Skip to Content

'Graduate Student Appreciation Week' logo with a heart-shaped hand holding a lightbulb with a brain inside

April 6 - 10 2026

During this week, we celebrate the positive impact our graduate students have on our GSBS community. To show our appreciation, the Graduate School invites you to check out a full list of activities designed to celebrate you - grab some swag, expand your network, take a new professional photo, and share in the fun as we celebrate YOU!

  • Monday, April 6

    Breakfast Tacos
    Location: GSBS Commons in BSRB
    9:00 am - 10:30 am

    Start GSAW week the right way with a delicious breakfast taco and great company! Join us in the Commons to connect with fellow GSBS students, fuel up for the week ahead, and celebrate the kickoff of Graduate Student Appreciation Week together.

    Come hungry, and let’s make it a great start to GSAW!

    Breakfast tacos will be available for the first 50 students!

    Breakfast Host: GSBS GSAW Planning Committee

    ____________________________________________________________________________________

    Scientific Pictionary
    Location: BSRB 3.8371
    11:45 am - 12:45 pm

    Ready to laugh, draw, and show off your science smarts? Join us for Scientific Pictionary, where teams will take turns picking a random scientific word and sketching it out while their teammates try to guess what it is. No pressure and no art degree required. Stick figures are welcome!

    It’s all about having fun, working together, and maybe learning a new term or two along the way. The team with the most points at the end wins bragging rights!

    Hosted by: Association of Science Communications

  • Tuesday, April 7

    Professional Portrait Session
    BSRB All Purpose Room, S3.8456
    9:00 am - 5:30 pm 

    Maybe you don’t have a professional headshot, or perhaps it has been a while since you last took one? Now is your opportunity to get a professional photo to use for the GSBS website and for all your other professional needs. This is highly recommended for students who currently do not have a professional headshot AND for students planning to graduate in the next 1-2 years in need of an updated professional picture.

    You must sign up for a portrait session, in advance. Sessions will be held at GSBS, 6767 Bertner Avenue, Room S3.8456 BSRB. Please check UTHealth Houston Shuttle Schedule or MD Anderson Shuttle Services for an easy trip to BSRB.

    Schedule your appointment here:  https://calendly.com/tanieka-j-young/gsaw-photos2026 

    Please send any questions to [email protected] 

    Photos will be sent to you via email by the end of April.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________

    Swag for Students
    10:00 am - 2:00 pm

    We love our graduate students! Stop by the GSBS Commons (S3.8348 BSRB, near GSBS Reception Desk) to pick up some swag from GSBS staff members. Each swag bag includes a free air hug! Check UTHealth Houston Shuttle Schedule or MD Anderson Shuttle Services for an easy trip to GSBS Commons - or take advantage of the free 15-minute parking in Garage 15.

  • Wednesday, April 8

    GSA Student Town Hall
    Location: BSRB 3.8371
    12:00 - 1:00 pm

    Join us for the upcoming GSA Student Town Hall with the Dean, a space created for open dialogue, shared ideas, and strengthening our graduate community.

    This is your opportunity to share feedback, raise questions, and connect with peers and leadership in a welcoming, collaborative environment. 

    Lunch will be provided for the first 75 attendees.

    Back by popular demand, Hu's Cooking with be served!

  • Thursday, April 9

    Swag for Students
    10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    We love our graduate students! Stop by the GSBS Commons (S3.8348 BSRB, near GSBS Reception Desk) to pick up some swag from GSBS staff members. Each swag bag includes a free air hug! Check UTHealth Houston Shuttle Schedule or MD Anderson Shuttle Services for an easy trip to GSBS Commons - or take advantage of the free 15-minute parking in Garage 15.

    Come enjoy donuts from River Oaks Donuts! 

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    10 Year AMBRversary: Celebrating Community and Excellence in STEM
    Location: GSBS Commons/ Schissler Library S3.8351
    12:00 – 1:00 PM

    Join us in celebrating the 10-year anniversary of AMBR with an Alumni Networking Social and Lunch.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    Funding Opportunities for International Students
    hosted by the GSBS International Student Association

    Virtual
    3:00 - 4:00 pm

    There are few funding opportunities for international students in the US. However, some scholarships, such as the F99, CPRIT, and GSBS internal awards, including the Kopchick and President’s Research Scholarship, are still available for international students to apply. Therefore, ISA is hosting a panel of students who have won these awards to share their success stories in attaining such highly competitive scholarships so that fellow international GSBS students can be successful in their future applications.

  • Friday, April 10

    Financial Wellness Part 1: Budgeting for Graduate Students
    Location: BSRB 3.8371 
    12:15 - 1:15 pm

    Attend the Financial Wellness Session to gain practical tools and strategies for budgeting with confidence. Students will learn practical strategies to help manage income, track expenses, and budget for both short-term needs and long-term financial goals. Make financial wellness a daily practice by learning tools for creating realistic budgets, reducing debt, and building healthy financial habits to support your academic success and overall well-being.

    Hosted by the Student Success & Wellbeing Committee

    Guest Speaker: Sergio Gonzalez, Director at Sallie Mae

    __________________________________________________________________________________________

    15th Annual SIC Crawfish Boil 2026
    Location: Courtyard Next to Cooley University Life Center
    4:30 - 7:00 PM

    UTHealth Houston Student InterCouncil (SIC) and Facilities and Auxiliary Services invites all UTHealth Houston students to the 15th annual Crawfish Boil from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the courtyard next to the Cooley University Life Center, 7440 Cambridge St., Houston.   

    The Crawfish Boil — SIC’s largest event — is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and meet fellow students from all UTHealth Houston schools. Each UTHealth Houston student attending may also invite one guest.