Staff
The Graduate School’s experienced professional staff are dedicated to advancing graduate education and enhancing the student experience in collaboration with more than 230 graduate programs across campus. Together with over 120 graduate directors and coordinators, we guide applicants, students, and faculty through every stage of the graduate journey, from admission to degree completion, while connecting them to vital resources, opportunities and support.
Office of the Dean
Serves as the central hub for graduate education at the University of Maryland, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all graduate programs across the university. We facilitate policy development, disseminate strategic communications, oversee graduate admissions and program standards, and advocate for student success at an institutional level to strengthen the University's research mission.
Academic and Professional Development
Provides comprehensive programming and resources to ensure graduate students thrive during their academic journey. Co-curricular support in the areas of writing and oral communication, grants and funding application, career and professional development, networking, community building, wellness, and alumni engagement contribute to the retention and the holistic development of all graduate students.
Admissions and Enrollment Management
Oversees the graduate admissions lifecycle for domestic and international applicants, including credential and English proficiency evaluations. Collaborates with departments and partners to streamline the admissions process and provides technical support and training for admissions systems.
Finance and Administration
Manages The Graduate School’s fiscal, operational, and personnel functions, including budgeting, fellowship, account reconciliation, and financial reporting. The team oversees procurement, payroll, travel, tuition assistance, graduate assistant appointments, University of Maryland College Park Foundation (MCPF) and University System of Maryland Foundation (USMF), and serves as UMD’s Coordinating Official (CO) for the NSF GRFP.
Vanessa Greer Ettema
Funding Opportunities
Oversees competitive fellowship and award programs and review processes and handles the selection process for limited submissions such as Apple, Google and IBM Fellowships. Acts as liaison with the University Health Center regarding the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This team also handles matters relating to Graduate Faculty membership nominations.
Graduate Information and Systems
Manages The Graduate School’s information, systems, and technology platforms, including the graduate admissions (TerpEngage), and the degree audit (uAchieve). The team supports business processes in systems, provides system training and technical support for staff and campus partners. They also lead IT strategy, maintain application workflows, and contribute to major system implementations such as Workday Student.
Graduate Student Ombuds Office
The Ombudsperson serves as an impartial, independent and confidential resource for graduate students at the University who helps to surface and resolve school issues. The Ombudsperson can also help to affect positive change by providing upward feedback on patterns of problems and complaints to appropriate senior officers. The purpose of the Ombuds Office is to ensure that the graduate student voice is heard, and that problems can receive impartial attention.
Contact the Graduate Ombudsperson: grad-ombuds@umd.edu
Graduate Student Services
Manages recruitment, admissions, and academic services to support graduate students throughout their academic journey. This team also handles enrollment, program changes, petitions, and degree audits.
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Supports all postdoctoral researchers across the University of Maryland academic community. OPA provides postdocs with information, training, mentoring, and services in support of their career and professional development.
