Graduate Student Resource Center

Supporting Graduate Students' Academic and Professional Success

Grad-to-Grad Support

Do you feel like you need some extra support with all the challenges we've been facing? Are you striving to find some balance between staying productive in your research, teaching, being present for your friends and family, and finding some space to de-stress?

Wouldn't it be nice if you could talk to someone about it who understands? Well guess what -- you can! Log onto Zoom and talk to some of our friendly graduate student staff members.

Topics of conversation include:

  • troubleshooting teaching issues
  • navigating your professional relationships
  • support with switching advisors and/or committee members
  • learning about campus resources available to support you

Our team is composed of current graduate students with a range of expertise in mentoring, teaching strategies, professionalization, and much more. Please note that students may make a maximum of two Grad-to-Grad appointments per week. The link to join your Zoom appointment can be found in the bio of the grad student you're meeting with when you make your appointment.

Schedule Appointment

Here is an overview of the Grad-to-Grad Support Hours the GradSuccess staff offer throughout the quarter. Click on the name you want to know more about!

  • BRYAN: Teaching/TAing, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Navigating Professional Relationships, STEM

    Bryan is a PhD Candidate in Physics and Astronomy and the Teaching Assistant Development Program Lead Consultant. Bryan's research primarily focuses on a technique called intensity mapping, which can improve our understanding of the large scale structure of the universe as well as the properties of dark matter and dark energy. Outside of research, Bryan works to make astronomy a more inclusive and welcoming community through local and national efforts. He enjoys travel, language learning, and photography. His Winter 2022 office hours are Thursdays 2-3pm.

  • NATHALY: Campus Resources, Work/Life Balance, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Social Sciences

    Nathaly is a doctoral student with a focus on higher education administration and policy and the Graduate Student Resource Center Lead Consultant. In addition to working in multiple student affairs roles and being a student, Nathaly is passionate about being involved in the City of Riverside and issues pertaining to student engagement, social justice advocacy, access, diversity, and inclusion of students of color in higher education. During her free time she enjoys spending my time reading, exercising, traveling, and watching movies with her dog Honey. Her Spring 2022 office hours are Thursdays 11am-12pm.

  • KRISTOFFER: International Students, Campus Resources, Work/Life Balance, Humanities

    Kristoffer is a fourth year PhD student in English and the Graduate Student Resource Center Lead Consultant. He works on representation and navigation of architecture and space in Gothic and horror; oftentimes with a queer lens. Kristoffer (or Kris) came to the US from Norway and enjoys hiking, cooking, baking, and photographing odd things. His Spring 2022 office hours are Tuesdays 12-1pm.

  • JUDY: International Students, Mentoring, Work/Life Balance, Humanities and Social Sciences

    Judy Zhu is a PhD student in the Graduate School of Education specializing in Higher Education Administration and Policy and the Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education Coordinator of the Graduate Student Mentorship Program. Judy's research focuses on race and racism in U.S. higher education, particularly on the racialized experiences of Asian American college students. In her free time, Judy loves to go on little adventures with her friends and her fur babies! Her Spring 2022 office hours are Wednesdays 1-2pm.

  • SARAH: Campus Resources, Teaching/TAing, International Students, Social Sciences

    Sarah, our TA Development Program Coordinator, is a PhD candidate in Sociology who came to UCR from Canada, where she double majored in Sociology and Theatre at Queen's University. Her research focuses on intersectional inequalities in the experiences of women police officers. Her Spring 2022 office hours are Mondays 1-2pm.

  • NINA: Special Topics Peer Mentor in Communication and Early Career Development

    Nina is a fourth year PhD student in School Psychology and our Special Topics Peer Mentor for Professional Communication and Early Career Development.  Her research focuses on the successful integration of evidence based online resources into education training and professional development.  Prior to coming to UCR, Nina received her B.A. from Columbia University in Psychology and Business Management. Her Spring 2022 Office Hours are Mondays 3-4pm.

  • HANNAH: Special Topics Peer Mentor in Mental Health and Wellness

    Hannah (she/her) is a second year Ph.D. student in Plant Pathology and our Special Topics Peer Mentor in Mental Health and Wellness Resources. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of Peronospora destructor, the causal agent of downy mildew on onions, in southern California. Hannah enjoys spending her free time enjoying nature or exploring the city. Her Spring 2022 office hours are Thursdays 10-11am.