Events
Our events and how you can get involved
GPSS's Events are defined as attendance-based events and services that further the GPSS Mission, including but not limited to, community-building, student advocacy, and intellectual development events organized by the GPSS. Volunteers are key to the success of all of our events.
We welcome all to participate in our events, volunteer to help with the efforts surrounding each, and to honor Ut Prosim through that service. Please email gpss@vt.edu to indicate your willingness to help with one or more of our Events! Not sure what would be asked of you as a volunteer? Click the expansion signs ("+") next to the name of the program, or check out the pages linked in the right column to see what our volunteers have traditionally done to support our Events. It's an easy way to get involved and make new friends!
All event dates and times will be announced on their individual pages, on our Instagram page (@VTGPSS) our Twitter account, and through the weekly Graduate School listserv email.
The annual Little Hokie™ Hand-Me-Down event, a Virginia Tech November tradition, is hosted in the Multipurpose Room of the Graduate Life Center, 155 Otey St. This event offers university students and staff members with children the opportunity to “shop” for a wide range of infant and children’s clothes, accessories, and other items they may need, free of charge.
The Graduate School, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, and Women’s Center at Virginia Tech sponsor the Hand-Me-Down, and members of the university and Blacksburg communities make the event possible, donating gently used or new items for families.
Any leftover items will be donated to charitable organizations in the area.
Example Volunteer opportunities: accept, examine, and sort incoming donations, organize displays of offerings for customers, welcome and support customers, tear down at the end of the event.
Our Community Building events are opportunities for our graduate and professional students to connect on a deeper, more personal level, encouraging their personal and professional growth. We have, in the past, offered the Welcome Back Barbecue, Beer and Wine Socials, picnics, workshops, and networking events.
We welcome your ideas for new and exciting events to be held this year! We also gladly welcome other student-serving organizations to join us in creating events that serve our communities.
Example Volunteer opportunities: organization of events, marketing of events, vendor management for an event, set up of event, tear down at end of event, organization of participants and their activities.
Graduating soon? Are you confused about your next steps? Law School? Medical School? Should you pursue an MBA? an MPH? Is a Master's degree necessary for your chosen field? Will a Ph.D. put you over the top when looking to your future?
Never fear: the Annual Graduate and Professional School Fair brings together our students and recruiters from many different schools, reflecting many different programs and opportunities. Join us, explore opportunities, connect with recruiters, and get that edge on your next steps! Most graduate and professional school applications are due by December 15th! Get your knowlegde on now, and find the program that is right for you!
Example Volunteer opportunities: organization of the event, marketing of the event, recruiter management for the event, tech support for the event, set up of event, tear down at end of event, organization of participants and their activities.
Have you met Dean Surprenant? Would you like to? Would you like to have a conversation with her? (Hint: she is deeply committed to the success of every graduate and professional student, and she WANTS to hear from you)
Join us in one of our Meet the Dean Series of events. We regularly host Tacos with the Dean, Donuts with the Dean, and other such events.
Example Volunteer opportunities: welcome participants to the sessions, organize food table, pick up food from vendors, tear down at the end of the event.