October 2026 Student Newsletter |
Dear CCAS Graduate Students,
Can you believe it's already October? With the fall semester well underway, we hope that your classes are going well and that you are settling back into the rhythm of the academic year.
This month's newsletter is full of important tips and resources, including reminders for both new and graduating students, a rundown on resources for military-affiliated students, new job and fellowship opportunities, and more!
Looking for past issues of our newsletter? Check out our Student Newsletter page for the archives!
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Upcoming Graduate Student Events |
October 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM | Multicultural Student Service Center (USC 505) | Registration
Common Grounds is a relaxed gathering where CCAS faculty, staff, students and alumni come together to share ideas, reflect on important issues and deepen connections across the College. This conversation will feature Associate Professor of English, Chet'la Sebree. She is the author of Turn (W)Here: A Geography of Home. This collection of work chronicles one woman’s complicated quest to find home in a fractured America, from the award-winning author of Field Study and contributor to Four Hundred Souls.
The first 15 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Prof. Sebree’s new book.
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INSPIRE Leadership Seminar |
October 6 & 8, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM | Multicultural Student Service Center (USC 505)
INSPIRE is an interactive, in-person leadership experience designed for GW students who want to strengthen their leadership skills and become more effective, community-centered leaders. Grounded in Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Ecosystem, students will explore their role in creating change, develop their personal leadership philosophy, practice navigating challenging conversations, and build strategies for fostering belonging and accountability within their communities.
Please be sure to register today (October 1) if you would like to participate in the seminar.
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October 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM | Starting Location to be Announced | Registration
Join the CCAS Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for a fun scavenger hunt for CCAS students, staff, faculty and alumni featuring an afternoon of teamwork and solving puzzles together! Teams will race around campus, cracking clues and finding hidden spots. At the end of the race, teams will gather to enjoy snacks and celebrate the adventure.
Get your team together and get ready for an exciting campus-wide adventure filled with exciting challenges, cool secrets about GW history, and friendly competition! As you explore this exciting journey, you’ll make lasting connections with colleagues, students, and alumni while soaking up the lively campus atmosphere.
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October 19 - 30, 2026 | Virtual
The 2026 Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) Graduate Programs Virtual Open House is the perfect opportunity to explore what it means to be a GW graduate student and dive into 90+ cutting-edge degree and certificate programs within CCAS. Attendees can connect directly with current GW graduate students, engage with world-class faculty, and get personalized guidance from our admissions team. If you have friends who have been talking about going back to school, spread the word about our Graduate Programs Virtual Open House!
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October 26 - 30 between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Smith 118
Stop by the CCAS Office of Graduate Studies in Smith 118 for some Halloween treats! We invite you to drop by any day from October 26 - 30 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. This is a great chance to ask any questions you may have for our office, or to take a study break and recharge with candy!
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Important Reminders & Updates |
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There will be no classes held on Monday - Tuesday, October 12 - 13, in observance of Fall Break.
University offices will be open as usual.
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As a reminder, beginning October 1, we will no longer accept CCAS graduate student forms via email.
- Check out the Registrar's Office Fall/ Spring Schedule page for a full list of key registration dates. This month, we recommend marking your calendars for:
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Sunday, November 1: Last day to withdraw from a course on GWeb.
Please note that Withdrawn courses will be reflected in your transcript with a grade of 'W.'
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Registration for Spring 2027 courses will open in GWeb on November 5th at 9:00 AM. Now is a great time to check your DegreeMAP record and review your plan of study.
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If a course you would like to take is not listed in your program’s bulletin as fulfilling a specific program requirement, please connect with your Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) before registering for the course, to ensure that it will be allowed to count towards your program requirements.
- Consider using the Plan Ahead tool in GWeb to pre-save up to 5 registration plans. When registration opens for the spring, you will be able to select from your pre-saved plans to register for classes.
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Not sure where to start? Check out our Graduate Student Academic Resources playlist on the CCAS YouTube channel for videos on DegreeMAP, GWeb registration, and more!
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If you started your program of study in the Fall 2026 semester, please make sure that you have turned in all official documents and transcripts required as part of the admissions process.
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If you have not submitted your transcripts, you will notice a hold on your account and will be unable to register for Spring 2027 courses.
- If you have a transcript hold, please reach out to our Admissions team at askccas@gwu.edu. They will work with you to ensure you have turned in all required documents.
- More information on holds can be found on the Registrar’s Office website. Please keep in mind that a hold can only be removed by the office that placed the hold.
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If you will be completing your thesis or dissertation in Fall 2026, please continue to be mindful of ETD clearance deadlines for both Ph.D. students and for Master’s students completing a thesis.
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If you are completing your program of study in Fall 2026, you must submit an online graduation application for Fall 2026 in order to graduate and receive your diploma (or certificate).
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If you intend to graduate in Fall 2026, please be sure to submit the online graduation application by November 15.
- Please pay close attention to the Registrar's Office deadlines for updating your diploma name and/ or mailing address.
