Student Newsletter

Welcome to the CCAS Graduate Student Newsletter! Designed to keep you up to date with news and events, policies and processes, and all things for CCAS graduate students!

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Latest Issue: March 2025

The Student Services Team is here to advise, guide, and provide you with resources to aid in your success, as well as help you navigate university policies and procedures. Our office is located in Smith 118, and we are open during normal business hours on Monday – Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. You can schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person appointment with your Student Services Coordinator and Career Counselor.

For our March newsletter, we have the following topics:

Congratulations to our GW Bouchet Honor Society Nominees!
Congratulations to the CCAS 3MT Participants!
Upcoming Student Events
Important Reminders
May 2025 Commencement Information
Career Services & Upcoming Career Events
Resource Highlight: Free Tax Help
CAPS Support Groups
Funding, Fellowships, Internships & Employment Opportunities

Congratulations to our GW Bouchet Honor Society Nominees!

Please join the CCAS Office of Graduate Studies in congratulating the five 2025 nominees to GW's chapter of the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society.

Ashley Bastin - Biological Sciences, CCAS

Jasmine Charter-Harris - Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition, GWSPH

Jonathan M. Huie - Biological Sciences, CCAS

Kailyn Price - Neuroscience, GW SMHS

Tatiana Ruiz - Public Policy and Public Administration, CCAS

Named for the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States, the society recognizes and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. The Society, which was chartered jointly by Yale and Howard universities in 2005, now includes 18 chapters at universities around the country. The goal of these chapters is to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for those who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy.

Congratulations to the CCAS 3MT Participants!

GW’s second annual University-wide Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition was held on February 20, 2025. Competitors were tasked with distilling their dissertation research into a three-minute presentation that could be understood by a non-specialist audience. Didn’t get to see the competition? You can watch a replay of the livestream on YouTube!

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude and congratulations to our CCAS competitors: Natalie Boyle (Neuroscience), Jaci Dickerson (Public Administration and Public Policy), Michael Guy (History), Maheen Javaid (Economics), Brita Ostermeier (Microbiology & Immunology), Hasara Rathnasekara (Economics), and Awanti Shastri (Biological Sciences).

Upcoming Student Events

Spring Break: No Classes

Monday, March 10 - Friday, March 14, 2025

There will be no classes the week of March 10th, in observance of GW’s Spring Break. We hope you all have a restful and restorative break!

Save the Date: CCAS Research Showcase

Wednesday, April 2 from 10:00am - 2:30pm | USC 3rd Floor Ballrooms

The 2025 CCAS Research Showcase will take place on April 2nd 2025. The Research Showcase provides an opportunity for all Graduate and Undergraduate students and all postdocs in CCAS programs to present their research and scholarship in a poster session. Everyone from CCAS, students, postdocs, staff and faculty alike, are encouraged to come to the Showcase in the third-floor ballrooms of the University Student Center to learn about the fascinating and impactful work of our excellent students and postdocs and their research mentors. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].

Save the Date: Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week

Various events | Monday, March 31 - Friday, April 4, 2025

Mark your calendars for this year’s Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW)! Launched in 1993 by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, GPSAW serves to support and acknowledge graduate and professional students. The week recognizes the contributions, impact, and value of graduate and professional students on campuses throughout the United States.

In addition to the variety of GPSAW events that the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) will hold throughout the week, the CCAS Office of Graduate Studies will be hosting a Career Services event, a swag giveaway, and an ice cream social. We will send out an email with more details about our CCAS-sponsored GPSAW events closer to the end of March. Stay tuned and check out the GPSAW page on OGPA’s website for more details!

Important Reminders

Key Registration Dates this Month

Please review the Registrar’s Office’s Fall/ Spring Schedule page for a full list of key registration dates.

March 7	Last day to change grade mode with Dean’s permission.
March 23	Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of ‘W’ on GWeb.

After March 23, students will need to submit an RTF to the Student Services team via [email protected] in order to withdraw from a course.

Please keep in mind that receiving a grade of ‘W’ may impact Satisfactory Academic Progress for student loan purposes. If you receive student loans and are considering withdrawing from a course at this point in the semester, we strongly encourage you to review the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and reach out to the Office of Student Financial Assistance ([email protected]) with any questions.

Summer/ Fall 2025 Registration

Registration for 2025 Summer Sessions will open in GWeb on March 17, 2025. GWeb registration for Session I will remain open through May 25; registration for Session II will remain open through July 6. Please visit the Registrar’s Office’s Summer Sessions page for a full list of session dates and registration deadlines. You are not required to register in Summer Sessions to maintain enrollment unless specifically directed to do so by your program.

Registration for Fall 2025 classes will open in GWeb from March 27 - September 7, 2025. All CCAS graduate students are required to register continuously each fall and spring semester until the completion of their program.

Please visit the Registrar’s Office’s How to Register page for GWeb registration instructions. We recommend reaching out to your Director of Graduate Studies if you are unsure which classes to take. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you encounter technical difficulties in registering for classes.

