​CGS webinars provide members with an interactive environment to learn about important issues in graduate education and research. Led by CGS staff and other experts in the field, webinars are designed to help participants gain useful background information as well as tools and resources that support their institution’s goals. Participation is open to individuals listed as representatives of their institution as well as other staff at member institutions. CGS member institutions also benefit from access to all webinar presentations and audio recordings. Please login to visit the CGS Webinar Recordings page for access.

 

Invitations to participate in CGS webinars are sent to all CGS member institutions.

 

Upcoming Webinars

 

 

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Past Webinars

 

Preparing a Proposal for Master’s Career Pathways Exit Survey

(December 16, 2021)

U.S.-based CGS member Institutions that award master’s degrees in both STEM and non-STEM fields of study are invited to submit proposals to Master’s Career Pathways Exit Survey project. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) , this initiative will allow CGS to provide grants to CGS member institutions to understand roles of Master’s Education in STEM workforce development. Please join us for a brief presentation about the Request for Proposals and an opportunity to ask questions about the proposal requirements. Graduate deans are welcome to share the registration link with colleagues or staff members who may be involved in grant-writing or in the proposed project. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Mitigating the Caregiving Burden among Graduate Students: Policies, Programs and Practices

(November 3, 2021)

An NSF-funded CGS RAPID project and the CGS project on graduate student mental health have both underscored the need to better understand the challenges and impacts of caregiving on graduate students' progress toward degree completion. In this webinar, three graduate deans will discuss how their institutions have codified accommodations and support for graduate students with various caregiving responsibilities. Panelists will also discuss how their respective institutions are making financial and other resources available to help students find a healthy balance between continuing their graduate studies and supporting their loved ones. Recording and presentation slides. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Sponsored Webinar: Building a Graduate Enrollment Ecosystem: Experienced Leaders Share Best Practices

(October 28, 2021)

Graduate school leaders know that recruiting and retaining graduate students requires different strategies than those used in undergraduate admissions. What happens when your technology partners understand this too? Representatives from two universities will share how they have combined the best tools and services from a variety of industry leaders to ensure the success of their graduate enrollment teams. They will also describe how they are using data throughout the graduate student lifecycle to support graduate students and achieve institutional goals. Webinar sponsored by Liaison. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Findings from the 2020 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees

(October 19, 2021)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2020 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment & Degrees survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Returning to Campus: Planning Ahead for Successful Transitions

(June 23, 2021)

A return to higher levels of place-based learning in the Fall of 2021 will bring an adjustment period for students, faculty and administrators at most graduate institutions. Graduate deans and their staff are now planning to address safety precautions as well as social and emotional priorities such as supporting graduate student mental health, rebuilding a sense of community, and welcoming international students. In this webinar, deans from a range of institutional types will share their ideas and plans for making the transition as smooth as possible for students, faculty and staff. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Wellbeing: Evidence and Recommendations to Catalyze Action

(April 29, 2021)

Graduate student mental health and wellbeing has become a pressing priority for graduate institutions in the U.S. and around the world.  Based on a collaborative effort by the Council of Graduate Schools and The Jed Foundation, this webinar will share findings and recommendations designed to inform future research and action on this pressing topic. Participants will also learn about a framework for individual and collaborative action to support graduate student mental health and wellbeing that has been adopted by 150+ CGS member institutions. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Selected Insights from the 2020 NAGAP/CGS Survey of Graduate Enrollment Management Professionals

(April 20, 2021)

In this webinar, CGS researchers will share selected insights from the 2020 NAGAP/CGS Survey of Graduate Enrollment Management Professionals. Selected findings from the RAPID: Investigating Challenges to Matriculation and Completion for Underrepresented STEM Graduate Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic project (NSF/DGE grant number 2037360) will also be shared. Following the presentations, a panel of graduate deans and experts will engage in a moderated conversation about how the pandemic has impacted access and pathways into master's and doctoral education among traditionally underserved students. The panel will also discuss what and how institutions and organizations might act to alleviate any barriers that might have existed before or were exacerbated by the pandemic. NAGAP/CGS Survey sponsored in part by Liaison. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Sponsored Webinar: English Language Assessment for Prospective International Graduate Students: Promoting Greater Access while Ensuring Valid and Secure Results

(March 25, 2021)

In this time of unprecedented disruption for international graduate students, the need for English language assessment that is accessible, reliable, and secure has never been greater. Join representatives from Duolingo and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to learn how the online Duolingo English Test can help graduate programs address current trends in international recruitment and admissions and why the test is being used by hundreds of graduate programs around the country. Webinar attendees will also hear about impact, accessibility, and usability within the CMU Information Networking Institute (INI) applicant pool. Webinar sponsored by Duolingo. Recording and presentation slides.

