Grad Student Appreciation Week 2026
Grad Student Appreciation week is a celebration of UNC Charlotte’s community of brilliant graduate scholars! Take a well-deserved break from all your hard work with a series of special events throughout GSAW, including crafts, happy hours, and our yearly Wellness Open House, featuring partners from across campus AND some very cute dogs!
Here’s the complete list of GSAW events:
Monday 4/6
Online Relaxing and Crafts with Area 49
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online
Take a break from the grind to make something! This online workshop will be lead by Area 49’s Emerging Technologies Librarian Christin Lampkowski, and gives you the opportunity to unwind with your fellow students and make fun crafts in a low-pressure environment. This workshop is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working and/or parent students – so feel free to bring children or partners too!
Tuesday 4/7
Communicate, Collaborate, Succeed: Managing the Graduate/Advisor Relationship
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Location: Atkins 146
Join the UNC Charlotte Graduate Life Fellows for a workshop focused on building effective and supportive relationships between graduate students and their advisors. This event will feature a fireside chat with a graduate student and their mentor as they share their experiences developing a successful advising relationship, including the communication strategies, expectations, and support systems that helped them collaborate effectively in research and professional growth.
From Fidgety to Focused: Tips and Tricks to Keep Our Brains on Track
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Atkins 146
This session will feature:
- A short discussion on executive functioning and focus Personal insights on navigating ADHD and related challenges
- An interactive activity where participants share their own “hacks” for staying on track Opportunities to try fidget tools (and bring one home!) and explore focus strategies
- Information about campus resources available through the Career Center and Disability Outreach Participants will also have the opportunity to contribute their own tips and tricks using a collaborative board, creating a shared collection of strategies from the graduate student community.
Beyond Summary: Strategies for Effective Literature Synthesis
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online
Effective literature reviews require more than collecting citations and summarizing sources – they require synthesis, or putting your citations in conversation with each other. This workshop introduces strategies to identify patterns, connect ideas, and write analytically about your research. Participants will engage in guided activities with GPWC fellows and WRC tutors to practice developing your skills synthesizing literature.
Wednesday 4/8
Bad Art Day – Grad Student Edition!
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Location: Area 49 MakerSpace (Atkins Library 223)
Join us for an afternoon of creativity and silliness with the Area 49 Makerspace’s popular Bad Art session – this time especially for grad students! We invite folks of all artistic abilities to join us in the Area 49 Makerspace for an afternoon of making art. You’ll have the chance to express yourself through a variety of mediums, no prior experience necessary. Bring a friend or come solo and make some new friends. We’ll provide the materials, you make the art… and it doesn’t have to be good!
Alumni Insight Panel: Life After Grad School
Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Location: Atkins 146
This week is all about Grad Students, so we’re bringing the alumni to you!
Three Charlotte-area professionals and UNC Charlotte graduate alumni will be on this panel, sharing what the transition from graduate school to the working world really looks like: the challenges, the most important skills, and what they wish they’d done differently. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask your own questions to help you navigate your next steps.The session will conclude with a networking opportunity and light refreshments.
Special Alumni guests:
Josh Gilliard, MBA – Finance Analyst at Wells Fargo; Sahar Maleki, MBA – Business Development Specialist at SafetySpect; Alex Suptela, PHD Biological Science – Postdoctoral Fellow at UNC Charlotte
Thursday 4/9
Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Atkins 146
Come celebrate Grad Student Appreciation Week with the CGLL during our annual Wellness Open House! You can meet some of our great campus partners, score free goodies, have some healthy snacks – and, best of all, the Charlotte Corgi Club is BACK by popular demand this year!
Friday 4/10
Grad Student Appreciation Happy Hour at Armored Cow
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Armored Cow Brewing (map)
After a full week of classes, research, work (and hopefully some other GSAW activities!), join fellow graduate students for this relaxed and welcoming social. Plus, there’s a special taproom offer available during the event: $4 pints of Shake That Axe