The University at Buffalo community has built a robust support system for its students at all levels of study. Here is an up-to-date list of some of the most relevant offices and programs for history graduate students.
The Graduate School
While the History Department is part of the College of Arts & Sciences, our graduate students are able to participate in the programs offered through the Graduate School. This includes additional funding opportunities, academic and professional development programs, and the PhD Excellence Initiative. More information, a schedule of events, and registration links are available on the Graduate School’s website here.
The Center for Excellence in Writing
The Center for Excellence in Writing, or CEW, at UB offers a variety of writing groups, retreats, and feedback/editing services to graduate students who are looking for assistance with writing, including coursework, proposals, theses/dissertations, articles, application materials, and other projects. More information, including an opportunity to sign up for the CEW email list, can be found on the Center for Excellence in Writing’s website here.
Financial Aid & Student Accounts
The Financial Aid website has multiple resources to help you navigate graduate loans, scholarships, grants, and other financial information relevant to attending graduate school at UB. More information is on the Financial Aid website here.
The Student Accounts website also has important financial information for graduate students, including billing, payments, refunds, 1098-T forms, and the NYS Residency Application to receive in-state tuition pricing. More information can be found on the Student Accounts website here.
Office of Curriculum, Assessment, & Teaching Transformation – CATT
The Office of Curriculum, Assessment, & Teaching Transformation (CATT) provides a robust library of support resources and community for Teaching Assistants (TAs). CATT also provides annual TA orientation every August, professional development opportunities, and course evaluations. More information and registration links can be found on the CATT website here.
Graduate Student Employee Union – GSEU
All TAs and RAs have the option to join the GSEU, UB’s graduate workers’ union. The GSEU negotiates our employee benefits, including insurance packages, wages, and work requirements/safety. More information about our current benefits package and other GSEU initiatives can be found on the UB Human Resources GSEU website here.
Accessibility Resources & Disabled Students & Allies Association
UB has a thorough and very supportive accommodations policy, supported and enforced by the Accessibility Resources Office. AR’s Peer Mentor program provides low-stakes support for students at all levels, including one-on-one check-ins and goal-setting, and hybrid or virtual body-doubling group study sessions. More information can be found on the Accessibility Resources website here.
The Disabled Students & Allies Association is a student support group for students with disabilities or accommodations and their allies. For more information or to connect with the group, ask an AR Peer Mentor or accommodations specialist.
Intercultural & Diversity Center
The Intercultural & Diversity Center provides a welcoming space for students from a wide variety of backgrounds, and arrange an array of social and educational events focused on inclusion, equity, and social justice. Some IDC-supported initiatives include:
ALANA – African, LatinX, Asian, and Native American Celebration
GSOC – Graduate Students of Color
LGBTQ+ – Lavender Celebration
FOCUS – Festival of Culture Uniting Students
Keynote Series, Social Justice initiatives, and Micro-Credentials
More information and registration links can be found on the Intercultural and Diversity Center’s website here.
Career Design Center – Design Your Life Workshop
The Career Design Center has a number of workshops and programs to assist graduate students with their resumes and CVs, jobs and internship searches, and interview preparation. The Career Design Center also hosts the one-week-long Design Your Life workshop, a program for graduate and professional students centered on helping you find and restore balance in your life. The workshop runs twice each summer and once each winter, between semesters. More information about the Career Design Center’s programming and registration links can be found on their website here.
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity – NCFDD
UB has recently joined hundreds of other colleges and universities as a member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity! As a graduate student at UB, you can access NCFDD programming and support groups designed for students at any point in their graduate or professional program. More information and a link to join can be found on the UB NCFDD website here.