USI Graduate Studies

Congratulations to all students graduating this semester! Your hard work, resilience, and determination brought you here. Celebrate this moment. You’ve earned it! 🎓

USI is proud to welcome Vladimir Kasparov as the 2026 School of Graduate Studies Commencement Speaker!

A double USI alumnus (BA ’01, MBA ’05) and a nationally respected leader in financial and operational restructuring, Kasparov brings more than two decades of experience guiding organizations through complexity, transition, and growth. As Managing Director at Portage Point Partners, he has led major turnaround initiatives, advised boards, and helped companies navigate critical moments with strategic clarity and impact.

We’re excited for graduates to hear from a leader whose career reflects resilience, innovation, and the power of a USI education.


🔗 https://www.usi.edu/news/releases/2026/04/kasparov-to-deliver-school-of-graduate-studies-commencement-address

As part USI's outreach to graduate students, the MPA program is am going to be presenting a workshop next week entitled: YK, IMO GENERATIONS GIVE DIFFERENT. NGL. A LOOK AT THE ASSETS, STRATEGIES AND GOALS OF GENERATIONAL GIVING
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 6 P.M. CST ON ZOOM
This workshop will explore generational difference in charitable giving including where and how generations tend to give. It will also explore strategies for engaging different generations in fundraising to build loyalty and support for your organization.

Meet Sarah Jankowski M’06

A graduate with a master’s in social work, Sarah is making a meaningful impact as a psychotherapist at Associated Mental Health Consultants. She was honored with the Aurora Healthcare Star Award for her role in helping to save a life.
We’re proud to celebrate alumni like Sarah who are making a difference every day.

Huge shoutout to our grad students for an incredible Graduate Student Appreciation Week! Miss a session? All event recordings are now live on our YouTube channel.

Stop by the USI Graduate Student Colloquium today, 1 - 5 p.m., in the University Center or tune in virtually. Support our graduate students: USI.edu/gradcolloq

Join us for the USI Graduate Student Colloquium on April 8th! We're proud to feature Emma Brown, a Master of Science in Education student, as a graduate student speaker. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate research, innovation, and academic excellence. Mark your calendars and come support our graduate community!

Join us for the USI Graduate Student Colloquium on April 8th! We're proud to feature Frances Rivera, a Doctor of Education student, as a graduate student speaker. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate research, innovation, and academic excellence. Mark your calendars and come support our graduate community!

🔗 https://www.usi.edu/gradcolloq

Join us for the USI Graduate Student Colloquium on April 8th! We're proud to feature Mindy Youngs, a Master of Public Administration Administration student, as a graduate student speaker. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate research, innovation, and academic excellence. Mark your calendars and come support our graduate community!

🔗 https://www.usi.edu/gradcolloq