Mizzou Graduate School’s Office of Graduate Recruitment and Engagement offers three complementary programs designed to support graduate students at different stages of their academic and professional development. Together, these programs help students build community, navigate graduate education, and prepare for future careers in higher education through structured learning, peer engagement, and professional development.
First-Year Scholars supports students as they transition into graduate school by helping them understand the hidden curriculum, connect with resources, and build a strong foundation for success during their first year.
GradCircles provides a flexible, peer-driven community where graduate students build connections, share experiences, and learn from one another through discussion and mutual support.
Graduate Scholars of Excellence prepares doctoral students for future academic careers by developing evidence-based mentoring knowledge and skills through a year-long mentoring experience with undergraduate students.
First-Year Scholars
First-Year Scholars aims to create a structured environment where incoming graduate students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences can build community as they navigate their first year in graduate school at Mizzou. The program fosters connections between students in different disciplines by addressing the hidden curriculum in graduate education, access and awareness to resources at Mizzou and the Columbia community, mentor-mentee relationships, wellness, and more. This program is for on-campus students only.
A strength of the program is the interdisciplinarity of participants so that graduate students can exchange ideas and be aware of practices in their programs, which allows for exploration of their needs and resources available or alternatives to the offerings in their programs. First-Year Scholars is ideal for those seeking a more structured approach to navigating graduate school, emphasizing understanding the nuances of academic life at Mizzou.
Structure: Two semesters with bi-weekly one-hour meetings from September to May, two 15–30-minute meetings with the program director, two required socials, and several optional ones. Participants must commit to the whole program.
Scholar: First-year graduate students (entering graduate school in summer or fall) who are interested and are selected to participate in the program.
Participant selection: any graduate student entering their first graduate program at Mizzou (summer or fall) in their first year are eligible to submit an interest form. Fifteen students from different disciplines will be selected to create a cohort that brings diverse perspectives and lived experiences (different personal characteristics, abilities, experiences, and perspectives).
June 1-August 18 at 5 p.m.: Interest Form submission.
Aug. 14: Decisions sent out
Sept. 4: First social—required (save the date)
Fall Sessions: Every two weeks on Fridays at 3:30 or 4 p.m. (based on majority availability)
- Sept. 11 – Introduction to the Program and Aligning Expectations with Your Mentor/Advisor
- Sept. 25 – Hidden Curriculum: Navigating Higher Ed
- Oct. 9 – Tools to Succeed in Your First Year, From Studying to Organizing (scholars panelists)
- Oct. 23 – Cultivating Your Identity at Mizzou: Embracing Your Authentic Self (scholars co-leaders)
- Nov. 6 – Wellness in Graduate School
- Nov. 20 – Mizzou Academic and Community Resources (staff presentations, scholars panelists)
Fall socials (optional): Sept., Oct., Nov.
Spring sessions: Every two weeks on Fridays at 3:30 or 4 p.m. (based on majority availability)
- Feb. 5 – Candid Conversation with Faculty
- Feb. 19 – Graduate School myVita and milestones
- March 5 – Tax Preparation
- March 19 – Thriving past the first year (scholars panelists)
- April 9 – CliftonStrengths Assessment
- April 23 – Navigating Networking at Mizzou & Conferences (scholars co-leaders)
Spring socials (optional): Feb., March, April
May 7: Final social
Completing the program requires attending five meetings in the fall and spring unless excused from a meeting by the program director (one excused absence per semester). Excused absences are on a case-by-case basis and usually take into consideration other academic or personal commitments or sickness. Successful program completion will mean you will be eligible to be a co-leader or panelist in the following academic year and receive a leadership award of up to $200 per semester.
Scholar co-leader: Scholars who participated in previous cohorts will have a chance to lead some sessions for the incoming cohort. At the end of the academic year, they will be awarded $100 per session they co-led as a Graduate Leadership & Engagement Recognition Award.
Scholar panelist: Scholars who participated in previous cohorts will have a chance to be panelists in events hosted by the Assistant Dean for Graduate Recruitment and Engagement. At the end of the academic year, they will be awarded $50 per panel participation as a Graduate Leadership & Engagement Recognition Award.
Additional benefits during the First-Year Scholars program are:
- A professional padfolio for meetings
- A Grad School T-Shirt
- Business cards (50 count)
GradCircles
GradCircles aims to create a network and social connections through peer-driven support. GradCircles offers a more flexible, student-driven experience focused on peer mentoring and organic community building. This program creates a “third space” outside of home and academic settings where graduate students can share experiences, strategies, and resources. It is perfect for students who thrive in a more autonomous environment and wish to co-construct knowledge with peers at various stages of their graduate journey.
