Welcome Month: Start Your Semester with Success
All new and continuing Penn State graduate students are invited to a month of events designed to help graduate students succeed! Whether this is your first or your fifth year, you can find an event that will give you advice and tips to help you excel as a graduate student.
We are updating this list as we hear about more events from our campus partners, so check back often!
Follow and share #GradWelcomeMonth on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest Welcome Month content and share your content throughout the month!
Graduate School Welcome Month Events
Welcome Wednesdays with our Career and Professional Development Specialist
Every Wednesday from August 30 to September 27 | 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
111 HUB-Robeson Center
Making the Most of your Graduate Career
September 12 at Noon | September 21 at 5:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Join the Graduate School’s associate director of graduate student career and professional development, Lesley Jackson, for a conversation about how to maximize your graduate school experience. What can you do outside the classroom and your graduate assistantship to explore career options or enhance your resume? How can you test skills or develop new ones that future employers might be interested in? How can you network on a busy graduate student schedule? Register to learn more about these topics.
September 12 sessionMore Welcome Month Events
Teaching Workshops and Trainings
Various dates throughout the semester
The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence is hosting a series of workshops and seminars to help students hone their teaching skills. Topics include TA 101: Survive and Thrive (August 24), How to Plan a Class Session (August 30), Dealing with Classroom Disruptions (September 6), and Supporting Students' Sense of Belonging (September 14). Visit the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence website to register.
Free Musical Performances
September 12, 5:00 p.m. | September 18, 7:00 p.m.
Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts is hosting two free musical performances in September! On September 12, the Move Mix Festival will celebrate both Indian and Latin dance and performance. On September 18, jazz pianist Emmet Cohen will play a two-hour jam session with central Pennsylvanian musicians. Learn more on the Center for the Performing Arts website.
Free Musical Performances
September 12, 5:00 p.m. | September 18, 7:00 p.m.
Penn State's Center for the Performing Arts is hosting two free musical performances in September! On September 12, the Move Mix Festival will celebrate both Indian and Latin dance and performance. On September 18, jazz pianist Emmet Cohen will play a two-hour jam session with central Pennsylvanian musicians. Learn more on the Center for the Performing Arts website.
Harvest Fest at the Student Farm
Thursday, September 14
4:00-7:00 p.m.
The Student Farm at Penn State
Join the Student Farm for their 8th annual Harvest Fest celebration! Campus and community members are invited to spend an evening on the farm sampling farm-fresh foods, making crafts, enjoying live music and engaging with our student farmers. Free event buses will run continuously between the Berkey Creamery bus pull-off on Curtin Rd. and the Ross Student Farm from 3:45-7:15 p.m. and the event is free and open to the public. Please visit this webpage for more info!
STEM-H Graduate Student and Postdoc Mixer
Thursday, September 21
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Physical & Mathematical Sciences Library (201 Davey Lab)
Graduate students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health are invited to join the University Libraries for a mixer event designed to build connections and create a welcoming environment for graduate students.
Past Events
Welcome Reception for International Graduate Students
August 16 | 4:45-6:45 p.m.
Kern Building lobby
GPSA Cookout
Sunday, August 20
Noon-4:00 p.m.
Sunset Park (view map)
Get to know the new board of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)—the voice of grad students at University Park! Join the cookout to meet fellow graduate students, learn how GPSA is advocating for you, and find out to get involved in GPSA activities and initiatives. Register or visit the GPSA Instagram for more details.
New Student Orientation
August 23 | 9:00 a.m.-Noon
HUB-Robeson Center, Flex Theater
New graduate students can become acclimated to graduate school and Penn State graduate life by attending our morning orientation sessions. Session topics include health insurance, educational equity and resources, and a student panel on success strategies. Pre-register to save your seat!
Register
Welcome Engagement Fair
August 23 | Noon-4:00 p.m.
HUB-Robeson Center, Alumni Hall and Heritage Hall
Meet graduate student organization leaders, hear from the new Dean of the Graduate School, and get to know resource offices around campus that are here to support graduate students. Featuring snacks, refreshments, a photo booth, prizes, swag, and more! No need to register; just stop by Alumni Hall and Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center to join the fun!
Welcome Back Bowling
August 25 | 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Northland Bowl and Sports Center
Welcome Back Bowling Night is a great opportunity to connect and reconnect with fellow graduate students and faculty members at Penn State. This event serves as a chance for students to build community and be social before the semester is in full swing.
Register
Career Services Open House
Tuesday, August 29
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Bank of America Career Services Building
Penn State Career Services’ Open House event introduces Penn State students to the opportunities and services available to them for all their career development needs. Students will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet the staff (other collaborating departments), become aware of internship/networking resources on campus, and much more, all while participating in a fun and inviting atmosphere of games, prizes, Creamery ice cream, and other delicious snacks.
Transportation Fair
Wednesday, August 30
Noon-3:00 p.m.
HUB-Robeson Center Lawn
Learn more about transportation programs and services available to students, including campus and community transit, bike resources and bike sharing, parking, and late-night services. Full event details available at the Transportation Services website.
Coffee Chat with the Dean
August 30 | 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Kern Building
LION Bash
Thursday, August 31
5:00-8:00 p.m.
Downtown State College at the Allen Street Gates
LION (Living In One Neighborhood) Bash is the annual block party that strives to create a community for both long-term and short-term residents in the Borough of State College. This event provides an educational opportunity for new and returning Penn State students along with current Borough residents. There will be food, music, and fun for residents of all ages!
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
September 6 | 6:00-7:30 p.m.
67 Willard Building
Graduate students often experience imposter syndrome due to the high expectations and competitive nature of their academic pursuits. Overcoming imposter syndrome can be a challenging process, but during this program, we will provide an overview of strategies that can help graduate students address and manage it. Presented by Jacqueline Jones, associate director of graduate student life and well-being.
University Libraries Open House
September 6 and 7
Various library locations
The University Libraries Open House event is an interactive and fun event that introduces students to library resources and services. Each year, thousands of students participate. Learn more