathematics, physical sciences and engineering and (2) social sciences. Details are available on the CGS website. The effective date of the degree awarded, or the completion of doctoral degree requirements and dissertation, must be between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. Nominations must be received by the Graduate School by June 15, 2026. If you are interested in nominating a dissertation, please contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu. Because Virginia Tech is limited to one nomination per category, the Graduate School will select finalists and assist with compiling the nominations.

Announcements for Distribution to Students 

The notice(s) in this section have been shared with graduate students through the Graduate School channels, but we ask that you consider sharing it with individual students or student groups as you see fit. 

5. Writing Successful Student-Initiated Proposals

Thursday, April 23, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Zoom

Please share the following announcement with your current graduate students, as well as incoming graduate students accepted for fall. This workshop is intended to help them develop strong, competitive student-initiated research proposals and increase their success in securing research funding.

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to a workshop on preparing effective student-initiated research proposals. Presenters will share tips, resources, and strategies to strengthen proposals and enhance funding success. The session will cover strategies for developing effective proposals and using university resources that support proposal writing and submission. The goal is to help participants strengthen their proposals and contribute to the success of Virginia Tech’s student-initiated research funding efforts. Breakout sessions will address proposal development for NIH, NSF, and Humanities/Social Sciences/Education projects. The workshop will be held virtually and is open to all interested participants; register here: RSVP Form

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

March 16, 2026 

IN THIS BULLETIN:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events 

1. Graduate Education Week: March 23-27, 2026 

2. NSPIRE Lecture Series 

3. GAI For Good: Creating Functional and Productive GAI Graduate Course Policies 

4. Fostering Well-being in Mentoring Environments 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

5. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships 

Policy Updates 

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements 

6. Get Involved with a New GLC Public Art Project 

7. 2026-27 Graduate Catalog Update Process 

8. Nominations invited for the 2026 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

9. Interstride Launch: New Resource for Graduate Students 

10. Hokie Hiccups: Graduate School Edition 

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. Graduate Education Week: March 23-27, 2026

This year’s theme for Graduate Education Week is “Graduate Education for Good,” which highlights how meaningful change grows from dedication, partnership, and community. Events will be held on the Blacksburg, Roanoke and Washington D.C., Metro area campuses, as well as virtually. We encourage you to attend events throughout the week and please share them with your graduate students! More details can be found on the Graduate Education Week website 

2. NSPIRE Lecture Series

Tuesday, March 24 
Hosted by the Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance, the Notable Scholars Promoting Innovative Research and Ethics (NSPIRE) lecture series features VT researchers discussing ethics and integrity in scholarship. Please share this learning opportunity with faculty and graduate students: 

• 9:30-10:30 a.m. Todd Lowe, Ph.D. – Industry research: Considering ethics and student researchers 
• 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Sophie Bogers, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, DACVS-LA – Horses, hounds and humans: Improving ethics through naturally occurring veterinary disease 
• 1:00-2:00 p.m. Cynthia Devers, Ph.D. – Integrity in Management Research; Editor-in-Chief work and PhD student training 

Register for March 24th Sessions 

3. GAI For Good: Creating Functional and Productive GAI Graduate Course Policies

Thursday, March 26, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82003486014

Please share with your faculty this program designed specifically for their participation: As generative AI (GAI) reshapes academic work, graduate faculty face challenging situations: students need clear boundaries, yet most syllabi are silent or vague about GAI. Graduate scenarios, such as thesis work, prelims, and collaborative research projects, require clear guidance. This hands-on workshop offers an iterative, scenario-based activity to help you draft and refine a GAI policy for your course, starting from scratch and progressing through increasingly complex real-world situations that reveal gaps you might not know about. Presenters will cover research-based findings on academic integrity, GAI, and course syllabi design; VT’s Graduate Honor System (GHS) processes; new GAI guidance from the university’s Responsible AI Framework; and how your course policies intersect with this broader landscape. Access the registration form here 

4. Fostering Well-being in Mentoring Environments

Thursday, April 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Zoom 

Allison Jones, Catherine Cotrupi, and Kamillah Kassam invite graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty to participate in a mentoring workshop organized by the Equity in Graduate Education Consortium. This workshop is part of a national initiative to strengthen mentoring competencies across the academic community, with an emphasis on equity-focused and evidence-informed mentoring practices. Access the registration form here 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

5. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships

Deadline: April 1, 2026 

Nominations for Graduate School fellowships are now being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page. 