 

A Framework on Graduate Student Mental Health: CGS Members Share Ideas and Guidance

(March 16, 2021)

In December 2020, CGS released A Statement of Principles for Graduate Student Mental Health and Wellbeing, a document designed to serve as a blueprint for collective and institutional action to support graduate student wellbeing. Based on a collaboration between CGS and The Jed Foundation and supported with funding by the Alfred P. Sloan and Andrew W. Mellon Foundations, the document outlines values, principles, and tactics for supporting graduate student mental health. This webinar will feature graduate deans whose institutions have formally committed to using the document as a framework for action on their campuses. Participants will learn about a variety of strategies for taking concrete, and institutionally appropriate steps to implement the principles and guidance on their campuses. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Results from the Fall 2020 CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey

(February 24, 2021)

Join us for the release of the latest CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey data. This webinar provides an overview of the international graduate applications and enrollment data from the Fall 2020 admissions cycle, as well as some of the relevant insights from the NAGAP/CGS Survey of Graduate Enrollment Management Professionals. The data presentation will be followed by comments from practitioner experts. NAGAP/CGS Survey sponsored in part by Liaison. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

2020 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) Virtual Showcase and Roundtable Discussion

(February 3, 2021)

Universities and regional organizations of graduate schools are launching 3MT® competitions to help prepare graduate students to communicate the value of their research to a broad audience. This virtual event showcased the winners of regional competitions and concluded with a roundtable discussion and People’s Choice award. Students reflected on their experiences, offering insights that can help graduate schools develop successful 3MT® competitions-- even in virtual environments-- and other programs designed to hone students’ communication skills. Click here to view the recording. 

 

2020 LaPidus Lecture and Award Ceremony

(January 26, 2021)

The LaPidus Lecture and CGS Awards Ceremony is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the best of the CGS community and the resilience of graduate education during challenging times. The 2020 LaPidus Lecture was given by Phillip Brian Harper, the program director for Higher Learning at the Mellon Foundation and former Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Science at New York University. Dr. Harper discussed the Mellon Foundation’s ongoing social justice focus and initiatives. The LaPidus Lecture was immediately followed by the CGS Awards Ceremony where it honored innovative leaders in the arena of graduate studies. Click here to view the recording. 

 

Sponsored Webinar: Best Practices & Success Stories in Graduate Level Online Learning

(November 12, 2020)

Join three experienced university partners and Discovery Education, for a just in time discussion of best practices and lessons learned for developing high quality graduate level online courses that are rigorous, compelling, engaging, and relevant.  Learn how Discovery Education partners with universities for online learning.  Buena Vista University, University of Findlay and Wilkes University will also share how they deliver innovative instruction while fostering expertise in online teaching and learning among their faculty. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Sponsored Webinar: Remapping Graduate Recruitment for 2021: Strategies to Identify and Engage New Applicant Pools

(October 27, 2020)

The “map” for graduate recruitment is changing. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, international applications were declining in many fields, and travel restrictions to the United States signal this trend will continue into the foreseeable future. Institutions need to tap into new and more diverse domestic applicant pools as they adjust their recruitment strategies. How colleges and universities find their bearings and reorient to this new landscape will determine the health of graduate education in the years to come. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Findings from the 2019 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees

(October 22, 2020)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2019 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment & Degrees survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Moving to a Virtual Space: How to Create Virtual Graduate Student Orientations

(May 19, 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the need for virtual modules to complement, and in some cases replace, in-person experiences. Virtual orientations are particularly important because they allow students to access introductory information about university requirements and course programs without being on campus. This webinar will feature two institutions, the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and the University of Washington, that have built virtual orientation modules. More importantly, presenters will provide tools and tips for how institutions of different sizes and Carnegie classifications can build and implement their own virtual orientations quickly and with limited resources. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Sponsored Webinar: Leading in an Increasingly Unpredictable Environment: The Role of Graduate School Deans in Strategic Enrollment Planning

(May 12, 2020)

Graduate enrollment at many institutions remained flat in recent years, and certain academic programs were prone to greater declines than others. Several factors have contributed to these outcomes, including immigration restrictions, a strong job market, and a growing aversion to debt. The graduate enrollment market has become even more unpredictable with the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The current landscape presents an opportunity for graduate school deans and university leaders to approach enrollments with a strategic lens.The facilitated discussion will highlight real-world examples from graduate school deans – providing attendees an opportunity to learn from peers across the country. Webinar sponsored by Huron. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Sponsored Webinar: Preparing Graduate Students for Effective Undergraduate Teaching: Advantages of Evidence-Based, Online Modules 

(April 23, 2020)

Graduate students carry important teaching responsibilities in discussion sections, labs, and sometimes their own courses. This webinar introduces you to two new online short courses in effective teaching practices designed specifically for graduate students and offered by the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). The 4- to 6-week online courses, "Promoting Active Learning" and "Promoting Active Online Learning" are offered during Summer 2020 and are open to individual graduate students or groups of students from a single institution. Graduate deans, directors of graduate studies and faculty members are encouraged to participate in the webinar to learn more about the courses. Webinar sponsored by ACUE. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

The Graduate Community's Response to COVID-19: A Discussion with Graduate Deans

(April 8, 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to graduate leaders. From the rapid implementation of online instruction to the delivery of student support in a time of social distancing, graduate deans and their staff are left with many questions about how to best serve their students and institutions. To provide support to our community, CGS President Suzanne Ortega will convene an online panel discussion with experienced graduate deans on navigating the current crisis. Participants will learn about what institutions are doing currently to respond to COVID-19, their strategies for overcoming false starts, and forecasts for institutional priorities in the fall and beyond. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Becoming a Graduate Career Development Professional

