Published: March 17, 2023

Mark your calendar for Graduate Student Appreciation Week, upcoming spring graduation deadlines, workshops and funding opportunities


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Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Join faculty, staff and students in celebrating national Graduate Student Appreciation Week, which recognizes graduate students’ many contributions to the university’s community and academic excellence. Graduate Student Appreciation Week offers a variety of free events, workshops and services to ƷSMӰƬ graduate students.

Find an Event


Graduation Deadlines

April 1, 2023

(Early deadline for summer graduates) 

Graduate students who plan to have their degrees awarded in August but would like to participate in a May commencement ceremony and be listed in the commencement program must apply online to graduate through on the “apply for graduation” card. PhD students must also enter their dissertation title as part of the graduation application.Though you plan to participate in a May ceremony, please select August as the semester of graduation if that is when your degree will be awarded.

April 11, 2023 

Doctoral students must complete the PhD dissertation defense or final examination by this date.Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the doctoral final examination form two weeks before the exam.

April 18, 2023 

PhD students must submit the dissertation with Thesis Approval Form to ProQuest by this deadline. The dissertation must be for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The Thesis Approval Form must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the Thesis Approval Form, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement.

April 18, 2023 

PhD and DMA students must fill out the by this deadline. See additional information about the survey on the .

April 18, 2023

Master's students must complete the thesis defense or final examination by this date.Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the master's final examination form two weeks before the exam. Certain units do not require an exam for non-thesis students. Please contact your department with any questions.

April 24, 2023 

Doctoral grade changes must be submitted for incomplete courses taken during previous or current semesters.

April 25, 2023

Master's thesis plan students must submit the thesis and Thesis Approval Form to ProQuest by this deadline. The thesis must be for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The Thesis Approval Form must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the Thesis Approval Form, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement.

Preview other rapidly approaching graduation deadlines on the Graduate School website.


Professional Development 

GradCO: Planning for a Bright Financial Future 

April 5, 12–1:30 p.m., via Zoom 

Join Brad Sparks, owner of Sparks Financial Education, for this workshop that will focus on specific steps to take as you plan to leave graduate school. This workshop is hosted by Colorado State University. This workshop is being shared with other institutions across Colorado as part of the GradCO Professional Development Series.

GradCO: Becoming Culturally Responsive Researchers 

April 10, 12–2 p.m., via Zoom 

This workshop is hosted by the University of Northern Colorado and is being shared with other institutions across Colorado as part of the GradCO Professional Development Series.

Proposal Writing: Sustaining Your Argument 

April 12, 12–1 p.m., via Zoom 

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs invites postdocs and graduate students to a virtual information series on successful proposal development. Jim Mazzouccolo, proposal editor and writing coach for the Research and Innovation Office, will discuss key strategies and practices to enhance your proposal’s competitiveness.

Take advantage of opportunities to remind the reviewer of the value of your project. In this session we’ll discuss where these opportunities arise throughout the proposal writing process, and how to use them.

How to use Alignment Theory to improve mentor/mentee relationships 

April 13, 11 a.m.– 12 p.m., via Zoom 

Join Leslie Blood, director of program development and graduate community, for this workshop about improving mentor/mentee relationships. This workshop will cover the role that values, drive, motivation, accountability and self-awareness play in designing a communications plan to improve mentor/mentee dynamics and creating meaningful interactions.

GradCO: Culturally Responsive Research Methods 

April 17, 5–7 p.m., via Zoom 

This workshop is hosted by the University of Northern Colorado and is being shared with other institutions across Colorado as part of the GradCO Professional Development Series.

Graduate Student CIMER Training Module #2: Maintaining Effective Communication 

April 20, 10–11:30 a.m., in-person, CASE, Room E390 

Good communication is a key element of any relationship, and a mentoring relationship is no exception. This workshop will discuss the need for mentors to reflect and identify characteristics of effective communication and will also explore how to practice these communication skills with mentees.

GradCO: CVs & Resumes 

April 25, 12–1:30 p.m., via Zoom 

When do you need a CV? When do you need a resume? What's the difference anyway? Join us for a workshop on effective CVs and resumes and learn how to decide when to use which one. This workshop will feature an opportunity both to practice writing about your experiences, and to receive feedback on how effectively you marketed your skills and qualifications. This workshop is hosted by CU Anschutz and is being shared with other institutions across Colorado as part of the GradCO Professional Development Series.


Funding Opportunities and Deadlines 

Graduate School Travel Grants 

The Graduate School offers partial funding for ƷSMӰƬ graduate students who are presenting their own work at meetings or conferences outside the state of Colorado. Travel grants provide $450 for domestic travel (including Canada & Mexico) and $700 for international travel. The application for travel occurring May 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2023, will be open from April 11 12:01am until April 14 11:59pm MST.

For more information and how to apply, please visit the Graduate School website.