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 “Best Practices for Graduate Degree Handbooks”.
Additional resources available in the OneDrive Folder can be found in the Table of Contents. 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).
This year's GPD LEAD program has concluded.
Spring 2024 Schedule
Friday, February 9 12:00-1:00pm: Supporting International Students
On Zoom
Ken Reade, Executive Director of Immigration Services and Summer Cable, International Student and Scholar Success Advisor
In this GPD LEAD we will discuss visas, enrollment requirements, OPT and CPT programs, community building and more!
Friday, February 23 12:00-1:00pm: Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health
On Zoom
Betsy Cracco, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Campus Life and Wellbeing and Amanda Waters, Director of University Mental Health Promotion and Wellbeing Strategies
In this GPD LEAD session, we will share both local and national data on graduate student mental health, discuss the mental health resources available on campus for students, and share strategies for improving the wellbeing of all students both at the department level and campus-wide.
Friday, March 8 12:00-1:00pm: Promoting Inclusive Excellence, Part II: From recruitment to sustaining a welcoming climate
On Zoom
Sofiya Alhassan, Associate Dean, Graduate School Office of Inclusion & Engagement
Graduate students’ sense of belonging is most impacted by their department. Associate Dean Alhassan will share effective strategies to promote belonging and success for under-represented students in your department.
Friday, April 5 12:00-1:00pm: Generative AI - Implications for Graduate Education
On Zoom
Johanna Yunker, Associate Director, Graduate School Office of Professional Development, TRaCE Transborder Campus Coordinator
Generative AI (like ChatGPT) is already being used by your grad students! While it has the potential to be a helpful tool, misuse can jeopardize an academic career. This session will provide you with four questions to prompt discussions on AI implications with grad students. Additionally, we’ll discuss guidelines for ethical help (computerized or human) in the writing process.
Friday, April 19 12:00-1:00pm: Handling Conflict as a GPD
On Zoom
Beth Jakob, Associate Dean, Graduate School Office of Student Success
One of the less pleasant tasks of a GPD is to navigate conflicts that might arise between students, faculty, and staff. In this workshop, we will share strategies for helping to resolve these issues, and introduce you to additional resources available to support you and your students.
2023 Fall Events
Friday, Sept. 15 12:00 - 2:00pm: Welcome Back Lunch & Workshop
Marriott Room - Campus Center
12:00 - 1:00pm
Welcome
Introduction to leadership and resources of the Graduate School and other offices on campus
News from the Graduate School regarding the new SLATE admissions program and the new guidebook for GPDs.
1:00 - 2:00pm - Workshop: What OPD can do for you and your program
Staff from OPD will review the array of resources provided and professional competencies cultivated through workshops and how they can incorporate these into your graduate program helping students to be more successful during their degree and after graduation.
Friday Sept. 29 12:00 - 1:00pm: Graduate Students as Employees - the GEO contract; benefit accruals, policies to keep in mind; FMLA and more!
On Zoom
Mark Preble, Academic Labor Relations, Provost’s Office
Friday, Oct. 13 12:00 - 1:00pm: Graduate Admissions
On Zoom
Lindsay DeSantis, Director of Admissions; Tammy Maginnis, Associate Registrar for Systems; Sheilagh Hanley, Director of Finance
In this GPD LEAD session we will discuss:
- Processes of admissions, including 4+1
- SLATE application review
- Best practices and models of offer letters
Friday, Oct. 27 12:00 - 1:00pm: Promoting Inclusive Excellence, Part I: Implementing Holistic Admissions
On Zoom
Associate Dean Sofiya Alhassan, Director, Office of Inclusion & Engagement
The principles, nuts and bolts of successful holistic admissions – how to introduce this into your admissions review process and the advantages for increasing under-represented students in your program
Recruitment for diversity: application fee sponsorships, Spaulding-Smith and REAL. Fellowships; National Names Project; virtual and on-campus visits
Record keeping
See our recording on “How to write a successful Spaulding-Smith and REAL Fellowship nomination”.
Friday, Dec 1. 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).
If you have any questions regarding GPD LEAD or access to the Resource Folder, please contact grad-communications [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu (grad-communications[at]grad[dot]umass[dot]edu).