Graduate Student Life

Graduate Student Life

Personal and Professional Development Opportunities for the Graduate Community
Graduate Student Life
Graduate Student Center
Events Calendar
Knight Research Scholars Program
Logo for The Office of Graduate Student Life

The Office of Graduate Student Life is your gateway to build an extraordinary graduate experience at UCF. Whether you’re diving deep into groundbreaking research experiences, charting your path through career exploration, or finding your people through community activities we’re here to fuel every step of your journey. Explore what’s waiting for you below and discover how far your graduate experience can take you.

Professor teaching in front of screen in the Graduate Student Center
Professional Development

Graduate focused opportunities to strengthen your skills for grad school and beyond.

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Graduate Student Center with people on computers and phones
Graduate Student Center

The center is your home on campus. There’s space to study or simply hang out with other graduate students.

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Doctoral Student Presenting
Research and Scholarship

Opportunities to present your research and scholarship, earn scholarships, and develop competencies to excel.

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three people reviewing pages in a book
Career Exploration

Partnerships across the university to prepare graduate students for life after graduation.

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Wellness and Engagement
Wellness and Engagement

Find opportunities to enrich your time at UCF and find balance.

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Student Scholar Symposium
Student Scholar Symposium

An opportunity for students to present their research and creative scholarship in a poster format to the UCF community during Student Research Week.

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3MT
3MT

UCF Doctoral and Master's students communicate their research in just three short minutes and with only one PowerPoint slide to non-expert judges while competing to win prizes.

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two students in classroom setting interacting
Thesis and Dissertation

An opportunity for UCF students to receive support for all things thesis and dissertation.

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Students walking near the fountain.
Community and Campus Life

Access resources and services to help you succeed as a UCF graduate student, from IDs and fellowships to health care and campus life.

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Kelsey Robinson and Viviana Rivera presenting at Student Research Week
Knight Research Scholars Program (KRSP)

KRSP connects UCF students with research opportunities across disciplines. Undergraduates join active projects, while graduate students and postdocs lead teams, gaining mentorship experience and building a collaborative research community.

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Program Highlight: Knight Research Scholars Program
build your research capacity and leadership skills

Dates and Activities

Oct 06
1:30 PM
New Frontiers in Graduate Careers: Personality Assessment on October 6, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Join us for an interactive and insightful graduate student event focused on self-discovery and professional growth. In this session, participants will complete the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment, a widely used tool for understanding personality preferences and how they influence...
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
Oct 07
11:00 AM
First Wednesday Cafe on October 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Join us on the First Wednesday of the month for free bagels and coffee, provided by the Office of Graduate Student Life.  This monthly event is a great way to meet new friends and old colleagues! Food provided by the...
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Oct 15
11:00 AM
Innovation Thursday on October 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Innovation Thursdays, hosted by Graduate Student Life every third Thursday of the month, is your opportunity to connect with UCF’s research innovation ecosystem. Join us for free coffee and bagels to build your network and gain skills in areas of...
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Oct 16
12:00 PM
New Frontiers in Graduate Careers: Job Search Strategies on October 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Welcome to New Frontiers in Graduate Careers! This is our first Job Search Strategies module session. Job Search Strategies (JSS) is a series of workshops focused on topics specifically related to the job search. Topics could include but are not...
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
Oct 20
12:00 PM
GSL Lunch and Learn: Research and Scholarship on October 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Join us for a Lunch-and-Learn session hosted by the College of Graduate Studies Office of Research and Scholarship.
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
Oct 30
12:00 PM
Grad Gathering: Halloween Celebration on October 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Join us for spooky arts and crafts in the Graduate Student Center (TCH 213). Pizza provided by Graduate Student Life, with support from the Office of Student Involvement. 
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Nov 04
11:00 AM
First Wednesday Cafe on November 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Join us on the First Wednesday of the month for free bagels and coffee, provided by the Office of Graduate Student Life.  This monthly event is a great way to meet new friends and old colleagues! Food provided by the...
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Nov 05
4:00 PM
Grad Gathering: Cozy Book Knight on November 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Unwind with fellow graduate students in the GSC. Bring blankets and books—we'll bring cozy vibes and refreshments!
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Nov 17
1:00 PM
GSL Lunch and Learn: Career Services on November 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Join the Office of Graduate Student Life for a quick lunch break to learn about career resources with a professional from UCF Career Services. Food provided to the first 30 graduate students, come by TCH 208 starting at 1 PM!
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
Nov 17
2:30 PM
New Frontiers in Graduate Careers: CV/Resume Review on November 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Applying for jobs soon? Bring your resume and cover letter to the Graduate Student Center (TCH 213) on November 17 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Professionals from UCF Career Services and the College of Graduate Studies will be on...
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
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Latest News

Knightro poses at UCF Grad Fair with his arms outstretched. Around him are tables with advertisements for graduate programs and people talking.
Around Campus Events and Announcements Prospective Students Student Life

UCF Grad Fair Offers a Look at Where Graduate Education Can Take You

For those thinking about what comes next, graduate school can be an opportunity to turn an interest into expertise, build new skills, or shift gears in their careers.  UCF’s annual...
Yu Shan Huang Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching
Around Campus Awards and Recognition Professional Development Prospective Students Student Life Student Spotlight

Celebrating Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service

Last week, the University of Central Florida recognized graduate faculty and students for excellence in research, teaching, leadership, and service. These awardees are some of UCF’s top scholars and educators....
20th Annual Student Research Week Day 2 Winners
Around Campus Awards and Recognition Events and Announcements Professional Development Prospective Students Research Student Life Student Research Week Student Spotlight

Day Two Winners: Student Scholar Symposium

The Student Scholar Symposium, part of UCF’s 20th Annual Student Research Week, continued March 26 in the Pegasus Ballroom with hundreds of research posters during Sessions 4–6. Judges evaluated presentations...
More news here
Four students with goggles standing in a lab

UCF Doctoral Researchers Selected for Inaugural ASCENDR Fellowship Cohort

Ten UCF doctoral researchers are among the inaugural fellows selected for the new Advancing STEM Careers through Education, Networking, and Development + Research (ASCENDR) Fellowship, a national program designed to prepare...

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