Graduate Professional Development

Graduate professional development encompasses training opportunities and resources designed specifically for graduate students. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) at Morgan State University provides programming to prepare students for career success as innovative future leaders. It is our mission to ensure that students have the skills they need to succeed both professionally and academically. 

Graduate Professional Development Workshop Series Offered by SGS

G.R.E.A.T. (Graduate Research Education and Training) Series 

The G.R.E.A.T. Series workshop was established in October 2021 to equip graduate students with effective research strategies for navigating the thesis and dissertation capstone process. Initially, SGS collaborated with the Writing Center to facilitate these sessions. Today, the workshops are led by Dr. Kevin Bradley, Director of Graduate Professional Development, and the SGS Coaching Fellows, continuing to provide students with essential guidance and support.  

Fall 2025 Schedule (Note: Dates and times are subject to change)

September 9, 2025- Developing a Strategic Writing Plan, featuring Dr. Jan Allan (4 - 5:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/AKT-694tT1-jE7EP1kvJVQ

September 16, 2025- You Think Your Dissertation is Ready to Submit, But it's Not! (4 - 5:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/SQRSX5UuT80ng76GZe73YQ

September 23, 2025- Working with Your Capstone Mentor, featuring Dr. Jan Allan (4 - 5:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/pqIUHkT8TwO-XwrTDiVbKg

October 7, 2025- Getting Unstuck and Getting Done, featuring Dr. Jan Allan (4 - 5:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/3wDpeXO3RFieQVPX8LnwRA

GradLife  

The GradLife workshop series was established in April 2022 and officially launched in August of that year. Designed to equip graduate students with essential knowledge for life beyond the classroom, GradLife provides valuable insights to support both personal and professional development. Hosted and moderated by Dr. Bradley, each session features industry experts offering their perspectives on key topics.  

Fall 2025 Schedule (Note: Dates and times are subject to change)

September 4, 2025- Building an Individual Professional Development Plan (1 - 2:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/xIDCS4dBSTyCHrGLnavAgA

October 2, 2025- Negotiation Skills for Job Offers (1 - 2:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/ElhDaMgoQ72napMjJkdV3A

October 23, 2025- Presenting Your Research to Non-Specialists (2:30 - 4 pm) (In-person)

November 6, 2025- Using AI Tools Ethically in Graduate School (1 - 2:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/m9_6CJXRsWXTsb4&52F2A

MentorLife

MentorLife was launched in September 2022 as a workshop series designed to provide professional development opportunities for Morgan State faculty and staff, ultimately enhancing the graduate student experience. The workshops are co-facilitated by Dr. Bradley and Dr. Laurel Walsh, Professor at Central Lakes College, offering valuable insights and strategies to support mentorship and academic growth. 

Fall 2025 Schedule (Note: Dates and times are subject to change)

August 18, 2025- Building an Effective Dissertation Committee (4 - 5:30 pm)

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/gGhc5qCVRT65nz4MQr2iIg

GradTEACH   

GradTEACH was established in August 2024 to strengthen the teaching skills of Morgan State University's Teaching Assistants (TAs), supporting both their academic and professional development. The program's workshop topics were initially developed by Dr. Angel Wazin, former interim Teaching Assistant Coordinator, in collaboration with Dr. Bradley. Over time, responsibility for selecting workshop facilitators transitioned to the Director of the Teaching Assistant Program—first Dr. Dia Sekayi and now Dr. Sean Robinson. While GradTEACH is primarily designed for TAs, all graduate students are welcome to attend and benefit from its valuable insights.

