From the Dean: September 2023

Welcome to the fall 2023 semester! Whether you are new to the University or continuing your studies, we at the Graduate School hope you are getting settled. This will be my first fall semester as vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, and I am looking forward to connecting with you.  

Since I returned to Penn State on May 1, many people have asked about my strategic priorities. For now, my top priority is this: Listen to graduate students. The Graduate School is here to help all Penn State graduate students succeed. I know how challenging and rewarding graduate school can be. I also know, as a former graduate adviser, that it is impossible to help students if you aren’t listening to them. I truly do want to connect with you to hear what is on your mind. To facilitate this, we started a new series of informal coffee hours where students can stop by for refreshments and a chat.  

At our first two coffee chats, I met with graduate students from more than 25 graduate programs and a dozen graduate student organizations. We discussed a range of topics that were on the minds of many graduate students, including faculty/student interactions, funding opportunities, mentoring, resources for international students and graduate students with children, and more. Penn State has an incredibly diverse graduate student population, and I want to hear from you. I want to learn about why you chose Penn State, what your goals are, and what kinds of support you think could help you along the way. Join me for a few minutes at the next coffee chat, Monday, September 18, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Kern Building, nearest to the Nittany Lion Shrine.

Tip for Succeeding in Graduate School 

When I advised graduate students, I found that I was commonly offering the same general advice to students regardless of their background—with phenomenal success. Each month, I’ll share a different tip and how it can help you succeed in graduate school. This month’s tip: Set Goals for Yourself.  

Setting clear and achievable goals is critical for graduate students as it helps guide your academic journey and personal development. Setting goals can help in many ways: 

• Goals provide clarity about what you want to achieve.
• Setting goals gives you a reason to stay motivated and committed to your studies.
• Goals allow you to track your progress.
• Goals help you manage your time effectively.
• Setting academic and personal goals promotes self-improvement.
• Goals can help you balance your academic and personal life.

Most importantly, remember to set goals that are realistic and achievable for you. Creating a long list of goals can lead to unrealistic expectations. Finally, know that regularly reviewing and adjusting your goals is okay. 

Again, I am eager to hear from you, so please reach out to me by attending our upcoming coffee hour, or you can drop me a note anytime at graddeansoffice@psu.edu.  

Best,

Levon T. Esters, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School