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).
Spring 2026 Sessions
Friday Jan. 30 12:00 – 1:00pm: Tracking Graduate Admissions Data in Real Time
On Zoom
Krisztina Filep, Executive Director of Analytics and Institutional Research
Kate Woodmansee, Graduate Registrar, Graduate Student Service Center
With the greater unpredictability of graduate application and yield data, it has become increasingly important to monitor the progress of graduate admissions during the cycle when intervention may still be possible to meet targets. This session will demonstrate how you can track real-time graduate admissions data in Slate and Flagship Analytics.
Note that while anyone is invited to attend, access to Flagship Analytics data will only be available to trained users with select roles at the university. If you require Flagship Analytics training, please contact UAIR at oir [at] oirp [dot] umass [dot] edu – the next session will take place on Friday, January 23 at 11am.
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
This session will provide an update on existing and potential executive actions toward immigration and how they may impact the UMass international student and scholar community.
Friday Feb. 20 12:00 - 1:00pm: Generative AI and Graduate Education
On Zoom
Michelle Trim, Senior Lecturer, CICS
In this session, we'll establish a common understanding of generative AI (GAI) technologies and address potential impacts of GAI on graduate education. GPDs can use what they learn to engage their departments in discussions to establish expectations for graduate student use of GAI in various contexts.
Friday Feb. 27 12:00 - 1:00pm: Creating Community to Build a Sense of Belonging for All Graduate Students
On Zoom
Sofiya Alhassan, Associate Dean, Office of Inclusion and Engagement
Summer Cable, International Student & Scholar Success, Office of Global Affairs
Lara Bourdon-Roach, Director of Graduate Student Success and Engagement, CNS
Once you have recruited a diverse pool of talented graduate students into your program, how can you ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports their success? In this panel discussion, we will discuss strategies to build community and a sense of belonging to support the retention of all graduate students, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.
Friday Mar. 27 12:00 - 1:00pm: Approaches to Supporting Teaching Assistants and Teaching Associates
On Zoom
This panel of faculty will discuss their college/program's approach to training and supporting Teaching Assistants (TAs) and/or Teaching Associates (instructors of record).
Friday April 10 12:00 – 1:00pm: Graduate School Ask Us Anything
On Zoom
Beth Jakob, Interim Graduate School Dean
Kate Woodmansee, Graduate Registrar, Graduate Student Service Center
Sheilagh Hanley, Director of Finance & Administration
Shane Bordeau, Director Graduate Assistantships
Lindsay De Santis, Director of Graduate Admissions, Graduate Student Service Center
Denise Pope, Associate Director for Student Success
This session is an opportunity for you to ask questions about Graduate School policies and procedures.
Past Sessions
Friday, Sept. 12 12:00 - 2:00pm - Welcome Back Lunch & OPD Workshop
Old Chapel
Friday, Sept. 26 12:00 - 1:00: Graduate Admissions
Link to Recording
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.
Friday Oct. 10 12:00 - 1:00pm: Understanding the GEO Contract
Link to Recording
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.
Friday, Oct. 24 12:00 - 1:00pm: The Graduate Assistantship Office - Updates on Appointment Forms and Frequently Asked Questions
Link to Recording
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.
Friday, Nov. 7 12:00 - 1:00pm: Fellowships and Grants: An Overview of Graduate School Funding Opportunities and Support for Graduate Students
Link to Recording
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.
Friday Nov. 21 12:00 – 1:00pm: Understanding Leaves of Absence, Extensions to the Statute of Limitations, and Graduate Milestones
Link to Recording
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.
Friday, Dec. 5 12:00 - 1:00pm: Flagship Analytics: Data Gathering on your Graduate Program.
Link to Recording
Krisztina Filep, Director Operational Analytics
This session will discuss the data available to departments that is 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 — including live admissions data and Grad Tracker — to support data-driven decision-making. 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).