(March 25, 2020)

Graduate education administration as a profession is increasingly professionalized, particularly in career services. Attracting and supporting talented individuals in this line of work is a requisite for successful graduate schools.  This webinar will feature two graduate education administrators whose portfolio of work include career services and development for graduate students.  They will discuss what their work in this domain entails and how career services and development work is situated within the overall scope of the graduate school administration.  They will also discuss their career pathways that led to current roles, including but not limited to their academic training, professional experience, and continuing professional development activities.  Graduate students and early career professionals who are interested in careers in graduate education administration are also encouraged to tune-in. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Culturally Aware Mentoring: Optimizing Mentoring Relationships

(March 18, 2020) 

Culturally Aware Mentoring (CAM) boosts the success of researchers from diverse backgrounds by recognizing the impact that different values and backgrounds play on the mentoring relationship. Webinar attendees will learn how CAM programs can be used on their own campus to develop productive and culturally responsive research mentoring relationships that benefit both the mentor and the mentee. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Trends in Graduate Education

(February 26, 2020)

Jaqui Falkenheim and Josh Trapani from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics at NSF will present the most recent data on graduate students from the Survey of Earned Doctorates and the Science and Engineering Indicators. They will address trends in enrollment and degree awards, student demographics (sex, race/ethnicity, citizenship), financial support patterns, and post-graduation employment, among other topics. These data include trends in the humanities and other non-STEM fields when available. They will also present some data on U.S. graduate education in global context. Additionally, the presentation will include information on how graduate deans can access NCSES reports and datasets. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Results from the Fall 2019 CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey

(February 20, 2020)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in international graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2019 International Graduate Admissions survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. The broadcasting of this webinar presentation is sponsored in part by IELTS. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Preparing Future Faculty to Assess Student Learning

(November 1, 2019)

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) has demonstrated that effective learning assessment practices can dramatically improve teaching and educational outcomes. All students, but particularly underrepresented and first-generation students, stand to benefit from greater transparency about learning goals and their progress towards them. How do we impart important knowledge and skills about learning assessment to future faculty? Participants in CGS’s project, Preparing Future Faculty to Assess Student Learning, supported by the Alfred P. Sloan and Teagle Foundations, will share highlights from projects that strengthen graduate student preparation in this area. Webinar attendees will also learn about CGS’s framework for designing effective PFF programs that include a learning assessment component. Recording and presentation slides. 

 

Sponsored Webinar: The Benefits of a Community Approach to Graduate Admissions

(October 31, 2019)

The graduate recruiting and admissions environment is becoming increasingly competitive, and having the right tools to identify, select, evaluate and enroll best-fit students is key to admissions offices’ continued success. Liaison’s Centralized Application Services (CASs) serve as graduate education communities that help schools overcome the barriers they face as they work to build better classes. During this webinar, graduate program leaders will share the benefits they’ve seen from becoming members of a modern, comprehensive application service that benefits applicants and graduate programs.Webinar sponsored by Liaison. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Crossing the Finish Line: Strategies to Support Doctoral Completion

(October 21, 2019)

Advanced doctoral students—along with their institutions-- have already made significant investments in their degrees. Yet advanced candidacy is a common time for burnout, doubts about career goals, and stress. Learn what leading institutions are doing to help their doctoral students successfully cross the finish line. This webinar will pay particular attention to support for underrepresented students. Featuring presentations by Janet C. Rutledge (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) and Jan Allen (Cornell University). The broadcasting of this webinar presentation is sponsored in part by DoctoralNet. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Findings from the 2018 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees

(October 15, 2019)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2018 CGS/ETS Graduate Admissions survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. Recording and presentation slides.

 

Managing Relationships Between Graduate Schools and Student Affairs Divisions (Recording)

(September 24, 2019)

Master's and doctoral students often have unique needs that are different from undergraduate students. An emerging area of graduate student affairs (e.g., graduate student mental health & wellness, graduate career counseling, etc.) creates opportunities for student affairs and graduate school units to come together. When both units bring each other's expertise to the table, we have a better change of supporting the success of graduate students. In this webinar, participants will hear about examples of collaborations between campus offices in supporting graduate students; strategies for building strong lines of communication between graduate schools and student affairs units; and ways to make student support services more relevant and visible for graduate students. Presentation slides.

 

The Graduate Dean’s Role in Setting Standards for Scholarly and Research Integrity

(August 7, 2019)

Graduate deans are uniquely positioned to influence institutional culture and to introduce newly emerging best practices within graduate programs. At a recent conference on building cultures of research and scholarly integrity, three graduate deans introduced best practices for strengthening research culture within their institutions. Join us as we discuss strategies to help graduate deans fulfill this important role. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides. 

