G.O.L.D. Engagement

Graduate College

Graduate Opportunities for Learning and Development (G.O.L.D.) - Engagement

Engagement: Where can I learn about opportunities to enrich my graduate experience outside the classroom/lab/clinic?

Graduate College Events – Graduate College hosts workshops and events listed on the events section, in Experience 51��, and on social media. Follow the Graduate College on and or .
– Visit for engagement opportunities, full list of registered student organizations including a calendar of including workshops and campus events.
Graduate Student Association (GSA) - Its mission is to improve and advance graduate education through partnership, advocacy, leadership, networking, and facilitating the academic success of all Western graduate students.
Student Life at 51�� - Links to many non-academic student resources and services on campus.
- 51��’s annual welcome back festival!
Registered Student Organizations - Focus on a variety of interest areas from academics to service to sports.
University Recreation offers programming, a full-service recreation center, swimming pool, 51�� Intramurals, and Club Sports.
E-Sports is among the newest ventures at 51��.
51�� Signature Program -Students reflect on out-of-class learning experiences, to explore and identify a passion, that will be reflected on their 51�� diploma.

Offices focused on engagement at 51��

51�� departments provide a number of ways to get involved beyond the classroom.

Student Engagement – Offers programs in leadership, Greek Life, outdoor learning, volunteer activities, and student organization training.
Office of Diversity and Inclusion – Serves as a resource and offers programs to the various topics including, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and religious tolerance.
LBGT Student Services - Offers support, education and advocacy around issues of gender identity/expression and sexual orientation.
Division of Multicultural Affairs serves as an information resource on the role and value of diversity in education for 51��, and for the greater Kalamazoo communities.
Global Engagement - Resources to help students engage their global community.
International Student Activities – Facilitates international activities, such as an International Festival, events, and conversation circles.

Engaging with Research and Teaching

In addition to opportunities with your program, department, and college the Graduate College partners for some of these research and teaching opportunities. Additional information about research and writing can be found above in the academic section.

Workshops and Training on Teaching – The Office of Faculty Development offers workshops year-round to open to all graduate students.
Graduate Student Teaching Resources- Provides resources for new and seasoned graduate students who are teaching.
Office of Research and Innovation - Resources, workshops, and direction about research and grant funding, supplemental to those offered with your advisor.
Three-Minute Thesis Competition - The Graduate Student Association and the Graduate College organize fall and spring 3MT competitions. Graduate students have 3 minutes and one slide to describe their research. Cash prizes are awarded.
Evaluation café - Offered by the Evaluation Center is a free workshop and discussion series topics related to evaluation offered throughout the academic year
- Students can submit to the peer-reviewed journal or serve on the editorial board, hosted by the Graduate Student Association.

Additional engagement opportunities

– Several discounted tickets or some events with free admittance.
51�� Family Engagement - Partners with family and student mentors to promote student learning.
Office of Sustainability – Offering programming and the student sustainability grant for student-initiated projects.
- is the student newspaper.
- is a student-operated noncommercial radio station.
– offers 51�� student discounts to premiere theatre, dance and music events year-round.
Arts & Theatre abound at 51�� in the Gwen Frostic School of Art, the Richmond Center for Visual Arts, the 51�� Theatre, and Dance
The offers numerous opportunities for intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social engagement.

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