Graduate Studies Advisory Board

The Graduate Studies Advisory Board (GSAB) plays a vital role in advancing graduate studies at William & Mary in Arts & Sciences and the School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics (CDSP). The Arts & Sciences GSAB was established in 2004. At its fall 2024 meeting, the GSAB voted to revise its bylaws and become a board that supports the graduate programs in both Arts & Sciences and CDSP.

Mission:

The Graduate Studies Advisory Board supports Graduate Arts & Sciences and the School of Computing, Data Sciences, and Physics by:

Development/fundraising to increase graduate Arts & Sciences financial resources for graduate education in A&S and CDSP.
Assisting in the building of the Arts & Sciences and CDSP a graduate Arts & Sciences community.
Enhancing professional development opportunities for Arts & Sciences and CDSP graduate students.
Advocating for graduate Arts & Sciences for of all Arts & Sciences and CDSP graduate programs within the W&M community.

Graduate programs in Arts & Sciences and CDSP are critical to the mission of William & Mary and to our status as a research university. Graduate programs strengthen undergraduate programs by providing research and mentoring opportunities, and are essential in retaining the best faculty who work at the cutting edge of their disciplines.

The board has worked to establish several awards to recognize excellence in our graduate students: the Distinguished Thesis and Dissertation Awards given in honor of Virginia Torczon, former Arts & Sciences Dean of Graduate Studies & Research; Recruitment Fellowships; Awards for Excellence in Scholarship given at the Graduate Research Symposium; Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring given in honor of S. Laurie Sanderson, former Dean of Graduate Studies & Research; and the Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring. The board also takes an active role in supporting the annual Graduate Research Symposium.

The Board meets twice annually, in the fall and spring. The spring meeting often follows the annual Research Symposium. Members make a meaningful annual financial commitment in support of Graduate Studies Advisory Board goals.

You can contribute online to help support the mission of the GSAB.