☰

Why Attend the Graduate Student Experience?

The Graduate Student Experience is where institutions come together to understand, improve, and transform the graduate and professional student experience. As graduate education continues to evolve, this national convening brings together higher education leaders, faculty, researchers, student affairs professionals, graduate educators, and graduate and professional students to explore research, promising practices, and institutional strategies that strengthen student success from prospect to professional.

Conference Focus Areas

  • Embracing Graduate and Professional Students Within the Student Success Movement
  • Understanding and Responding to Contemporary Graduate Student Needs
  • Strengthening the Graduate and Professional Student Experience Through Institutional Innovation

Key topics explored throughout the conference include mentorship and belonging, professional formation, student well-being, funding models, institutional systems and policies, and the strategic use of artificial intelligence.

Call for Proposals

Are you working to improve the graduate and professional student experience through teaching, research, leadership, policy, student support, or program administration? We invite you to submit a proposal for the 2027 Graduate Student Experience and share innovative practices, emerging research, lessons learned, and strategies that are helping institutions better support graduate and professional student success. Join colleagues from across higher education in shaping conversations about the future of graduate education. Proposal submissions close October 15, 2026. Submit your proposal here.

What Is the Graduate Student Experience?

The Graduate Student Experience™ refers to the full range of experiences that graduate and professional students encounter throughout their educational journey, from prospect to professional. It encompasses the academic, research, professional, and personal experiences that shape learning, belonging, well-being, identity development, mentorship, and career preparation.

More than a description of the student journey, the Graduate Student Experience™ represents an aspirational vision for how institutions can intentionally design environments, relationships, and support systems that enable graduate and professional students to thrive. It reflects an institutional commitment to respect, dignity, fairness, and continuous improvement, recognizing that strengthening the student experience leads to stronger outcomes for students, institutions, and society.

Pre- Conference Workshops- April 12

How to Create a Graduate Student First-Year Seminar Course

9 AM - 12 PM

The workshop will begin with an overview of the GT6000 course along with the benefits of graduate student first-year seminar courses. We will then transition to small groups to have dialogue on the ideal characteristics and traits of a graduate transition course. After sharing with the larger group, participants will develop an initial framework, with facilitators available to provide support, of a graduate student first-year experience course tailored for their campus. The workshop will conclude with participants sharing their framework with the larger group.

Workshop aims:

• Participants will be introduced to the design strategy and scope of the GT6000 course

• Participants will engage with others seeking to develop a first-year experience course on their campus

• Participants will evaluate their own campus to inform an initial development strategy

Learning outcomes:

• Participants will understand the design strategy and scope of the GT6000 course

• Participants will gain ideas from other participants seeking to develop a graduate student first-year experience course

• Participants will develop an initial framework of a graduate student first-year experience course tailored for their campus


Freedom of Expression in the US – Challenges & Opportunities for the Graduate Student Experience

1-4 PM

Presenters: Luoluo Hong and Dr. Malcolm Robinson

This pre-conference session will utilize a number of formats in order toactively engage and involve participants, including small and dyad group discussions, anonymous polling activities, individual reflection time, dynamic lecture, and open Q&A. 

Workshop aims: 

Free speech has become a polarizing, controversial topic at many US campuses; this uniquely American construct generates distinctive cultural, political and social impacts for graduate education. This pre-conference will review the federal policies and regulations that shape academic freedom and freedom of expression in the university setting – especially as they relate to the graduate student experience. Then, highlighting the experience of one large, public, research institution as they pivoted to respond to an evolving federal landscape, participants will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with free speech issues. 

Learning outcomes:

Following this session, participants will be able to: (1) Describe how the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other presidential executive orders and other federal policies govern speech and other expressive activity on campus; (2) List and define some of the guiding principles shaping speech on US campuses, including The Chicago Principles, AAUP’s statement on institutional neutrality, etc.; (3) Describe the ways in which US concepts of free speech rights shape the graduate student experience; (4) Identify core programmatic, policy and procedural elements that are considered best practices in protecting freedom of expression and inquiry in higher education; and (5) Compare and contrast the challenges and opportunities invoked by this work.


Examining the Graduate Student Experience Through Institution-Wide Self-Study

9 AM - 12 PM

Presenters: John Gardner, Drew Koch


Innovating the Graduate Student Experience: Strategies for Institutional Improvement

1 - 4 PM

Presenters: John Gardner, Brandon Smith, Vicki McGillin, Felita Williams, Bonnie Ferri

Plenary Speakers

Freeman Hrabowski III President Emeritus, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

“Rethinking The Graduate & Professional Student Experience: Mindset, Resilience and Hope”

Hrabowski will focus on the importance of culture, mentorship and student success as institutions address student needs and prepare them for a rapidly changing workforce. Drawing on decades of leadership in academic innovation, he will challenge participants to build environments that take advantage of such advanced technology as AI while embracing bold, equity centered strategies that reflect resilience and hope as students prepare to lead and problem solve in the future.

