Members of the GradPack Represent for NC State During Graduate Education Day at the NC General Assembly
Graduate Students discuss with lawmakers the impact of graduate education during annual legislative visit.
On May 23, 2023, graduate students, faculty, and administrators from across the state were on hand for Graduate Education Day at the N.C. General Assembly hosted by the NC Council of Graduate Schools.
The importance of graduate education cannot be overstated. It is a vital component of a thriving economy and is critical to the advancement of society as a whole. That is why, on Graduate Education Day, students and faculty from both public and private universities across North Carolina gather at the NC General Assembly to showcase the impact of their research and advocate for continued support of graduate programs.
Graduate Education Day is an opportunity for students to meet with legislators and discuss the value of graduate education. Students from NC State met with their representatives to explain how their research is changing the world and how graduate education is an investment in the future. They discussed how continued support for graduate programs leads to innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
Representing NC State were Ankita Gupta DVM/Ph.D. student in comparative biomedical sciences; Lily Kile Ph.D. student in crop and soil science; and Dr. Russell Nelson recent Ph.D. graduate in operations research. These students had the unique opportunity to visit the offices of Senator Lisa S. Barnes, Senator Sydney Batch, Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Representative Julie Von Haefen, Senator Jim Perry and Representative Ray Pickett. Joining the students were Julie Smith, Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, Partnership and Economic Development, and Peter Harries, Dean of the NC State Graduate School.
The annual event is also an opportunity for graduate students to connect with each other and build community. Students come together to share their work, network, and learn from their peers. Graduate school can be a challenging and isolating experience, but events like Graduate Education Day help students feel connected and supported.
In Graduate Education Day tradition, students, legislators, and their staff enjoyed an informal networking opportunity over some delicious NC State Howling Cow ice cream to cap off the day.
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