On February 10, the Trump Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget proposal outlining federal funding priorities. “We are troubled by the direction the Administration’s budget takes with respect to certain programs that support graduate education, research, and scholarship,” said Suzanne T. Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. “The national agenda requires strengthened investments that will propel the country’s academic and innovative success. Unfortunately, the proposal calls for scaling back or complete elimination of federal support that promotes access to graduate education, bolsters the research enterprise, and augments scholarship for a variety of disciplines within STEM and the arts and humanities.”

The budget would eliminate the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, the Fulbright-Hays program, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. It would also eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Additionally, new annual and lifetime limits would be placed on graduate student borrowing, which has the potential to disenfranchise some students from being able to finance their education.  Cuts to several agencies that provide research grants to CGS institutions, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and others, would stymie innovations that impact technology, public health, and national security.

CGS is committed to working in a bipartisan fashion with House and Senate appropriators in the coming months to ensure that graduate education and research receive strong investments in FY 2021.

On January 31, the Trump Administration announced that it would be placing travel restrictions on six additional countries. This presidential proclamation expands upon the administration’s 2017 “travel ban” to now include Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, and Tanzania. Executive Order 13780 will impose restrictions on immigrants from these countries traveling to the United States effective February 21, 2020. It should be noted that the scope of the restrictions is country specific. Non-immigrant visas, including student visas and H-1B worker visas are not expected to be restricted, however CGS is concerned about the consequences a policy of this nature creates. 

“While the U.S. must remain diligent in safeguarding national security, instituting a policy such as the expanded travel ban undoubtedly challenges our ability as a nation to provide a welcoming environment that embraces our international graduate student community,” said Suzanne T. Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools. “Talented individuals from across the globe are significant contributors to our country’s intellectual and economic success, and it is imperative that their contributions are recognized and valued. We should provide a stable and supportive environment, not one in which the goal posts may move in an untoward direction with little notice.”

According to CGS data, there were over 84,000 international first-time enrollees in graduate programs at CGS member institutions in Fall of 2018. CGS issued a statement in January 2017 in response to the White House’s issuance of the travel ban and in March 2017 following a revision to the Executive Order.

Many CGS member institutions are responding to events surrounding the recent Coronavirus outbreak, which may impact both international students coming to the U.S. as well as domestic students studying abroad. CGS members can find regularly updated information about the virus and travel precautions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of State. CGS members are also encouraged to engage in dialogue with other members on CGS’s Dean’s Discussion Board on this topic, where members can share what their campuses are doing to address challenges related to restricted travel and administering entrance exams, for example.

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), an association of nearly 500 universities that grant graduate
degrees, recognizes that diversity, equity, access, and inclusion are critical to the excellence of graduate
education.

Supporting diversity and inclusion in graduate education is both an economic and a moral imperative.
For a nation to prosper, drive innovation, ensure sustainability and maximize impact, its universities
must draw from a broad pool of students with the ability, curiosity, and motivation to complete a
graduate degree. In the United States, as in many countries, the progress we are making toward this
goal is steady, but slow. In order to accelerate progress, universities, funding bodies, and policymakers
must work together to develop policies and practices that help attract, retain, and support the success
of all students, and especially those from populations historically underrepresented in graduate
education.

As we pursue this goal, it is important to recognize that opportunities to learn and work in diverse
environments are essential to the preparation of all students. As countries and economies become
increasingly connected, it is imperative that all students have an equitable opportunity to think,
communicate, and collaborate both locally and globally. Given the compelling evidence that diverse
teams produce better innovations and results,¹ diverse communities will be best positioned to solve
problems of local and global scope.

Excellence depends on not only access, but the creation of communities that are inclusive – valuing
difference and promoting a sense of belonging. Toward this end, graduate schools and graduate
programs must clearly state their commitments to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion,
making it clear that these values support the achievement and engagement of all students. Graduate
programs, graduate schools, and the universities of which they are a part must closely examine evidence
of what is measured, valued, and rewarded. Along with funders of graduate education, they must also
invest time and resources in better understanding the policies and practices that favor diversity and
inclusion.

By upholding these four broad principles—diversity, equity, access, and inclusion—all graduate
students, as well as their programs, communities, and nations stand to benefit.

