Office of Student Affairs

Under the guidance of Basil Hanss, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Career Development, The Graduate Office of Student Affairs helps you achieve your maximum academic and personal potential by providing support, mentorship, and guidance on all aspects of life while at the Graduate School and also in planning next career phases. Our relationship with you begins during pre-orientation and continues throughout your tenure at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and beyond.

The Graduate Office of Student Affairs serves as a bridge between the administration, students, and program faculty. We oversee student career and professional development and offer a robust array of advising, career, and support services:

  • A comprehensive system of advising and counseling on personal and academic matters affecting academic progress, and connections to administrative and school resources
  • Programming pertaining to professional development, career planning and counseling, and applying for new positions or further education
  • Support of student involvement in student government as well as campus clubs and organizations
  • Oversight and promotion of events, activities, materials, and facilities to guide students training and to promote students leading healthy, well-balanced lives 
  • Nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment

Program Advising, Counseling, and Mentoring

We encourage you to communicate with your academic and research mentors whenever you have questions or problems. Mentors offer support for research, community, and capstone projects. During your time in the Graduate School, you will likely develop close relationships with faculty members that will last a lifetime. The deans are also available to discuss personal or academic issues and can provide including strong support services for counseling and health, as well as academic remediation. The Ombuds Office is another source of advising available to all students and postdoctoral fellows. 

Program directors, faculty advisors, and mentors can also provide advice and counseling. You can get help with creating an individual development plan and selecting courses. In addition, PhD students in Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience can receive advice on rotations, thesis advisors, and dissertation committee selection. We encourage all students to meet with your program directors, faculty advisors, and mentors to discuss career opportunities.