Let's Talk Grad School Series 2025–2026
Ready to dive deeper into what graduate school really looks like? Join us for our Let's Talk Grad School series — open conversations designed to help you prepare, connect, and thrive on your grad journey.

Each session features honest discussions with current graduate students and alumni who share tips, lessons learned, and how they've built community and balance in grad life.

Let's Talk Grad School #1: Building Your Own Community in Grad School
Thursday, October 23, 2025 |  1–2 PM |  Online
How did other new grad students adapt to their graduate environment and make initial connections with their peers?
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IFyJQZAsQn-H8t7fUANUFQ  

--> RECORDING for LTGS #1: https://umbc.box.com/s/c44mvew87an8y5i48dnme412ja2dvx37

Let's Talk Grad School #2: First in the Academy – Undergrad & Grad!
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 |  12–1 PM |  Online
How did first-gen undergrads navigate their journey? Is it different from the first-gen grad experience?
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9QchLmnCSpm0NIgxL5DbEQ  

Let's Talk Grad School #3: Navigating Grad with Marginalized Identities
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 |  12–1 PM |  Online
How do we find support for our marginalized identities in a new campus or community?

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6YgfesyvQvyCK92zTpxDXw  

Let's Talk Grad School #4: Balling on a Budget as Grads
Saturday, March 28, 2026 |  1–2 PM |  Online
How do we balance our time commitments and financial wellness as grads, maybe now living on a stipend?
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ccg6SOH2SvGboQrfP_UXmQ  

How to Join the P.A.W. Circle

Special Events and Community

Dear UMBC Undergrad Students, 

We're conducting a research study titled "Measuring College Students' Reliance on Generative AI in Academic Writing: Impacts and Insights from a Mixed-Methods Study." This study aims to investigate how undergraduate students utilize generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, and the impact these tools have on their writing. Our goal is to understand how these advanced technologies are transforming writing practices and behavior.

To participate, complete the "Reliance on Generative AI" survey via Qualtrics, which should take no more than 10 minutes. All information you provide will be kept anonymous and confidential. Participation is completely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without any negative consequences. As a token of appreciation, ten lucky participants will each receive $100, selected through a random lottery among all survey completers. Additionally, participants may choose to take part in a brief follow-up online interview (<1 hour) for an extra $25 cash incentive.

Eligibility for this study requires you to be a current UMBC student who has used AI technologies for academic purposes. If you have any questions, need more information, or have concerns about this study, please feel free to contact Shahin Hossain at shahinh1@umbc.edu or call (443) 478-6437. You can also contact Dr. Ramon Goings at rgoings@umbc.edu.

For questions about the review process or your rights as a research participant, you can reach out to the UMBC Office of Research Protections and Compliance at (410) 455-2737 or via email at compliance@umbc.edu.

Your participation is highly valued, as your insights will greatly enhance our understanding of the role of AI in literacy development within higher education. To join the survey, please follow this link: https://umbc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6KBpfotc3SrbwMe

Kindest regards,

Shahin Hossain

Ph.D. Candidate, Language, Literacy, and Culture