On December 19, the Senate passed a pair of spending bills that cleared the House of Representatives two days prior. Totaling approximately $1.4 trillion, the bills are the result of negotiations between House and Senate leadership at the cusp of an impending continuing resolution (CR) deadline. The current CR expires on December 20, giving President Trump a narrow window to sign the spending deal into law. H.R. 1865, which encompasses eight of the twelve appropriations bills, provides funding for major domestic programs, including higher education, research, and scholarship. Its counterpart, H.R. 1158, includes support for other programs and agencies of interest, particularly with regard to federal research funding streams.

“CGS commends both the House and Senate for reaching this agreement, which would not have been possible without bipartisan efforts in both chambers of Congress. The proposed increases for student financial aid for both graduate and undergraduate students is paramount. Equally critical are the increases to several agencies that provide funding for research conducted at our member institutions.” said Suzanne T. Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools.

Visit CGS’s FY 2020 Appropriations Funding Chart to view proposed levels for individual programs. Please note this is updated as information becomes available. Subscribe to CGS’s Washington Insights & Highlights to receive more information about this and other pressing issues.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Katherine Hazelrigg (202) 461-3888 / khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Washington, DC – The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Board of Directors has announced its officers for the 2020 term. CGS is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors drawn from member institutions. Board members serve for set terms.

Dr. Sally Pratt, vice provost for graduate programs at the University of Southern California, was announced as the 2020 Board Chair at the conclusion of the 2019 CGS Annual Meeting. Appointed vice provost in 2010, Pratt is also a professor in the department of Slavic languages and literatures. She has served as dean of Academic Programs in USC Dornsife College and president of the College Faculty Council and the Academic Senate. Under Pratt’s leadership, a system of PhD Program Progress Data was implemented, and she established a group called Friends of the Graduate School comprised of representatives from academic departments, financial aid, campus security, health services, and other offices. She is interested in a variety of topics, including student wellness, increasing diversity in graduate study, academic professional development, ways of addressing sexual misconduct, and the nature and use of the PhD degree.

“CGS is honored to have Dr. Pratt’s expertise during this important time in graduate education. She has provided exceptional leadership during her tenure at USC and her expertise, particularly in PhD career pathways and student mental health and wellbeing, will help advance CGS’ mission to meet the evolving needs of our member institutions,” said CGS President Suzanne T. Ortega.

The new Chair-elect, Dr. Andrew G. Campbell serves as the dean of the Graduate School at Brown University. Appointed to his role in 2016, Campbell is also professor of Medical Science in the Division of Biology & Medicine at Brown. He has taught and advised Brown undergraduate and graduate students since his faculty appointment began in 1994. He has received many honors, including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, American Foundations for AIDS Research Investigator Award, and Brown’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Faculty Governance. Campbell is PI and Co-PI for two National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and leads the NIH-funded Initiative to Maximize Student Development in Brown’s Division of Biology and Medicine, a program to improve recruiting and performance of URM students in doctoral programs.

Beginning their three-year terms on the board on January 1, 2020, are Dr. Suzanne Barbour, dean of The Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Dr. H. Dele Davies, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; and Dr. Thomas Jeitschko, dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for graduate education at Michigan State University.

Dr. Christopher Sindt, provost and dean of the Graduate School at Lewis University, will remain on CGS’s Executive Committee for one year as immediate past chair.

“Dr. Sindt has provided exceptional leadership during his term as CGS Board Chair,” Ortega said. “He has contributed greatly to the success of graduate students at his own institution and to graduate education more broadly in his efforts to improve career and professional development and student success.”

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Barbara A. Knuth Receives Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education

The Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has announced that Dr. Barbara A. Knuth, dean of The Graduate School at Cornell University, is the 2019 recipient of the Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education.

Judith Stoddart Wins Assistant and Associate Deans Leadership Award

The Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has announced that Dr. Judith Stoddart, senior associate dean, The Graduate School at Michigan State University (MSU), is the 2019 Winner of the Assistant and Associate Deans Leadership Award.

Wayne State University Receives ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education

Today the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and Educational Testing Service (ETS) presented Wayne State University (WSU) with the 2019 ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education: From Admission through Completion. Dr. Ingrid Guerra-Lopez, dean of the Graduate School, accepted the co-sponsored award on Wayne State’s behalf during the award ceremony at CGS’s 59^th Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN.

