Whether you are new to Rackham or a student continuing on your path to degree, I would like to extend my welcome and to share my excitement for the promise of a new academic year at the graduate school.
Rackham’s more than 8,500 students pursue scholarship across the humanities, the social sciences, engineering, and the physical, biological, and health sciences. Just as impressive are the distances you travel to come here from across the country and around the world. Your array of perspectives and interests are essential aspects of the diversity that makes Rackham great. But no matter what degree or field of study you are pursuing, I also want to take this chance to emphasize that Rackham offers resources and assistance to support you at every stage of your graduate education.
- Professional and Academic Development
Rackham offers numerous avenues for you to develop the skills necessary to be successful in your professional and academic development during your student experience and as you transition to your career. These include our Professional Development DEI Certificate, Program in Public Scholarship, Professional Development Leaders Program, workshops, internships, and much more.
- Funding
In addition to fellowships for students at different stages of their degree, Rackham offers grants to support research and conference travel, grants to support professional development, funds to help in emergency situations, and more.
- Support and Well-Being
As a graduate student, you are often working to navigate studies, research, and relationships with peers and advisors. For times when you need guidance, Rackham provides help. U-M Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has an embedded staff member, Dr. Laura Monschau, dedicated to working specifically with graduate students. The Rackham website offers additional resources, including contact information for Rackham’s Resolution Office, which offers a safe and private environment to discuss concerns. You’ll also find details on where to report bias, discrimination, or harassment, and connections to various student communities.
I encourage you to be intentional about what you want to accomplish here, to take full advantage of the ways that Rackham can be your ally in that pursuit, and to take time to browse the full range of opportunities available on the Rackham website.
Outside of our current offerings, we are always committed to finding new ways to enhance student success and catalyze new research in the field of graduate education. As part of this effort, we survey different groups of Rackham students to learn more about your experiences. It is important that we hear from students from all backgrounds and programs. Therefore, if you receive a survey invitation from us, I hope you will participate so that all of us at Rackham—and those who follow us—can benefit. These research surveys dovetail with the planning and outreach we are doing with faculty and student organizations to develop long-term strategies for your benefit.
I look forward to your accomplishments in the year ahead; all of us at Rackham strive to be a valuable resource for helping you to achieve them.
Sincerely,
Mike Solomon
Dean