GSA Calendar & Events

Spring 2025 Schedule

Final dates and times will be added periodically throughout the Spring of 2025 The best way to keep track of events is to follow our bi-weekly emails beginning in September 2024. All graduate students are part of GSA and are welcome at most events unless noted below. 

Graduate Student Orientation

Orientation is hosted by the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Association and provides a general introduction to the University, services, and life as a Baylor graduate student. Breakout sessions are provided on various topics, such as "living in Waco" and "Beginning with the End in Mind." The morning is concluded with a President's Reception, where the President addresses and mingles with all incoming students.

Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Every year GSA hosts the Three-Minute Thesis Competition. This interdisciplinary contest challenges graduate students to present the content and significance of their research projects in just three minutes using language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience. Cash prizes are offered to the first, second, and third place winners.

Graduate Student Days at the Farmers Market

Early in the Fall and Spring semesters, GSA partners with the City of Waco to host special Graduate Student Days at the local farmers market. Students receive coupons to spend at the market, and also benefit from special discounts offered by a variety of vendors.

Grads on the Water

In the summer, GSA hosts Grads on the Water, a family-oriented event held on the banks of Lake Waco. We provide snacks, drinks, music, and lawn games. This event is especially popular with incoming students who want to connect with the broader Baylor and Waco communities.

GSA at the Homecoming Parade

Traditionally held in October, the Baylor Homecoming Parade is an annual tradition for current students, alumni, and the broader Waco community. GSA partners with the Graduate School to serve donuts and coffee to graduate students in front of Morrison Constitution Hall. Come by with friends and family and enjoy some morning treats and watch the floats pass by together.

Graduate Research Poster Showcase

Each year, GSA hosts an opportunity for graduate students to present their research in a poster format. This event has been a great opportunity for new graduate students to present their research for the first time in a welcoming environment. Even if you are not presenting, please come by to learn about the excellent research being done by Baylor Graduate Students at this poster session. Support your colleagues, vote for the best poster, and enjoy a free lunch courtesy of GSA!

Graduate Student Appreciation Week

That's right! It exists. Every year, the first full week of April is Graduate Student Appreciation Week. Keep your email close and keep an eye out for surprises all week from the Graduate School, GSA, and Baylor.

Diversity Gala

Each year, GSA hosts a Diversity Gala that highlights the contributions of diversity to Baylor’s new identity as an R1 institution, as well as the important role diversity must have in the future of graduate education at Baylor. Further, our focus on diversity is three-fold:

1. Diversity of Research: affirming the utmost objective of academic freedom and diversity of thought in the academy at large
2. Diversity in Research: the increasing need for the research and representation of marginalized people groups
3. Diversity of Researchers: the importance of establishing a new generation of researchers with diverse backgrounds and research agendas

YESSSnacks

A time honored tradition. Your End of Semester Survival Snacks is a real "treat" around finals each semester. Granola bars, fruit snacks, drinks, energy bars, chips, candy, coffee, and more will all be displayed and free for the taking in the Graduate Research Center from dead day through the end of finals each semester. Study well!