The Graduate School’s holistic student affairs programming helps students relax, recharge and get through the challenges of graduate school.
In service of Carolina’s mission to “foster the success and prosperity of each rising generation,” The Graduate School has kickstarted a focused effort to promote student success.
Student success is a combination of excellence in academics, holistic well-being and professional development. The Graduate School seeks to provide the highest quality of support in all three areas to ensure that Carolina graduate students are equipped to thrive both during their time in Chapel Hill and after they graduate.
Led by Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs Kate McAnulty, The Graduate School has organized a series of wellness events, giving graduate students opportunities to connect with each other, relax and rejuvenate.
Grad Café, hosted three times each semester, offers students a space to gather over free bagels and coffee at the Bynum fountain.
Shannon Micklewright, a first-year MPH student in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, enjoyed the free food at Grad Café but also noted the value of an event that brings students together.
“Our building is somewhat secluded from the rest of campus, so I enjoy having these opportunities to interact with other grad students,” she said. “Things like this really exemplify that the school cares about us as individuals.”
Achim Schmid, a first-year doctoral student in German studies, values these events for the chance they offer students to take a moment for themselves.
“Grad students care a lot about studying and working. We have a lot to do. People tend to forget that it’s also important to care about wellness, about mental well-being,” Schmid said. “It’s helpful to have the grad school offer an event to say ‘Hey, you should do something for your wellness.’”
The Fall Wellness Festival, held on Oct. 29 in coordination with UNC’s Graduate and Professional Student Government, and co-sponored by Student Wellness and Carolina Union Activities Board and attended over 780 graduate and professional students. The event offered lunch, chair massages, time with therapy dogs, a pumpkin painting activity, and a chance to interact with campus and community organizations that promote wellness. The Graduate School holds a wellness festival each semester.
Audrey Pereira, a doctoral candidate in public policy, regularly takes advantage of The Graduate School’s programming, including the wellness festivals and Writing Wednesday, a dedicated weekly co-working space held at the Graduate Student Center. She said the moment she received an email promoting the wellness festival, she registered for a free massage. These opportunities to recharge have helped power her through the challenges of graduate school by reminding her to take some time for herself.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in your daily grind and all the work you have, whether it’s being an RA or TA along with your classwork and dissertation work.” Pereira said. “These breaks are a reminder about paying attention to your personal wellness. It’s a space where you can relax and talk to others who are going through the same thing as you, so you know you’re not alone.”
According to Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School, this is an ideal time for Carolina to focus on holistic student success, with schools across the UNC System aligned in growing their student success initiatives.
“We know that being in graduate school is difficult, so we must do everything we can to help our students achieve their potential,” said Mayer-Davis. “Carolina graduate students are some of the most exceptional people I’ve ever met. By supporting their success and providing community, we empower them to tackle the world’s greatest challenges.”
The Graduate School’s student success initiatives will continue to expand in 2025, with a renewed focus on supporting graduate students with caregiving responsibilities. The Graduate Student Experience initiative will continue to incorporate student perspectives into developing new policies and programming to improve life as a Carolina graduate student.