Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week

Join Graduate Student Life and Outdoor Adventures for a hiking trip on Sunday, March 22 from 9am-4pm! We will be hiking the Raven Rocks trail, part of the Appalachian Trail! We will meet on the Fairfax campus at 9 am and ride together in the shuttle from there. It is a 5 mile loop that is moderate in difficulty; no experience is necessary. About 2 miles in, we will see the Ravens Rock overlook, which offers one of the best views of the VA and West VA border. Please be sure to pack a lunch; around this landmark, we will stop and eat lunch, and should return to campus around 4 pm, though this depends on the weather, traffic, group needs, etc.

For this event, we are holding a participation lottery, in an effort to make this opportunity equitable for all who are interested. Any Mason graduate student interested in and available to attend should complete the registration form. The first 50 people to complete the form will be entered into a lottery for the nine spaces on this trip; those students will be offered spaces and must submit required paperwork within three days of notification. Students will also be selected for additional waitlist spots in case spaces on the trip become available. Due to limited capacity and expected demand, we ask that you register for the event only if you are sure that you will be able to attend and participate.

Cancellation and Waitlist Policy: To accommodate as many interested Mason graduate students as possible, a waitlist will begin once a trip fills. If a registered student cancels their registration by 5:00pm on the Wednesday before the event, their space will be offered to the next student(s) on the waitlist. Any students canceling their registration with less than 72 hours notice will not be eligible to participate in future Graduate Outdoor Adventure trips during the 2026-27 year. There are limited spaces on this trip.

The form will open on ... and close on October ..., or when all 50 spots have been filled; whichever comes first!

If you have any questions, please contact Morolake Okanlawon at mokanlaw@gmu.edu.

Join us for our Graduate and Professional Students and Adult Learner Happy Hour of the Spring 2026 semester! Student meetups/happy hour are a great way to meet other graduate students and adult learners at George Mason.

Come join Graduate Student Life and the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE) on Wednesday, March 25 for Grad Karaoke: Kick Back & Relax, a fun and laid back social gathering designed to help graduate students connect across departments and unwind together. This event offers a welcoming space to sing, cheer, and enjoy interactive activities such as Finish the Lyric, a craft corner, and photo booth fun. Whether you choose to grab the mic or simply enjoy the music, food, and mocktails, this event is all about building community, sharing laughs, and taking a well deserved break from the demands of graduate life. Food, drinks, and good vibes will be provided. You just bring yourself. For more information, please contact Graduate Student Life at gradlife@gmu.edu.

Join Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Graduate Student Life for a relaxed creative space where students can take a break, make art, and enjoy snacks and beverages together. This event is meant to be low-pressure and welcoming- no artistic experience needed. CAPS therapists will be present to help facilitate the space and support conversation and connection. All art supplies and refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

This conference, co-hosted by the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA), and Graduate Student Life, highlights the research of Mason’s graduate students across disciplines. This one-day in-person event showcases Mason’s graduate students’ outstanding scholarly research and creative works through posters, oral presentations, creative performances, and visual arts that closely mirror professional academic conference practice.

The conference is open to the Mason community, including students, faculty, and staff. Graduate and professional students from all disciplines at George Mason University are welcome to participate as presenters, attendees, or volunteers. The faculty can support the conference as discussants and attendees.