Welcome!

Welcome, CFGS Colleagues!

The Graduate School at the University of Florida is thrilled to host you for this year’s Conference of Florida Graduate Schools (CFGS) — ever a vibrant convening of faculty, staff, and students committed to advancing graduate education across our remarkable state.

This year’s theme — Future-Focused Leadership: Supporting Staff, Empowering Students, and Advancing Research and Innovation in Graduate Education — reflects our collective commitment to shaping a well-led, forward-thinking, and resilient future for graduate education amid the evolving landscape of higher education.

As we all recognize, graduate education thrives through the contributions of many — those who support, guide, and innovate. Through intentional engagement, this conference fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration around three core pillars:

• Supporting Staff: Creating space for professional development, resource sharing, and community building.
• Empowering Students: Elevating student voices and leadership through inclusive programming and mentorship.
• Advancing Research and Innovation: Showcasing emerging scholarship and encouraging interdisciplinary exploration.

As it has in the past, this CFGS will celebrate the steadfast energy and trailblazing spirit of our faculty, staff, and students, whose work continues to move institutions forward. We at the University of Florida are absolutely delighted by this chance to share time and space with you to build connections, share experience, and inspire action to keep the momentum going across Florida’s graduate education community.

Onward and upward!

Nicole L.P. Stedman, Ph.D.
Associate Provost and Dean
The Graduate School
University of Florida