Established in 1993 by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, National Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week aims to recognize the contributions, impact, and value of graduate and professional students. This national event has grown each year to include hundreds of institutions.
At the University of MIssouri, the Graduate School collaborates with campus partners to organize a week-long celebration dedicated to our 6,000+ graduate and professional students, who greatly enrich the MU’s environment for research and learning.
Stay tuned for updates on the 2025 celebration, including events and activities!
Share your GRADitude
Celebrate graduate students all week long by submitting a message of appreciation, encouragement, or recognition using the form below. Your message will be sent as a virtual postcard to the student you choose, and a selection of submissions will be featured on the Graduate School’s social media throughout the week using the hashtag #MizzouGRADitude.
Submit a Graditude here.
Giveaways
Win a Copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do
Enter our raffle to win 1 of 10 copies of Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week keynote speaker, Amy Morin’s,
internationally best-selling book, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.
To enter the raffle, simply RSVP to this event in MU Engage—no event attendance required! This giveaway is open to all Mizzou graduate and professional students, including those enrolled in online programs.
And don’t forget to join us for Amy Morin’s keynote on Friday, April 11 at 3:00 PM in Bush Auditorium!
Enter here: https://cglink.me/2ny/r437230
Win MU Libraries Swag
Mizzou graduate students are awesome! Celebrate Grad Appreciation Week by showing the Mizzou Libraries some love for a chance to win library swag! Tell us how the libraries have helped you in your graduate program and be entered to win some limited edition swag.
Enter here: https://missouri.libwizard.com/f/gradweek
Monday, April 7
RSVP Center 101: Grad Student Edition (Virtual Event)
Zoom | 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Graduate and professional students face unique challenges in accessing support, navigating resources, and balancing responsibilities. This session provides an overview of the RSVP Center’s services, tailored to graduate students.
Participants will:
- Learn about RSVP’s case management and support services
- Explore workshops and prevention programs for advanced learners
- Understand mandatory reporting, confidentiality, and privacy in academic roles
- Discover how to access resources and connect with RSVP staff
Ideal for graduate students, professional students, and postdocs, this session equips you with the tools to navigate support systems and foster a safer campus.
Register via MU Engage to obtain Zoom link.
Teaching for Learning Center Drop-In
25 Ellis Library | 2–4 PM
Drop by our informal open house for a moment or a few to peruse our resources and learn more about how we collaborate with graduate instructors and teaching assistants to enhance teaching and learning on campus. Grab a little snack and a cup of coffee before you go 
GradsWork
Writing Center in the Student Success Center | 5–8 PM
GradsWork Sessions are quiet spaces to bring current works in progress and to work in community with other graduate writers. We will invite participants to share goals at the beginning of the session, then work quietly and independently for the duration of the session. We will invite participants to report progress and/or future goals at the end of the session. All writers and all projects are welcome.
Registration encouraged, but not required through MU Engage.
Tuesday, April 8
Quiet Writing Space Drop-In
Student Success Center | 9 AM–4 PM
Drop by to grab a coffee, tea, muffins, and fruit and spend an hour (or more, or less) writing in a quiet, plant-filled space reserved just for graduate students. If you have trouble focusing on your writing in your own office, building, house, normal writing spot, know that the Writing Center is your space for the day. We will also have graduate writing support tutors on site for drop-in appointments (they can talk to you about any writing you’re working on!).
Register via MU Engage or just drop in!
Human Skills Series: Time Management for Graduate Students (Virtual Event)
Zoom | 12–1 PM
Graduate school is a constant juggling act, but better time management can help you stay productive without burning out. Join us for Time Management & Productivity for Graduate Students to learn practical strategies for balancing research, coursework, and personal life. Through interactive activities, you’ll reflect on your current habits, set priorities, and leave with actionable steps to finish the semester strong.
Register via MU Engage.
Care (Team) & Connect: Resources for Every Need
Tiger Pantry | 4–5:30 PM
Care (team) & Connect provides vital resources for graduate and professional students. Students can connect with Care Team staff, access valuable campus and community information, and receive resource packets tailored to student needs. Students with children will receive special to-go bags filled with family-friendly resources. This event builds community and promotes well-being at Mizzou. We’re here to celebrate and support you on your journey!
Register via MU Engage.
Wednesday, April 9
Donuts with the Dean
Jesse Hall 2nd Floor Rotunda (210 Jesse Hall) | 9–10 AM
Skip your morning coffee run and join us for Donuts with the Dean! 
