The Graduate School Newsletter
Spring 2026
Welcome to all of our new graduate students this semester! I hope you’ll visit and peruse the online modules your faculty and the graduate-school team have created to support you. From cultural awareness to financing your degree and planning your course progression, we have compiled a one-stop shop to prepare you for success in your first semester as a graduate student.
The site is unique to your entering spring cohort of graduate students, and it will serve as a resource for you again and again during your time at the College. Periodically, we will add new modules that mirror your degree progress—preparing you for that internship, capstone/thesis/dissertation experience, and career change or advancement. Click here for the link, which will take you to your Blackboard login screen. Once you’re logged in, simply click on the New Graduate Student Orientation Spring 2026 course site, then click on the “START HERE” video in the center of your screen. Here’s to a successful first semester!
GSA President Sam Pierre
GSA Fall Hike
Welcome to the spring semester everyone! Whether you are a new or returning student, I hope you all had a lovely winter break. My name is Harriet Caesley, I am a student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, and I am excited to be Hood College’s new Graduate Student Success Coordinator. In this role, I strive to support you as graduate students by ensuring you are connected to the resources necessary for SUCCESS.
Throughout this semester you’ll notice me tabling with snacks and wellness resources in Hodson and the Toll House building. Please keep an eye on your email for details of when and where I’ll be through this semester!
If you’re struggling with academic or interpersonal pressures and need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at GradSuccess@hood.edu so I can help connect you with the College’s support resources. I look forward to meeting many of you on-campus or online and good luck for the spring semester!
Hood College is offering free gentle yoga sessions this spring semester, which is open to Hood staff, faculty, and students. Classes take place every Tuesday from 12:00–12:50 PM in the campus Chapel sanctuary area. No prior yoga experience is required, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to ground, reset, and practice self-care. If you’re interested, please complete this brief registration form or email our campus-yoga organizer, Ms. Tanith Fowler Corsi (FowlerCorsi@hood.edu).
GradCare: Resources for Health, Wellness and Success
GradCare is intended to be an all-encompassing resource to connect graduate students with services and resources to help them be healthy at Hood. We are constantly updating the site with resources and services located on-campus and in the community, so check back often!
Campus Cupboard: Addressing Hunger at Hood
Campus Cupboard aims to provide non-perishable food staples and hygiene items to students with temporary or long-term need via a confidential system. If you are currently experiencing food insecurity or are struggling to afford groceries or basic toiletry items, simply email our confidential, secure mailbox at campuscupboard@hood.edu to receive additional information on requesting/receiving this support.
Private Lactation Room Available On-Campus
The private lactation room is located on the first floor of the J. Henry Apple Resource Building in room 8B. The room accommodates one person at a time and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Individuals should bring their own personal equipment, including membranes, clean tubing, breast shields and collection bottles. For more information, email wellness@hood.edu.
Dorian Elizabeth Knapp, Ph.D., is a professor of English and the inaugural program director of Hood College’s MFA in creative writing. Knapp has taught at the College for more than 16 years. She earned her B.A. in English and fine arts from Amherst College, followed by an MFA in creative writing from the Bennington Writing Seminars (a low-residency program like Hood’s MFA) and her Ph.D. in English from Western Michigan University. Knapp has written multiple poetry collections, including Causa Sui, which won this year’s Three Mile Harbor Book Award and will be published in September. Learn more about Prof. Knapp and our Creative Writing program here.
Click here to learn more.
Spread the #HOODLOVE: Share Your Hood Grad School Experience!
Have you ever thought about how you first discovered The Graduate School at Hood College? Chances are, it wasn’t just an online ad or a random Google search—it was through someone you trust. A friend, colleague, or family member may have shared their story while exploring graduate school options. While digital ads and the internet are great for spreading the word far and wide, your personal connections are what truly make an impact.
Your word of mouth is priceless to us. Imagine—your positive experience at Hood could inspire someone halfway across the world in India to discover our graduate programs! That’s why we’re inviting you to help us share the #HOODLOVE and encourage others to explore their graduate education at Hood College. Here’s how you can get involved:
🌟 Be Featured in Our Grad School Stories - We want to celebrate you! Share your journey and experiences with Hood College by being featured in our Graduate Student and Alumni Story Blogs. These stories highlight the diversity, accomplishments, and unique paths of our grad community. They’re shared on our website and social media to inspire future students. Interested? Email GoFurther@hood.edu to get started.
🌟 Invite Your Network to Open House Events - Spread the word! Let your personal and professional networks know about Hood College’s regular Open House and Admission Café events. Available in a virtual format, these events are an amazing way for prospective students to meet program directors, admission staff, and current students. They can find more information and register here.
🌟 Become a Hood Grad Social Media Mogul - Love social media? Join our Social Media Mogul Program and help amplify Hood’s message! Share, like, and retweet our posts to reach a wider audience. Plus, as a thank-you, you’ll receive a gift card for your efforts! To sign up, email GoFurther@hood.edu.
