Core Programs—Office of Graduate Student Affairs
Core Programs—the Office of Graduate Student Affairs in The Graduate School—utilizes a holistic approach to supporting graduate students through student-centered programming, timely resources, and intentional tri-campus partnerships. We strive to promote the well-being of our diverse graduate student body in our tri-campus network, so they can thrive and be successful at the university and beyond. Our motto is “Cultivating Capacities for Success.”
Our Team
William Mahoney, Ph.D.
Acting Associate Dean of Graduate Student & Postdoc Affairs and Associate Professor
Jaye Sablan, M.A.
Assistant Director of Graduate Student Affairs
Ziyan Bai, M.Ed. Ph.C.
Graduate Research Assistant
Offices: UW Seattle, Loew Hall, Rooms 302 and 304
Contact: cpinfo@uw.edu or 206.543.1703
Visit us on Facebook
Use #UWGradSuccess on Twitter
Strategies for Graduate Student Success
Core Programs shares quick tips to support your academic, professional, and interpersonal success as a graduate student!
- Core Programs graduate student newsletter archives >
- “Ask the Grad School Guide” advice column >
- On & Around Campus: fun & cheap events, lectures and opportunities for the three campuses
- Professional development and mentoring via the NCFDD >
Subscribe to the Core Programs newsletter
Individual Development Plan
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a written guide to help provide some structure when working through your goals, as well as guide you in letting your professors, mentors, family and friends know how best they can support you in reaching your academic, personal, and professional objectives.
Leadership Development
Each year, 8–10 graduate students volunteer to participate in our First-Generation Graduate Student Advisory Board and our International Graduate Student Advisory Board. They serve in leadership roles to inform and shape our initiatives and programming that support first-gen and international graduate students.
- If you are interested in serving on our advisory boards, contact us at cpinfo@uw.edu
Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
We co-organize Scholars’ Studio and Three Minute Thesis events with the UW Libraries Research Commons. These are fun, informal events featuring 10 or more graduate students doing lightning talks on their research, all connecting to a common theme. Attend an upcoming event or submit a proposal for an opportunity to present your research!
Professional Development
Core Programs offers a variety of professional development events, several of which we co-host with campus partners. Below are examples from the past few years:
- Community College Careers Panel and Networking Reception
- Communication Skills for International Graduate Students
- Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate Student Career Development Boot Camp
- Translating Your Research Into Career Opportunities – For Graduate Students and Postdocs in STEM Fields
- Teaching-Focused University Careers – a collaboration between GO-MAP, Core Programs, and Gonzaga University
- Navigating the Job Search When You’re LGBTQ
- Finding Funding for International Graduate Students
- Thriving in Graduate School with Peer Mentoring
Core Programs On the Road
Need a tailored presentation or workshop for your graduate program? Whether you’re a graduate program advisor, faculty or student, Core Programs can work with you to develop a one-of-a-kind event to meet your needs! Some past presentation themes:
- Demystifying graduate school
- Utilizing the individual development plan
- Getting the mentoring you need
- Using social media for career development
Additional Resources
Find Your People
It makes a difference to find like-minded students to build community with and share experiences. You may even make connections with peers outside of your graduate program. There are several student organizations, campus programs, and social media sites that can facilitate such connections.
- Graduate and Professional Student Senate
- Graduate Opportunities & Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP)
- UW SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science)
- Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS)
- D Center
- Q Center
- Women in Chemical Sciences
- Student Veteran Life
- UW Graduate Students Facebook Page
Mentoring
Finding a good mentor and being a good mentor are both critical to the success of many graduate students, in school and beyond. Core Programs provides a wealth of resources to help graduate students do both.
Tri-Campus Resources for Graduate Students & Advisors
Visit this page for a list of tri-campus resources for graduate students and advisors.
All UW graduate students have access to informational resources and consultation services from The Graduate School, regardless of where your graduate program is located. Some campus-based resources are limited to students enrolled at that campus (UW Bothell, UW Seattle, UW Tacoma), due to student fee restrictions.