UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A series of Graduate School town halls concluded Nov. 10 with graduate students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences engaging in conversation with senior leaders of the University about an array of topics related to the graduate experience at Penn State.
The five town halls, conducted throughout October and November, provided students enrolled in Graduate School programs throughout the University with opportunities to engage in a dialogue with Nicholas Jones, executive vice president and provost; Regina Vasilatos-Younken, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School; and Neil Sharkey, vice president for research. Those in attendance at the town halls also included deans, associate deans and administrators with roles related to graduate education.
The question-and-answer format at the town halls produced insights into the educational, social, and life experiences of graduate students pursuing advanced degrees at University Park and campuses with graduate programs. In addition to an array of academic subjects, topics of discussion included health insurance, funding for graduate education, housing, graduate student recruitment, facilities, and the “Ride for Five” mass transit program. It was shared that information about resources available is also provided on the Graduate Assistant Fact Sheet, updated each year on the Graduate School’s website.
“We hope this is only the beginning of ongoing opportunities to have open dialogues with you,” Vasilatos-Younken said at the conclusion of the town hall with graduate students in Earth and Mineral Sciences. “This has been very valuable to us and we want it to be beneficial for you. This is a partnership. We want you to have the best experience possible while you pursue your advanced degree at Penn State. We hope to keep the dialogue open.”