Welcome to the fall 2026 semester at UNMC.
Though autumn is often portrayed as a season of endings, it also is a season of new beginnings at UNMC. With the arrival of a new academic year come new faces, fresh ideas and opportunities to connect across our graduate studies community. Across graduate studies, there is much to celebrate, from additions to our staff and faculty to celebrating emerging graduate student leaders and innovative educational initiatives. Whether you’re a returning student or a new member of our community, we’re excited to have you here.
This summer, we welcomed Bridget Hamill, PhD, as director of the Office of Graduate Studies and Samuel Rickert as a new graduate studies specialist. They have jumped right into their roles, helping strengthen the resources, services and support available to our graduate studies community. You can connect with the team both on campus and virtually for guidance, questions and support throughout your graduate education.
The fall semester brings not only more than 160 new students to UNMC, but also new faculty members. Each of these educators, researchers, and mentors has valuable expertise and perspectives to share with our UNMC community. Many of these faculty members are eager to mentor graduate students in research and forge new research collaborations as they settle in at UNMC. This issue of Graduate Posts spotlights a new faculty member in the UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
We also feature an interview with Ridhi Bhola, a fourth-year PhD candidate, who began her term as GSA president this summer. She shares a bit about the events and leadership opportunities the Graduate Student Association has planned for the coming year. You won’t want to miss the many opportunities to connect, learn and grow that the GSA provides throughout the semester.
Several events that took place earlier this fall, including the UNL-UNMC Summit and the Higher Learning Commission site visit for joint accreditation of UNL and UNMC as the University of Nebraska, invite us to envision new possibilities for synergy. Graduate Studies is central to advancing key initiatives that emerged from these events, and we’re excited to contribute and collaborate..
A new academic year brings new opportunities, possibilities and challenges. Approach these moments with curiosity and give yourself the space to adapt, recalibrate and grow. Stay connected with our community and don’t hesitate to reach out to us in UNMC Graduate Studies if there is anything we can do to support you.
We look forward to a wonderful remainder of the fall semester and to all that we will accomplish together.