GPD LEAD
Leadership Enhancement for Graduate Program Directors
GPD LEAD is a professional development and support program for Graduate Program Directors and staff offered by The Graduate School. Workshops and discussion sessions offered twice monthly during the academic year on a variety of topics of common concern run by the Graduate School in collaboration with a variety of offices on campus.
The objectives of GPD LEAD include:
- Dissemination of key policies and procedures governing graduate education
- Skill building in leading and evaluating graduate programs and graduate student success
- Community building, support and practical advice from peers on managing the challenges of graduate education in your program
- Best practices in admissions, annual reviews, mentoring, and fostering cultures of excellence and inclusivity.
All GPD LEAD session will be 12:00 - 1:00 pm on Zoom.
Zoom sessions will be recorded and all resources from the sessions are available in a OneDrive folder.
Click here for access to “Template for Graduate Degree Handbooks”.
Additional resources available in the OneDrive Folder can be found in the GPD LEAD Archive. If you need access to the folder please email grad-communications [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (grad-communications[at]grad[dot]umass[dot]edu).
The 2025-2026 GPD LEAD Session Schedule
Friday, Sept. 26 12:00 - 1:00: Graduate Admissions
On Zoom
Kate Woodmansee, Graduate Registrar, Graduate Student Service Center
Lindsay De Santis, Director of Graduate Admissions, Graduate Student Service Center
Join us for an overview of important information in graduate admissions, including application fee waivers and sponsorships, admit decisions, and deferrals. There will also be ample time for questions.
Register for Graduate Admissions
Friday Oct. 10 12:00 - 1:00pm: Understanding the GEO Contract
On Zoom
Dennis Armistead, Assistant Provost/Senior Director, of Academic Labor Relations, Academic Human Resources
This session will help you understand what you, as GPD, need to know about the GEO contract, including new features relating to GEO members, how to manage unexpected funding changes, and policies to keep in mind. We’ll also allow plenty of time for Q&A.
Friday, Oct. 24 12:00 - 1:00pm: The Graduate Assistantship Office - Updates on Appointment Forms and Frequently Asked Questions
On Zoom
Shane Bordeau, Director Graduate Assistantships
Sheilagh Hanley, Director of Finance and Administration
This session will introduce you to the Graduate Assistantship Office (GAO) - who they are, what they do, and the resources they provide. We will also provide updates and a timeline for the implementation of a new system for graduate assistantship forms (e.g., Non-Working Fellowships, Grants-in-Aid, Hourly Hires, etc.) in Kuali Build.
Register for Grad Assistantship Office
Friday, Nov. 7 12:00 - 1:00pm: Fellowships and Grants: An Overview of Graduate School Funding Opportunities and Support for Graduate Students
On Zoom
Shane Bordeau, Director Graduate Assistantships
Heidi Bauer-Clapp, Associate Director, Office of Professional Development
We will outline support provided by OPD to help graduate students find and apply for external fellowships and the process for determining which external fellowships are included in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to earn GEO benefits. We will also present information on the Graduate School’s Block Travel Grant to departments and Predissertation and Fieldwork Grants awarded directly to students. We will also discuss other sources of funding housed within the Graduate School.
Register for Grad School Funding
Friday Nov. 21 12:00 – 1:00pm: Understanding Leaves of Absence, Extensions to the Statute of Limitations, and Graduate Milestones
On Zoom
Jacqueline Urla, Graduate School Dean
Kate Woodmansee, Graduate Registrar, Graduate Student Service Center
Sheilagh Hanley, Director of Finance and Administration
As GPD you have the responsibility to monitor student progress, and to advise students on leaves and Statute of Limitation extensions. In this session we will discuss the policies governing SOL and the two types of academic leaves (medical and personal) that students can request. When is it best for a student to take a leave and what are the consequences? When is it best to request an SOL extension? What do you as GPD need to include in an SOL extension request? We will also discuss the Family Medical Leave policy for eligible GEO members, and how these should be submitted.
Register for Leaves, SOLs & Milestones
Friday, Dec. 5 12:00 - 1:00pm: Flagship Analytics: Data Gathering on your Graduate Program.
On Zoom
Krisztina Filep, Director Operational Analytics
Note: this meeting will require a registration of at least 8 people. Sign up early if you wish to have the training.
Discussions around the data available to departments, specific to graduate students, and how it can be used for a variety of purposes (reporting, accreditation, strategic planning, etc.). The session will include training to familiarize you with the university’s dashboards to support data-driven decision-making, as well as guidance for equity-minded sense-making and analysis. After attending, you will have access to detailed dashboards about the university.
Note that all GPDs are required to complete FERPA and Flagship Analytics trainings. Please complete FERPA before the session if possible. The session will serve as Flagship Analytics training and an opportunity for a refresh or asking questions if you are already trained. You can visit the University Analytics and Institutional Research website for more on trainings or email oir [at] oirp [dot] umass [dot] edu (oir[at]oirp[dot]umass[dot]edu).
Register for Flagship Analytics
Spring 2026 Sessions
Friday Feb. 6 12:00 – 1:00pm: Supporting International Graduate Students
On Zoom
Ken Reade, Executive Director of Immigration Services in the Office of Global Affairs
Friday Feb. 20 12:00 - 1:00pm: TBD
Friday Feb. 27 12:00 - 1:00pm: TBD
Friday Mar. 27 12:00 - 1:00pm: TBD
Friday Apr. 10 12:00 - 1:00pm: TBD
Friday April 10 12:00 – 1:00pm: Graduate School Ask Me Anything
On Zoom
Jacqueline Urla, Graduate School Dean
Kate Woodmansee, Graduate Registrar, Graduate Student Service Center
Sheilagh Hanley, Director of Finance & Administration
Past Sessions
Friday, Sept. 12 12:00 - 2:00pm - Welcome Back Lunch & OPD Workshop
Location: Old Chapel
12:00-12:15 pm - Arrival: Guests will check-in, grab food and network for 15 minutes
12:15-12:25 pm - Dean welcome
12:25-12:30 pm - Provost
12:30-1:00 pm - Grad School staff panel
1:00-1:20 pm - Office of Global Affairs and Equal Opportunity and Access Office panel
1:20-2:00 pm - Office of Professional Development (OPD) workshop - What can OPD do for you?