Luoluo Hong Vice President for Student Engagement and Well-Being, Georgia Institute of Technology

“On Crisis, Courage and Collaboration: Enhancing Graduate Student Engagement & Well-Being In An Era of Disruption”

Higher education in the US is undergoing an unprecedented period of disruption and transformation, with particularly significant impacts and implications on graduate students. This session will explore emerging and evolving national trends, as well as promising practices, for enhancing graduate students’ holistic experience and success. The speaker will share insights from Georgia Tech’s own journey to expand and strengthen academic and student affairs collaborations in response to evolving student needs. She will engage participants’ hearts, minds and hopes via provocative polling, reflection moments, and hearty laughter.

DeAngela Burns-Wallace President and CEO, Kauffman Foundation

"From Prospect to Professional: Redesigning Graduate Education for a Changing World"

Graduate and professional education sits at a pivotal turning point. Students are navigating changing expectations, evolving workforce demands, rising economic pressures, and growing questions about the value and purpose of advanced degrees. Meeting this moment requires institutions to look beyond enrollment and completion and redesign the entire journey from prospect to professional.

In this keynote, Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace examines how graduate education can become a more intentional pathway to professional purpose, economic mobility, and meaningful impact. Drawing on leadership experience across higher education, public service, and philanthropy, she will explore how institutions can more directly connect the student experience to students’ longer-term aspirations while responding to the needs of employers, communities, and a changing economy.

Dr. Burns-Wallace will challenge leaders to make the invisible visible by clarifying academic and professional pathways, demystifying funding and advancement milestones, strengthening mentorship and a sense of belonging, and building career-connected experiences throughout graduate education. She will also consider how institutions can use data differently—measuring momentum, mobility, and professional outcomes, not simply participation and degree attainment.

Positioning everyone as a systems designer, the keynote offers a practical and hopeful charge: remove friction, widen access to opportunity, and build coordinated structures that help students enter, thrive, complete, and translate advanced learning into lives of purpose, leadership, and impact.

Fees

Early-bird Registration (Register before February 15, 2027): $995

After early bird date: $1075

Student Registration (graduate and undergraduate): $495

Registrants from Transformation schools receive a 20% discount on the posted fees.

Registration Fee includes: Opening reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, refreshment breaks, and conference materials.

Hotel:

Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, 800 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

$229/ night

Refund Policy: 

There will be no refunds given after February 15, 2027. All refunds will be subject to a 5% processing fee. Registration can be transferred to another participant before March 25th, no transfers will be allowed after that. Requests must be made in writing to [email protected].

Conference Location

Conference Location Information:

Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center,800 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

Hotel Information:

Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center,800 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

Air Service:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (12 miles from hotel)


Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Gardner Institute

Please click here to book your flights.

You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code  NY4VW

*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

About the Organizers:

The Graduate Student Experience is presented by the Gardner Institute, in partnership with Georgia Tech's Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.

About the Gardner Institute

The Gardner Institute partners with colleges, universities, systems, and philanthropies to drive long-term transformation in postsecondary education. Through rigorous analysis, holistic planning, and targeted institutional change, we help faculty, staff, and leaders redesign student experiences so more learners persist, complete, and graduate.

About Georgia Tech

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education (GPE) advances Georgia Tech’s mission by supporting the success and well-being of more than 35,000 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. As part of the Office of the Provost, GPE provides services, advocacy, and professional development programs that foster academic excellence, career readiness, and well-being. 

In addition to serving as a champion for graduate and postdoc needs, the office leads innovation and oversight in graduate education, shaping policies, programs, and partnerships that strengthen Georgia Tech’s global impact.

Location Information

  • Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center
  • 800 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA, 30308 US
  • Google, Bing, MapQuest

Registration Information

If you are registering a group, you will need know if they require special accommodations or have dietary preferences before registering

  • The registration fee includes the opening reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, refreshment breaks, and conference materials.

  • The registration fee includes the opening reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, refreshment breaks, and conference materials.

  • 9 AM-12 PM

  • 9 AM-12 PM

  • 1 PM-4 PM

  • 1 PM-4 PM

  • April 12

  • Day 1- April 13

  • Day 1- April 13

  • Day 2- April 14

  • Day 2- April 14

Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

Severe Illness and Injury
COVID-19
Hospitalization
Death in Family
Transportation Failure
Crime and Home Emergency
Employment Obligations
Acts of Nature
Legal Obligations

Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumstances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Read Full Terms and Conditions

Emergency Contact

Almost done, where should we send the confirmation?

This page is secured with 256 bit encryption

RegFox Event Registration Software
Event Registration Software by RegFox