Administrative Announcements

6. Get Involved with a New GLC Public Art Project

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Graduate Life Center in 2005-06 and to celebrate graduate education at Virginia Tech, the Graduate School is spearheading the creation of a public art installation in the vicinity of the Graduate Life Center. We invite the participation of current and former graduate students and supporters of graduate education in the planning, design, and implementation of this art installation. Faculty-led student teams are encouraged to respond to the RFP to be posted in April. With this installation we wish to recognize the contributions of graduate students to the missions of the university; celebrate the creativity, strength, and endurance of the graduate community; highlight the many and varied talents of graduate students/alumni and increase public art on the Blacksburg campus. For more information about the project and how to get involved, visit our website. 

7. 2026-27 Graduate Catalog Update Process

The update process for the 2026-27 edition of the Graduate Catalog is now underway. GPDs and faculty members responsible for certificate programs (or their designees) are asked to review their current catalog listings at https://catalog.vt.edu/graduate/ and complete this survey to either 1) confirm the accuracy of the current content or 2) provide details about necessary updates: https://gs.vt.edu/2026catalog.     

All programs are asked to enter new information about:  

• Name and email of the graduate coordinator for your program(s)  
• Link to the program’s student handbook or explanation of when/where/how students may find it 

Submissions are due by May 25; the 2026-27 catalog will be published on June 1. If you have any difficulty completing the survey or have any questions about the process, please contact Bill Huckle at wrhuckle@vt.edu or Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu. 

8. Nominations invited for the 2026 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards

The Graduate School invites nominations for the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards in the fields of (1) mathematics, physical sciences and engineering and (2) social sciences. Details are available on the CGS website. The effective date of the degree awarded, or the completion of doctoral degree requirements and dissertation, must be between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. Nominations must be received by the Graduate School by June 15, 2026. If you are interested in nominating a dissertation, please contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu. Because Virginia Tech is limited to one nomination per category, the Graduate School will select finalists and assist with compiling the nominations. 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

The notice(s) in this section have been shared with graduate students through the Graduate School channels, but we ask that you consider sharing it with individual students or student groups as you see fit.  

9. Interstride Launch: New Resource for Graduate Students

Friday, March 20, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Holtzman Alumni Auditorium, The Inn at Virginia Tech 

Please share with students this event for their participation: Join staff from the Cranwell International Center, the Graduate School, and the Office of Career and Professional Development for a live learning session about Interstride, a new platform for international job searches and career networking. Optimize your Interstride job search, build your career network, and enjoy light refreshments. Access the registration form here 

10. Hokie Hiccups: Graduate School Edition

Thursday, March 26, 9:30-10:30 a.m., GLC Room B 

The Graduate School, in collaboration with Hokie Wellness, invites all graduate students, faculty, staff, and administrators to attend the upcoming Hokie Hiccups event, whether to share your own experiences or to listen and learn from others. This event will highlight the challenges and setbacks that are a natural part of academic and professional growth, promoting openness and connection within the graduate community. 

Attendees will hear from six graduate students who will each share reflections on moments of failure or difficulty during graduate school or along their path to it. Additional students, faculty, and administrators are warmly encouraged to participate as speakers or attendees. 

Access the registration form here 

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

March 2, 2026 

IN THIS BULLETIN:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events 

1. Graduate Coordinators’ Spring Networking Meeting 

2. GAI For Good: Creating Functional and Productive GAI Graduate Course Policies 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

3. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships 

Policy Updates 

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements 

4. 2026-27 Graduate Catalog Update Process 

5. GEW 2026: Share “For Good” Work   

6. Volunteers and Judges Needed for the GPSS Research Symposium 

7. International Travel for Students 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

8. First-Year Doctoral Students Needed for Research Study 

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. Graduate Coordinators’ Spring Networking Meeting

Thursday, March 12, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/87028795305 

All graduate program coordinators are invited to join this information/networking session to connect with members of the Graduate School team and one another. Tentative agenda: 

• Graduate Coordinator Manual 
• Graduate Education Week updates 
• Graduate Catalog update process and timeline 
• Review of Application for Certificate and Application for Certificate Conferral forms 

If you have a particular topic you would like to request or recommend, please email gibsonm@vt.edu. 