 

Master's Admissions: Transparency, Guidance, and Training (Recording)

(March 26, 2019)

Master’s degrees accounted for a staggering 83% of all graduate degrees awarded in 2018, yet there has been relatively little research conducted on master’s program admissions and how admissions criteria match student success. The recently published CGS report, Master’s Admissions: Transparency, Guidance, and Training, aims to clarify the admissions process by assessing quantitative data and regional focus group interviews to better understand master’s admissions. In this webinar, project author Robert Augustine will explain the report’s key findings and field questions from the audience. The full report can be downloaded here. Presentation slides. 

 

April 15 Resolution: What Graduate Deans Need to Know

(March 7, 2019)

The April 15 resolution is an agreement among graduate schools to provide applicants with appropriate time to consider offers of admission that also include financial support.  It also allows graduate programs to plan their budget for support of graduate student.  In this webinar, we will discuss some of the most common questions asked and challenges faced by graduate deans as they communicate the expectations of the Resolution to their program directors and faculty. Click here to access recording and presentation slides.

 

Results from the Fall 2018 CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey

(February 12, 2019)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in international graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2018 International Graduate Admissions survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. Click here to access recording and presentation slides. 

 

Sponsored Webinar: A Graduate School’s Phased Approach to CRM Starts with Admissions

(January 29, 2019)

Supporting more than 4,000 students, UNLV Graduate College deployed Salesforce CRM in 2015 to streamline the admissions process across more than 155 programs, each with its own unique needs. From building personalized communications journeys for prospective students to optimizing case management and student funding, UNLV Graduate College’s phase-one work for recruitment and admissions has laid the groundwork for a comprehensive lifecycle CRM that will be the system of engagement for graduate and professional students. Register here to learn ways to leverage powerful marketing tools to create personalized journeys for prospects and admitted students, what is possible when CRM momentum spreads beyond recruitment and admissions to support student success, and how working with partners can streamline and accelerate your CRM implementation. Webinar sponsored by Salesforce.org. Presentation slides.

 

10 Things Graduate Deans Need to Know in the New Congress

(January 16, 2019)

Following the highly-publicized 2018 Midterm Election, the 116^th Congress will be sworn in early January 2019. With the new makeup of Congress comes new policy priorities, including those impacting graduate education and research. In this webinar, you’ll learn 10 essential things about the 116^th Congress in order to effectively advocate for graduate education. Click here to access webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Results from the 2017 CGS/GRE Graduate Enrollment & Degrees Survey

(October 9, 2018)

This webinar will provide an overview of the 2017 Graduate Enrollment & Degree survey results. Learn about the latest trends in applications for admission to graduate school, first-time and total graduate student enrollment, and graduate degrees and certificates conferred. Click here to access webinar recording and presentation slides. 

 

Centralized, Decentralized or Blended? Choosing Your Best-fit Admissions Model (Recording) 

(October 3, 2018) 

When it comes to graduate admissions, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t typically work since program needs differ across disciplines. Some schools find success with an undergraduate-inspired model that revolves around a central governing body setting policies and baseline standards. Others thrive when individual colleges or departments work independently, taking charge of their own processes and decisions. Still others benefit from streamlining the collection and processing of applications to ensure that institutional leadership has big-picture insight into the performance of all schools and programs across the university. Fortunately, graduate schools today do not have to choose between a centralized and decentralized admissions model. During this webinar, a panel of admissions leaders will discuss their own experiences, offering insight into how they’ve built an admissions operation that allows them to take advantage of the benefits of each model. Presentation slides.

 

Using Strategic Consultations to Advance Graduate Education on Your Campus

(September 25, 2018)

More than 22 CGS member institutions have recently used CGS Strategic Consultations to advance graduate education and improve underperforming areas of graduate study.  Guided by recommendations from seasoned graduate deans, these universities strategically improved their organizational structures, enrollment management processes, professional development programming, and related areas important to a thriving graduate community.  This webinar will review CGS consultations as a way to make strategic, data-informed decisions to support graduate schools and programs. CGS member deans who recently used CGS Strategic Consultations will share their experiences using this leadership strategy. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Recruiting International Students in Challenging Times
(April 5, 2018)

According to the most recent CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey, international graduate applications and first-time enrollments in fall 2017 declined at U.S. institutions for the first time in over a decade. Another recent survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed and Gallup reveals several additional challenges ahead for U.S. institutions of higher education. Only about a third of US colleges and universities expect to meet their enrollment targets for international students for fall 2017, and 40 percent expect a decline in numbers. What’s the best strategy for increasing international enrollments in the coming years? The presenters of this webinar will discuss how factors including the rise in nationalism around the world, international mobility and cultural trends, demographics, and current events all can influence where students are coming from and where they’re going. The pros and cons of possible strategies including the use of agents, attendance at recruiting fairs, and other traditional methods will be discussed, as well using targeted research, social media, and creating concrete and definable goals. Attendees will learn new strategies for getting the most impact for their budgets, including opportunities for outreach with external partners. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Supporting Strong Communication between Graduate Deans and Financial Aid Officers
(March 28, 2018)

When graduate deans and financial aid officers (FAOs) understand each other’s responsibilities, they have a better chance of supporting the success of graduate students. In this webinar, participants will learn strategies for building strong lines of communication between deans and FAOs. Presentations and discussions will give particular attention to strategies that help graduate students make informed decisions about financing their educations. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Does Testing Serve a Purpose in Holistic Application Review (Recording)
(March 14, 2018)

