March 31, 2026

Grad Appreciation Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedication, resilience, and contributions of our graduate students. Whether you're conducting groundbreaking research, balancing academics with professional growth, or fostering meaningful connections within the Laney community, this week is all about honoring your hard work and impact.

Join us for a series of events designed to show our gratitude, provide opportunities to unwind, and connect with fellow students from April 6 – 10.

Don’t miss out on our events!

📸 Professional Headshots

A strong professional image makes a lasting impression! Take advantage of our free professional headshot session as part of Grad Appreciation Week. Perfect for LinkedIn, academic profiles, and professional portfolios.

⏰ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

🗓️ Thursday, April 9

📍 Location: N. Decatur Building, Suite 200

🔗 RSVP here

🧺 Join us for the Grad Appreciation Picnic

Join us for the Grad Appreciation Picnic, a celebration of community, connection, and the incredible graduate students who make Laney Graduate School thrive. This is a chance to step away from your research and coursework, relax in good company, and enjoy great food in a welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re catching up with friends, meeting new peers, or simply soaking in the camaraderie, this picnic is all about celebrating the strength and spirit of our graduate community. Come take a well-deserved break and let us show our appreciation for all that you do!

⏰ 4–6 p.m.

🗓️ Thursday, April 9

📍 Location: Law School, Front Lawn

☕️🍩 Coffee and Donuts

Wrap up this week of events with coffee, donuts, and a chance to mingle with your fellow graduate students.

⏰ 9 - 10 a.m.

🗓️ Friday, April 10

📍 The Ridge at Emory, 1945 Ridgewood Dr NE

Check out the full Grad Appreciation Week schedule to learn more and RSVP for events.

Limited Spots! Meal Planning for Busy People: Cook Once, Eat Well All Week

Discover how one cooking session can create a week of nourishing meals at home. This interactive class teaches practical meal‑planning strategies for hectic schedules, with a live demo, hands-on participation, and delicious celebration of food.

Menu highlights: Chicken Shawarma, Curried Chickpeas, Fattoush Salad, Flatbreads.

Limited spots - reserve your seat and earn one Flourishing at Laney Passport point.

Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Date: Monday, April 13

Location: The Ridge

👉Register here

Exclusive Pre-Screening and Masterclass with Rita Coburn

EMMY and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, Rita Coburn, will be in Atlanta for pre-screening and directors talk for the forthcoming documentary, W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause. She will deliver an exclusive masterclass to Emory, Clark Atlanta, Spelman, and Morehouse students and faculty on the business and process of documentary filmmaking. Emory AfAM and Sociology have co-sponsored these events.

Emory is a co-sponsor of both events.

Rebel with a Cause: Atlanta Screening and Conversations

Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, April 2

Location: 384 Northyards Blvd, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, Suite 190

Rebel with a Cause: Mini screening and Masterclass with Rita Coburn

Time: 6-9 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, April 1

Location: Clark Atlanta University, Thomas Joe Auditorium

RSVP here or scan the QR code in the flyer above.

Take Back the Night

The Office of Respect and participating partners are hosting their second annual Take Back the Night event in honor of those who have been impacted by sexual assault. It will be a night of poetry and hearing from different offices and student organizations about supporting the cause of ending sexual violence.

Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Location: Harland Cinema

RSVP here

The Office of Respect and participating partners welcome activist and astronaut Amanda Nguyen. Nguyen supported the drafting and passing of the Survivor Bill of Rights, which supports the rights of those who have experienced sexual violence. This legislation was unanimously passed by Congress in 2016 and then adopted and passed in the UN in 2022.

Nguyen will be joined in the fireside chat by Emory's very own Tyralynn Frazier.

