Skip Navigation

Events and Activities

Graduate Student Life

Graduate Student Life offers an array of events during the fall, spring, and summer semesters to help graduate students and postdocs build the knowledge, networks, and skills to succeed in their degree programs and future careers.


Professional Development

Accelerate to Industry (A2i)

A2i is a program where graduate students and postdocs can explore the ample employment opportunities with industry companies in the state of Oklahoma, and across the US. They can develop the business, leadership, and communication skills that companies seek. Our Accelerate to Industry program is funded through a National Science Foundation Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) grant.

Non-Academic Job Search Workshops

This series of events provides guidance for graduate students and postdocs in the non-academic job search. The workshops are held in collaboration with OU Career Services. Graduate students and postdocs receive guidance on industry-related job searches in these two workshops. Offered in spring semesters.

Job Search: Maximizing LinkedIn

This workshop provides insights to graduate students and postdocs on strategies for maximizing LinkedIn for job searching, with attention to the changing nature of the job search process occasioned by COVID-19. Offered in fall semesters.

Instructional Competencies Certificate Program

This free, self-paced certificate program offers four micro-credentials that develop instructional competencies for future careers, both in the academy and in industry. The micro-credentials involve expert input from a variety of workshops along with peer coaching, resume support, and opportunities for facilitating learning + receiving feedback on instruction provided. 

Academic Research and Professoriate

 

Individual Writing Coaching: Lunchtime Chats in Collaboration with OU Writing Center

These chats bring together graduate students and OU Writing Center consultants, providing graduate students feedback on their academic writing in a relaxed environment. Offered in fall and spring semesters.

Exploring the Academic Writing Process Workshops (Collaboration with the Writing Center)

  • Exploring the Academic Writing Process 1.0
  • Exploring the Academic Writing Process 2.0

This series is designed to help graduate students deepen their understanding of processes and strategies necessary for successful research-based, academic writing. Through these workshops, graduate students will become more confident and purposeful writers. Offered in fall semesters.

Academic Job Search Series

  • Understanding the Job Search Dossier 1: CV and Cover Letter
  • Understanding the Job Search Dossier 2: Research Statement
  • Phone, Skype, and On-Campus Interviews
  • Marginalized Identities and the Job Search

The academic job search series is designed to help graduate students and postdocs understand the academic job search process better. It also shows graduate students and post-docs the best practices, skills and expertise required to get an academic job. Offered in fall semesters.

Community Engagement

 

Paint and Sips

These events are held on a regular basis (virtual or in person).  They provide a social opportunity to engage with other graduate students, engage in creative activity, and relax.

 

Trivia Nights

Trivia nights are offered on a regular basis (virtual or in person).  During welcome week, trivia is geared towards OU history and campus life. This allows new students to learn more about OU’s culture and what to look forward to as they navigate through their years at OU.  Other instances of this event involve themes such as Halloween including spooky facts/myths that loom around OU’s campus to keep things fun and interesting.

 

Student Entrepreneur Workshop

In a time where becoming an entrepreneur is increasingly popular, GSL hosts this workshop with serial entrepreneurs who touch on key points surrounding the growing entrepreneur community. This workshop covers personal branding and tips on how to balance being a student and entrepreneur. Offered in fall and spring semesters.

 

Mental Health in Graduate School

GSL and OU Counseling Services partner up to discuss mental health in graduate school for graduate students and postdocs. This discussion is led by a facilitator, who keeps participants engaged with questions to answer in the chat and a presentation surrounding statistics and tips to managing a healthy mentality in school. Offered in fall and spring semesters.

Activities on Campus

Campus Activities Council

Campus Activities Council (CAC) plays a major role in on-campus events. There are many fun, free events for students. Check out what CAC is all about! 

Intramural Sports

Are you competitive, or do you like to play just for the fun of it with friends? intramural sports is the place for you! With more than 16 sports, you can sign up for all of them or just your favorite. Register online today!

OU Athletics

OU students are admitted for free to all sports except football and men's basketball. Check out all the sports schedules and go cheer on the Sooners! Purchase football and men's basketball tickets on SoonerSports.

Graduate Student Senate

Graduate Student Sentae represents every graduate student enrolled at OU and offers grants and awards. GSS is comprised of equal representation from each Graduate College department. Meetings are Sunday at 7 p.m. Visit the SGA website for more information.