During this webinar, you will learn about recent ETS research on graduate admissions practices and appropriate GRE® score use. Discover promising practices in areas like goal setting, increasing understanding among stakeholders and application review, that can help nurture a more efficient and fruitful admissions process. The presentation includes ideas and options for you to consider, whether your institution already has a holistic review process, or is yet to embark on this journey. This webinar, sponsored by ETS, is an encore presentation of Dr. Payne’s breakfast session at the 2017 CGS Annual Meeting. Presentation Slides

 

First Look: Fall 2017 CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey
(February 6, 2018)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in international graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2017 International Graduate Admissions survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Excellent PhD completion rates, but what about graduate outcomes?
(January 16, 2018)

A recent research project on both PhD completion rates and graduate outcomes for cohorts at the University of Otago, a research-intensive university in New Zealand, revealed very high completion rates – amongst the best globally. Learn more about Professor Spronken-Smith’s findings, including techniques for improved completion rates and fostering attributes to best equip doctoral candidates for employment. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Broadening PhD Professional Development in the Humanities
(November 8, 2017)

This webinar provides promising practices for expanding the career horizons of doctoral students in the humanities and ensuring diverse career outcomes are valued. Discussion includes lessons learned in the first year of the NEH Next Generation Humanities PhD program, and information on how you can adapt Next Gen strategies to your own campus. While this webinar focuses on humanities programming, many of the lessons learned have broad applicability across disciplinary contexts. Next Generation Humanities PhD is a program of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Preparing Your Institution’s NIGMS Predoctoral Training Grant Proposal
(October 27, 2017)

This webinar provides an overview of NIGMS’s recent solicitation for predoctoral training grants through the T32 funding program. Dr. Alison Gammie, director of training, workforce development and diversity at NIGMS, shared aspects of the new funding announcement designed to catalyze the modernization of biomedical education through greater attention to skills development, career preparation, trainee mentoring, and diversity. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Using Consultations to Support Strategic Decision-Making (Recording)
(October 5, 2017)

Are you in the process of reviewing your graduate enrollment management strategy? Does your graduate school need help creating standards and processes for graduate program review? The Council of Graduate Schools provides benchmarking and consultation services to help universities make strategic, data-informed decisions to support their graduate schools and programs. This webinar will provide an introduction to the scope and process of a CGS consultation, and CGS member deans will share their experiences working with CGS staff and expert deans. Presentation Slides.

 

Sneak Peek at the 2016 CGS/GRE Graduate Enrollment & Degrees Survey
(September 27, 2017)

This webinar provides a preview of the 2016 Graduate Enrollment & Degree survey results, which was released to the public on September 28, 2017. Learn about the latest trends in applications for admission to graduate school, first-time and total graduate student enrollment, and graduate degrees and certificates conferred. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Providing Support and Guidance to International Graduate Students in the Current Policy Environment
(August 1, 2017)

From travel bans to extreme vetting, several visa related policies that may affect the ability of U.S. graduate schools to attract international talent have surfaced since January 2016.  This webinar provides updates on the status of these policy changes.  In addition, you will learn how graduate deans may be able to provide resources and guidance for current, incoming, and prospective international graduate students as the new academic year begins. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Strategies for Improving Diversity and Inclusion: Lessons from the ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Programs
(May 2, 2017)

This webinar offers strategies for creating an inclusive environment for graduate study. Cornell University, the 2016 winner of the ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Programs, described four interventions designed to promote the academic and social engagement of graduate students across different identity groups. This webinar also includes information about preparing a successful proposal for the 2017 ETS/CGS Award, which recognizes excellence in promoting diversity and inclusiveness. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Potential Changes to CGS/GRE Graduate Enrollment & Degrees Survey
(April 18, 2017)

As you know, GE&D is an annual survey project jointly sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Board. It is the only national survey that captures data broadly on master's and doctoral education in the United States, graduate application counts, and enrollment data by degree level (e.g., master’s v. doctoral degrees). We are considering several changes to data collected to enhance the value and utility of this important effort and asked for feedback from graduate deans, data collectors, and others who submit and use data at our member institutions. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Top Issues and Priorities for Graduate Deans
(April 4, 2017)

This webinar provides an overview of results from the 2017 CGS Pressing Issues Survey, a research effort designed to better understand the top issues currently faced by graduate deans and graduate schools. Be among the first to learn about insights from the newly re-designed survey, and find out what keeps your colleagues up at night. Participants will be invited to share their suggestions for programming that can help CGS to better address members’ needs and priorities. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Making Sense of Data from the CGS International Graduate Admissions Survey
(February 28, 2017)

Where does your institution stand with respect to national trends in international graduate student enrollment? Are other universities experiencing similar patterns, or is your university an outlier? This webinar provides an overview of the 2016 International Graduate Admissions survey results, and provide an opportunity for CGS members to share their questions and experiences. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Understanding PhD Career Pathways for Program Improvement: Preparing Your Institution’s Proposal (Recording)
(January 24, 2017)

This webinar provides details to help you prepare a proposal to participate in Understanding PhD Career Pathways for Program Improvement, a CGS best practice project to increase the capacity of graduate schools to gather data on PhD career pathways and use them for program improvement, supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. A revised Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in March 2017; please refresh your browser to ensure you are working from the most recent documents. Please note: This webinar occurred before the revised RFP was issued; contains some outdated material. Full proposals are due May 1. U.S. based, doctoral-granting CGS member institutions are eligible to submit a proposal. See presentation slides.