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, April 9
Location: ESC MPR 4-6

RSVP here

LGS Skills Training Lunch & Learn on Science Communication to Non-Expert Audiences

Join biology faculty Leila Rieder and Kate O'Toole and PhD students Nuri Smith and Sisi Falcone as they focus on:

✅ Communicating scientific work to non-expert audiences

✅ Developing the ability to distill research into three clear sentences

✅ Strategies for simplifying complex ideas

Time: 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, April 15

Location: CST Room 360 & Zoom

👉Register here

Questions? Contact Shannon Marsh, MS, at shannon.myers.marsh@emory.edu

Navigating Careers and Building Connections: A Networking Event for LGS Students & Alumni

Please join Emory’s Advancement and Alumni Engagement and the Laney Graduate Student Council for this year’s Navigating Careers and Building Connections alumni and student networking event. After a successful inaugural year, we’re excited to bring this program back with two informative panel discussions and dedicated networking time. This event offers valuable opportunities for Laney alumni and graduate students to learn, grow, and make meaningful new connections.

This year’s panels spotlight two highly sought‑after career topics: career agility—the ability to pivot, adapt, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market—and consulting, an increasingly popular field for graduate‑trained professionals across disciplines.

*This experience earns one Flourishing at Laney Passport point.

Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Date: Thursday, April 30
Location: Miller-Ward Alumni House

Summer Intern Housing Program

Are you a student working in Atlanta or Decatur over the summer? Applications are open for the Summer Intern Housing Program. Housing options are available for undergraduate and graduate students.

Available date range: Sunday, May 17 - Saturday, August 1

Check out floor plans, rates and more

Questions? Call 404-727-7632 or email sihp@emory.edu

Register for Online Qualitative Data Workshops

Advance your qualitative research skills this summer with a series of interactive online workshops and personalized mentoring sessions. Whether you are looking to master data collection, enhance your data analysis techniques, or receive tailored guidance for your own project, our offerings provide comprehensive instruction and expert support to help you succeed at every stage of your research journey.

Check out the upcoming workshops

Questions? Email qualworks@emory.edu or call 404-727-3152

Public Services Graduate Assistant – Rose Library

Rose Library is seeking a graduate assistant for the public services position.

Under general supervision, the graduate assistant will assist the academic community, visiting scholars, and the general public in the use of manuscripts, rare books, and university archives, and perform related public service activities.

Hourly rate: $18.50

Hours per week: 8-20

Expected start date: Spring 2026

Applicants should submit their applications through the Emory Libraries employment website.

Read the full job description

Dissertation Writing and Thesis Bootcamp

This bootcamp offers graduate students a dedicated, day‑long writing session to make meaningful progress on their work. for focused writing time, support from Emory’s writing programs, and a provided lunch.

Time: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 4

Questions? Contact grad student fellow Jadon Adams.

Fall 2027 International Student Liaison for 1st and 2nd Year International Students!

Apply now to be a Fall 2026 LGS International Student Liaison. Be a part of welcoming and supporting incoming international graduate students this Fall. Liaisons will assist director, ELSP and global engagement, Heather Boldt, in planning, coordinating, and executing the August 2026 information session for incoming Laney Graduate School international students.

Application deadline: Midnight, Monday, April 13

👉 Learn more here

Polish your English skills this Summer

Join the LGS English Language Support Program this summer and unlock the power of effective communication!

Experience dynamic, multi-level courses designed to elevate your proficiency:

Presentation skills (poster presentations, video abstracts, and more)
Discussion skills (theme: U.S. cultural references)
Advancing your graduate writing skills (foundational strategies for effective writing)
Seminar in graduate & professional writing (focus: making progress on a particular text while learning effective techniques to apply to future writings)

Date: Session 1, May 15 - June 26

Express interest here

Questions? Contact ELSP director, Heather Boldt.

Academic Success Resources

Are you looking for some help related to procrastination, imposter syndrome, test anxiety, perfectionism, or attention and concentration challenges? Check out the resources available on CAPS website.

In addition, the LGS Student Affairs Team is here to support every phase of your educational journey, so reach out any time! They can connect you to resources, answer questions you might have, or discuss concerns.

Explore these topics and other student affairs-related topics by contacting an LGS Student Affairs team member:

Jennifer M. Cason, EdD, assistant dean of student affairs and deputy Title IX coordinator

Emily Neutens, EdD, MPA, associate director of student affairs

Shannon Marsh, MS, student affairs program coordinator