Honoring Our Graduate Students: A Week of Appreciation and Celebration

From April 13–17, 2026, Seton Hall University hosted its third annual Graduate Student Appreciation Week, adapted from the practice by the National Association of Graduate–Professional Students (NAGPS) to highlight the vital role graduate students play in higher education communities.

Organized by the Office of Graduate Affairs with support from numerous campus partners, this year’s celebration continued to recognize the dedication, achievements and daily contributions of Seton Hall’s graduate student population. Events and activities were offered across both the South Orange and IHS campuses, creating opportunities for connection, support and recognition.

Throughout the week, students enjoyed kick-off tables with free giveaways, an interview skills program, complimentary professional headshots, a relaxing session featuring mini‑massages and activities fairs where campus departments showcased the many resources available to graduate students. Each event featured great food, fun raffles and Seton Hall–themed prizes. Special thanks go to the Campus Bookstore and Athletics Department for their generous contributions.

The signature event of the week was Wednesday’s Dinner and Dessert Social. Attendees enjoyed an Italian buffet and a dessert bar complete with a build‑your‑own sundae station. The evening brought students, faculty and administrators together for conversation, community building and celebration of the graduate student experience.

Reflecting on the week, Christopher Cuccia, Ed.D., associate provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs, shared,

Graduate students occupy a unique and vital space within the University — they are not only advancing their fields of study, but also serving as practitioners, researchers and emerging leaders whose contributions extend well beyond the classroom. Graduate Student Appreciation Week provides an important opportunity to recognize that impact, while also reaffirming our commitment to creating an environment that supports their academic, professional and personal growth.

Student Isadora Rodrigues Tercariol, an M.P.A and M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy student, said,

The events not only gave me a chance to catch up with friends and engage with the broader graduate community but also offered me a much-needed break amidst a busy period of the semester — finals are approaching! I also appreciated the opportunity at the activities fair to learn more about the services available for graduate students at Seton Hall.

Bradley Martin, Ph.D., assistant professor of Genomic Data Science and Systems Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, noted,

The Graduate Student Appreciate Week Dinner was so much fun! Our graduate students put so much effort into their work and it was great to celebrate their commitment, dedication and accomplishments. I would like to thank them for inviting me to the dinner as well as Graduate Affairs and all who were involved in hosting and planning the event.

Another student, Jessica Garreffa, who’s working on her M.A. in School Counseling / Ed.S. in Professional Counseling, offered,

Graduate Student Appreciation Week was such an enjoyable experience as a first-year graduate student. The Graduate Affairs team has created a special community for me to have fun with my peers. I especially enjoyed the mini-massages and breakfast for dinner! Graduate school can be such a challenge and it was nice to have the opportunity to sit down with my classmates and de-stress during the Graduate Student Appreciation Week.

The Office of Graduate Affairs extends sincere appreciation to the many departments that helped make the week a success, including Student Services, Career Center, Campus Ministry, CAPS, DSS, DOVE, Health Services, the Office of International Programs, Study Abroad, the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center, Walsh Library, the Financial Aid Office, University Relations, Gourmet Dining Services, Media Services, the Campus Bookstore and the Athletics Department.

With the continued growth of this annual tradition, Seton Hall is already looking ahead to next year’s celebration, scheduled for April 12–16, 2027. The University remains committed to honoring the invaluable impact of its graduate students.

Categories: Campus Life