Graduate Education Week at the College of Charleston, held from October 14-18, 2024, was a vibrant and engaging celebration of our graduate students, providing a wide range of activities designed to inform, inspire, and connect the CofC community. Here’s a recap of the week’s events:
Monday, October 14: Grad Ed Week Coffee Kick-off
The week began on a bright note at Idle Hands Coffee Shop with the “Grad Ed Week Coffee Kick-off.” Sponsored by the Graduate Student Association (GSA), students gathered for free coffee and light snacks, including freshly baked muffins. It was a perfect way to start the week, with the sunny weather contributing to the warm and casual conversations over lattes.
11th Annual 3MT® (Three-Minute Thesis) Competition
Later that afternoon, the highlight of the day was the 11th Annual 3MT® Competition, held in Addlestone Library, Room 227. Graduate students took the stage to deliver engaging presentations on their thesis work—condensed into just three minutes. Interim Dean Keonya Booker emceed the event, while Alumni Association Board Member Ryan Morris, Research and Projects Compliance Officer Sara Stevenson, and Marine Resources Librarian Geoff Timms served as judges.
We are thrilled to congratulate Jesseca Kusher (M.S. Marine Biology) for taking home both 1st Place and the People’s Choice Award with her thesis, “Algae Spycraft: What if We Democratized Water Quality Monitoring?” Her captivating presentation left a strong impression on both the judges and the audience.
A special congratulations to our 2nd Place winner, Aly Petruch (M.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies & M.P.A.), who presented her thesis, “A Program Evaluation of the Edible Garden Series.” Both presentations demonstrated the outstanding research happening across our graduate programs.
The event featured a great slate of competitors, and after the presentations, participants and attendees enjoyed a reception, celebrating the accomplishments of all who took part.
Tuesday, October 15: Doughnuts & Coffee with the Graduate School
Tuesday morning saw the Graduate School set up in Cougar Mall, where representatives from various graduate programs, including the Master of Arts in Teaching, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, and Master of Public Administration, handed out coffee, doughnuts, and plenty of program swag. Students passing through learned about graduate opportunities and how they could advance their education. The beautiful weather and upbeat atmosphere made this event a highlight of the week.
Career & Graduate School Fair
Later that day, the Career & Graduate School Fair at the Gaillard Center provided a bustling forum for students exploring both career paths and graduate education options. Graduate School representatives enjoyed meeting prospective students eager to take the next step in their academic journeys.
Wednesday, October 16: Admissions Guidance
Midweek events focused on guiding students through the graduate admissions process. The “Applying to Grad School” session at Maybank Hall offered valuable insights for students seeking application advice. This was followed by a virtual session, “Be A Star! How to Create a Competitive Grad School Application,” which catered to students looking for tips to make their applications stand out. These sessions allowed both in-person and online attendees to learn how to craft a compelling application.
Thursday, October 17: Career & Networking Development
Thursday was packed with practical sessions aimed at helping students navigate the job market and build professional relationships. The day began with “Exploring the Job Market,” hosted by the Career Center, where students explored career strategies and market trends. Following that, the “How to Network with Faculty” session led by Lucy Davis of Environmental and Sustainability Studies allowed students to learn essential networking skills while enjoying refreshments at the School of Education Alumni Center. The virtual Grant Writing Workshop was the standout event of the week, drawing the largest audience. Hosted by the Office of Research and Grants Administration, this workshop provided crucial insights into securing research funding, and students left with practical knowledge to support their academic goals.
Friday, October 18: Time Management & Grad Student Social
The week wrapped up with two highly anticipated events. The “Time Management for Graduate Students” session provided practical tools for balancing the demanding life of a graduate student, from coursework to personal responsibilities. It was held in Addlestone Library, with hands-on strategies shared by the Center for Student Learning.
To close out Graduate Education Week, students gathered at Rusty Bull Brewing Co. for a relaxed social event, marking the end of the week’s festivities. The “Grad Student Social” was the perfect opportunity for students and faculty to unwind, enjoy some food and drinks, and reflect on a productive and rewarding week.
Looking Forward
Fall Graduate Education Week 2024 was a resounding success, offering students numerous opportunities to enhance their academic experience, make meaningful connections, and gain insights into the next steps of their educational and career journeys. The Grant Writing Workshop, in particular, stood out as the most popular of the week’s offerings.
We’re already looking ahead to Spring Graduate Education Week, which will be announced soon. As we continue to grow this event, we’re excited to provide even more opportunities for our graduate community to thrive and connect!
