Launched by the 2024–2026 Presidential Fellowship Cohort, the Connect & Thrive Initiative continues to make an impact beyond the cohort’s graduation. The GW Office of Graduate Affairs, with the help of incoming Presidential Fellows, is continuing to organize events that bring graduate students together, build community, and enrich their graduate student experience.
The first fall event of the year was a Graduate Student Visit to the National Zoo! A group of 45 graduate students took the Metro together from GW to the Zoo and enjoyed an afternoon surrounded by lush greenery and adorable animals. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to get to know one another, explore a new part of DC, and strengthen their connections to both the GW community and the city.
One first-semester graduate student shared that the event made her feel less lonely and more hopeful about the semester ahead! This is what Connect & Thrive is all about: building community, fostering belonging, and making graduate life a truly #OnlyAtGW experience.
Watch the full recap of the Zoo visit here!