Stop by between 9–10 AM to connect with Dean Jeni Hart, mingle with fellow graduate students and postdocs, and enjoy free donuts and coffee. Bring a few friends and start your day with great conversation!
Registration encouraged, but not required through MU Engage.
empowered Overview Session – Graduate Students (Virtual Event)
Zoom | 11:30–12:30 PM
Graduate students at Mizzou, it’s time to take action! Join empowered and be part of a movement that fosters community connectedness, civic engagement, and positive change. Together, we can prevent, reduce, and respond to harm in meaningful ways. By getting involved, you’ll help tackle key issues affecting our campus community, including:
- Interpersonal violence
- Substance misuse
- Sense of belonging
- Mental well-being and suicidality
This project is designed to be accessible and adaptable to each individual institution, framing bystander behavior within the context of community connection and a sense of belonging. Through your involvement, you’ll learn key takeaways that empower you to act:
- Why you should care/intervene: Understand your civic responsibility and the bystander effect.
- How you can show care/intervene: Learn practical strategies for stepping up and taking action.
- How to apply a variety of approaches: Adapt your response to different situations and needs.
- How your different identities might influence your ability/willingness to show care/intervene: Recognize how personal experiences and perspectives shape your actions.
- What resources are available: Know where to find support when you need it.
Your involvement can make a real difference in creating a safer, healthier environment for all. Tigers Take Action Together—empower yourself, get engaged, and help create lasting change at Mizzou!
Register via MU Engage.
Financial Wellness, Your Guide to Stress-less Finances
Arts & Science Building 101 | 2–2:50 PM
Let’s be real—money can feel overwhelming sometimes. But what if it didn’t have to? Join us to discover how to manage your money in a way that works for you.
We’ll have hands-on activities, real-world tips, and an open, judgment-free space to chat about all things money. From budgeting basics and building financial security to planning for the future and enjoying your hard-earned cash, this workshop is all about helping you feel confident and in control of your financial journey.
You’ll also leave with practical resources and a personalized action plan to keep making smart money moves long after the session ends.
Register via MU Engage.
GradNet Connections
Wellness Resource Center | 3–4 PM
Welcome to GradNet Connections! GradNet is support for graduate students, by graduate students.
We all have unique stories and experiences that brought us to Mizzou. Grad school can already feel overwhelming and isolating, especially if your journey here is different from those around you.
Our goal is to create a space of support, sharing, and tangible tips that can help you feel a little more equipped to take on grad school. We focus on building relationships and community that last beyond our hour together. Come join us for snacks, conversation, and different perspectives!
Register via MU Engage.
Thursday, April 10
Ask a Former International Graduate Student: Navigating U.S. Higher Education
Grad Hub (111F Townsend Hall) | 10:30–11:20 AM
Join us for a conversation with distinguished faculty who were once international graduate students in the U.S. They will share their experiences, challenges, and successes in navigating academia.
After brief remarks, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights for their own academic journey.
Panelists:
- Jambul, originally from Russia, came to the U.S. on a Fulbright grant before pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Dr. Winter earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the Netherlands before completing a Ph.D. in quantitative psychology at UC Merced. She is now an assistant professor at MU’s College of Education and Human Development.
Register now at MU Engage.
Friday, April 11
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Info Session (Virtual Event)
Zoom | 1–2 PM
Attend this online information session to learn more about applying for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and how the Office of Global and National Fellowships can assist you. Check out our dedicated NSF GRFP webpage, GRF@MU, for more information: https://fellowships.missouri.edu/fellowship/national-science-foundation-graduate-research-fellowship-nsf-grf/
Register now at MU Engage.
Keynote: Mentally Stronger with Amy Morin
Bush Auditorium (Cornell Hall 201) | 3–5 PM
Join us for an inspiring keynote with international best-selling author Amy Morin. A licensed therapist and mental strength trainer, Amy is the author of the 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do series. Her TEDx talk, The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, is one of the most popular of all time, with over 22 million views.
The keynote is open to everyone.
Following the talk, graduate students are invited to a special reception in Cornell Hall 105, where they’ll have the opportunity to meet Amy and connect with fellow graduate students.
Registration encouraged, but not required through MU Engage.
Contact
Questions? Contact Dr. Heather Hoffman, Assistant Dean for Professional Development & Leadership, at hoffmanh@missouri.edu.