UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Graduate Student Funding Model Task Force is sharing updates on the group’s progress after being convened in spring 2024 by Levon T. Esters, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School.
Group leadership met several times in the late spring and summer 2024 semesters to discuss its overall goals, which include examining the effectiveness of the current funding model for graduate students, benchmarking with peer institutions, identifying policies that influence the current model, and proposing a potential new funding model for graduate assistantships and fellowships. The financial support offered by any institution allows graduate students to pursue a holistic training experience through teaching, research or other activities, in addition to completing course work throughout their journey toward their degrees. The task force seeks to see that Penn State can continue offering opportunities such as these to talented graduate students in a sustainable manner. Additional forms of graduate student funding also may be discussed later in the life of this project.
The majority of discussions were centered on topics raised in dozens of comments submitted by graduate students and faculty members following the announcement of the task force. Discussions have included information about stipends, external funding for fellowships, health insurance and mental health resources, leaves of absence, perceived equity or disparities, and the rising cost of living.
The task force identified five sub-groups to pursue its work, which includes internal data gathering, education on current practices, benchmarking, communications and engagement, and a student advisory group.
Co-chaired by Stephanie Danette Preston, associate dean for graduate educational equity and chief diversity officer for graduate education, and David Vanness, professor of health policy and administration, the task force members include faculty, staff and graduate students from many academic units that offer graduate education or support graduate students.
Meetings of the full task force and subgroups will continue during the 2024-25 academic year.
Graduate students interested in learning more about the student advisory group can complete an interest form for more information.