Hood College is all about being SMALL, AFFORDABLE, DIVERSE, CAREER-FOCUSED and FLEXIBLE with PERSONALIZED attention to all our students. Help us showcase what makes Hood unique—spread the #HOODLOVE today!
The Division of Community and Inclusivity is kicking off Black History Month on Jan 23 with a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in Whitaker Campus Commons from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants will be making sewless blankets that will be distributed to organizations helping those in need in Frederick. Those that attend may also participate in Write for Rights campaign through Amnesty International. You can register here. If you are interested in assisting with check-in, set up/tear down, etc., please sign up here.
Still looking for an on-campus employment opportunity? Join us at our on-campus employment workshop on Tuesday, January 27, at 4:00 p.m. in the Career Center, Apple Building (2nd floor). You will meet the Career Center team to navigate resources and opportunities. A panel of F-1 students will share their success stories in securing on-campus employment. Email PDSO@hood.edu if you have questions.
Graduate students are invited to join us on February 4 @ noon for a casual "Lunch and Loans" with our Financial Aid team to learn about upcoming changes to federal student loan programs. This session will provide timely guidance on what is expected to change on July 1, 2026, and the steps you can take now to be grandfathered into current loan benefits. The team will also answer questions and help you understand how these changes may affect your financial planning. We encourage all current graduate students to attend and come prepared with questions. Use this Zoom link or email your questions to GradDean@hood.edu.
This virtual OPT/Exit Workshop is designed for international students graduating in May and September. It will be on Wednesday Feb.11 @ 4:00 p.m. During the session, the PDSO will provide step-by-step guidance on the OPT application process via the USCIS website and discuss other options available after graduation. The highlight of the workshop is always the panel of F-1 alumni who have gone through the process successfully. Do not miss this opportunity to get valuable insights and prepare for your post-graduation plans! For more information, please email our director of international student services, Amani Al-Dajane, MBA’20, at al-dajane@hood.edu.
Join us for an early celebration of International Women’s Day on March 4 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in the Whitaker Atrium. For more information or to volunteer to support this event, email Ms. Al-Dajane at PDSO@hood.edu.
Help spread the word! The Graduate School at Hood College is hosting virtual Open House sessions on March 5 at 12 PM and 5:30 PM, inviting prospective students to discover how Hood can help them "go further" both personally and professionally. Current undergraduate students interested in learning more about Hood’s 4PLUS program are also encouraged to attend. During these sessions, attendees will:
- Explore academic programs and connect directly with program faculty
- Learn about admission and funding opportunities from Graduate School staff
- Hear firsthand from current graduate students about their Hood College experiences
Encourage your friends, colleagues, or anyone considering graduate studies to click here and register!
The entire campus community is invited to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on March 25 at 3:30 p.m. on the Whitaker Campus Center Patio. You will enjoy traditional food, music, dance and festivities! Partake in the optional Holi practice of chalk throwing. For more information, please email our director of international student services, Amani Al-Dajane, MBA’20, at al-dajane@hood.edu
We will celebrate the annual statewide Grad Student Appreciation Week in Maryland April 6-11! During this period, we have a tradition where Hood faculty/staff show you their support, dubbed Grad Student Appreciation Week (GSAW). We will have a table set up in the lobby of all the major buildings before classes in the evening (and doctoral classes during lunch on Saturday) as well as virtual Zoom-byes. Stay tuned for more information as the semester draws to a close!
The Graduate School is hosting our 9th Annual Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) event on Thursday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m., which is open to all current grad students and to recent grad alumni who have graduated since September 2025. This internationally recognized event features student talks in a wide array of disciplines, from the sciences and business to the humanities and education fields (and everything in between). We consistently hear from our external advisory boards that employers value the ability to relay technical information to non-technical audiences (e.g., the media, policymakers, colleagues in other depts).
Learn more about this event on the national site or on Hood’s 3MT site. Here is a brief snapshot of the event as well. If you have completed a capstone, advanced project, thesis, portfolio, ceramics show, internship, etc., this is a great opportunity for you. You not only gain practice in a valuable skill, but there are three cash prizes for the winner and people’s choice awards. We have external judges from research and education to business leaders, who will decide the winning talk. The People’s Choice Awards will be determined by audience vote. It’s a great event to attend and cast your vote, even if you do not want to compete!
Ready to win? Simply click here to submit your abstract for consideration (DUE MARCH 30).
All graduating students from September 2024 and January/May 2025, are cordially invited to our annual Graduate Degree Recipient Reception to be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. Watch your email for an invitation and RSVP information mid-April. We look forward to seeing you there!
Mark your calendar if you graduated September 2025, January 2026 or May 2026. Our dedicated commencement website will be updated frequently throughout the coming spring semester, so check it regularly. We are excited for the return of a special, dedicated ceremony JUST for our graduate students!
Email: GoFurther@hood.edu
Website: www.hood.edu/graduate
Location: Hood College, Graduate School, Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 696-3600
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