News

2024 Three Minute Thesis competition application now open

Cay Leytham-Powell — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:05:03 +0000

2024 Three Minute Thesis competition application now open Cay Leytham-Powell Thu, 09/12/2024 - 15:05

The application for the Three Minute Thesis competition is now open for interested doctoral students.

3MT is an academic competition that challenges students to summarize their thesis in three minutes for a general audience and a panel of judges, who rate their performance. The three winners of the competition, along with a people’s choice winner, receive prize money, with the first-place recipient receiving $1,500 and a chance to represent the university at the regional, national and international competitions.

To participate, you must be a �� Boulder doctoral student admitted to candidacy by December 1, 2024, and be enrolled for spring 2025 and expect to graduate in May 2025 or later. Graduates or alumni are not eligible. The deadline for registering is Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m. 

Application closes Oct. 1

Apply Here

“Amazing research happens every day by graduate students, but it often flies under the radar. The Three Minute Thesis competition is an opportunity to showcase that creative and innovative work and the talented students that make it happen,” Scott Adler, the dean of the Graduate School, said previously.

The 3MT event began in 2008 when the state of Queensland, Australia, suffered from a severe drought. To conserve water, residents were encouraged to time their showers, and many people had a three-minute egg timer fixed to the wall in their bathroom. The then-dean of the University of Queensland Graduate School, Emeritus Professor Alan Lawson, decided to apply the same approach with his students in a first of its kind competition.

It has since spread across the globe, including to �� Boulder.

Prior to �� Boulder’s competition, which takes place every February and is one of the Graduate School’s signature events, students participate in a series of workshops to improve their presentation and research communication skills, helping them to effectively (and succinctly) explain the significance of their research. These workshops also provide a chance for students to forge connections within a like-minded cohort from across the disciplines.

One such workshop or presentation scheduled for this year, among others discussing things like storytelling framework and improvisation techniques, is an exclusive talk by international 3MT winner, and Marvin H. Caruthers Endowed Chair for Early-Career Faculty Assistant Professor Samuel Ramsey on science communication. Watch Dr. Sammy’s winning 3MT presentation here.

For more information, including seeing the past winners, refer to the 3MT website. For all other questions, contact Hailey Herman at hailey.herman@colorado.edu.

Interested doctoral students must register by Oct. 1 to participate in this signature event.

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Student competing during the 2023-24 3MT Final Competition. Photograph by Casey Cass/University of Colorado Boulder.

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Registration open for 2024 GRFP workshop

Cay Leytham-Powell — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 16:30:30 +0000

Registration open for 2024 GRFP workshop Cay Leytham-Powell Fri, 08/30/2024 - 10:30

This Sept. 6 workshop will feature past winners, writing instructors and NSF GRFP proposal reviewers.

If you go

Date: Sept 6

Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Zoom

Registration is now open for a Sept. 6 workshop meant to prepare eligible graduate students to apply for one of the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s most prestigious fellowships: the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).

The GRFP recognizes outstanding graduate students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields by providing three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, as well as professional development and research opportunities. By doing so, this fellowship paves the way for continued work exploring some of the most complex and pressing issues of our time.

The University of Colorado Boulder consistently ranks in the top fifteen universities in terms of the number of GRFPs awarded to students. A major contributor to that success is this annual workshop, which is open to all eligible students interested in applying.

This year’s workshop will be Sept. 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. over Zoom. It will feature faculty who have served as GRFP proposal reviewers at NSF and writing instructors, and recent GRFP winners. Registration is required, even if you cannot attend the workshop day of (the session will be recorded).

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to join.

More information about the NSF GRFP opportunity, including discipline-specific deadlines, can be found on the NSF website. A video recording of the workshop will be available to registered participants after it is completed.

This Sept. 6 workshop will feature past winners, writing instructors and NSF GRFP proposal reviewers.