2. GAI For Good: Creating Functional and Productive GAI Graduate Course Policies

Thursday, March 26, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Zoom: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/82003486014

Please share with your faculty this program designed specifically for their participation: As generative AI (GAI) reshapes academic work, graduate faculty face challenging situations: students need clear boundaries, yet most syllabi are silent or vague about GAI. Graduate scenarios, such as thesis work, prelims, and collaborative research projects, require clear guidance. This hands-on workshop offers an iterative, scenario-based activity to help you draft and refine a GAI policy for your course, starting from scratch and progressing through increasingly complex real-world situations that reveal gaps you might not know about. Presenters will cover research-based findings on academic integrity, GAI, and course syllabi design; VT’s Graduate Honor System (GHS) processes; new GAI guidance from the university’s Responsible AI framework; and how your course policies intersect with this broader landscape. Register Here 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

3. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships

Deadline: April 1, 2026 

Nominations for Graduate School fellowships are now being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page. 

Administrative Announcements

4. 2026-27 Graduate Catalog Update Process

The update process for the 2026-27 edition of the Graduate Catalog is now under way. GPDs and faculty members responsible for certificate programs (or their designees) are asked to review their current catalog listings at https://catalog.vt.edu/graduate/ and complete this survey to either 1) confirm the accuracy of the current content or 2) provide details about necessary updates: https://gs.vt.edu/2026catalog.     

All programs are asked to enter new information about:  

• Name and email of the graduate coordinator for your program(s)  
• Link to the program’s student handbook or explanation of when/where/how students may find it 

Submissions are due by May 25; the 2026-27 catalog will be published on June 1. If you have any difficulty completing the survey or have any questions about the process, please contact Bill Huckle at wrhuckle@vt.edu or Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu. 

5. GEW 2026: Share “For Good” Work

We are seeking graduate students, faculty, and staff whose work embodies the Graduate Education Week 2026 theme of “For Good” to feature on our social media channels during GEW, March 23–27. This work may involve research, teaching, service, advocacy, mentorship, student organization involvement, or any other activity related to graduate education. You may nominate yourself or someone else to be highlighted: Nomination Form 

6. Volunteers and Judges Needed for the GPSS Research Symposium

The 42nd Annual Graduate and Professional Student Senate Research Symposium will be held on March 25, 2026, in the Graduate Life Center, and faculty are needed to serve as judges for this year’s event. The theme is “Better Together: Collaborating Beyond Boundaries.” Faculty members from across the university are encouraged to join this opportunity to support graduate student research, idea exploration, and professional development. Judge Registration Form 

Volunteers are also needed to assist with registration, timekeeping, setup or breakdown, and food distribution. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and meal if they assist around mealtimes. Volunteer Sign-up Form 

Please contact Symposium co-chairs Tamar (tjballard@vt.edu) and Ethan (ethansd@vt.edu) with any questions. 

7. International Travel for Students

To ensure that students across all departments receive consistent guidance regarding international travel, please remind your faculty and staff to direct all student inquiries to the official FAQ. This will help avoid conflicting information and maintain a unified message.  

Any additional questions or situations not addressed in the FAQ should be referred directly to the Tax Compliance Office, tax@vt.edu.  

Announcements for Distribution to Students

The notice(s) in this section have been shared with graduate students through the Graduate School’s channels, but we ask that you consider sharing it with individual students or student groups as you see fit.  

8. First-Year Doctoral Students Needed for Research Study

All doctoral students who began their program in Fall 2025 are invited to participate in meaningful research focused on understanding the drivers of doctoral student persistence—what gets you through your studies?  

Participants are asked to complete a 6–10-minute survey. At the end of the survey, you will be asked if you are willing to participate in an optional follow-up 30–45-minute interview over Zoom.  

Eligible students should have received a link via e-mail, but the survey can also be accessed here: Research Study Survey 

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

February 16, 2026 

IN THIS BULLETIN:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events 

None at this time. 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

1. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships 

Policy Updates 

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements 

2. GEW 2026: Share “For Good” Work   

3. Volunteers and Judges Needed for the GPSS Research Symposium 

4. International Travel for Students 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

None at this time. 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

1. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships

Deadline: April 1, 2026 

Nominations for Graduate School fellowships are now being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page. 

Administrative Announcements

2. GEW 2026: Share “For Good” Work

We are seeking graduate students, faculty, and staff whose work embodies the Graduate Education Week 2026 theme, “For Good,” to feature on our social media channels during GEW, March 23–27. This work may involve research, teaching, service, advocacy, mentorship, student organization involvement, or any other activity related to graduate education. You may nominate yourself or someone else to be highlighted: Nomination form 

3. Volunteers and Judges Needed for the GPSS Research Symposium

The 42nd Annual Graduate and Professional Student Senate Research Symposium will be held on March 25, 2026, in the Graduate Life Center, and faculty are needed to serve as judges for this year’s event. The theme is “Better Together: Collaborating Beyond Boundaries.” Faculty members from across the university are encouraged to join this opportunity to support graduate student research, idea exploration, and professional development. Judge Registration Form 

Volunteers are also needed to assist with registration, timekeeping, setup or breakdown, and food distribution. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and meal if they assist around mealtimes. Volunteer Sign-up Form 

Please contact Symposium co-chairs Tamar (tjballard@vt.edu) and Ethan (ethansd@vt.edu) with any questions. 

