Workshop Series

The Graduate School Workshop Series offers students the opportunity to learn from members of the Graduate School and various other offices on campus about guidelines, processes, opportunities, and possibilities for assistance. The individual sessions cover a wide range of topics and will be offered each semester.

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate School.

Fall 2025

Download the Fall 2025 Schedule by Date

Getting Involved and Finding Connections with other Gradbirds

Project Connect

Wednesday September 3rd 4:00 - 5:00pm
Thursday October 16th 4:00 - 5:00PM

Led by Health Promotion and Wellness graduate assistants, this workshop uses fun, engaging activities in a small-group setting to help students meet others and build meaningful connections. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, you will enjoy getting to know other students without the pressure of having to figure out how to approach others and engage in interesting conversations

Navigating Academic Conferences Series

More than an Abstract: Writing a Meaningful Conference Proposal
Tuesday October 14th 3:00 - 4:30pm

Translating dense research into a clear conference proposal can be challenging. This workshop will help participants write focused and engaging conference proposals. How can you show the value of your work in a few hundred words? Participants are encouraged to bring a conference or panel CFP to practice with.

Register for the In-Person Session on October 14th

Preparing to Present at Academic Conferences
Tuesday October 28th 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Presenting research can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! In this workshop, Jillian Kaufmann, co-director of the COM 110 program, will draw on her experience in teaching public speaking to explore three key areas of strong academic presentations: content, delivery, and visual aids. Graduate students will learn strategies for moving beyond simply reading a paper to delivering a compelling presentation that makes the audience want to listen.

Register for the In Person Session on October 28th

Networking Lunch
Tuesday November 11th

In partnership with the Graduate Student Association and Career Services, learn about professional networking while connecting with employers and faculty members over lunch. More details and a registration link coming soon!

Writing Support

Starting Fresh: Strategies for Graduate Writing

Thursday September 4th 7:00 - 8:30pm (Virtual)

Writing as a graduate student can sometimes feel like a puzzle, an unknown language, or a stubborn piece of furniture that just won’t move. Join the Graduate Writing Fellows for an interactive introduction to graduate writing. In addition to fielding your questions, we will discuss mapping assignments, choosing topics, and finding your academic voice. Whether you are a returning student coming back to the classroom after years in the workplace or in your third year and scratching your head over your lit review chapter, this workshop offers a fresh look at the graduate writing process.

Register for the Virtual (Zoom) Session on September 4th

Saturday Writing Sprints

Saturday September 6th 10:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday September 27th 10:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday November 8th 10:00am - 1:00pm

Are you easily distracted trying to work from home? Do you wish you could work with others in a quiet friendly space? Want to take in a little daylight? Join us for Saturday Writing Sprints! Coffee and light breakfast will be provided. Please register individually for each date you plan to attend to help us plan food counts.

Professional Development workshops

Friday Graduate Writing Nest
Every Friday from 1:00 - 4:30pm in Milner 213B

Graduate student writers need consistent spaces in which they can focus and write. Between work, home, and classes, finding that place can be difficult. The Friday Graduate Writing Nest meets every week in Milner 213B and online. You can ask questions, talk about writing wins or challenges, or work quietly on your own. Find your writing community here! No registration is needed, just show up and join in.

Note: Participants can also join a Writing Nest chat through Microsoft Teams. Reach out to Dr. Hawkins (jchawk2@ilstu.edu) to be added to the list

Overcoming Writing Anxiety: How to Change Our Relationship to the Writing Process
September 23rd 5:30 - 7:00pm (In Person)
September 25th 6:30 - 8:00pm (Virtual)

“Being stuck in our writing isn’t just an intellectual or emotional problem; it’s a power problem.” - Michelle Boyd

What do we do when the labor of writing seems overwhelming? How do we make sense of the risks we take when we write? This conversational workshop, co-hosted by WGSS and the Graduate School Writing Support team, suggests that writing might become a site for meaningful work with others instead of an isolating burden. We will discuss strategies for breaking through writer’s block, risk assessment in 2025, and the importance of community in the writing process.

Though directed toward graduate students, all members of the campus community are welcome at this event.