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Data science master’s program moving to engineering

Cay Leytham-Powell — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 21:17:19 +0000

Data science master’s program moving to engineering Cay Leytham-Powell Wed, 08/07/2024 - 15:17

This interdisciplinary program moved from the Graduate School to the College of Engineering and Applied Science on July 1

The Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) program has moved to the College of Engineering and Applied Science, effective July 1. Brian Zaharatos has been named the program’s new director.

Launched in 2021, this interdisciplinary program brought together the departments of applied mathematics, computer science and information science, among others, to create an advanced degree in one of the fastest-growing career fields. The goal was to make the program more accessible through a streamlined, performance-based admissions process—which allows students a chance to prove their ability to complete coursework instead of filling out an application—and a more affordable tuition.

Since the program began, more than 1,300 students have enrolled per session both in person and on the global online learning platform Coursera.

Zaharatos, the new director, is a full teaching professor and the professional master's director for the Department of Applied Mathematics. He served as the interim director after founding director, Jane Wall, retired.

More information on the MS-DS program is available on their website.

This interdisciplinary program moved from the Graduate School to the College of Engineering and Applied Science on July 1.

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New award provides support for graduate students and their families

Cay Leytham-Powell — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 03:37:27 +0000

New award provides support for graduate students and their families Cay Leytham-Powell Tue, 06/04/2024 - 21:37

Cay Leytham-Powell

The Futures Fellowship offers a ‘relief valve’ for students to better focus on their studies and families while in school

For the McLarens, the University of Colorado Boulder is a bit of a family affair.

It began with John McLaren’s father, a retired naval officer, who came to �� Boulder in pursuit of a PhD in 1983. From there, John McLaren (Geol’93) enrolled and met Karen McLaren (Edu, Psych’94; MEdu’98) during a women’s studies course. Three of their sons eventually became �� Boulder students and, in turn, met their significant others within the university walls.

And now, John and Karen are giving back to other families at the university through the Futures Fellowship.

This award, which began this year, provides financial support for graduate students and their immediate families. The idea, according to John and Karen, is not to give a full-ride scholarship, but instead to provide a “relief valve” to help students better focus on their studies and families while in school.

John and Karen McLaren in 1992 when they were students at �� Boulder. Photo courtesy of the McLarens.

“Hopefully this award gives them (graduate students) the flexibility—if they’re working or pursuing a degree full time and have a family—to focus on the things that are most important to them,” Karen said.

John agreed, adding that while this award is not designed to take away all the pressures, “maybe it provides a little bit of relief to focus on the things that are more productive for you, building a better person or path by doing that.”

For the students who received the award this past spring, the overwhelming consensus was that the award was incredibly helpful.

“I wanted to express my deepest thanks to the McLaren family for their generous donation to the Futures Fellowship at �� Boulder,” said one recipient. “I am humbled to have been chosen for this award. As an anthropologist, I spend a great deal of time researching and writing about the unique challenges people face in pregnancy and parenthood. This award's recognition of the labor it takes to produce high-quality research while balancing the financial and emotional responsibilities of parenting reaffirms my commitment to my own research topic as well as my family and educational goals. Thank you for your support!”

Another recipient, a PhD candidate, agreed: “I hope it may bring you some warmth to know your contribution will help my family thrive as I work to make it toward the finish line.”

From humble beginnings

John first came to Boulder as a young teenager when his father, newly retired from the navy, decided to pursue a PhD. He chose �� Boulder because, as John put it, “Washington was too rainy, Southern California was going to get me into too much trouble, and Boulder was a nice place to be.”

Upon graduation from Nederland High School, John himself enrolled at �� Boulder, joined the campus Naval ROTC program, and studied geology. His time here, though, did not go as planned.

“Looking back, in retrospect, I think that I really probably had enough entrepreneur in me that (geology) wasn’t quite the right fit, but again you look back and say you’re obviously very fortunate to have earned a college degree,” John said.

Despite his undergraduate struggles, he still pushed forward and eventually completed his MBA at Regis University in Denver.

