New Graduate Student Virtual Orientation 2026

Schedule

Monday, August 24
-All New Graduate Students Orientation (Virtual) 1:00pm – 4:00pm/ Followed by “Meet-and-Greet & Resource Fair” (In-person) 4:30pm-6:00pm in the Student Union Ballroom.

Friday, August 28
-CIE Orientation: International Grad Students 10:00am – 4:00pm (Organized by CIE: Center for International Education)

Monday, August 31st
-9:00am – 12:00pm — All New Teaching Assistants (Organized by the CASL: Center for Advancing Student Learning)

Your program may also have their own orientation in addition to the required orientations. Please see the chart at the bottom of this page for more information.

Information and Registration For:

Note: All new graduate students should attend the All New Graduate Student Orientation. If you are an international student or have an assistantship, you may be required to attend multiple orientations listed above.

All New Graduate Students

Welcome to graduate studies at UWM! To help you get off to a strong start, the Graduate School invites all new graduate students to attend the New Graduate Student Orientation, held virtually on Monday, August 24, 2025 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. This session is a great opportunity to learn about key resources, services, and support systems designed to help you succeed throughout your academic journey.

All incoming graduate students for the 2026–27 academic year are strongly encouraged to attend, in addition to any program-specific orientations. 

We look forward to welcoming you and supporting you every step of the way. Be sure to register by noon on August 24 to receive your link to the event. Registration required. Check out the full agenda below.

New Graduate Student Orientation Agenda

• 1:00pm – 1:15pm: Main Presentation – Welcome to Graduate School
  • Welcome – Chancellor
  • Welcome  – Interim Provost
  • Welcome  – Dean of the Graduate School, Bryan Porter
• 1:15pm-1:45pm: Keys to Success & Graduate Assistants AND What are Fellowships and Assistantships?
  • Victoria Moerchen, Associate Dean
• 1:45pm – 2:25pm: Campus Resources
  • Lori Bokowy, M.Ed., CHES, Emotional Health Promotion Coordinator
  • Chia Youyee Vang, Vice Chancellor for Division of Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity
  • Andrew Snitka, Dean of Students
  • Michael Doylen, Associate Vice Provost and Library Director
  • Amanda Kienow, UWM Center for Student Experience and Talent (SET) Outreach and Communications Coordinator
  • Benjamin Schneider, UWM Ombuds
• 2:30pm – 3:00pm: Alumni/Current Grad Student Panel 
• 3:00pm – 3:30pm: Technology Q&As
• 3:30pm – 4:00pm: Financial aid Q&As

All-Graduate Student Meet-and-Greet & Resource Fair

Join us for the All-Graduate Student Meet-and-Greet & Resource Fair on Monday, August 24th from 4:30–6:00 PM in the UWM Union Ballroom, immediately following the virtual New Graduate Student Orientation.

Please check out our Graduate Resource page for all resources on campus that are here to support you during your graduate education experience! Graduate School and Campus Resources

Other graduate student orientations

Aside from the Graduate School’s New Graduate Student Orientation, the following orientations are specifically for students that are admitted to the listed program or department. This list is updated often so please check back for new orientations. Please contact the program or department for more details.