Nasser Mufti Receives 2019 Arlt Award in the Humanities

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has awarded the 2019 Gustave O. Arlt Award in the Humanities to Dr. Nasser Mufti, associate professor of English at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Winners of 2019 CGS/ProQuest® Distinguished Dissertation Awards Announced

The Council of Graduate Schools / ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards, the nation’s most prestigious honors for doctoral dissertations, were presented to Kishauna E. Soljour and Brian M. Sweis during the Council’s award ceremony at the 59th Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN. Dr. Soljour received her PhD in May 2019 at Syracuse University in history, and Dr. Sweis completed his PhD in 2018 from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in neuroscience.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                             

Contact: Katherine Hazelrigg   (202) 461-3888 / khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Washington, DC – The Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has announced that Dr. Barbara A. Knuth, dean of The Graduate School at Cornell University, is the 2019 recipient of the Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education. Knuth received the honor at an awards ceremony held during the CGS 59th Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN.

For her invaluable contributions to the Cornell University graduate community, Dr. Knuth becomes the fourth Debra W. Stewart Award recipient. A passionate advocate for graduate education, Dr. Knuth implemented an array of student and program assessment initiatives to foster student success and continual academic program improvement including student and alumni surveys and data transparency dashboards.

During her years as dean, Knuth secured external resources to improve graduate education through multiple awards from NSF, CGS, Teagle, etc. She has fostered an inclusive and holistic approach to graduate student success through supporting programs including My Voice My Story facilitated discussions, Future Professors Institute, NextGen Professors, and Careers Beyond Academia, and is Co-PI on Cornell’s McNair program and PI on Cornell’s AGEP award.

Knuth has been involved in many CGS projects, including Understanding PhD Career Pathways for Program Improvement, Enhancing Student Financial Education and Literacy, and Preparing Future Faculty. She served on the Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools, the GRE Board, the Executive Committee of the Association of Graduate Schools of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the AAU’s PhD Education Initiative Advisory Board, and on the Steering Committee for the Coalition for Next Generation Life Science.

“Barb’s colleagues in the higher education community recognize, as I do, her deep commitment to graduate education and her many leadership skills, including the ability to analyze and bring clarity to complex issues, to inspire staff and students, and to find creative ways to address problems,” said Cornell University Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff. “Dr. Knuth has been an extraordinarily effective leader for the Graduate School, improving accountability for student outcomes and graduate programs, increasing diversity and improving inclusion, and tirelessly advocating on key issues of most concern to graduate education, including immigration reform, financial aid, research support and healthcare coverage. Our university is indebted to Barb for her outstanding service.”

“Barb’s dedication and commitment to bettering the graduate school community is evidenced in many ways including the implementation of a suite of graduate student alumni surveys designed to inform program improvement and transparency regarding graduate outcomes,” said Dr. Christopher Sindt, provost of Lewis University and chair of the Council’s Board of Directors.   In addition, Sindt noted that “Barb is thoughtful, creative, and deeply committed to graduate education, both at the level of federal policy and at the level of each individual student’s welfare and success.”

The award was created in 2016 by the CGS Board of Directors to recognize outstanding leadership in graduate education, and particularly those leadership qualities exemplified by the Council’s fifth President, Debra W. Stewart. The selection committee considers nominees with a strong reputation for ethics and integrity, a history of active participation in the graduate community, and a record of strategic vision and actions resulting in meaningful impacts. Areas of special consideration include evidence-based innovation, program development, diversity and inclusion, student learning and career outcomes, personnel management, policy advocacy in support of graduate education and research, and fiscal responsibility.

Nominees for the award must be a current senior, graduate dean at a CGS member institution (Regular or Associate) and cannot be an active member of the CGS Board of Directors. Nominations are made by CGS member institutions and are reviewed by a selection committee of former graduate deans in the CGS community. The winner receives a $4,000 prize to support continuing innovations at the awardee’s institution.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                              

Contact: Katherine Hazelrigg  (202) 461-3888 / khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Washington, DC – The Board of Directors of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has announced that Dr. Judith Stoddart, senior associate dean, The Graduate School at Michigan State University (MSU), is the 2019 Winner of the Assistant and Associate Deans Leadership Award. The awards ceremony was held during the CGS 59th Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN.

The award was created by the CGS Board of Directors to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to graduate education by demonstrating creativity and innovation in response to institutional challenges and/or limited budgets or resources; building partnerships both internal and external to the graduate school; identifying and obtaining resources, both internal and external to the graduate school; effectively advocating on behalf of graduate education; fostering inclusiveness in the graduate community; and engaging student voices (including diverse voices).