4. International Travel for Students

To ensure that students across all departments receive consistent guidance regarding international travel, please remind your faculty and staff to direct all student inquiries to the official FAQ. This will help avoid conflicting information and maintain a unified message.  

Any additional questions or situations not addressed in the FAQ should be referred directly to the Tax Co

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

February 2, 2026 

IN THIS BULLETIN:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events 

1. NSPIRE Lecture Series 

2. GPD/GC Meeting 

3. Spring 2026 Graduate School + Cranwell International Center Webinar 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

4. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships 

Policy Updates 

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements 

5. International Travel for Students 

6. Request to Share Policies on Actions Precipitated by Unsatisfactory Student Progress 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

None at this time. 

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. NSPIRE Lecture Series

Wednesday, February 11 

Hosted by the Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance, the Notable Scholars Promoting Innovative Research and Ethics (NSPIRE) virtual lectures feature VT researchers discussing ethics and integrity in scholarship, topics that are key elements of the Graduate School’s Scholarly Ethics and Integrity requirement for all graduate students. Please share this learning opportunity with faculty and graduate students:  

• 10:00-11:00 a.m. Molly Klote, M.D. – Compliance Supporting Research Integrity 
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tiffany Drape, Ph.D. – Using Case Studies for Better Collaboration 
• 1:00-2:00 p.m. Iris Jenkins, Ph.D. – Fostering Integrity in Research 

Register for sessions 

2. GPD/GC Meeting 

Wednesday, February 11, 2:00-3:00 p.m. 

This is a reminder of the upcoming monthly Graduate Program Director and Graduate Coordinator meeting. If you are not currently included in the calendar invitation, please contact jhazelwood4@vt.edu.    

3. Spring 2026 Graduate School + Cranwell International Center Webinar   

Monday, February 16, 1:00-3:00 p.m. 

This spring’s topic will be International Student Employment – Best Practices & Communication.  We will cover topics such as timelines, policies, expectations, and student impact. Register to attend 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

4. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships 

Deadline: April 1, 2026 

Nominations for Graduate School fellowships are now being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page. 

Administrative Announcements

5. International Travel for Students 

To ensure that students across all departments receive consistent guidance regarding international travel, please remind your faculty and staff to direct all student inquiries to the official FAQ. This will help avoid conflicting information and maintain a unified message.  

Any additional questions or situations not addressed in the FAQ should be referred directly to the Tax Compliance Office, tax@vt.edu.  

6. Request to Share Policies on Actions Precipitated by Unsatisfactory Student Progress 

There was a very good discussion at a recent GPD/GPC meeting on the topic of graduate student progress reviews, with important emphasis on the need for more formal and timely response to situations of unsatisfactory performance. The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) hopes to formalize a more structured process for managing and documenting unsatisfactory progress situations. Bill Knocke, GPD in CEE, requests the opportunity to review any written policies and procedures that departments have formally adopted to address unsatisfactory graduate student performance. Forward such information to knocke@vt.edu; if you copy gsdean@vt.edu as well, the materials will be added to the Graduate School’s repository of best practices to be shared with all GPDs.  

GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN 

A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators   

Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog: https://monthlymemo.graduateschool.vt.edu/   

January 16, 2026 

IN THIS BULLETIN:    

Meetings, Workshops, & Events  

1. Spring 2026 Graduate School + Cranwell International Center Semesterly Webinar 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember 

2. Graduate School Awards 

3. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships 

Policy Updates  

None at this time.  

Administrative Announcements  

4. GPD/GPC Meeting Notes and Call for Future Agenda Items   

5. Request to Share Policies on Actions Precipitated by Unsatisfactory Student Progress 

6. Volunteer Opportunity: Practice Defense Sessions 

7. National Name Exchange (NNE) Data Uploaded to Slate for Recruitment Purposes 

Announcements for Distribution to Students

8. GPSS Research Symposium Abstract Submissions   

Meetings, Workshops, & Events

1. Spring 2026 Graduate School + Cranwell International Center Semesterly Webinar  

Monday, February 16, 1:00-3:00p.m. 