Fall 2025 Schedule (Note: Dates and times are subject to change)

August 28, 2025- Building a Classroom Discipline, featuring Dr. Benjamin Welsh (4 - 5:30 pm) 

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpdu6pzgrHdRIhKtlS_4yjD-LRjFwVUy

September 18, 2025- General Education Standards in Graduate Education, featuring Dr. Daniel Brunson (4 - 5:30 pm) 

Registration Link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/RZyBFtkLQyyW60PhoDWmjg

SGS Graduate Professional Development Student Support Programs

Coaching Fellows

The SGS Coaching Fellows provide graduate students with essential dissertation and thesis support, including formatting assistance, style guide/manual guidance, and reviews for common errors. In collaboration with Dr. Bradley, the Fellows play a key role in the form and style review process, ensuring submitted dissertations and theses meet SGS standards. Currently, there are four Coaching Fellows available to assist students. To schedule an appointment, they can be reached at coachingfellows@morgan.edu or via their Calendly scheduling links:

 William (Bill) Engstrand – Ph.D. in English student (https://calendly.com/williamengstrand60)

 Wendell Johnson – Ph.D. in Community College Leadership student (https://calendly.com/wendell-johnson-morgan)

 Alexus McIntyre – Ph.D. in History student (https://calendly.com/alexus-mcintyre-morgan)

 Akila Wilson – Ph.D. in English student (https://calendly.com/akila-wilson)

Nature Masterclasses On-demand 

In January 2025, SGS launched an institutional subscription to Nature Masterclasses On-demand, providing students, faculty, and staff with free access to its extensive online course offerings. Covering the entire research cycle—from experimental design to career advancement—Nature Masterclasses delivers expert-led, on-demand courses designed to enhance research skills and professional development. For more details, visit Nature Masterclasses.pdf.

SGS Graduate Professional Development Events

G.R.I.N.D. Conference 

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) hosts the annual G.R.I.N.D. (Graduate Research, Interdisciplinary Network, and Development) Conference each April. For the past three years, it has been part of the Office of Undergraduate Research's Spring into Research Week, providing graduate students with valuable opportunities to showcase their work. The conference features panel discussions, workshops, and oral/ poster presentations, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and professional growth. Dr. Bradley serves as the GSA's staff advisor, supporting its initiatives. 

Graduate Student Professional Development Day

In March 2025, SGS launched the inaugural Graduate Student Professional Development Day, an in-person event designed to help graduate students connect with industry leaders and explore potential career paths. SGS facilitated CV/resume reviews for attendees, ensuring they received personalized guidance to enhance their professional profiles. Moving forward, this annual event will coincide with Graduate Student Appreciation Week, typically held during the first full week of April. The 2026 Graduate Student Professional Development Day is scheduled for April 9, 2026.  

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

In April 2025, SGS hosted its first-ever Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition as part of Spring into Research Week. Developed by the University of Queensland, 3MT® challenges graduate students to distill and present their research in an engaging, three-minute talk using only a single static slide. Designed to sharpen academic, presentation, and research communication skills, 3MT® encourages students to convey their ideas concisely to a non-specialist audience. Each presentation is evaluated based on comprehension, engagement, and overall communication effectiveness.

Exciting Professional Development Support Ahead. . . Stay Tuned!

CoJourn

CoJourn is a personal growth and goal achievement program designed to help individuals build accountability, connection, and support in their pursuit of meaningful goals. Through structured partnerships, participants work together to maintain motivation and progress.

At Morgan State University, CoJourn will be leveraged to help graduate students stay on track for timely degree completion, fostering a supportive and goal-oriented academic journey. A program information session will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 12 - 12:30 pm. To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CKy6Aa3KThIPLBQkUikUQ#

Here is a welcome video from the CoJourn Team: Dr. Molly Keehn and Angelica Castro.

Campus Compact Institutional Membership

Campus Compact is a nonprofit organization that empowers colleges and universities to advance their academic and civic missions by partnering with communities to address complex social issues and further equity, justice, and prosperity for all. They are the largest and oldest higher education association dedicated to higher education, civic and community engagement. An institutional membership will provide Morgan State University students with networking and professional development opportunities, resources for learning and action, credentialing and recognition, and a collective voice for higher education community engagement.