Grad Summer Step is a two-and-a-half-day, pre-fall term event hosted by the Office of Graduate Education to support newly admitted graduate students.

This event supports the acclimation and success of graduate students who identify with historically marginalized communities. It is not necessary to be a member of a historically marginalized community to attend. Any degree-seeking graduate student who has been newly admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year through the domestic student application is eligible to participate and welcome to apply.

The event takes place prior to Grad Welcome Week activities and complements other orientation activities. Office of Graduate Education staff, along with faculty, staff, and peer graduate leaders, will facilitate the event to meet the goals as described below.

Please contact Ashleigh Anderson ([email protected]) if you have questions about your participation in the event.

Goals

The goals of the Graduate Summer Step program are to support newly admitted graduate students in the following ways:

• Navigating and acclimating to Oregon, Corvallis, and Oregon State University
• Networking with faculty, staff, and peers across the institution and within their graduate programs to establish community and early connections
• Developing skills and knowledge for academic, research, and personal success
• Engaging in and planning for ongoing professional development

Play the following video to learn more about Grad Summer Step.

2024 Agenda

Wednesday, Sept. 11

• 1 to 1:45 p.m. Housing check-in at West Service Center for those staying on campus
• 2 to 3 p.m. Welcome, overview of the program and snacks
• 3 to 4 p.m. Seminar #1: Hopes and Fears for Graduate School
• 4 to 5 p.m. Peer mentor group time
• 5 to 6 p.m. Dinner (casual)

Thursday, Sept. 12

• 9 to 9:45 a.m. Breakfast at West Dining Hall, Welcome from the Dean
• 10 to 11:30 a.m. Seminar #2: Grad Writing 101 and Seminar #3: DCE Offerings (students will be split into two groups and rotate seminars)
• 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Lunch
• 12:15 to 1 p.m. Panel discussion
• 1 to 2 p.m. Lunch debrief with peer mentor groups
• 2 to 3:15 p.m. Untold Stories campus tour
• 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Seminar #4: Navigating Your New Home (OSU, Corvallis, Oregon)
• 4:30 to 7 p.m. Pizza and bowling at the Memorial Union (MU)

Friday, Sept. 13

• 9 to 10 a.m. Breakfast with academic unit representative
• 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Seminar #5: Next Steps: Degree Planning and Professional Development
• 11:30 a.m. to noon. Group photos
• Noon to 1 p.m. Closing lunch, Thriving in Graduate School remarks

2025 agenda coming soon. For any questions about the program, please contact us at [email protected].