Grad Expo, a community-wide graduate student recruiting event, will be hosted by California State University, Fresno’s Division of Graduate Studies on Thursday, Nov. 1.

The biennial event, designed to help would-be graduate students investigate programs and streamline the application and admissions process, will be held from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the west gym of the Student Recreation Center, at the corner of Shaw and Woodrow avenues. Pre-registration for the event is not necessary.

“This event provides a one-stop opportunity for students interested in entering a graduate program,” said Dr. Dianne Dickerson, interim dean of the Division of Graduate Studies. “It also gives them a chance to see which program is really going to match their career goals.”

Dickerson said that more than 80 percent of Fresno State’s graduate students come from its undergraduate population, but Grad Expo events also are often well-attended by working professionals seeking an opportunity to grow in their current positions.

“Grad Expo helps us extend our reach into the region we serve,” Dickerson said. “We need to take steps to ensure we attract a talented and diverse graduate student body.”

“This is a unique opportunity,” said Marco Diaz, coordinator of the event for the Division of Graduate Studies. “Since so many of our students work full- or part-time, this is our chance to accommodate their schedules.”

All Fresno State juniors and seniors have been invited. In addition, more than 600 schools and businesses in the San Joaquin Valley have received information on the event, so Diaz expects a large number of attendees looking to advance their careers and achieve personal education goals.

Potential students can meet with graduate faculty and current graduate students from the university’s 45 master’s degree programs, the doctorate in Educational Leadership, certificates of advanced study, and the credential programs.

Staff from the offices of admissions, testing, financial aid, career services, and the alumni association will be in attendance. Students can register for the GRE, GMAT, and MAT, and apply on-site to graduate school. Graduate admissions staff will be available to assist students in their application process as well.

Students are encouraged to contact the Division of Graduate Studies at 559.278.2448 or visit the Grad Studies Web site below if they are interested in pre-scheduling an appointment with faculty.

For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web sites:

Division of Graduate Studies