Workshops & Events
Workshops hosted by the Graduate Center are open to the entire CSULB campus community, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the general public. So, if you are interested in attending a workshop, please register below. In addition, if you are a faculty member, staff member, or member of a student organization, you can request a workshop or presentation by Graduate Center staff for your class, group, orientation, or meeting.
Spring 2026
January
When: Tuesday, January 27, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: The Graduate Center (University Library 214)
Description: Graduate Studies invites you to visit the CSULB Graduate Center on the second floor of the Library and learn about the resources available to you as a graduate student at CSULB. At the event, you can tour the Center, explore study and meeting spaces, and learn about funding opportunities, mentorship, writing support, and financial assistance for conference travel. Representatives from key resources on campus, such as CAPS, BMAC, Basic Needs, and the Financial Aid Office, will also be present to network with students and answer questions.
No need to register-just show up!
When: Wednesday, January 28, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: Stuck on your graduate school statement of purpose (SOP)? We got you covered! This interactive workshop will cover:
• Structure of an SOP.
• How to craft your experiences in an engaging way.
• How to align your SOP to each school you are applying to.
Presenter: Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu), Graduate Center Coordinator
No need to register–just show up!
February
When: Monday, February 9, 11:30am – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Online (Zoom).
Description: The beginning of your graduate program can feel overwhelming with different course expectations, academic plans, deadlines, etc. Your graduate advisor is an instrumental component to getting you on track for success. In this workshop, you will learn how to build a relationship with your advisor and advocate for yourself.
Presenter: Dr. Maria Carpiac, Director of the CSULB Gerontology program. For questions about the workshop, please email Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu).
When: Tuesday, February 10, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)--click to join.
Description: You’re writing your thesis and you’re al…most…done! So, what’s next? This workshop will cover the procedures for submitting your master’s thesis to the Thesis and Dissertation Office, thesis formatting rules, and the review process leading up to graduation clearance and ProQuest publication. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing activity to simulate (and demystify!) the format editing process.
Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)
When: Wednesday, February 11, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: This workshop will cover important aspects of both the thesis and culminating exam option for you to make a well-informed decision on what culminating activity is most suited for you.
Presenter: Dr. Prashanth Jaikumar, Department Chair of the CSULB Physics and Astronomy Department. For questions about the workshop, please email Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu).
No need to register–just show up!
When: Friday, February 13, 11:30am – 12:45pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: This workshop provides a “crash course” in the essentials of APA formatting and citations, with a focus on headings, in-text citations, and reference lists.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)
When: Tuesday, February 17, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Where: University Library 201
Description: This workshop will help graduate students recognize the signs of burnout and identify strategies to prevent and manage it. Participants will develop coping skills and healthy routines through reflection, discussion, and interactive activities.
Presenter: Luis Espitia, Mental Health Intern. For questions about the workshop, please email Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu).
No need to register–just show up!
When: Wednesday, February 18, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: Graduate and professional school interviews can take various forms: one-on-one meetings, group interviews, campus/faculty visits, panel interviews and/or phone interviews. Not every program requires interviews, but if your program of interest does, join us and learn how to prepare for the interview and practice key questions.
Presenters: Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu) and Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
When: February 24, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: Come learn about the Grad Slam, CSULB’s “3-minute-thesis”-style research competition, including eligibility, how to apply, and benefits of participating.
Presenter: Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu)
When: Wednesday, February 25, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: This workshop tackles common “problem areas” that students face in academic writing, with a particular focus on research papers (including theses and dissertations) in many disciplines. Topics include: how to write introductions and problem statements; how to review academic literature (the dreaded “lit review”); and how to structure arguments in academic writing.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
March
When: Wednesday, March 4, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)--Click to join.
Description: You’re writing your thesis and you’re al…most…done! So, what’s next? This workshop will cover the procedures for submitting your master’s thesis to the Thesis and Dissertation Office, thesis formatting rules, and the review process leading up to graduation clearance and ProQuest publication. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing activity to simulate (and demystify!) the format editing process.
Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)
When: Wednesday, March 10, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Where: Library 201
Description: Graduate school can pull you in many directions: academic, professional, and personal. This interactive workshop will help you reflect on your responsibilities, clarify your values, and learn practical tools for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries that support balance and wellbeing. In this workshop, you will learn to:
- Identify your core values
- Explore types of boundaries
- Practice setting healthy limits
Presenter: Luis Espitia, Mental Health Intern. For questions about the workshop, please email Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu).
No need to register–just show up!
When: Wednesday, March 11, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Zoom
Description: Come learn about the Grad Slam, CSULB’s “3-minute-thesis”-style research competition, including eligibility, how to apply, and benefits of participating.
Presenter: Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu)
When: Friday, March 13, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: This workshop will provide you with tips, tools, and strategies on how to prepare and conduct a job search.
Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
When: Wednesday, March 18, 11:30am – 1:00pm
Where: Second Floor of the University Library
Description: Network, mingle, and forge connections with fellow grad students in a relaxed online format.
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2:00pm – 3:15pm
Where: LIB 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop demystifies the dreaded “writer’s block” and provides actionable advice on how to stop worrying and start writing (and hopefully even enjoy it!). Topics discussed will include real and imagined barriers to writing; “crappy first drafts”; habits v. willpower; neutralizing negative thought patterns; beating perfectionism; and other tips, techniques, and secrets of highly-successful, prolific writers.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)
April
When: Wednesday, April 1, 10:00am – 7:00pm
Where: University Library, 2nd floor (Graduate Study Space)
Description: The Graduate Writing Retreat is a full-day writing "get-away" for graduate or post-bac students to make progress on a major writing task over Spring Break. Writing tasks can include a thesis, seminar paper, dissertation, comps, independent study, class project, or any writing work that requires sustained focus. The Retreat will take place in the “Graduate Student Collaborative Space” (University Library 202), which will be closed to non-attendees, creating a quiet, distraction-free setting. The Graduate Center will also be serving refreshments, including lunch and dinner (the registration form below has further details). Furthermore, Graduate Center staff, including the Graduate Writing Specialist, will be on hand all day to answer questions or help you overcome writing “roadblocks.” The event is free and open to all currently-enrolled graduate/post-bac students, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Monday, March 23rd, to ensure a proper food and beverage order.
When: Wednesday, April 8, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Where: Online (Zoom)—click to join.
Description: Are you completing a thesis or research project that involves human participants/subjects? If so, you will need to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before you start your research. The IRB ensures that you are doing everything in your power to protect the rights of research participants and reduce risks to your participants’ safety and well-being. They confirm that your research will be conducted ethically and responsibly. This workshop will guide you through the IRB application and submission processes and provide strategies to safeguard your participants.
Presenter: Dr. Dina Perrone, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. For questions about the workshop, please email Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu).
When: Monday, April 20, 5pm – 6:15pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: Thinking about going to medical school? Not sure where to begin? Join the Graduate Center to learn what to expect when applying such as your major, MCAT, timelines, and the general information on the journey ahead.
Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
When: Friday, April 24, 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Where: LIB 201 and Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop discusses how to write an effective statement of purpose or personal statement for graduate school. Topics include “dos and don’ts,” avoiding “kisses of death,” statements of confidence, effective essay structure, and useful sentence stems.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
Register for Writing a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School.
When: Tuesday, April 28, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: Want to learn how to stand out as a job applicant? Are you having a difficult time articulating your job experience and duties in a clear and concise manner? Come to our workshop to learn more about how to build an effective resume for your job search!
Presenter: Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu)
No need to register - just show up!
When: Thursday, April 30, 2:00pm – 3:15pm
Where: LIB 201 and Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop focuses on how to write clearly about specialized topics and how to make academic discussions both understandable and engaging for readers.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
Register for Style and Clarity in Academic Writing.
May
When: Wednesday, May 6, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: University Library, 2nd floor (Graduate Study Space)
Description: Are you a graduate student who wants to study in the CSULB library but needs your kids to tag along? Then bring them with you to Family Study Night! Pizza will be provided (while supplies last).
No need to register - just show up!
The Graduate Center is open and available to all, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