There will be up to 3 in-person circles for the Academic Year 2026-2027.
This program is not a substitute for or considered to be counseling. Students who feel they need professional mental health support should contact MU’s Counseling Center.
Structure: two semesters with monthly meetings (three per semester) from September to May, and two required socials. Participants must commit to the whole program, that is, four hours of engagement a semester (eight hours in the academic year). Graduate students can be participants or leaders in the program.
Participant: Graduate students in master’s, specialist, or doctoral programs at Mizzou.
GradCircle co-leader: Graduate students who have completed at least two years at Mizzou (i.e., have started their graduate program on or before Fall 2024), and who will be enrolled in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Leaders should be on-campus graduate students who will be available for 3-hour, in-person training and available to lead programming once a month during the semester. Up to six co-leaders will be selected, depending on available circles.
April 6-24: Applications to be co-leaders.
April 30: Decisions sent out
May 11 or 12: 3-hour training session
Aug. 4-18: Participant’s interest form
Aug. 19-21: Leaders review applications
Aug. 21: Decisions sent out
Sept. 10: First social—required (save the date; location: Heidelberg)
Fall Sessions: Once per month, TBD by leaders
Spring sessions: Once per month, TBD by leaders
Jan. 11: Spring schedule released
May 6: Final social—required (save the date)
Completing the program requires attending seven meetings unless excused from a meeting by the appropriate GradCircle co-leaders (one excuse allowed). Excused absences are on a case-by-case basis and usually take into consideration other academic or personal commitments or sickness. Successful program completion will give participants a Badge of completion, and co-leaders a $400 Graduate Leadership & Engagement Recognition Award at the end of the program.
Graduate Scholars of Excellence
Graduate Scholars of Excellence (GSE) is a selective, year-long professional development program that prepares doctoral students to become effective mentors in higher education by developing and applying evidence-based mentoring practices that support undergraduate and graduate student learning, development, and success.
Participants engage in a year-long, evidence-based mentoring experience, supported by workshops, reflection, and guided practice. Throughout the academic year, participants complete the nationally recognized Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) Entering Mentoring curriculum while actively mentoring an undergraduate student. As they apply evidence-based mentoring practices in authentic mentoring relationships, participants develop a Mentoring Philosophy and Plan that can continue to support their future careers as faculty, research mentors, and academic leaders.
This program is intended for doctoral students who have completed at least one year of study and are interested in developing the mentoring knowledge and skills expected of faculty and research mentors in higher education.
Structure: Two semesters with monthly one-hour meetings from September through May, four structured mentoring conversations with an undergraduate student throughout the academic year, and one required end-of-program social. Participants must commit to the entire program.
Participants will:
- Complete the CIMER Entering Mentoring curriculum.
- Develop and apply evidence-based mentoring practices through a year-long mentoring relationship with an undergraduate student.
- Create a Mentoring Philosophy and Plan.
- Receive individualized opportunities for reflection and professional growth throughout the program.
Participant: On-campus doctoral students who have completed at least one year in their doctoral program at Mizzou, who will be enrolled throughout the academic year, and whose career goals are to enter academia.
Participant Selection: Approximately 10–12 participants from a variety of disciplines will be selected to create an interdisciplinary cohort representing diverse academic perspectives and experiences.
Aug. 3-Aug. 31 at 5 p.m.: Application Form Submission
Sept. 4: Decisions sent
Fall Sessions: Monthly on Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
- Sept. 15 – Introduction & Group Dynamics
- Oct. 20 – Aligning Expectations
- Nov. 17 – Maintaining Effective Communication
- Dec. 8 – Promoting Professional Development
Spring Sessions: Monthly on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. (schedule may be adjusted based on cohort availability)
- Feb. 16 – Assessing Understanding
- Mar. 16 – Fostering Independence
- Apr. 20 – Reflecting on Diversity & Establishing a Practice of Inclusion
- May 4 – Articulating Your Mentoring Philosophy and Plan
- May 7 – Final Social (required)
Completing Graduate Scholars of Excellence requires attending all program meetings, with one excused absence permitted on a case-by-case basis for academic, professional, or personal circumstances. Participants are also expected to actively engage in a year-long mentoring relationship with an undergraduate student and complete the required mentoring activities and program deliverables.
Successful completion of the program includes:
- Completion of the CIMER Entering Mentoring curriculum.
- Development of a Mentoring Compact.
- Completion of four structured mentoring activities with an undergraduate mentee.
- Development of a Mentoring Philosophy and Plan.
Participants who successfully complete all program requirements will receive the Graduate Professional Development & Engagement Recognition Award of up to $600.