A call to rethink graduate education and center student success across the entire academic experience.
Graduate education plays a central role in shaping the future of higher education, yet the needs of graduate students have often been overlooked. Transforming the Graduate Student Experience, edited by John N. Gardner, Andrew K. Koch, and April L. Perry, argues that the student success movement must extend beyond undergraduate education to address the full range of challenges graduate students face. As graduate programs expand and diversify, institutions are under increasing pressure to support students more effectively from enrollment through degree completion.
This volume brings together scholars, administrators, and practitioners to present a more integrated and student-centered approach to graduate education. It examines how institutions can better support students' academic progress while also addressing well-being, equity, mentoring, and career preparation. Contributors highlight gaps in data, services, and institutional coordination, and offer practical strategies for improving retention, completion rates, and overall student satisfaction.
Through case studies and examples drawn from campus practice, the book shows how colleges and universities are beginning to rethink the structure of graduate education. It encourages closer collaboration across academic and student affairs, greater attention to the lived experiences of graduate students, and a broader understanding of what it means for students to succeed. Transforming the Graduate Student Experience provides a clear framework for institutions seeking to strengthen graduate education and better prepare students for a wide range of professional paths.
