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When: Thursday, August 13, 1pm-3:30pm PST

Where: . No prior registration required--just click the link. 

Description: Prior to each fall semester, the Office of Graduate Studies offers this online, university-wide Graduate Student Orientation to welcome incoming graduate students to the 911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ���� community and support their transition to graduate study.

The Graduate Student Orientation:

• Introduces university requirements, expectations, policies, and protocols
• Reviews student rights and Title IX
• Highlights graduate milestones
• Presents graduate opportunities related to:
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Funding
  • Professional Development
  • Networking
• Shares the systems of support available to graduate students

In addition, individual departments hold department-specific orientations (check with your graduate program for details). Incoming students should plan to attend both the department-specific orientation and this university-wide one.

When: Tuesday, September 8, 5:00pm – 6:15pm

Where: LIB-201 and Zoom (Hybrid)

Description: This workshop provides a “crash course” in the essentials of APA formatting and citations, with a focus on headings, in-text citations, and reference lists.

Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)

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When: Wednesday, September 9, 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: The Graduate Center (University Library 214)

Description: Graduate Studies invites you to visit the 911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ���� Graduate Center on the second floor of the Library and learn about the resources available to you as a graduate student at 911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ����. At the event, you can tour the Center, explore study and meeting spaces, and learn about funding opportunities, mentorship, writing support, and financial assistance for conference travel. Representatives from key resources on campus, such as CAPS, BMAC, Basic Needs, and the Financial Aid Office, will also be present to network with students and answer questions. 

No need to register—just show up!

When: Thursday, September 10, 12:30pm – 2:00pm 

Where: LIB 201

Description: The Graduate Center is hosting a space for graduate students who identify as Latinx/e to share valuable insight on topics such as:

• Navigating graduate school as a Latinx/e student
• Process on applying to graduate school and tips on being successful in graduate school
• Finding balance as a graduate student (academic, social, mental, and belonging)
• How to build meaningful connections in graduate school 

Light refreshments will be served.

No need to register—Just show up!

When: Monday, September 14, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Where: LIB 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)

Description: Stuck on how to write your admission essay? Whether it is a statement of purpose, personal statement, or diversity statement, we got you covered! This interactive workshop will cover the structure of an admission essay, identifying experiences you want to talk about, and highlighting your qualities in an engaging way. 

Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)

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When: September 24, 2:00pm –3:00pm

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: Attending academic conferences is a great way to learn about cutting-edge research in your field and to network with passionate members of your intellectual community—especially for students interested in earning a doctorate. This workshop offers advice for making the most out of attending a conference, including tips on how to network effectively and how to give a positive first impression. 

Presenter: Dr. Sara Nourazari, Associate Professor of Health Care Management in the 911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ���� Department of Health Care Administration. For questions about the workshop, contact Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu). 

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When: Wednesday, September 30, 5:00pm – 6:15pm

Where: LIB 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)

Description: Whether required for longer papers—like theses or dissertations—or as a stand-alone class assignment, writing the literature review can present a challenge for many grad students. This workshop presents strategies for tackling the literature review and provides insights from multiple disciplines on how to craft the best literature review for your project.

Presenter: Omar Hussein ()

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When: Thursday, October 1, 12:00pm – 12:45pm

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: Feeling a bit overwhelmed or confused navigating the Cal State Apply application portal for graduate school? This workshop provides an overview of the different components of the online portal and answers any questions you may have about applying to graduate school at a CSU. 

Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)

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When: Monday, October 5, 2026, 1:00pm – 2:00pm 

Where: LIB 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)

Description: This workshop discusses how to write an effective statement of purpose or personal statement for graduate school. Topics include “dos and don’ts,” avoiding “kisses of death,” statements of confidence, effective essay structure, and useful sentence stems.

Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)

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When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4:30pm – 5:30pm 

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: Need support in how to navigate the graduate & professional school fair? This workshop will provide you with tips to make the most of your time connecting with representatives at the graduate and professional schools you are interested in applying to.

Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)

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When: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 12:00pm – 1:00pm 

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: This workshop covers the basics of funding for graduate studies, including topics such as graduate assistantships, the FAFSA, campus vs. external funding, and loans.

Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)

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When: Thursday, October 8, 11:30am–12:30pm

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: You’re writing your thesis and you’re al…most…done! So, what’s next? This workshop will cover the procedures for submitting your master’s thesis to the Thesis and Dissertation Office, thesis formatting rules, and the review process leading up to graduation clearance and ProQuest publication. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing activity to simulate (and demystify!) the format editing process. 

Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)

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When: Thursday, October 8, 2026, 11:00 am - 3:00pm 

Where: The Speakers Platform (located on the east side of the University Bookstore Vendor Pavilion near the Central Quad)
Description: Every year representatives from various graduate and professional schools participate in this fair sponsored by The Educational Opportunity Program and Graduate Studies.  911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ���� are able to meet with representatives from private and public institutions nationwide (these Sample Questions may be helpful to students attending). This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about post-graduate opportunities, admissions procedures, and financing graduate education. The event is free for all current 911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ���� students on-campus.

No need to register—just show up!

When: Tuesday, October 13, 11:00am-12:00pm

Where: Online (Zoom) 

Description: This workshop will provide an overview of Chicago Style (unfortunately, I’m not talking pizza), with a particular focus on its two citation systems: notes-bibliography and author-date. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing exercise to practice applying Chicago format.

Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)

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When: Wednesday, October 14, 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Where: University Library 201

Description: A panel of LGBTQ-identifying graduate students will share and answer questions about their experiences navigating graduate school. Light refreshments will be provided.

No need to register—just show up!

When: Wednesday, October 14, 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: You’re writing your thesis and you’re al…most…done! So, what’s next? This workshop will cover the procedures for submitting your master’s thesis to the Thesis and Dissertation Office, thesis formatting rules, and the review process leading up to graduation clearance and ProQuest publication. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing activity to simulate (and demystify!) the format editing process. 

Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)

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When: Thursday, October 22, 2:00pm – 3:15pm 

Where: LIB 201 and Zoom (Hybrid)

Description: This workshop focuses on how to write clearly about specialized topics and how to make academic discussions both understandable and engaging for readers.

Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)

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When: Wednesday, November 4, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Where: HSCI 102

Description: This interactive workshop is designed specifically for first-generation graduate students navigating the complexities of graduate school. Attendees will gain tools to make empowered choices and fully engage in their graduate school journey with confidence and a sense of belonging.

Hosts: Graduate Center Staff (graduatecenter@csulb.edu) & CNSM Thrive Team

No need to register—just show up!

When: Tuesday, November 10, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: Are you completing a thesis or research project that involves human participants/subjects?  If so, you will need to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before you start your research.  The IRB ensures that you are doing everything in your power to protect the rights of research participants and reduce risks to your participants’ safety and well-being.  They confirm that your research will be conducted ethically and responsibly. This workshop will guide you through the IRB application and submission processes and provide strategies to safeguard your participants.  

Presenter: Dr. Sara Nourazari, Associate Professor of Health Care Management in the 911�Թϱ�����ѹۿ���� Department of Health Care Administration. For questions about the workshop, contact Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu).

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When: Friday, November 13, 1:00pm – 2:15pm

Where: Online (Zoom)

Description: Thinking about going to medical school? Not sure where to begin? Join the Graduate Center to learn what to expect when applying such as your major, MCAT, timelines, and the general information on the journey ahead.

Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)

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When: Tuesday, November 17, 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Where: LIB 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)

Description: This workshop demystifies the dreaded “writer’s block” and provides actionable advice on how to stop worrying and start writing (and hopefully even enjoy it!). Topics discussed will include real and imagined barriers to writing; “crappy first drafts”; habits v. willpower; neutralizing negative thought patterns; beating perfectionism; and other tips, techniques, and secrets of highly-successful, prolific writers.

Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)

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When: Tuesday, November 24, 10:00am – 7:00pm

Where: University Library, 2nd floor (Graduate Study Space)

Description: The Graduate Writing Retreat is a full-day writing "get-away" for graduate or post-bac students to make progress on a major writing task over Fall Break. Writing tasks can include a thesis, seminar paper, dissertation, comps, independent study, class project, or any writing work that requires sustained focus. The Retreat will take place in the “Graduate Student Collaborative Space” (University Library 202), which will be closed to non-attendees, creating a quiet, distraction-free setting. The Graduate Center will also be serving refreshments, including lunch and dinner (the registration form below has further details and the option to indicate dietary restrictions). Furthermore, Graduate Center staff, including the Graduate Writing Specialist, will be on hand all day to answer questions or help you overcome writing “roadblocks.” The event is free and open to all currently-enrolled graduate/post-bac students, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Monday, November 16th, to ensure a proper food and beverage order. 

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When: Monday, December 7, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Where: (Online) Zoom 

Description: This session will discuss how to apply for the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral program. It will go over program details, eligibility rules, the application process, and next steps.

Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)

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