Our goal at GradSTEP is to serve as a major resource of orientation and professional development opportunities for graduate students. Our name reflects the program's year-long commitment to helping graduate students enhance themselves for personal goals as well as professional and academic success. This enhancement also benefits the entire academic community of Bowling Green State University through the training of our graduate assistants.

GradSTEP sessions are offered throughout the academic year. The GradSTEP August Program, also know as GradSTEP week, is our main orientation program and is held the week prior to the beginning of fall semester classes.  GradSTEP Week offers our participants sessions that focus on assistantship training and academic skill enhancement such as teaching tips and techniques, research resources, hands-on technology training, and personal/professional development. The program serves an average of 600 new and continuing graduate students and faculty. Faculty, staff, graduate students, and members of the administration volunteer their time to present these sessions. The GradSTEP Ongoing Program is designed to accommodate graduate students who are unable to attend or fully complete the August Program but it also offers a wealth of continuing professional development opportunities for those students that have already met their GradSTEP requirements but are changing their academic or assistantship roles or are preparing to graduate.

The next GradSTEP August Program will take place August 16 - 21, 2009. Visit the August Program page after June 20, 2009, to get information on various activities scheduled throughout the week as well as registration and check-in procedures.  GradSTEP is here to help you meet the challenges and responsibilities of your graduate education and will introduce you to the excellent faculty at BGSU, the vast array of technology and services available to you on campus, connect you with fellow graduate students, and introduce you to the Graduate College. In addition, each department organizes a number of activities to introduce students to members of the faculty, continuing graduate students, and support staff; familiarize students with departmental procedures and facilities; and provide students on assistantships with information regarding their assistantship duties. Contact your Departmental Leader if you have not received notification directing you to your Department's schedule and activities for GradSTEP week by July 1st.

The continued success of GradSTEP relies upon the involvement of the campus community. If you wish to become involved in GradSTEP or have any questions please contact any of the GradSTEP staff.