Dr. Stoddart becomes the award’s first recipient for her valuable contributions to the Michigan State University graduate community. Her many accomplishments include developing new institutional guidelines for mentoring and advising, launching an internal grant program for departments that develop 3-year systemic change projects to recruit and retain traditionally underrepresented students, and formalizing a network among MSU and HBCUs that focuses on cross-institutional mechanisms for enhancing and expanding pathways to the professoriate. Stoddart serves on the steering committee for the Big 10/ACM Mellon Undergraduate and Faculty Fellows Program for a Diverse Professoriate and works with the advisory team for the gradSERU data project.

“Dr. Stoddart lives an extraordinary career of commitment to securing individuals’ aspirations through higher education. Her commitment to elevating higher education in general, and graduate education in particular, by creating more inclusive and more engaging spaces at MSU and beyond is a hallmark of her dedication,” said Thomas D. Jeitschko, dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for graduate education, Michigan State University. “Indeed, throughout her career, her focus has always been on finding resources—often through small grant programs (including some through CGS) or smaller-scale collaborative efforts—that she would leverage into programs, partnerships, and practices that would contribute to impactful and long-lasting institutional change.”

“Our committee viewed the pool of nominated colleagues for this award as exemplary,” stated William F. Tate, selection committee chair, and dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education, Washington University in St. Louis. “Dean Stoddart stood out among this outstanding group of leaders. Her invested leadership at Michigan State University resulted in transparent graduate program improvement including building a pathway for greater access for graduate study among underrepresented student groups. Her efforts represent the very best in intellectual leadership of graduate education. She establishes a high bar as the inaugural awardee.”

Nominees for the award must be a current assistant or associate-level dean at a CGS member institution (Regular or Associate) with primary administrative responsibility in graduate education. Assistant or associate deans whose graduate deans currently serve on the CGS Board are not eligible to be nominated for the award during the dean’s active years of board service. Nominations are made by CGS member institutions and are reviewed by a committee selected by the CGS Board of Directors. The winner receives a $1,500 honorarium and is invited to plan and participate in a session at the CGS Summer Workshop on a topic of their choosing.

CGS gratefully acknowledges Liaison’s financial support of the Assistant and Associate Deans Leadership Award.  Liaison, a higher education enrollment marketing and admissions management company, is a CGS Sustaining Member.

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For Immediate Release:

Contacts:

Katherine Hazelrigg, CGS

(202) 461-3888 | khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Ally Norton, ETS

(609) 683-2092 | amnorton@ets.org

Washington, DC – Today the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and Educational Testing Service (ETS) presented Wayne State University (WSU) with the 2019 ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education: From Admission through Completion. Dr. Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of the Graduate School, accepted the co-sponsored award on Wayne State’s behalf during the award ceremony at CGS’s 59^th Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN.

The ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education recognizes promising, innovative proposals to enhance student success and degree completion at the master’s and doctoral levels while promoting inclusiveness. The winning institution is selected on the strength of its proposal to meet the award’s goals and to serve as a model for other schools. The winner receives a two-year, $20,000 matching grant.

Wayne State University’s program, “Success for Underrepresented students in Graduate Education (SURGE),” is an innovative, multi-faceted approach to increase inclusiveness and to build a steady pipeline of underrepresented students prepared for master’s programs. In partnership with WSU student support services and current graduate students, SURGE combines intensive peer mentoring, inclusive mentoring and leadership training, and scholarship funding to provide students with the support they need to be competitive applicants to a WSU master’s program.

“We are honored and grateful to be the recipient of this important award from ETS/CGS. SURGE embodies Wayne State University’s commitment to prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities.  This initiative is designed to address common challenges faced by students from underrepresented backgrounds,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of the Graduate School.  “SURGE will strengthen students’ support network, promoting a sense of belonging, a growth mindset, and specific skills that will prime them to be competitive applicants to WSU graduate programs.”

“We are grateful to ETS, whose support makes possible this innovative way to promote best practices among graduate schools, said CGS President Suzanne T. Ortega. “The program Wayne State has developed addresses some of the most common barriers to graduate school that underrepresented students face, mitigating cost burdens, addressing feelings of isolation, and providing a network of mentors experienced with the graduate application process.”

“Wayne State University is being recognized for the university’s approach to addressing diversity and inclusion in graduate education by investing in support for underrepresented students as they navigate the graduate application process.” said David G. Payne, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ETS’ Global Education Division. “Their program focuses on building a pipeline through mentorship, scholarship and leadership training – all critical pieces to ensuring an accessible, inclusive and diverse graduate program.”

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