Speaking Ivy: Navigating the Language of Graduate School and Finding Our Voice

Speaking Ivy is designed to help graduate students navigate the hidden curriculum and “unspoken language” of graduate education. Many students enter graduate school prepared academically but find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to unwritten expectations, power dynamics, and modes of communication that are critical to success in the graduate school environment. This program aims to create a safe and supportive space for students to build community, develop confidence, and practice the skills that foster both academic and personal belonging.

The program is facilitated by Maria Suarez, Associate Dean of Student Support, and will run from January through April 2026, for a total of seven, 90-minute sessions. Sessions will feature a combination of guest speakers, shared readings, and facilitated discussions. Key topics will include navigating challenging conversations, building and sustaining mentor/mentee relationships, the art of networking, and strategies for effective communication within academic contexts.

• Meetings will be held in person from 5:00-6:30pm on the following Tuesdays: January 27, February 10 and 24, March 10 and 31, April 14 and 28

• Dinner will be served

• Eligibility: Open to all PhD and MFA students 

• Deadline to register: Friday, December 19, 2025
  Register

Neurodiversity in Graduate Education: Building inclusive pathways for learning, research, and mentorship

Neurodiversity is a growing focus in higher education, yet many graduate students who experience it—formally diagnosed or not—struggle to find adequate support within traditional academic structures. While services such as Student Accessibility Services (SAS) offer accommodations, graduate programs often maintain standardized milestones and conventional expectations of expertise that overlook diverse ways of learning, communicating, and producing knowledge.

This initiative will be facilitated by Maria Suarez, Associate Dean of Student Support, and aims to cultivate a graduate learning environment that actively supports neurodivergent students and empowers faculty to engage in inclusive practices. Through a series of skills-based workshops and guest speaker events, we will spotlight practical strategies to promote academic success, enhance advising and mentorship, and normalize neurodiversity as a valued dimension of graduate education.

• Eligibility: Open to all PhD and MFA students 

• Meeting Dates: TBD

• Location: TBD

• Application Opens: December 2, 2025 

• Deadline to Apply: December 19, 2025