Orientations and Welcome Events

As a new graduate student at Mason, you will have the opportunity to learn about your graduate academic program and the University through orientations. 

You should begin with the Graduate Online Orientation for all Mason graduate students. 

You should then plan to participate in any orientations offered by your graduate academic program and/or college/school. Additional orientations and trainings are offered for specific populations and interests, including international graduate students and graduate teaching assistants. Below is a list of orientation and welcome activities offered by academic units and university offices for new graduate students; contact your graduate program if it is not listed or if you have questions.

All Mason graduate students should begin with the Graduate Online Orientation. This interactive platform will provide an overview of how to succeed as a graduate student and acquaint you with all that Mason has to offer to support you along the way.

Gradstravaganza, Mason’s annual graduate student welcome event, is a multi-day event held at the beginning of the each academic year and includes a fully virtual line-up of orientation and educational sessions and an in-person picnic. Brought to you by Graduate Student Life, the Graduate Division, the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA), Office of International Programs and Services, University Life Mason Square, Mason Recreation, and University Life.

Gradstravaganza is held once year at the beginning of the fall semester. The 2025 Gradstravaganza Success Sessions and Picnic information and registration will be live July 16, 2025. 

Recordings and materials from 2024 Success Sessions can be accessed 2024 Gradstravaganza Success Sessions. 

Below you will find the information for academic program, college and school level orientations and welcome events for graduate and professional students. 

Programs and colleges are finalizing their orientations and welcome events and submitting them to be posted. Graduate Student Life will be posting the program and college events as they are shared. All orientation information updated and live on July 16, 2025.

Below you will find orientations and welcome events that are for new graduate and professional students.

LGBTQ+ Resources Center
Lavender Orientation, Wednesday, August 28, 2025, 5pm - 6:30pm
In-person, JC BistroFor more information, click here. For questions, please contact: LGBTQ+ Resources Center, lgbtq@gmu.edu.

Office of Fellowships
Fellowships Info Session, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 12:00pm - 12:30pm
Virtual synchronous, Register on Mason360: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2283984. For more information, click here. For questions, please contact: fllwshps@gmu.edu. 

Office of International Programs and Services
International  Graduate Student Orientation, Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 9:00am - 2:00pm
In-person, Johnson Center Dewberry Hall, Fairfax Campus. For more information, click here. Register here

Other events of OIPS: 

Summer 2025 -Pre-Arrival Webinars 

1. On and Off-Campus Housing for New International Students Webinar
   Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 9:00 AM EST, Webinar Link: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/98009141197

2. Immunization and Health Insurance for New International Students Webinar
   Tuesday, July 8, 2025, 9:00 AM EST, Webinar Link:  https://gmu.zoom.us/j/92640785131

3. On-Campus Employment for New International Students Webinar
   Thrusday, July 24, 2025, 9:00 AM EST, Webinar Link: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/96923368313

F-1 Immigration and Compliance Presentations - Week of August 11, 2025

1. F-1 Master's Immigration and Compliance Webinar (Master's, INTO Mason GPW, Law, Certificate)
   Tuesday, August 12, 2025 /  9:00-10:30 AM, Webinar Link: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/95454907926

2. F-1 Doctoral Immigration and Compliance Webinar 
   Wednesday, August 13, 2025 / 9:00-10:30 AM, Webinar Link: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93370994739

Office of Military Services
Veteran Education Benefits Orientation, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 3pm
Virtual synchronous, Register in advance and select date for this meeting:
https://gmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/TALiSj7MSdevdIMis9i_kg 

The registration Link offers 6 sessions, every Tuesday between 7/15-8/19. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For more information, click here. For questions, please contact: military@gmu.edu. 

University Life at Mason Square
Mason Square Welcome Fair 2025, Thursday, August 28, 2025, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
In-person, Mason Square Campus: 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA, 22201. Van Metre Hall, 125/126. For more information, click here. For questions, please contact: ularl@gmu.edu.  

University Life at SciTech
Scitech Fall Welcome Expo, Thursday, August 28, 2025, 11:00am - 2:30pm
In-person, Katherine Johnson Hall Atrium, Science and Technology Campus. For more information, click here. For questions, please contact: ulscitec@gmu.edu. 

Also don't forget to checkout the full list of events and activities for Welcome2Mason. Welcome2Mason events span the first few weeks of the fall semester and provide countless opportunities for students to get involved, meet new people, and learn more about our campus. For a complete list of scheduled events, visit welcome2mason.gmu.edu. Signature events include academic department receptions, Involvement Fair and on-campus job fairs, “Ask Me” tents across campus, and other welcome activities. These events are open to all Mason students: graduate, professional, and undergraduate.