Grad Student Organizations

Seeks to promote multicultural perspectives, tolerance, and a cohesive community for MU graduate students from different African countries.

Dedicated to fostering relationships among Black graduate and professional students as well as providing resources to help students meet their academic and career goals.

First-Year Scholars aims to create a structured environment where incoming graduate students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences can build community as they navigate their first year in graduate school at Mizzou. The program fosters connections between students in different disciplines by addressing the hidden curriculum in graduate education, access and awareness to resources at Mizzou and the Columbia community, mentor-mentee relationships, wellness, and more. This program is for on-campus students only.

A strength of the program is the interdisciplinarity of participants so that graduate students can exchange ideas and be aware of practices in their programs, which allows for exploration of their needs and resources available or alternatives to the offerings in their programs. First-Year Scholars is ideal for those seeking a more structured approach to navigating graduate school, emphasizing understanding the nuances of academic life at Mizzou.

GradCircles aims to create network and social connections through peer-driven support. GradCircles offers a more flexible, student-driven experience focused on peer mentoring and organic community building. This program creates a “third space” outside home and academic settings where graduate students can share experiences, strategies, and resources. It is perfect for students who thrive in a more autonomous environment and wish to co-construct knowledge with peers at various stages of their graduate journey.

There will be three circles, with two in-person and one online.

Open to underrepresented students who are currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Mizzou and was created to help streamline efforts of graduate student organizations serving underrepresented graduate students.

***A mentorship program has been implemented to help GSE participants connect to and create unique relationships with underrepresented undergraduate students.

The official organization for all LGBTQIA graduate and professional students here at Mizzou. From happy hours to laser tag, they focus on building community in the graduate and professional student population across all departments. Join and help make all corners of Mizzou a safe, supportive, and fun place for all members of the LGBTQIA student community!

For more information about OUTGrads and/or to join, reach out to Emma Wickland at wicklande@health.missouri.edu