 

A Behind the Scenes Look at Graduate Enrollment & Degrees (Recording)
(October 20, 2016)

This webinar provides an overview of the 2016 Graduate Enrollment & Degree survey results. Learn about the latest trends in applications for admission to graduate school, first-time and total graduate student enrollment, and graduate degrees and certificates conferred. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Dissertation Forward: Rethinking the PhD Thesis (Recording)
(September 8, 2016)

This webinar situated doctoral dissertations in their historical context and the present moment in order to look towards the future. Faculty panelists Christopher Loss and Cassidy Sugimoto presented their research and discussed how their participation in a January 2016 workshop (#DissFwd) affected their thinking about the future of the dissertation. See presentation slides.

 

CGS Project on the Master's Degree (Recording)
(August 11, 2016)

Launched in early 2016, the CGS Project on the Master’s Degree aims to chart the future of master’s education. The Joint Committee on the Master’s Degree determined that master’s degree requirements are defined by competencies, shaped by demand, and distinguished by metrics that define quality and rigor. The emerging conceptual framework is different from the traditional framework because it aligns the forces that can be harnessed to drive responsiveness and innovation in current degrees and launch future degrees. This webinar will offer an overview of the application of the Alignment Framework, as it aims to provide deans and program directors with research and analysis tools for alignment of competencies, demand, and metrics in order to continuously improve existing degrees and strategically advance the emerging portfolio of new degrees. See presentation slides.

 

Measuring the Impact of International Experiences (Recording)

(June 16, 2016)

As budget decisions become more metrics-driven, universities and research funders are increasingly called upon to demonstrate the impact of international experiences for graduate students. However, there is no consensus on the best methods for tracking the outcomes of such experiences for graduate students, institutions, and the research enterprise. This webinar will highlight current perspectives on this important topic and share the outcomes of a February workshop to explore future needs. See presentation slides.

 

State Snapshots and other Advocacy Resources

(May 17, 2016)

This webinar will introduce you to the array of resources available on the Public Policy & Advocacy webpages. These include items such as: State Snapshots, sample letters to policymakers, and tips to consider when planning for meetings with key decision makers on campus. During the webinar, CGS staff will demonstrate how to navigate this webpage. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Promoting Diversity through the ETS/CGS Award: Lessons from Past Awardees

(May 10, 2016)

Learn how the most recent winner of the ETS/CGS Award, UCLA, is promoting diversity on its campus through the ETS/CGS award. Webinar participants will also have the chance to ask advice and questions on preparing a proposal. The session will feature Q and A on the award’s rules and selection criteria. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Financial Education: Results and Implications for University Programs

(April 12, 2016)

Through the Enhancing Student Financial Education initiative, an initiative supported by TIAA, CGS collaborated with 15 research partners and 19 affiliate universities to shape programs and resources for graduate students and undergraduates. In this webinar, CGS project staff will discuss preliminary results of nearly 30 focus groups with master’s and doctoral students and findings from survey data on the financial circumstances and perspectives of over 20,000 graduate students. Presenters will discuss the implications of these findings for resource and program design, and will share selected recommendations from institutional project leaders.  Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Taking Advantage of CGS Website Resources

(March 23, 2016)

The Council of Graduate Schools' website features many important resources for the graduate education community. In this short presentation, you will learn how to search the CGS membership database, download publications, and more. CGS staff will also provide a brief tour of website resources with a focus on those requiring member login. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Holistic Review in Graduate Admissions

(February 22, 2016)

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) recently released a report outlining the findings of a year-long research project on holistic graduate admissions. With the support of Hobsons, CGS surveyed graduate deans and university admissions professionals to better understand the current state of graduate admissions at U.S. institutions. This webinar will provide you with an overview of the report's highlights, which include: (1) Promising practices and recommendations for graduate institutions seeking to learn more about or to implement holistic admissions processes; and (2) Examples of work that CGS member institutions are doing to implement holistic admissions processes and increase diversity on their campuses.  Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

A Behind the Scenes Look at Graduate Enrollment & Degrees

(November 17, 2015)

You may have noticed some changes in the most recent version of CGS’ Graduate Enrollment and Degrees report. The new format and refreshed content were made possible thanks to the many institutions that participate in the CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees each year. Implemented continuously since 1986, the survey remains the preeminent source of information on applications, offers of admission, and enrollment of graduate students in the United States. Join Jeff Allum, CGS’ assistant vice president of research and policy analysis, as he presents an overview of the survey and its various uses, and foreshadows some possible changes to come. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.
 

