We’re only two months into the semester, but we already have several noteworthy happenings.
First, our office is working to strengthen connections between current graduate students and alumni. I would like to thank all the students who attended a recent Graduate Studies Networking Night with our distinguished alumni. Feedback from all involved showed that they found the experience extremely beneficial and look forward to similar events in the future.
Second, our graduate faculty continue to serve as sage mentors to our students, with several faculty recently recognized as being among the top 2% of all researchers in the world in their fields. It is an honor to work alongside you and know you are not only impacting lives through your work, but also passing your knowledge on to the next generation of learners. Additionally, our students are thriving under your guidance. Three new individuals were recently honored as Graduate Students of Distinction. Since 2013, 65 UNMC graduate students have won 74 national awards, including fellowships from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and the American Heart Association.
Finally, I would like to welcome our newest member to the Graduate Studies team. Brynn Waddell serves as our new graduate studies specialist and joins a talented staff dedicated to providing students with a high-quality learning experience. Please extend her a warm welcome, and feel free to swing by the Graduate Studies office to say hello.
Also, it was a great privilege for me to celebrate the accomplishments of the 63 students who graduated during our December 2022 Winter Honors Convocation in the presence of their faculty mentors, families, and friends. They now join our alumni ranks as future groundbreaking researchers, educators and a myriad of other professionals with bright futures ahead of them. Special thanks to Jane Meza, PhD, associate vice chancellor for global engagement and strategic planning, for her wonderful insights and advice as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
I hope you enjoy reading these stories and more in this issue of Graduate Posts.