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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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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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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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

May 13
11:00 AM
First Wednesday Cafe
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
May 13
4:00 PM
Summer 2026 Grad Launch Takeoff
Come by the Graduate Student Center (TCH 213) to explore the resources available to you as a graduate student at UCF. From research support to health resources, this tabling-style event offers a well-rounded look at the UCF experience. Connect with…
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
Jun 03
11:00 AM
First Wednesday Cafe
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
Jul 01
11:00 AM
First Wednesday Cafe
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
Aug 25
10:00 AM
Fall Take Off: Welcome Back Brunch
Join us in the GSC for a free Chick-Fil-A brunch with fellow graduate students on Tuesday, August 25th from 10 AM to 1 PM! Breakfast will be available starting at 10 AM, and lunch will be available starting at 11:30…
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Aug 26
1:00 PM
Fall Take Off: CAPS - Achieving Goals and Sustaining Motivation
As a graduate student you likely have personal and academic related goals that you want to achieve. This presentation will focus on effective strategies for setting and achieving your goals as well as staying motivated throughout the process.
@ Virtual
Aug 27
1:00 PM
Fall Take Off: Graduate Student/Alumni Panel
Join us in the TCH 208 for a panel with current graduate students and alumni on Thursday, August 27th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM! You will be able to learn more about life at UCF as well as what…
@ Graduate Student Center Presentation Room: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 208
Aug 27
4:00 PM
Fall Take Off: Hurricane Season Workshop
Join Graduate Student Life and experts from the UCF Office of Emergency Management for a Hurricane Preparedness Workshop. Learn how to stay safe, informed, and ready this storm season!
@ Virtual
Aug 28
12:00 PM
Fall Take Off: Ice Cream Social
Join us at the GSC on Friday, August 28 at 12:00 PM for fun and refreshing ice cream social to take off into the new semester—perfect for meeting fellow graduate students and cooling off in good company. Whether you're new…
@ Graduate Student Center: Trevor Colbourn Hall: 213
Sep 01
12:30 PM
Fall Take Off: Lake Nona Take Off
Graduate Student Life is taking over UCF Lake Nona! Stop by Lake Nona Room TBA for food, swag, and free headshots provided by GSL during the first week of fall classes.  College of Graduate Studies professional staff and student ambassadors…
@ UCF College of Medicine
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Latest News

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 Sympsosium

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...
20th Annual Student Research Week Day 1 Winners
Around Campus Awards and Recognition Events and Announcements Funding Opportunities Professional Development Prospective Students Research Student Life Student Research Week Student Spotlight

Student Scholar Symposium: Day One Winners

The Student Scholar Symposium, UCF’s premier research showcase, runs March 25–26 in the Pegasus Ballroom. Day One featured hundreds of research posters across three sessions, with judges evaluating presentations and...
More news here
Meet your new GSA (Graduate Student Association) Board

New UCF Graduate Student Association Leadership Elected for 2026–2027

The results of the 2026–2027 UCF Graduate Student Association (GSA) officer elections are in! We are excited to announce the newly elected officers who will take on leadership roles and...

Check it out