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Take a moment to review the Alumni Account FAQs. Once you complete your degree requirements, you are subject to the alumni email storage limit. The FAQ page includes tips to maintain access to your GW email and the information in your GW-associated Google Drive and Calendar. Information about May 2027 Commencement Week events will be sent to your GW email in Spring 2027.
- Questions about your graduation requirements? Please reach out to our office at ccasgradserv@gwu.edu.
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Resource Highlight: Office of Military & Veteran Services |
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The Office of Military & Veteran Services (MVS) offers an array of advising services, including specialized career counseling, advice on using benefits as a student veteran or eligible dependent, and assistance navigating the academic environment and associated processes.
Through the VA's VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program, MVS provides servicemembers, veterans, and their qualified dependents access to assistance navigating disability accommodations, vocational testing, vocational rehabilitation counseling, academic and career counseling, and more. VSOC can also refer students to VA health services as needed. This service is available to all student veterans with VA benefits, regardless of entitlement.
MVS has also partnered with the Center for Career Services to provide dedicated career development support for military-affiliated students. Military & Veteran Career Services include resume writing, internships, employment initiatives, as well as a variety of programmatic and networking events, such as career fairs and one-on-one conversations with prospective employers.
You can reach out to MVS directly at vetserve@gwu.edu, or visit them in-person on the ground floor of the University Student Center or at the Military Community Center (located at 2035 F St NW).
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MVS has compiled a comprehensive guide on using your education benefits as GW student. Click through the links to learn about the various education benefits available to military servicemembers and/ or their dependents. For each specific benefit, MVS has laid out eligibility factors and a step-by-step guide to accessing the benefit for eligible students.
In addition to their benefits guides, MVS also compiles information on scholarships available to military-affiliated students. The MVS Learning Supplement may be of particular interest; this award can be used for the cost of education (tuition, fees, housing, books, or supplies). Applications are open until 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 15. Additional information and the link to apply can be found on the MVS Scholarships page.
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GW Vets is GW's chapter of the Student Veterans of America. They host a variety of events throughout the year, including The Pitch (an annual networking event with cash prizes), an End of Year Formal, and a Veterans Day Ceremony. GW Vets also hosts monthly art therapy sessions, and social outings; recent outings include playing paintball and attending a DC United soccer match. Joining GW Vets is a great way to make friends and stay engaged with other military-affiliated students!
You can also visit the Military Community Center (MCC), located in a renovated historic townhouse on F St. The MCC boasts a comfortable lounge with a large TV and PS5, a kitchen stocked with coffee and tea, and dedicated study spaces. If you need a space to relax in-between classes, request access to the MCC!
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Career Readiness Workshop Series |
The academic year is off to a great start, and we hope you’ve added the Career Readiness Workshop Series to your to-do list! The CCAS Career Services team, Dr. Johnette Ruffner Ceaser and Dr. Erica Walls, has already hosted two sessions designed to help you build the skills and confidence needed to navigate your career journey.
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Catch Up on Past Workshops |
Thursday, October 22 | 12:00 p.m.
Beyond the First Interview: Winning the Next Round
Making it to the next round is an accomplishment—now it’s time to stand out! This workshop will help you refine your interview strategies, strengthen your responses to challenging questions, and confidently showcase your skills and value during second- and third-round interviews. Register today and take the next step toward interview success.
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Schedule a 1:1 Career Advising Session |
Looking for personalized career guidance? Schedule a 1:1 Career Advising session through Handshake.
Log in with your GW email, then select Career Services > Appointments to view available advising times and schedule a session.
For more information, career resources, and additional support, visit our website or email ccas_careers@gwu.edu.
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Bates White Internship — Seeking applicants graduating between Fall 2027 - Spring 2028. A technical background (e.g., economics, finance, computer science, engineering, etc.) is helpful but not required. All majors accepted. Compensation listed at $37/ hr.
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GW Women’s Leadership Program is seeking a full-time Student Communications & Marketing Specialist. Apply by Oct 15.
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Explore Research Opportunities in Denmark — Hear from the Ambassador of Denmark to the United States and Fulbright Denmark’s Executive Director, learn about opportunities across the fields of Biosolutions, Neuroscience, Power-to-X, and Quantum, and connect with researchers and fellow students over tapas and networking. This in-person event will take place on October 20 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Registration is required.
- Virtual Government & Nonprofit Career Fair — Seeking a job in the public or social sector? GW is hosting a virtual career fair on Thurs, Oct 29 to help you plan for the path ahead.
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NIH Summer 2027 Internship Program — Full-time summer research internship at the NIH Intramural Research Program — open to college, graduate, and professional students in biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences. Application portal opens mid-November 2026.
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The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research program is open to PhD students in various science-related programs until Nov 4.
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Assistantships & Fellowships — Explore paid opportunities working directly with GW faculty.
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Student Employment — Browse part-time, on-campus jobs (including Federal Work Study) and get support through the hiring process, all in one place.
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Explore Handshake for additional ways to connect with employers, under Job Postings, Events, and Fairs.
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Funding, Fellowships, Internships, & Employment Opportunities |
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Please feel free to reach out to us at ccasgradserv@gwu.edu if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
The Student Services Team
Office of Graduate Studies
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
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