Graduate Student Resource Center

Supporting Graduate Students' Academic and Professional Success

Fall Stress Relief Fair

Community

One of the most challenging aspects of being a graduate student is juggling numerous responsibilities, such as classes, research, and teaching, while still taking the time for self-care and building a supportive community; but, don't worry! We are here to help you. 

The Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) serves to support graduate students' mental, emotional, and physical health by organizing social, community-building, and stress-relieving events for all graduate students throughout the year. See below to see different types of community-building events we organize. To make sure you don't miss these events, check out the GradSuccess events calendar and read the R'Grad Weekly emails sent out every Monday morning by our Director, Dr. Dawn Loyola.  

Community-Building Events

Here is an overview of the different community-building events that the GSRC organizes throughout the quarter. Click on the event you want to know more about!

  • Graduate Student Appreciation Week

    Graduate Student Appreciation Week will be during the 1st week of April 2026!

    GradSuccess invites you to join your fellow UCR graduate students at the events being held during the week beginning with the Graduate Student Research & Creative Activity Symposium and concluding with the GradSlam Finals.

    There will be a special Coffee Social that week in the Spieth Courtyard where we plan to give away bundt cakes in appreciation of all UCR graduate students (there are a limited number of bundt cakes, so arrive early if you want one). 

    Hope to see you at the events! We here at Grad Division appreciate all of your contributions to research and teaching at UCR every week of the year!

  • Coffee Socials

    The GSRC hosts Graduate Student Coffee Socials every week for graduate students across campus. These are spaces where attendees can get to know other graduate students while enjoying free snacks and drinks. Each week the Coffee Social is sponsored by a campus partner who shares about the resources they offer the graduate student community. Join us in person Wednesdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm to learn about UCR campus resources and to meet and have conversations with fellow graduate students! 

    A blue clothed table with snacks and coffee cans on top.

    Dates: Wednesdays (July 2nd to August 27th)
    Time: 3:00PM – 4:00PM
    Location: Spieth Courtyard (NOTE: Stress Relief Fair will be on Jul 16th instead of Coffee Social that day)

    No registration is required. Please bring your student ID.

    * There is no Coffee Social on Wed, Jul 16th due to the Stress Relief Fair from 11:00AM to 1:00PM in the Spieth Courtyard.

  • Stress Relief Fair
    Graduate Students lined up to get food during Stress Relief Fair.

    Grad Students, get your stress relief on! Each quarter (and summer, too) our Stress Relief Fair returns with free food, games, massages*, therapy pets* and the chance to relax and take it easy for two hours. There will be great food and activities designed to reduce your stress levels and help get you through the rest of the quarter. This event is organized in collaboration with The Well. Remember to bring your student ID to the event!

    (*massage therapists and therapy pets may not always be available)

    Date: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
    Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
    Location: Spieth Courtyard

    RSVP is required to receive food. Remember to bring your student ID to the event! 

    RSVP will begin on Wed, Oct 1st.

     

    Follow us on Instagram, X, and Facebook for updates.
  • Winter Chill Out - Movie Night

    Come join us for an evening with a movie! We've teamed up with the Physics Department to bring outer space to grad students, post-docs, and their families through a space-themed movie in the Winter quarter, when it's too cold and cloudy for telescopes. We'll provide coffee, tea, and hot chocolate as well as some snacks, so come and enjoy!

    Movie: TBD

    Date: Coming Winter 2026!

    Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

    Location: LFSC 1425 (click for location)

     

  • Stargazing Night

    Jupiter | Facts, Moons, Rings, Temperature, Size, & Color | BritannicaGrad students, postdocs, and their families are invited to enjoy a night under the stars and look at objects in the night sky during the Summer, Fall, and Spring! (Winter is often too cloudy for telescopes) Participants can also learn to “star hop” to navigate from one object to the other. There will be light refreshments and an art table for children. Bring a camping chair, and bring a jacket, too, as it will likely be quite chilly in the evening! 

     
    Date: Monday, August 4th (*IMPORTANT: Event may be moved to a different date in case of poor weather conditions)
    Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
    Location: UCR Bell Tower
  • CHASS, Education, Public Policy Graduate Student and Postdoc Wellness, Community, and Professional Development

    The GSRC is planning events to promote the wellness, community, and professional development of graduate students and postdocs in CHASS, the School of Education, and the School of Public Policy.

    Follow us on social media (look for UCR GradSuccess on Instagram, X, and Facebook) to stay up to date with all of our events!

  • Community-Building and Wellness Events

    Other Community-Building and Wellness Events

    In partnership with other campus departments (including The Well, the CARE program, the Riverside Postdoc Association, and the Graduate Student Association to name a few), the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) provides workshops and activities that aim to foster community among and personal well-being of graduate students and postdocs.

     

    Check back here for upcoming events in Fall, Winter, and Spring.