Celebrating Oakland University's graduate and professional students

Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week (March 31-April 4) is a time to recognize the incredible contributions of graduate students to Oakland University and beyond. These dedicated individuals are not only advancing their education but also enriching OU's campus, engaging in groundbreaking research, mentoring undergraduate students and positively impacting the broader community.
 
The Vital Role of Graduate and Professional Students

Oakland University’s graduate students play an essential role in the success of many academic and administrative departments. Their contributions extend beyond the classroom and research labs, influencing university programs, events and community outreach. Faculty and staff across campus have shared inspiring stories about the positive influence of graduate students in their areas:

• Event Planning & Professional Development: Graduate assistants in the Department of Human Development and Child Studies have been instrumental in organizing symposia, coordinating guest speakers and ensuring the seamless execution of professional development events. Their efforts have strengthened learning opportunities for both faculty and students.
  
  
• Cultivating a Supportive Environment: A Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology launched a mentoring committee to support and retain graduate students, while another initiated a writing accountability group that has helped many students stay focused and productive.
  
  
• Mentorship & Teaching: Graduate students in the School of Nursing have shared their experiences with undergraduates, inspiring them to pursue research while fostering a sense of curiosity and professional growth. In the School of Health Sciences, graduate students have led discussion sections and connected deeply with undergraduate students, serving as role models and academic guides.

• Peer Support in Medicine: At the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB), peer tutors have been instrumental in enhancing academic support programs. Their efforts helped expand tutoring for the USMLE Step 1 exam beyond individual sessions to include review and group practice question sessions. These sessions have been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the program continues to grow thanks to the dedication, empathy and student-focused approach of these tutors.

Driving Research and Scholarly Advancement

Graduate students are also at the forefront of research at Oakland University. Their involvement in research projects has led to significant contributions in various fields:

• A team of master’s and doctoral students, across SEHS disciplines (Special Education, Counseling and Early Childhood Education), who worked with a faculty member on implementing a social skills curriculum through the Center for Autism. After completing the data collection, the team collaborated to create a conference proposal, traveled together to present the results, and submitted a manuscript of the conference proceedings to a professional, peer-reviewed journal, where it was successfully published.
  
  
• An interdisciplinary team of master’s and doctoral students worked on implementing a social skills curriculum for children with autism, later presenting their findings at a conference and publishing their work in a peer-reviewed journal.
  
  
• Ph.D. students in Nursing analyzed data on AI education’s impact on student anxiety and literacy, successfully submitting their research for publication in the Journal of Nursing Education.
  
  
• Psychology graduate students continue to lead high-quality research papers, contributing to the university’s scholarly reputation through grant applications, national presentations and publications.

• OUWB medical students, through the Organization of Student Representatives, have led impactful research projects in collaboration with Student Affairs. One such project on implementing mandatory suicide alertness training for new student orientation was accepted for presentation at both regional and national Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) conferences, demonstrating their commitment to student well-being and academic scholarship.

• OUWB students conduct independent research, collaborate on faculty-led projects, present at conferences, and publish in academic journals, contributing significantly to medical education and healthcare innovation.

Celebrating Graduate Student Appreciation Week

The entire Oakland University community is welcome to participate in a week of events dedicated to honoring our graduate and professional students. Here’s what’s in store:

Tuesday, April 1, 4-6 p.m.: Lei’d Back Networking: A Grad Student Mixer
Habitat, Oakland Center 

Wednesday, April 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: OU Libraries and Writing Center – Free Popcorn
Joan Rosen Writing Studio, 212 Kresge Library 

Wednesday, April 2, 5-7 p.m.: Game On in the Grizz Den: Grad School Edition
GrizzDen and Habitat, Oakland Center 

Thursday, April 3, 12-3 p.m.: Graduate School Meet & Treat
Graduate School Office - 520 O’Dowd Hall 

Friday, April 4, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC)
Founders Ballroom A, Oakland Center

For more information on these events, please visit: oakland.edu/grad/events