Please hold this time for a joint webinar between Cranwell International Center and the Graduate School. This spring’s topic will be International Student Employment – Best Practices & Communication.  We will cover topics such as timelines, policies, expectations, and student impact. Please register here: Spring 2026 Graduate School + Cranwell International Center Semesterly Webinar – Fill out form 

Deadlines & Dates to Remember

2. Graduate School Awards

The Graduate School is accepting nominations for several annual awards recognizing excellence in graduate education, mentorship, and scholarship. 

• Graduate Student Awards — Deadline: January 23, 2026 Submission Details
• Outstanding Advising/Mentoring Award (A/P Faculty and Staff) — Deadline: January 23, 2026 Submission Details
• Outstanding College Mentor, Doctoral, and Master’s Student Awards — Selection by  college; notification to Graduate School deadline: February 13, 2026 Mentor Info | Student Info

Questions may be directed to Lauren Surface at lkeister@vt.edu. 

3. 2026-27 Graduate School Fellowships

Deadline: April 1, 2026 

Nominations for Graduate School fellowships are now being accepted for the 2026-27 academic year. For eligibility, nomination information, and deadlines, please visit each opportunity listed on the Funding Sponsored by the Graduate School page. 

Administrative Announcements

4. GPD/GPC Meeting Notes and Call for Future Agenda Items

Notes from the recent Graduate Program Directors/Coordinators meeting are available in the ​GPD Teams channel​. If you wish to submit agenda items for future meetings, need access to the GPT Teams site, or be added to the GPD meeting invitation, send an email to gsdean@vt.edu. 

5. Request to Share Policies on Actions Precipitated by Unsatisfactory Student Progress

There was a very good discussion at a recent GPD/GPC meeting on the topic of graduate student progress reviews, with important emphasis on the need for more formal and timely input in situations where unsatisfactory performance is occurring. The department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) hopes to formalize a more structured process for their managing and documenting unsatisfactory progress situations. Bill Knocke, GPD in CEE, requests the opportunity to review any written policies and procedures that departments have formally adopted to address unsatisfactory graduate student performance situations. Forward such information to knocke@vt.edu; if you copy gsdean@vt.edu as well, the materials will be added to the Graduate School’s repository of best practices to be shared with all GPDs.  

6. Volunteer Opportunity: Practice Defense Sessions

This fall, the Student Services & Strategic Partnerships team piloted a program offering practice defense sessions for students nearing their final defenses. Each student presented for 20–30 minutes and received 20–30 minutes of feedback from two administrators or faculty members and another defending student.  

If you are interested in serving as a mock reviewer and can attend one or two of the two-hour blocks below, please contact Catherine Cotrupi at cotrupi@vt.edu. 

• Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 9:00-11:00a.m. 
• Monday, February 2, 2026, 2:00-4:00p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 1:00-3:00p.m. 
• Friday, April 3, 2026, 1:00-3:00p.m. 
• Monday, April 6, 2026 1:00-3:00p.m. 
• Friday, April 17, 2026, 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. 
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 3:00-5:00p.m. 
• Monday, April 27, 2026, 2:00-4:00p.m. 

7. National Name Exchange (NNE) Data Uploaded to Slate for Recruitment Purposes

Managed by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the National Name Exchange (NNE) aims to expand access to graduate education to create a robust and nimble workforce. The initiative focuses on removing barriers to graduate education and broadening participation in graduate study. More information is available on the CGS website. The 2025 NNE data has been uploaded to Slate, and you can identify these students by a tag which can be queried either as a filter along with their major and/or as an export. 

A template query is available and can be used to copy and adjust to individual program(s). Questions can be sent to Catherine Cotrupi at cotrupi@vt.edu.

Announcements for Distribution to Students 

The notice(s) in this section have been shared with graduate students through the Graduate School’s channels, but we ask that you consider sharing it with individual students or student groups as you see fit.  

8. GPSS Research Symposium Abstract Submissions

The annual GPSS research symposium is an excellent professional development opportunity for graduate students. Please encourage your students to submit an abstract and/or volunteer for the symposium. 

Deadline for abstracts: February 6, 2026, 11:59p.m. 

Date of symposium: March 25, 2026, Graduate Life Center 

The 42nd Annual GPSS Research Symposium will be held on March 25, 2026, and we invite students from all disciplines to submit presentations/posters for the symposium! This year’s theme is “Better Together: Collaborating Beyond Boundaries.” You can find more details about submission types and requirements by accessing the Research Symposium Abstract Submission Form.  

To volunteer to be an abstract reviewer, please complete the Volunteer Form. No experience is required. 

Email co-chairs Tamar Ballard (tjballard@vt.edu) and Ethan Dolin (ethansd@vt.edu) with any questions.