Karen’s path to Colorado took a bit longer. Born in Massachusetts, Karen first attended a small school in North Carolina called Guilford College. But when her father got a job in Colorado, she decided the distance was too far and followed, along with her two brothers. It was at �� Boulder that she and John met, and they eventually married at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church. She then stayed on campus to pursue a master’s in education.

The McLaren family now. Photo courtesy of the McLarens.

They began growing their family while in graduate school which, they both acknowledge, was challenging, both timewise and financially. It was a “bandwidth creating moment,” John said, adding: “But somehow we did it.”

Giving back

Although the McLarens moved out of state years ago to pursue careers in teaching and commercial real estate, their attachment to �� Boulder never faded.

Even after leaving, they still came back to Boulder frequently to visit John’s father, who lived in Boulder Canyon. And when it came time for their sons to begin their college searches, all three ended up coming to �� Boulder and, as John had when he was an undergraduate, joined the Naval ROTC program. Their youngest son graduated and was commissioned into service this past May.

For years now, ever since their oldest became a student, the McLarens have given back to the university. At first it was just toward the Naval ROTC program, but it eventually grew to sponsoring the room within the Colorado Law library where they had their first date, and then to the Graduate School and the Futures Fellowship.

And those charitable contributions have been deeply appreciated.

“I want to thank the donors of this fellowship from the bottom of my heart as this fellowship will help me thrive in my career,” said another recipient of the Futures Fellowship, an international student. “I really appreciate them for taking such a beautiful step to encourage students like us.”

More information on the 2025 Futures Fellowship will be announced by the Graduate School in the fall.

The Futures Fellowship offers a ‘relief valve’ for students to better focus on their studies and families while in school.

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A thank you card drawn by the child of one of the Futures Fellowship recipients.

Zach Schiffman wins Colorado Three Minute Thesis competition

Cay Leytham-Powell — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:53:13 +0000

Zach Schiffman wins Colorado Three Minute Thesis competition Cay Leytham-Powell Tue, 05/21/2024 - 15:53

�� Boulder doctoral student takes first prize in state 3MT competition for presentation on the urea molecule

Zach Schiffman, a doctoral candidate in chemistry, beat out participating universities within Colorado to win the state Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition last month. He won with his presentation, “The Urea Molecule: From Fertilizer . . . to Climate Change?”

This is the second win for Schiffman, who took first prize in the Graduate School’s annual 3MT competition earlier this year. As part of his winnings, he was then invited to represent the university at both the regional (Western Region of Graduate Schools) and state (Colorado Council of Graduate Schools) competitions.

The 3MT event, which began at the University of Queensland in 2008, challenges graduate students to describe their research within three minutes to a general audience. To prepare, �� Boulder graduate students participate in a series of workshops focusing on storytelling, writing, presentation skills and improvisation comedy techniques. The Graduate School then holds a preliminary competition to whittle down the competition to ten finalists, who participate in the final competition at the beginning of February.

More information about the 3MT competition, including how to get involved in the 2024–25 school year, is available on the 3MT webpage.

�� Boulder doctoral student takes first prize in state 3MT competition for presentation on the urea molecule.

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2023 graduate student survey results now available

Cay Leytham-Powell — Tue, 21 May 2024 03:22:03 +0000

2023 graduate student survey results now available Cay Leytham-Powell Mon, 05/20/2024 - 21:22

The biennial gradSERU survey examines graduate students’ experiences across the entire spectrum of their graduate career and found students largely pleased—but identified some areas for improvement.

The 2023 gradSERU (Student Experiences in the Research University) survey results are now available.

The survey found that while students reported feeling a strong sense of belonging at �� Boulder and are satisfied with the advising, education and research opportunities that they are receiving, there were still areas for improvement. These include compensation and general campus climate for students of color or those with disabilities.

Administered in spring 2023, this biennial survey was designed to examine students’ experiences across the entire spectrum of their graduate career. It was sent to all enrolled graduate and professional students (excluding business administration and law students), totaling 3,848 students. Overall, 36% of students responded—up from 28% in 2021.