Understanding Graduate Student Debt
(October 28, 2015)

The general media is inundated with eye-catching charts and figures that (claim to) portray the landscape of graduate student debt. However, no single chart or figure can capture the complexity of the issue. Even if two charts share the same data source, takeaway messages may contradict one another. This webinar will offer insights into some of the popularly referenced statistics and add context to how the media talks about graduate student debt. The webinar will also discuss resources and ideas that may help graduate deans better communicate – both on and off campus – a fuller picture of graduate debt. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Winning Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion
(July 30, 2015)

How do you promote diversity, inclusion and student success on your campus? Recent winners of the ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education, Duke University and Florida International University, shared the strategies they developed for their own university projects. Webinar attendees asked presenters for advice on developing their own proposals for the ETS/CGS Award, which encourages innovations that promise to improve the success of a diverse and inclusive student population. Proposals are due September 11, 2015. Click here to access the webinar recording, presentation slides and extended Q&A.

 

Launching a 3-Minute Thesis® Competition at your University
(June 24, 2015)

This webinar explores an increasingly popular outreach event for graduate schools. Veteran deans Jeannine Blackwell and Maureen Grasso share their keys for holding a successful competition that showcases the research of your students while building appreciation for graduate education in your community. Topics include engaging faculty, choosing judges, developing a publicity plan, and maximizing the impact of the finished products. Click here to access the webinar recording, presentation slides and extended Q&A.

 

Findings from the Doctoral Initiative on Minority Attrition and Completion
(May 12, 2015)

This discussion highlights the results of the Doctoral Initiative on Minority Attrition and Completion (DIMAC), the most recent research report of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). Supported by the National Science Foundation (grant #1138814), this study provides the most comprehensive estimate to date of completion rates, attrition rates, times-to-degree, and times-to-attrition for underrepresented minority students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) PhD programs. The report also sheds light on factors likely to contribute to the successful completion of the PhD. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Origins and Destinations of International Students to U.S. Institutions
(April 16, 2015)

Join Neil Ruiz, senior policy analyst and associate fellow at The Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program as he presents findings from The Geography of Foreign Students in U.S. Higher Education: Origins and Destinations, the first study to track the local origins, size, and growth rate of the foreign student population on a metropolitan level. Dr. Ruiz will describe national and metro-level data on the region of origin from which international students come to the U.S. with particular focus on graduate students. The presentation will also include information on how graduate deans can access the reports and datasets. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

NSF Science and Engineering Indicators 2014
(September 23, 2014)

Jaqui C. Falkenheim and Mark Fiegener, Senior Analyst and Social Science Analyst from the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics presented the most recent science & engineering indicators data for 2014. They discussed post-graduation employment trends of U.S. doctorate recipients by field, location, and economic sector of employment. The presentation also includes information on how graduate deans can access reports and datasets. Click here to access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

 

Recent Data from The Commission on Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers
(May 13, 2014)

The Commission on Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers, a CGS collaboration with Educational Testing Service (ETS), was a research effort that addressed the challenge of understanding the multiple pathways that graduate students take through graduate school and into the various careers they choose to pursue. In this webinar, Dr. Cathy Wendler, Senior Strategic Advisor at ETS, will present soon-to-be-released data from the student perspective on the graduate school experience. Graduate deans and staff will become familiar with how students learned about career options and the extent to which graduate education prepared – or did not prepare – them in skills important in the workplace. Data by degree level (master’s vs. doctorate) and by 11 fields of study will be shared. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2012-2022
(April 30, 2014)

Kristina Bartsch and James Franklin, Division Chiefs in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program, presented the most recent employment projections for 2012-2022. They also discussed the growth in demand for occupations by typical education and training requirements, particularly as they pertain to graduate education. The presentation includes information on how graduate deans can access BLS reports and data. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Making the Most of GradSense: An Online Financial Tool for Students
(April 7, 2014)

This webinar will highlight ways to use GradSense.org, a new website developed by CGS as part of the Enhancing Student Financial Education initiative, in collaboration with TIAA-CREF. GradSense is a unique online resource that provides graduate and undergraduate students with interactive tools and information relevant to financial issues in higher education. Topics covered on the website include: the value of pursuing an advanced degree, loan repayment, the long-term impact of everyday spending and saving decisions, and navigating the transition from student to career professional. Attendees will learn how to integrate this resource into their own websites and outreach activities, receive information about sources for the site's debt and potential earnings data, and explore ideas for the tool's evolution as this Best Practice initiative in financial education progresses. Click here to access the webinar presentation slides.

 

National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: Results from 2012
(January 14, 2014)

The U.S. Department of Education recently released its “First Look” at the 2011-12 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), a comprehensive data collection effort undertaken every four years to examine characteristics of students in postsecondary education, with special focus on how they finance their education. The agency will be releasing new tables this spring describing student financing trends of graduate students, and Dr. Tracy Hunt-White, Project Officer for NPSAS, and Dr. Sean Simone, Associate Project Officer for NPSAS, will share selected results with the CGS community. In addition, Drs. Hunt-White and Simone will explain how graduate deans can directly access NPSAS datasets and reports. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Preparing Graduate Research Fellowship Applications
(October 23, 2013)