Register for the September 23rd In Person Session
Register for the September 25th Virtual (Zoom) Session

Fall Writing Retreat
October 3rd and 4th 10:00am - 5:00pm

One of the hardest things about writing as a graduate student is making time for the work. This writing retreat will allow participants to spend two days prioritizing their writing in a supportive and focused environment. The Graduate School will provide lunch and snacks so that you can progress on your thesis, dissertation, capstone, coursework, or any other writing project. Dr. Hawkins will also be on hand to provide any one-on-one writing support you need.

You are welcome to attend for as many days as you like, but please register separately for each day to help us plan food counts.

How to Make Friends with APA Style
October 28th 6:00 - 7:30pm (In Person)
October 30th 7:00 - 8:30pm (Virtual)

This workshop helps graduate writers understand APA as a writing style that works in recognizable patterns. Rather than memorizing rules, participants will learn tools to navigate APA and use it intentionally in their academic writing. Topics include in-text citations and source integration, clarity and voice in APA, and use of the manual and website to answer questions.
Please bring questions: we will tailor each workshop to the material participants most want to cover.

Register for the In Person Session on October 28th
Register for the Virtual (Zoom) Session on October 30th

Thesis/Dissertation Preparation

Navigating the Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Stage with Ease

Thursday August 14th 4:30 - 5:30pm (In Person)
Tuesday August 19th 4:30 - 5:30pm (Virtual)

You probably know the stress of grad school all too well, but the thesis and dissertation process does not have to feel overwhelming and isolated. If you are starting the process and are lost, then we are here to help! Erin Hastings, the Thesis & Dissertation Associate at the Graduate School, and Colby Cilento, Milner Library’s Copyright Officer, will be your fearless guides, going over the thesis/dissertation proposal processes and deadlines, and copyright procedures step by step so you can start the proposal milestone with ease!

Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Overview of Proposal processes and starting your research
- Copyright and IRB approval processes and who to contact
- Graduate School Committee Requirements

The Grad Student's Guide to Everything Milner

Tuesday August 26th 4:30 - 5:30pm (Virtual)

You've found yourself in grad school, now what? Did you know Milner Library has a plethora of helpful resources to help you navigate your research and next academic era with ease. Milner's Colby Cilento will be your guide to all things grad school in the library!

Key Workshop Takeaways:
-Navigate resources available through Milner Library
-Discuss how those services and resources can help with research
-Provide opportunities for questions on library resources and research assistance

Register for the Virtual (Zoom) Session on August 26th

One-Click Citations and Bibliographies

Tuesday September 16th 4:30 - 5:30pm (Virtual)

Whether you're working on a course research project, finishing your comps, or writing your thesis/dissertation, keeping track of your sources can be dauting. Not to mention making sure your citations and references are formatted correctly! Facilitated by Jennifer Sharkey from Milner Library, learn how to use a free source management tool called Zotero so that you can easily and quickly collect and organize your sources; AND in Microsoft Word insert in-text citations and generate bibliographies with a click of a button.

Key Workshop Takeaways:
-How to keep track of sources and format citations
-Learn how to use Zotero, a free source management tool
-Insert Zotero citations into Microsoft Word

Grad School Guide to a Dauntless Defense

Tuesday September 30th 4:30-5:30pm (In Person)
Thursday October 2nd 4:30-5:30pm (Virtual)

You’ve passed the proposal stage, done your research, and compiled it into a draft of your thesis/dissertation. You’re now ready to hold your oral defense! You can go into this milestone without fear, as the Graduate School’s Erin Hastings and Milner Library's Colby Cilento are here to guide you through defense planning, procedures, and wrapping up your thesis or dissertation as you prepare to complete this chapter of your academic journey.

Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Overview of the Right to Defend requirements and filing procedures
- Learn how to plan your defense
- Find out about post-defense steps and graduation prep

Formatting your Thesis/Dissertation and Submitting it to ISU ReD

Tuesday October 14th 4:00 - 5:30pm (In Person)
Thursday October 16th 4:00 - 5:30pm (Virtual)

The Graduate School's Erin Hastings will show you how to flawlessly format your thesis by sharing writing resources and tips, then walking you through the Graduate School's formatting template. Milner Library's Colby Cilento will then lead you through the steps to create an account, add metadata, upload your thesis/dissertation in ISU ReD, and view and make requested corrections.

Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Overview of Graduate School template and formatting guidelines
- Learn how to complete your required deposit in ISU ReD
- Navigate through the process for making revisions and corrections

Unpacking Publishing for Graduate Students

Tuesday October 21st 4:00 - 5:30pm (In Person)
Thursday October 23rd 4:00 - 5:30pm (Virtual)

Celebrate Open Access Week with Milner Library's Lindsey Skaggs and Colby Cilento as they provide information and insights into scholarly publishing for graduate students. Learn about publishing your thesis/dissertation research, including how to select a venue, the submission process, copyright agreements, and open access options.

Key Workshop Takeaways:
-Overview of the scholarly publication process
-Learn about open access and copyright transfer agreements
-Get answers to your questions about publishing your research

Register for the In Person Session on October 21st
Register for the Virtual (Zoom) Session on October 23rd

AI Considerations For Your Scholarship at ISU
Tuesday November 4th 4:30 - 5:30pm (In Person)
Thursday November 6th 4:30 - 5:30pm (Virtual)

AI is everywhere these days, but how are people actually using it? And will any of those applications help you as a graduate student to successfully complete your research? In this workshop, Milner Librarians, Grace Allbaugh and Colby Cilento, will engage participants in a discussion about considerations of using AI tools when developing and writing your thesis/dissertation.

Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Develop a greater awareness for how AI tools operate and various ways of interacting with them.
- Cultivate an understanding of ethical and appropriate uses of AI when developing thesis/dissertation content.
- Formulate questions and discussion points for your committee chair about AI incorporation.

Register for the In Person Session on November 4th
Register for the Virtual (Zoom) Session on November 6th

Career Preparation

Illinois State University has partnered with Beyond Graduate School and Beyond the Professoriate to offer Graduate Students access to a comprehensive set of career preparation tools. Participate in live webinars or access the library of content on your own schedule.

Beyond Graduate School (Master's Students)

Beyond Graduate School is a one-of-a-kind, online platform that helps master’s students make the most out of their investment and build their careers. From video lessons on career exploration, to writing application materials, to interviewing and negotiating for that next career step — Beyond Grad School helps master’s students through each stage of their job search.

To log in, visit Beyond Graduate School, select Illinois State University, and enter your ULID and password.

Upcoming synchronous online events offered through the Beyond Graduate School Platform

September 8th - 11th: How to Navigate Career Fairs with Confidence (1:00 - 1:30pm daily)
October 1st: How to Stand Out in an AI-Driven Job Market (1:00 - 1:30pm)
October 15th: Why Recruiters are Ignoring You (1:00 - 1:30pm)
November 5th: Three Mistakes You're Probably Making on LinkedIn (1:00 - 1:30pm)
November 19th: How to Ask your Boss for a Raise (1:00 - 1:30pm)
December 10th: How to Use a Master's to Change Careers (1:00 - 1:30pm)

Beyond the Professoriate (Doctoral Students)

Beyond the Professoriate’s Career Training Platform is an online professional development tool where postdocs and doctoral students can explore career options and learn job search strategies. Through two programs of study (Academic Careers and Professional Careers), students are empowered to make informed decisions about their career path and learn successful job search strategies from other PhDs.

To log in simply visit Beyond Prof’s Career Training Platform, select Illinois State University, and enter your ULID and password.

Upcoming online synchronous events offered through the Beyond the Professoriate Platform

September 3rd: How to Use the PhD Training Platform in your Job Search (11:00am - 12:00pm)
September 17th: Is a Faculty Job Right for You? (11:00am - 12:00pm)
October 1st: How to Explore Career Options in Industry (11:00am - 12:00pm)
October 15th: How to Build a LinkedIn Profile for an Industry Job Search (11:00am - 12:00pm)
November 5th: Overqualified or Underqualified? Which Is It and What to Do About It (11:00am - 12:00pm)
November 19th: How to Job Search During Uncertain Times (11:00am - 12:00pm)
December 8th - 11th: How to Decide Between an Academic and Nonacademic Career ((11:00am - 12:00pm daily)