"Thank you to everyone who responded to the gradSERU survey last spring. Your feedback is critical in allowing us to better understand the graduate student experience at �� Boulder,” said E. Scott Adler, the dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs.

“We continuously work on the services and support that the university provides our graduate students, so it is imperative that we know more about who they are and their career goals. Findings such as these help to shape our priorities and initiatives in the Graduate School and the wider university."

Findings such as these help to shape our priorities and initiatives in the Graduate School and the wider university.

The gradSERU survey is administered every two years, with the first being in 2021 and the next in 2025. Since receiving the 2021 gradSERU results, the Graduate School has implemented several changes, including:

Student concerns regarding cost of living and compensation have resulted in continued stipend increases, expanded benefits and the remission of mandatory fees.
Physical and mental well-being concerns of our graduate students led to embedded counselors in all schools and colleges, including the Graduate School. With the demand for ongoing counseling services increasing, the insurance co-pay for community providers was eliminated in this year’s insurance plan.
Aware of the importance of the advising relationship to graduate student well-being, the Graduate School’s new advising and mentoring initiative consists of a working group of cross-campus collaborators tasked with identifying and promoting best practices in mentoring. The Graduate School was also recently named a Sloan Center for Systemic Change, which will provide funding to further develop its mentoring program for both faculty and students.
The Graduate School hired a diversity, equity and inclusion faculty director to coordinate, promote and assist those efforts both within the college and in the departmental programs. The Graduate School also welcomed the Colorado Diversity Initiative, formerly in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE), which strives to recruit and retain a dynamic community of students from diverse backgrounds.

The gradSERU survey provides �� Boulder with various sources of information about students and programs, which is important to its ongoing planning and decision making. The Graduate School is committed to keeping the graduate student community informed of its progress as it works on crucial issues identified in the data.

A full breakdown of the data is available in the announcement sent earlier this year. More information is available on the gradSERU web page.

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Thirteen faculty recognized as outstanding mentors

Cay Leytham-Powell — Wed, 08 May 2024 19:15:11 +0000

Thirteen faculty recognized as outstanding mentors Cay Leytham-Powell Wed, 05/08/2024 - 13:15

This award from the Graduate School recognizes the work that faculty mentors do to improve the graduate student experience

Thirteen faculty have been recognized as this year’s outstanding graduate student mentors, the Graduate School announced this week.

These faculty were nominated by students, department or program administrators, faculty, or staff for their outstanding contributions either to mentoring individual graduate students, improving the overall climate of graduate education within their program, or improving the graduate program itself.

To these faculty, your students appreciate your dedication and so do we. Thank you for all that you do.

“Faculty are always incredibly busy, and yet, these excellent mentors still found time to go above-and-beyond for their graduate students and have been recognized, in turn, by the students themselves,” said E. Scott Adler, dean of the Graduate School and the vice provost for graduate affairs. “To these faculty, your students appreciate your dedication and so do we. Thank you for all that you do.”

This year’s recipients include:

Dennis Akos, aerospace engineering
Michela Ardizzoni, French and Italian
Edward Chuong, molecular, cellular and developmental biology
Jolene Fisher, advertising, public relations and media design
Naomi Friedman, psychology and neuroscience
Katharina Kann, computer science
Zachary Kilpatrick, applied mathematics
Sarah Kurnick, anthropology
Valerie McKenzie, ecology and evolutionary biology
S. Katie Moon, finance
Joshua Neil, accounting
Julia Staffel, philosophy
Terrenda White, education

For more information on the award, please email gradinfo@colorado.edu.

This award from the Graduate School recognizes the work that faculty mentors do to improve the graduate student experience.

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Join the Graduate School at Grad Bash

Cay Leytham-Powell — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:41:47 +0000

Join the Graduate School at Grad Bash Cay Leytham-Powell Fri, 04/19/2024 - 08:41

The Graduate School will be at this year’s Grad Bash to help celebrate graduate student accomplishments.

If you go

Date: Thursday, May 2

Time: 4–7 p.m.

