Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
Each year, the Graduate School, in collaboration with the Graduate Student Association, supports and recognizes graduate and professional students' many contributions to research, teaching, our state and beyond.

March 31 – April 4
This year, Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week will be celebrated Monday, March 31 – Friday, April 4. Please see the calendar below for events and activities happening throughout the week.
During this week the Graduate School in partnership with the Graduate Student Association (GSA), and other campus partners will recognize, appreciate and celebrate all that is extraordinary about our GradPack! See a list of events and activities below.
About Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week was started in 1993 by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students as a way to support and appreciate graduate and professional students. The week seeks to emphasize the contributions, impact, and value of graduate and professional students on campuses throughout the United States.
Do you have a college or unit-specific event you’d like to include in the list below? Email Greg Hedgepeth.
Monday, 03/31
Donuts on the Dean | Grad T-shirt Giveaway – 10 a.m. | Centennial Campus (across the street from The Graduate School)
We appreciate our graduate and professional student community. Stop by the Graduate School table, grab a donut on the Dean, some Grad School swag and learn about the many resources available to graduate and professional students.
Tuesday, 04/01
Donuts on the Dean | Grad T-shirt Giveaway – 10 a.m. | Stafford Commons
We appreciate our graduate and professional student community. Stop by the Graduate School table, grab a donut on the Dean, some Grad School swag and learn about the many resources available to graduate and professional students.
Wednesday, 04/02
*Graduate Student Research Symposium – 1:30 p.m. | McKimmon Center
The 18th Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, held each spring, includes poster presentations from more than 200 graduate students from NC State University. The goals are to showcase the outstanding quality and diversity of graduate-level research at NC State, in addition to providing students with the opportunity to practice and enhance their communication skills with those outside of their discipline.
The event is sponsored by the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Association and is open to the public.
Wellness Wednesday: The Power of Positive Thinking – noon-1:00 p.m. | Virtual
Our well-being impacts our lives in a myriad of ways, so understanding how to best manage ourselves is an important part of our development. Join Michael Tuma, the embedded counselor for the Graduate School, and the Wilson College of Textiles for a one hour “Wellness Wednesday” session. Sign up!
Thursday, 04/03
Thankful Thursday (Social media posting challenge) – All day
Tell us what you’re most thankful for via Twitter, IG or Facebook and use the hashtag #GradPack for a chance to win a prize. Will also encourage you to tag us @ncsugradschool (Twitter) | @ncstategradschool (IG/FB).
Friday, 04/04
Relax, Relate, Release and EAT – noon-2 p.m.
Wrap up Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week with good food, great company, and a well-deserved break! Join us at The Corner on Centennial Campus for Relax, Relate, Release, and EAT—a fun-filled event where you can enjoy free food, games, and music with fellow graduate students. Take a moment to unwind, connect with friends, and celebrate all the hard work you do.