This session provided an overview of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and the program updates for the FY2014 competition. Gisele Muller-Parker, GRFP Program Director, and Henning Schroeder, CGS/NSF Dean in Residence, engaged participants in a discussion about how they can help applicants to be competitive. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Occupational Resources for the Graduate Community: An overview of O*NET
(August 14, 2013)

Pamela Frugoli, Team Lead for O*NET/Competency Assessment at the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, will describe O*NET information, free online tools containing hundreds of occupational definitions and related information to help students, job seekers, businesses and others understand the skills and knowledge needed of American workers. Her presentation will include information on what types of data are available, how these data were collected, and how graduate deans and graduate students can access and use these data. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Completion and Attrition in STEM Master's Programs
(May 2013)

Master’s education is the fastest growing and largest part of the graduate education enterprise in the United States, yet until recently, there was a lack of key information regarding master’s completion and attrition rates and factors contributing to student success. This webinar will share data and insights from the CGS project designed to address these gaps, Completion and Attrition in STEM Master’s Programs, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Using National Data to Examine Trends in US Graduate Education
(April 2013)

Dr. Nirmala (Nimmi) Kannankutty, acting Deputy Director of the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) of the National Science Foundation, will describe data, resources, and key indicators on graduate education and the workforce as offered by the NCSES. The NCSES is the central federal clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, analysis, and dissemination of objective data on science, engineering, technology, and research and development. Her presentation will include information on how graduate deans can access and use these data. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Benchmarking Graduate Education for the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR): New Tools for CGS Members 
(December 2012)

This webinar introduces members to the PSI Dashboard and other tools for developing robust and comprehensive RCR programs for graduate students. In 2012, CGS concluded a multi-year Project for Scholarly Integrity, funded by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity, to identify strategies for institutionalizing RCR. The six universities in the project agreed to adopt common tools to assess their graduate programs’ policies and practices and their institutions’ organizational climate for research integrity. Participants will learn about strategies for using the tools to assess campus needs and to communicate with faculty, staff, and students about research integrity needs on campus. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Preparing Future Faculty to Assess Student Learning: Preparing a Successful Proposal
(July 2012)

This webinar provided details about the background, objectives and RFP criteria of a new grant opportunity to embed skills in assessing undergraduate learning into PFF or similar programs. See Preparing Future Faculty to Assess Learning for more information about this Best Practice project funded by the Teagle Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Ethics Education in International STEM Collaborations: Preparing a Successful Proposal
(July 2012)

In this webinar, CGS staff provided information about the background, objectives and RFP criteria of a new NSF-funded Best Practice grant opportunity, Modeling Effective Research Ethics Education in Graduate International Collaborations: A Learning Outcomes Approach. Please click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Transitioning Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Affiliation Process to the Keck Graduate Institute (KGI)
(June 2012)

In January 2006, the Council of Graduate Schools, supported of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, assumed primary responsibility for the growth and promotion of the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Initiative, with the goal of making the PSM a regular feature of U.S. graduate education. CGS will transfer the PSM Affiliation review process to the Keck Graduate Institute by July 2012. This webinar provided an update regarding the transition planning by CGS and the new PSM Office at KGI as well as the plans for CGS to promote the PSM going forward. Participants in this webinar gained perspective regarding the value of PSM affiliation, information on planning for sustainability of PSM programs, and a timeline and instructions on submitting new applications to the PSM Office at KGI.

 

Introduction to CGS Career Portal
(May 2012)

This webinar introduced you to the new CGS Career Portal, the only online employment resource for graduate education professionals. Employers of graduate education professionals learned about opportunities for managing job postings and promoting awareness of their institutions and companies via the site. The webinar included a live job posting demonstration and a Question and Answer session.

 

CGS Benchmarking and Consultation Services
(March 2012)

CGS staff provided details about CGS’ revamped Benchmarking and Consultation Services. Building on CGS’ deep best practice and benchmarking research, as well as the insights of experienced graduate deans, CGS’ Benchmarking and Consultation Services provided fee-based consultation and research to assist institutions in making strategic decisions about graduate education. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

The Fiscal Year 2013 Federal Budget and its Implications for Graduate Education Programs
(March 2012)

This webinar provided details about graduate education programs in the FY 2013 Federal Budget and strategies for supporting these programs going forward. CGS’s statement on the FY 2013 federal budget is available here. Click here to access the webinar recording.

 

Doctoral Initiative on Minority Attrition and Completion (DIMAC)
(January 2012)

This webinar introduced the background and RFP for DIMAC, a Best Practice project funded by the National Science Foundation. Webinar participants were provided with a project overview and proposal details, and project staff responded to questions from participants. Click here for the webinar presentation.

 

The Federal Budget Control Act of 2011:

Implications for Graduate Education
(September 2011)

This webinar presented elements of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the Debt Ceiling Deal), an overview of the process ahead, and what graduate deans should be prepared to do to support graduate education programs going forward. A statement CGS issued in response to passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011 is available here.

 

The Federal Budget for Fiscal years 2011 and 2012:

What Does it Mean for Graduate Education?
(March 2011)

This webinar provided information on the federal budget situation for fiscal years FY11 and FY12, including specific proposals that impact graduate education. A statement CGS issued in response to the President’s FY 12 Budget Request is available here.