Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
Save the Date: Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3, 2026
Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week was launched in 1993 by student members of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS). Celebrated nationally each year during the first week of April, the event seeks to recognize and celebrate the contributions, impact, and value of graduate and professional students on campuses throughout the United States.
During this week, the Office of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and many partners across the Pittsburgh campus hold a variety of events to celebrate CMU's graduate and professional students. Our graduate and professional students are cordially invited to participate!
2026 Event Details and Schedule
Expand the date options below to view the events for that day. Note that some events require advance registration.
More details and events will be added in the weeks ahead!
Monday, March 30, 2026
University-Wide We ❤️ Grad Students Basket Bonanza
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Kirr Commons (first floor of Cohon University Center, black chairs)
Join the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs for a university-wide kickoff to Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week and take a chance on one of several raffle baskets full of swag, CMU merch, and more! Come for the raffle; stay for the free snacks/beverages and the community-building project. Families and partners are welcome!
No registration required.
Grab & Go Snacks with The HUB
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Warner Hall (Lower Level)
The HUB will be offering grab & go snacks during our open hours in honor and appreciation of our graduate students. No registration required.
No registration required.
Sponsored by The HUB
Academic Self-Care for Graduate Students Featuring Cinnaholic Treats, Hot Drink Bar, and Artful, Creative Opportunities!
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Posner Hall 282
Join the Student Academic Success Center as we celebrate Graduate & Professional Students with an opportunity to relax and take a break. Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa from our hot drink bar, a treat from Cinnaholic, and implement mindfulness techniques through painting, coloring, working with clay, or other creative opportunities we will have available for you. There may or may not be some fun games of BINGO as well :)! Meet other graduate and professional students and members of the Student Academic Success Center team while relaxing into conversation with a yummy snack. This time is for you to enjoy some downtime through nourishment of the mind, body, and creative spirit and fortify yourself for the end of the semester.
Please email access@andrew.cmu.edu if an accommodation is needed for you to be able to fully participate in this session.
No registration required.
Sponsored by The Student Academic Success Center
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Snacks, Swag, and Raffles with Environmental Health & Safety
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Wean Commons (outside of the Connan Room in th CUC)
Join Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) on Tuesday for snacks, coffee, swag, and raffles as we celebrate our graduate students. We will have information on our resources and services and look forward to thanking you.
No registration required.
Sponsored by Environmental Health & Safety
Scholarly Writing Retreat
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Posner Hall 280/282
Join Communication & Language Support in the Student Academic Success Center for an afternoon dedicated to making significant progress on your research or creative project in a supportive community setting. Please bring a laptop and any needed materials. Snacks will be provided, and communication support consultants will be available for brief feedback sessions.
Please register here.
Sponsored by the Student Academic Success Center
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Meet, Greet, & Eat: Hosted by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Connan Room (Cohon University Center)
Please stop by for an informal meet and greet hosted by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs. We will be joined by members of CMU and GSA leadership and colleagues as we gather together to celebrate our graduate students. Appetizers of many kinds will be served, and opportunities to converse, provide feedback, and build community will also be central to this event. We hope you will join us!
Please register here. Space is limited!
Sponsored by the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs
Grab & Go Snacks with The HUB
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Warner Hall (Lower Level)
The HUB will be offering grab & go snacks during our open hours in honor and appreciation of our graduate students. No registration required.
No registration required.
Sponsored by The HUB
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Grab & Go Snacks with The HUB
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Warner Hall (Lower Level)
The HUB will be offering grab & go snacks during our open hours in honor and appreciation of our graduate students. No registration required.
No registration required.
Sponsored by The HUB
GRADitude for Our Grads!
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Highmark Center (Lobby)
Join Health Promotion, CaPS and Wellness and Meaning-Making Programs for FREE five minute chair massages and wellness samples to go.
No registration required.
Sponsored by Health Promotion, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Wellness & Meaning-Making Programs
Build-Your-Own Boba Tea with SIT, CELD, & the Alumni Association
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Kirr Commons (Cohon University Center - black chairs)
Swing by and build your own boba tea beverage! Enter the special giveaway just for graduate and professional students. Don't forget to chat with the Alumni Association about how to get and stay involved with CMU as an alum after graduation.
Sponsored by Student Involvement & Traditions, Community Engagement & Leadership Development, and the Alumni Association