Location: Koenig Alumni Center

Grad Bash isn’t just for undergraduates—and you’re invited to this year’s celebration.

The Graduate School is pleased to announce that we’ll be at Grad Bash this year, celebrating the accomplishments of graduate students.

This event features free food and refreshments, a DJ and plenty of photo opportunities to capture this unforgettable time in your life. When students register, they receive a graduation gift from the Alumni Association and discover all the great benefits available to them as a Forever Buff.

Hosted on the lawn of the Koenig Alumni Center, this �� tradition is the perfect way for you to get to know your new home on campus as a Forever Buff.

More information is available on the Alumni Association’s website.

The Graduate School will be at this year’s Grad Bash to help celebrate graduate student accomplishments.

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Prestigious NSF fellowship awarded to 27 graduate students

Cay Leytham-Powell — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 22:32:49 +0000

Prestigious NSF fellowship awarded to 27 graduate students Cay Leytham-Powell Thu, 04/11/2024 - 16:32

The Graduate Research Fellowship recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in a wide variety of science-related disciplines

The National Science Foundation has awarded 27 University of Colorado Boulder students with the prestigious graduate research fellowship, which places the university in the top 15 nationwide in terms of number awarded, the federal agency announced last week.

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes outstanding graduate students from across the country in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, paving the way for their continued work exploring some of the most complex and pressing issues of our time.

This year’s recipients of the five-year fellowship represent a wide swath of disciplines, spanning paleontology to robotics. Each GRFP recipient will receive three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, as well as professional development and research opportunities.

We are very proud of the outstanding students who have been recognized for this highly competitive fellowship.

“We are thrilled to see so many of our students recognized by NSF through these fellowships,” said Massimo Ruzzene, vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes. “With so many highly regarded graduate programs at �� Boulder, it is no surprise that we are consistently among the leading university recipients of these awards. I want to congratulate each of these students for their accomplishments so far and for the positive impact they will have through these fellowships.”

Of those 27 winners, 50% participated in a workshop or information session organized by the Graduate School, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. These included specialized writing workshops, coaching sessions and general informational sessions about applying for the GRFP.

"This year’s continued success in securing NSF GRFPs alongside the nation’s top graduate schools is not only a testament to our extraordinary graduate students at ��, but also the Graduate School’s approach to cultivating talent with our campus partners and tremendously supportive faculty,” said E. Scott Adler, dean of the Graduate School and the vice provost for graduate affairs. “We are very proud of the outstanding students who have been recognized for this highly competitive fellowship.”

This year’s recipients include:

Emma Aldrich, chemical and biological engineering
Victoria Avery, astrophysical and planetary sciences
Timotej Bernat, chemical and biological engineering
Ethan Carr, geography
Zoe Cruse, chemical and biological engineering
Connor Diaz, geological sciences
Bryan Durham, aerospace engineering sciences
Mikaela Felix, aerospace engineering sciences
Kyle Fisch, chemistry
Kaylie Flores, ecology and evolutionary biology
Shantae Gallegos, biomedical engineering
Dylan Hamilton, materials science and engineering
Abigail Hartley, astrophysical and planetary sciences
Olivia Irvin, chemical and biological engineering
Catherine Leszcz, aerospace engineering sciences
Ryan Menges, aerospace engineering sciences
Dylan Meyer, electrical, computer and energy engineering
Sara Padula, ecology and evolutionary biology
Madeline Pernat, civil engineering
David Saeb, chemical and biological engineering
Aliza Siddiqui, electrical, computer and energy engineering
Caleb Song, mechanical engineering
Ashlee Stratton, geological sciences
Katherine Trese, chemical and biological engineering
William Xie, computer science
Raquel Yupanqui, computer science
Mobeen Zahid, ecology and evolutionary biology

In addition to the fellowship award winners, 17 students were recognized with an honorable mention.

The Graduate Research Fellowship recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in a wide variety of science-related disciplines.