Student Accounts Late Fee Reminder

Please continue to keep in mind the Student Accounts Late Fee policy, especially if you have recently made changes to your course schedule or if you owe an outstanding balance from a prior semester.

Any students with an outstanding Student Accounts Balance on March 14, 2025 will be charged a $75 late fee by the Student Accounts Office. More information on the late fee policy, as well as the full fee schedule, can be found in the Late Payments section of the Student Accounts Office website.

Spring 2025 ETD Deadlines & Ph.D. ETD Workshops

Please continue to be mindful of ETD clearance deadlines for both Ph.D. students and for Master’s students completing a thesis.

Ph.D. students should visit our Ph.D. Clearance Deadlines page, and Master’s students completing a thesis should review our Master’s Thesis ETD Submission page.

Ph.D. students planning to defend in the Spring semester are strongly encouraged to attend our Ph.D. ETD Workshop:

Spring 2025 CCAS Ph.D. ETD Workshop II:
Thursday, March 6 from 3:00 - 4:00pm | Virtual (Zoom)
Learn more about the ETD submission process, formatting requirements, and upcoming deadlines for CCAS Ph.D. students. Please register in advance to attend. You do not need to attend this session if you attended the February workshop.

May 2025 Commencement Information

May 2025 Commencement Celebration Dates

Please save the date for the following CCAS and GW Commencement Week events:

Celebration	Date and Time
Doctoral Hooding	Thursday, May 15 at 5:00 pm
Master’s Celebration	Friday, May 16 at 8:30 am
GW Commencement	Sunday, May 18 at 10:30 am (Graduates and guests must be seated by 10:15 a.m. EDT.)

Please continue to check your GW email and the Commencement website for updates on registration and ticketing for both guests and graduates.

Completing your Degree in Spring 2025

If you are completing your graduate certificate, Master's degree or Doctoral degree requirements in Spring 2025, you must apply to graduate for Spring 2025 via GWeb. Instructions can be found on the Office of the Registrar's website.

If you wish to participate in commencement/celebration activities in May 2025, then you must apply to graduate no later than March 14, 2025. To ensure there are no delays or issues, we strongly recommend that you apply much earlier than the deadline. You must be registered for Spring 2025 courses in order to submit the graduation application.

In addition to the graduation application deadline, please keep in mind the following dates:

Task	Deadline
Apply to graduate via GWeb.	March 14
Submit any name changes. If your name is incorrect in the Online Graduation Application, please submit a Biographical Updates Form as soon as possible and indicate that you have applied to graduate.	April 19: Change will appear in Commencement publications and on diploma. May 15: Change will appear on diploma only.
Submit any address changes. In the Online Graduation Application, you can add a new Diploma mailing address that is different from your current residential address, if needed. See step 5 in the graduation application instructions.	May 15
Spring 2025 degree conferral	May 18

Notice for Summer 2025 Graduates

Some students who will complete their degree requirements over the summer will still be eligible to participate in May 2025 Commencement. If you will complete your degree requirements in the summer but wish to participate in May 2025 Commencement, please register for Summer Session and apply to graduate starting March 17. Please be sure that you do not apply for Spring 2025 graduation, as this will cause delays with your graduation clearance.

If you plan to complete your degree in Summer 2025 and are unsure whether you are eligible to participate in May 2025 Commencement, please review our Attending Commencement Week Events page or reach out to us at [email protected].

Nominate Faculty for Awards & Recognition

Each year, CCAS recognizes members of the faculty who students feel have had an especially important role in supporting and shaping their academic career. We invite you to nominate members of your faculty for the following honors:

Awards for Excellence in Mentoring: Each year, CCAS celebrates a faculty member who has been exceptionally helpful and supportive to our students, whether in a formal or informal capacity. Tell us how this faculty member has shaped your academic experience at GW and why you think they should be honored. (Your recommendation should not exceed 250 words.)

Master’s students: Please use this Mentor Award Nomination Form to nominate faculty for the Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Master's Students.
Doctoral students: Please use this Mentor Award Nomination Form to nominate faculty for the Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Doctoral Students.

To demonstrate the far-reaching effect of individual graduate mentors, we encourage you to work with your classmates to submit multiple nominations for the same faculty members.

Nominations for all faculty honors are due no later than Thursday, March 6.

Vote in the 2025 Student Speaker Competition

Please be sure to visit the Commencement Student Speaker Competition website between March 17 - 30 to cast your vote for the Class of 2025 Student Speaker! The winner you choose will address their classmates, and the GW community at large, during Commencement on the National Mall. Voting will be open to all members of the GW community.

Career Services & Upcoming Career Events

Our career counselors are available throughout the year to answer your career questions! Schedule an appointment with Erin Ahart or Dr. Johnette Ruffner-Ceaser via Handshake. For more information and helpful resources, including the list of upcoming Career Readiness Series workshops, visit our website or email [email protected].

