Blog

Interior of xucyun ruwway graduate housing

February 5, 2025

Navigating the Housing Search

With serene nature, a bustling atmosphere, and close proximity to the Bay, Berkeley is a lively and beautiful city with much to offer residents. However, finding housing in such a high-demand environment can be tricky – without the proper resources or knowledge, the search becomes quite an uphill battle.
VP for graduate studies Lisa Garcia Bedolla chatting with 2 students at grad-stravaganza

January 23, 2025

Welcome to the start of a new semester!

I know that many of you have been affected by the wildfires in southern California and the many challenges that are happening across the globe. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and as well as possible during these difficult times.

January 6, 2025

Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week

In recognition of the important contributions, impact, and value of our 13,000+ academic and professional graduate students at UC Berkeley, we are pleased to celebrate Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week April 5-11, 2023.  
VP for graduate studies Lisa Garcia Bedolla chatting with 2 students at grad-stravaganza

December 12, 2024

Thank you for all you do for Berkeley

I hope that as the last days of Fall, 2024 wind down, you will take a moment to take in all that you accomplished and learned this semester and to feel some pride about successfully navigating another semester at Berkeley. 
Photo at 2022 awards ceremony. Student accepting award.

December 10, 2024

Call for Nominations: Graduate Mentoring Awards

To recognize both our faculty and our graduate students who provide important mentorship, the Graduate Division and the Graduate Assembly sponsor three awards that recognize outstanding mentoring of graduate students by faculty members, as well as one award to recognize the outstanding peer mentorship of current graduate and professional students.
Winner of 2024 Grad Slam, Victoria Chevee

December 10, 2024

Develop Your Presentation Skills through Grad Slam!

Last spring, Victoria Chevée, a final year Ph.D. candidate in molecular and cell biology, now a postdoctoral fellow at the Pasteur Institute in Paris (France), became Berkeley's 2024 Grad Slam Champion for her presentation, "A Bacterium's Journey: From Guts to Brain."  Victoria went on to compete against the nine other campus champions across the UC system. In this Q&A, Victoria talks about her experience with Grad Slam and her recommendations to other graduate students who might want to participate in the competition this year or in the future.
campus, students walking

December 9, 2024

Understanding UC Berkeley Graduate Student Funding Disbursements

Knowledge of the funding disbursement process is key to managing finances as a graduate student at UC Berkeley. Understanding when and how your funds are released ensures you have the resources needed to succeed. Here’s what you need to know about UC Berkeley’s graduate student funding disbursements.
Lisa Garcia Bedolla headshot for spring 2025

November 21, 2024

My Heartfelt Thanks

As Vice Provost for Graduate Studies at UC Berkeley, I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude on behalf of thousands of graduate students for your unwavering generosity and commitment to our mission. Your support has an immediate and lasting impact. Thank you! These are dynamic times…
Students seated during diversity days

November 14, 2024

Start Thinking about Your Three-Minute Thesis Talk for Grad Slam!

Each year, GradPro hosts a campuswide Grad Slam event in which up to 10 graduate students present their research in three-minute talks and compete for monetary prizes and the chance to represent Berkeley at the UC systemwide Grad Slam event in late spring.

October 24, 2024

First Generation Low Income Graduate Student Initiative

Connect. Build Community. Thrive. The Office for Graduate Diversity’s Inclusive Excellence Hub has launched a collaborative partnership with FGLI Grads Group, a student organization that focuses on building connections, networking, and thriving opportunities that support first-generation and/or low-income graduate students at UC Berkeley. The Inclusive Excellence Hub is…