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Get involved in Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 1–5

Cay Leytham-Powell — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:21:44 +0000

Get involved in Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 1–5 Cay Leytham-Powell Fri, 03/15/2024 - 10:21

Join faculty, staff and students in celebrating national Graduate Student Appreciation Week, which recognizes graduate students’ many contributions to the university’s community and academic excellence. Graduate Student Appreciation Week offers a variety of free events, workshops and services to �� Boulder graduate students.

Keep an eye on this page for more events, including unit-specific events, as they get finalized.

From the Dean of the Graduate School

If there is one thing that makes the Graduate School great, it’s our students—and we want to celebrate that fact. Today through April 5, the Graduate School and Student Affairs will be hosting Graduate Student Appreciation Week, and we want to invite you to join in on the fun.

Read Full Message

April 1

Free Rec Center Access

All Day

In honor of Graduate Student Appreciation Week (April 1-5), the Rec Center is offering free rec center access, free fitness classes, free skate rentals during Rec Skate, and free bouldering between 12 and 4 p.m. Buff OneCard required for entry.

Industry Job Search

10 to 11 a.m. Handshake

Learn key information about the industry job search, including search and hiring timeline, how to find opportunities and how to interpret the language of job postings.

April 2

Free Rec Center Access

All Day

Breakfast Burritos with the Dean

8 to 9:30 a.m. Rec Center, Ice Rink Overlook

Join Dean Adler and the Graduate School staff for breakfast burritos and coffee for Graduate Student Appreciation Week!

Food & beverage available while supplies last.

Resumes

10 to 11 a.m. Handshake

Learn how to craft your resume to help you succeed in your job or internship search.

April 3

Free Rec Center Access

All Day

Free Drip Coffee of Any Size

All Day Laughing Goat at Norlin Library

Mention you're a graduate student to redeem your free drip coffee of any size at the Laughing Goat at Norlin Library.

Cover Letters

10 to 11 a.m. Handshake

Get concrete advice on drafting and tailoring industry cover letters based around job or internship listings that interest you.

Just in Time Career & Internship Fair

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. University Memorial Center, Glenn Miller Ballroom

Stressed about finding a job after graduation or an internship for the summer? Then don’t miss our final career fair of the year! Meet employers from every industry during this day of networking. �� Boulder students and alumni from all majors (including STEM and computing), degree levels and backgrounds are welcome to attend this free event.

April 4

Free Rec Center Access

All Day

Half-priced Coffee and Free Pastry

All Day Pekoe at ATLAS

To redeem, mention that you are a graduate student and that it is Graduate Student Appreciation Week.

Free Drink of Choice

7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Etai's at JSCBB (east campus)

Graduate Students can get a free drink of their choice on the GS! Just mention you are a graduate student and you can get a free drink.

Interviewing

10 to 11 a.m. Handshake

You’ve landed an interview, but now what? This session will discuss how to prepare and practice for an industry interview, what kinds of questions to expect and how to follow up after your interview.

The Life Sciences Industry Showcase

3 to 4 p.m. Webinar

This panel will connect Colorado life sciences companies to Colorado university talent from undergraduate to post doc to demonstrate the breadth and depth of the Colorado Life Sciences Ecosystem. Participating companies will showcase their company, technology and talent recruitment initiatives with an overview presentation and engage with attendees through a moderated Q&A session.

April 5

Free Rec Center Access

All Day

April 6

Queer & Trans Graduate Student Bowling Night

5 to 7 p.m. The Connection

Unit-specific Events

Applied Mathematics

April 3

Grad Appreciation Lunch
12 p.m. Discovery Learning Center, B170

Grab a free lunch in honor of Graduate Student Appreciation week and/or optionally sit with faculty for a Town Hall Chat. RSVPs are required.

Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Graduate Student Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student Resource Center

Environmental Studies

April 3

Graduate Student Lunch
12 p.m. Student Lounge

April 4

Graduate Student Brunch
9 a.m. Student Lounge

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Burritos with the Dean during the 2023 Graduate Student Appreciation Week (Photo by Cay Leytham-Powell/University of Colorado Boulder).

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