Plus, tune in each week for the Minute Mentor podcast, a podcast series in which our career counselors share relevant career tips in just five minutes per episode!

Resource Highlight: Free Tax Help

As the days get warmer and the flowers start to bloom, we know the last thing you want to do is sit inside and work on your taxes! Luckily, there are a few free resources available to GW students to help make completing your taxes easier.

Free Tax Returns

Every Saturday and Sunday between Feb 15, 2025 and Apr 13, 2025 (9:30am - 3:30pm), IRS-certified volunteers from the GW Law School and GW School of Business will be on the Foggy Bottom campus to help you prepare your tax returns at no cost! The service is available to DMV residents earning under $75k/ year. The GW site will be in Duques Hall (2201 G St NW), room 150. Appointments are not required - walk-in service is offered on a first come, first served basis. Some reservations are available at (202) 994-9316.

For more information on free tax preparation (and a list of other sites), please visit the IRS website’s “Free tax return preparation” page. The location and hours for the GW site can be found by entering 20052 as the zip code in the VITA/ TCE Locator Tool. Please review the IRS checklist to ensure you have all required documents for tax preparation. International students should also plan to bring their GW-provided Sprintax software.

International Students: Sprintax Nonresident Tax Workshops

The GW Tax Department hosts a number of webinars each year to help international students ensure that they prepare their taxes accurately. Please review the Tax Department’s Sprintax Returns page to register for an upcoming webinar.

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinar: Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling, as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return.
Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview for OPT/ CPT: Topics covered will include residency for tax purposes, tax liabilities when on OPT/CPT and pre-employment tax forms when on OPT/CPT. The Sprintax team will also provide an overview of Sprintax Forms which can be used to prepare your pre-OPT/CPT employment tax documents.

Please note that these webinars (and the Sprintax software) are not hosted by the CCAS Office of Graduate Studies - if you have any questions about taxes for international students, please reach out to ISO ([email protected]) and the GW Tax Department ([email protected]).

CAPS Support Groups

GW’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers a number of weekly group sessions, led by licensed clinicians and meant to focus on specific topics. Current group offerings include:

Healthy Relationships Group: A processing space to help students gain insight and tools to improve all types of relationships.
International Students Group: A safe and caring environment where international students can explore shared themes, process their emotions, and enhance their well-being.
UniQue Voices: Mental Health for the GW LGBTQ+ Community: A supportive therapy group providing a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students to share experiences and explore their identities.
Sexual Assault Survivors Group: A support and healing space for femme/female-identifying individuals who have experienced sexual assault. This group offers a collaborative space to learn about trauma, process complex emotions, and integrate the experience into a healthier self.
Grief and Loss Support Group: A supportive therapy space where students can receive peer support from others who understand their experience, explore their emotions, and learn coping strategies to help them heal.

Please visit the CAPS Groups page to learn more about each group and how to join.

Funding, Fellowships, Internships & Employment Opportunities

Bryce Harlow Fellowship Program

Deadline: May 4, 2025

The Bryce Harlow Fellowship was created to support “highly motivated students in pursuit of a career in professional advocacy through government relations and lobbying.” Fellowships are awarded to students who work full-time and undertake graduate studies on a part-time basis. Graduate programs may include, but are not limited to, public policy, law, and business.

Selected fellows will receive a $9000 tuition award, paid directly to GW and applied to their Student Account. Fellows will also be paired with a mentor from the Bryce Harlow Foundation’s board - this is an invaluable resource for networking and gaining expertise in your field.

For full eligibility and application requirements, as well as the link to apply, please visit the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships & Fellowships website.

Knapp Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Service-Learning

Proposal Submission Deadline: May 23, 2025

The Knapp Fellowship was established to recognize, reward, and facilitate creative public service and academic engagement. Selected students design and implement entrepreneurial service-learning projects that make a significant difference in the lives of others. Selected Knapp Fellows work with the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service and a faculty member advisor to implement projects in collaboration with other students and/or community partners. Fellowship projects will be conducted over the course of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Knapp Fellowship projects should integrate scholarly work in the student’s discipline with the design and implementation of the service project. Projects should also involve collaboration with a local community organization or community members, and be heavily informed by their knowledge and experience. These projects are substantial and rely on Fellows having prior experience working with their community partner and/or the social issue. Knapp Fellows also receive professional development opportunities, preparing them to work with community partners and/or faculty members who are subject experts. For more information on the Knapp Fellowship and application process, please visit the Knapp Fellowship page.

AGED Diagnostics: Research and Development Intern

AGED Diagnostics, a startup out of Bethesda, MD is hiring a paid research and development intern to support various functions associated with their ongoing clinical trial and to support R&D in their lab. In the position, you will gain hands-on lab experience in a clinical lab setting. To learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to Rachel Zayas at [email protected].

Updated March 3, 2025.