Grad Student Appreciation Week

Illinois graduate students bring exceptional passion and a sense of purpose to their work. They inspire us every day to be optimistic about our future.

Charles L. Isbell, Jr. - Chancellor

Graduate students are integral to every aspect of our university community. They are educators, advocates, researchers, innovators, supporters, and friends. They push our campus forward and make our community stronger.

Kasey Umland - Director, Women's Resources Center

I appreciate graduate students because they are willing to take risks, to ask bold questions, and to persist until they turn uncertainty into discovery.

Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko - Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean

Our graduate students ask sharp, important questions. They keep us grounded in what matters, and I love knowing they will be out in the world leading today's and tomorrow's professions.

Heidi Imker - Allen and Elaine Avner Professor in Interdisciplinary Research, University Library

Graduate students bring curiosity, determination, and thoughtful perspectives to everything they do. Watching them grow in confidence as scholars and professionals - seeing their ideas take shape is one of the most rewarding parts of my work! I'm grateful that I get to help them achieve their goals.

Heather Hendren - College of Media