Community Engagement

Community engagement is a vital pillar of our graduate community. It encompasses collaborative research, public scholarship, professional consulting, and service-learning. By working alongside community organizations, industry leaders, and civic partners, our scholars gain and build relationships that elevate their academic inquiry while also driving societal change.

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Graduate BBQ

This fun and festive event kicked off the new academic year with the Graduate School and the Center for Inclusive Education. New graduate students enjoyed free food, games, music, and the opportunity to connect with fellow graduate students. Representatives from campus departments were on hand to share important resources available to our graduate community.

Read the full feature of the Fall 2025 Welcome BBQ

Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW)

A week-long celebration that recognized the contributions, achievements, and dedication of graduate students across the university. The week featured a variety of activities including an Accomplishment Celebration, a Cookie, Cake, and Coffee Break, a Movie Night and a Journal Decorating activity.

Read the full recap of Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Distinguished Doctoral Colloquium

An annual celebration recognizing recipients of the President's Award to Distinguished Doctoral Students—the university's highest honor for graduate students. Five graduating doctoral students were recognized for their exceptional research spanning environmental health, regenerative medicine, energy storage, neonatal disease, and advanced mathematics. Each student presented their dissertation research to an audience of faculty, staff, students, and family members.

Read about the 2026 Distinguished Doctoral Colloquium

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

Stony Brook University held its 2026 Doctoral Hooding and Graduation Ceremony on May 21, 2026, in the Stony Brook Arena as part of the SBU's Commencement celebrations.

The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is a time-honored academic tradition in which graduates are formally hooded to mark the completion of their doctoral degree.

Watch the 2026 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

GradConnect Events

Monthly gatherings that brought together graduate students from across disciplines to connect, network, and build community.

events held (last academic year)

198

total participants across all events

Resilience Training Programs

Professional development workshops that supported graduate student well-being, stress management, and personal resilience.

total participants (last academic year)

winter session participants

spring session participants