Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
Join the Graduate Student Life in celebrating Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week! During this week, we honor the contributions of Mason’s 12,000+ graduate and professional students.
Thank you to our partners, including the Office of Graduate Education, University Career Services, The Writing Center, SPARK, Women and Gender Studies, Mason Recreation, University Life SciTech, and University Life Mason Square for collaborating with us for our programming and events.
Below is the 2025 Appreciation Week schedule!
Graduate Outdoor Adventures: C&O Biking Trip
Join Graduate Student Life and Outdoor Adventures on Sunday, March 30th at 8:30am for our first adventure of 2025! This trip combines riding bikes with a tour of the monuments. This is a beginner-friendly trip, so as long as you can ride a bike, you have the skill to join us! This casual trip will last about 2-3 hours.
Graduate Assistant & Graduate Lecturer Breakfast
Graduate Assistants of all kinds (Graduate Research Assistants, Graduate Teaching Assistants, and Graduate Professional Assistants) are welcomed to join us for a FREE breakfast on the Fairfax campus! Invite only on Monday.
Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Day at Mason Square
Join University Life Mason Square and Graduate Student Life in celebrating Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week! Join us at the Mason Square campus to celebrate the contributions of Mason’s 12,000+ graduate and professional students. On March 31, enjoy free treats and snacks while making your mark on the appreciation wall located in Van Metre Hall 211.
Canine Unwind: Relax, Connect, & Vibe
Join us for a guided meditation with therapy dogs & stay after to connect with your community! Graduate school can be stressful and isolating. Counseling and Psychological Services in partnership with Graduate Student Life presents Canine Unwind: Relax, Connect, Vibe. Join us for a time to unwind and link-up with puppies and friends! Snacks will be provided on Tuesday.
Mindful Mosiac: A Graduate Gathering
Come join Graduate Student Life and SPARK (Scholars Promoting Access, Representation, and Knowledge) on April 2nd for Mindful Mosaic: A Graduate Gathering. Navigating academia as a minoritized graduate student can feel overwhelming, and SPARK provides a safe and welcoming space for minoritized graduate students and their lived experiences. To start the event, we will participate in a healing music performance led by the CVPA to promote inclusion, healing, and community. Then individuals can create their own art piece to take home that describes, empowers, and reflects their identities as we build community. Art supplies, snacks, and music will be provided; you provide your authentic self.
Grad Women on Weights
We are reserving Skyline recreation center on Thursday, April 3rd just for female-identifying graduate students to come together and enjoy physical well-being. There will be athletic instructors to demonstrate how to safely use the weight equipment and various fitness classes just for grad women. Whether you want to do your regular workout with other female grad students or it's your first time in the gym, join us for a safe gathering space to relax and embrace physical wellness.
Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference
The Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference, co-hosted by the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA), Graduate Student Life, and the Graduate Division, showcases graduate student scholarly, research, and creative works across disciplines through posters, oral presentations, and creative, visual, and performing arts. It also features the final round of Mason’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition. Students from all disciplines at George Mason University are welcome to participate as presenters, attendees, or volunteers. For more information about the conference, please visit https://gapsa.gmu.edu/conference/ or email us at gapsa@gmu.edu.
