Dear Graduate Students, 

While clouds may hang over higher education, the close of the academic year always offers bright moments to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduate students. Later this week, we will host our annual "You've Earned Your Stripes" event to recognize our doctoral students who have completed their general exam this academic year, thus signifying their transition to candidacy. Just days later, in regalia and with advisers, friends, and family cheering at our Hooding and Commencement ceremonies, we will honor our 663 graduate students who completed their advanced degrees this academic year. The entire Graduate School team joins me in congratulating all of you on your outstanding success in reaching these milestones. To the Graduate School Class of 2025: We are immensely proud of you and honored to have been a part of your time at Princeton. 

Mentoring by faculty, by alums, and of each other is the heart of graduate education. 

Wherever you are in your graduate school journey, you have likely come to understand that it is the close-knit relationships that will nurture and challenge you during your education and, often, well beyond into your career. Helping to create and nurture these relationships is an ongoing priority of the Graduate School. 

This year, we have focused on enhancing faculty mentorship of graduate students, one of the most critical relationships for successful graduate education. We've organized departmental workshops about best practices in mentoring, in which faculty and students discussed ways to enhance the educational experience of graduate students by using field-tested tools and strategies for aligning expectations, giving and receiving feedback, and communicating across differences. We also designed and led a Wintersession workshop titled "Elevating Mentorship", the goal of which was to provide an opportunity for anyone at Princeton to learn about mentorship, no matter their role. The audience participation of faculty, graduate students, undergraduates, and staff was both compelling and heartwarming. It reminded us why every year we recognize four faculty members at Hooding with the Graduate Mentoring Award for their outstanding support of graduate students. 

The Graduate School also provides several opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring, including via its Graduate Scholars Program (GSP). The program is a cohort-based program designed to support academic, social, and community development during graduate school by hosting events throughout the academic year. In addition, scholars benefit from robust peer mentoring through their GSP student-centered mentoring pods. Advanced graduate students interested in becoming GSP mentors can learn more here. 

Forging meaningful connections between graduate students and alums is an important goal of the Graduate School's professional development work. Several programs were offered this year that expanded graduate students' mentorship support and their professional networks. The Alumni Mentorship Program matches graduate students with graduate alum mentors. Graduate students in the mentor program consistently tell us how much they appreciate the personalized support and practical advice they receive from their alum mentors as they navigate the challenges of graduate school and plan for their futures. I encourage you to sign up for this opportunity to connect with an alum mentor. 

Don’t miss these upcoming opportunities. 

GradFUTURES, the Graduate School’s professional development program, will be hosting two mentoring-related events soon. Join us at the Reunions Career Connections Meetup on Friday, May 23, from 3-4 PM in Whig Hall for an opportunity to connect with graduate alum scholars, professionals, and leaders working in various career fields—academia, research, finance, consulting, tech, entrepreneurship, and more. Then, in a few weeks, GradFUTURES will launch an Effective Mentorship Skills Series open to all graduate students. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate and a digital credential (for your LinkedIn profile); stay tuned for more details. 

All deans within the Graduate School, including those within academic affairs; access, diversity and inclusion; finance and administration; professional development; and student affairs, offer support and guidance to graduate students in navigating mentoring relationships with their adviser and others—all graduate students should feel comfortable seeking support from members of the Graduate School. Related to this, through the work of our recently launched Academic Affairs Fellow program, the Graduate School has undergone a thorough review of its academic grievance process, including navigating grievances that revolve around mentoring relationships. During the next academic year, we anticipate providing more clarity to the process, thus making it easier to navigate. Watch for more information. 

Stay focused. 

Higher education remains in a moment of uncertainty. For generations, American colleges and universities have maintained a strong alliance with federal government agencies, working together to provide advanced research training to graduate students. While this partnership may be changing, and the University faces a moment of financial pressure, we remain committed to supporting all graduate students in helping you achieve your educational goals. Furthermore, we take pride in being a global community of scholars. The ability to recruit and welcome students from all walks of life—and to support all students in thriving and achieving academic success—is a strength of our school. 

Amidst the challenges of this moment, I encourage you to focus on your long-term goals and continue to think expansively about your ambitions. For 125 years, in both good times and those of considerable challenge, Princeton's graduate students have had a lasting impact on society by advancing knowledge through the force of their scholarship, service, and the relationships they form at Princeton and beyond. Your work is important, and universities provide a setting unlike any other for scholars to pursue a breathtakingly diverse array of important research topics. Your work helps to define the future and what is possible. While uncertainty is undoubtedly unsettling and will present us with short-term and long-term challenges and change, I encourage you to “lean in” on your mentors as sources of wisdom, experience, inspiration, and insights, and to know that Princeton will always support you and your endeavors. 

While many of you will be exploring research opportunities away from Princeton this summer, I'm eager for updates about your research and education pursuits and journeys when you return. If you're staying local, I'd love to catch up with you during this quieter time on campus as you pursue your scholarship and enjoy the Jersey summer. You can reach out to schedule a conversation with me through [email protected]. 

I wish you all a summer of progress and productivity, but most importantly, one of meaning. 

Warmly,

Rodney Priestley