Save the Date!
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE) Graduate Orientation
"When the World Shifts, Engineers Lead the Way"
Information and agenda for the 2025 Graduate Orientation will be released within the upcoming weeks. Please find our agenda from last year's orientation below as a sneak peek into the 2025 orientation.
2025 ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 20 – On-Campus Events
Swanson School of Engineering School-Wide Graduate Orientation
Time: 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Benedum Hall – 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Dress: Registration begins at 9:30 am and we will be distributing t-shirts for you to wear. Please be sure to arrive early enough to allow time for changing and registration. Wearing the t-shirt is optional, but we like to kick off the year as a unified graduate group.
During this informative part of orientation, you can expect:
Welcome from SSOE Leadership including:
- Our Associate Dean for Graduate Education – Dr. Robert S. Parker
- Our Director of Engineering Student Services & Graduate Ombudsperson – Cheryl Paul, MEd
- Our Director of Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment Marketing – Stephanie Opalinski, MBA
- Our Program Administrator for the Graduate Programs Administrative Director – Tracy Anderson
- For more information on the team members of the Swanson's graduate programs, please visit our Who's Who in SSoE page.
Guidance for Grad Students - A Panel Discussion moderated by Cheryl Paul
- Perspectives within community
- Expectations and feedback from panel
- Address questions & share resources
- Ombuds supports & other opportunities
Academic Integrity – Dr. Katrina Knight (Assistant Professor, Bioengineering & Pitt Engineering Alum)
Professionalism & Graduate Study - Dr. Valerie Kerr (Presenter) from our Office of Experiential Learning & Professional Engagement (ELPE)
Safety/COVID Protocol – Dr. Schohn Shannon (Assistant Dean Swanson School of Engineering)
Lunch to immediately follow
Panther Engineer Graduate Luncheon
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM – Benedum Hall Lobby
Swanson School Department Orientation Breakout Sessions
Start Time: 2:00 PM (End times may vary by department. Times and Room locations all listed below. )
Location: Benedum Hall (BEH)
Learn everything you need to know about your specific department at Swanson. Information will include details about:
- Curriculum
- Enrollment
- Advising
- Research
- Faculty
- and more!
Below you will find the locations and start times for your Department's breakout session.
2:00-3:00PM: All MS & PhD Bioengineering Orientation - Benedum 157
BioE Breakout Sessions:
- 3:00-5:00PM: MS Programs Orientation - Benedum 158
- 3:00-4:00PM: PhD Orientation - Benedum 157
2:00-4:30pm - All PhD & MS - Benedum Hall Room 939
2:00-4:00pm - All PhD & MS - Benedum Hall, Room 309
2:00-3:30pm - All PhD & MS - Benedum Hall, Room G31
2:00-4:00pm - All PhD & MS - Benedum Hall, Location to be announced
2:00-2:30pm - All MS & PHD – Benedum G29
2:30-4:00 Breakout Sessions:
- Nuclear Engineering - Benedum G28
- Mechanical Engineering - Benedum G29
- Materials Science and Engineering - Benedum G30
- Computational Modeling and Simulation - Benedum G27
2:00-3:00pm MS – Benedum Hall, Location to be announced
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025
Craft Your Engineering Story – Industry Resume Tips & Tricks
Location: 102 Benedum Hall
Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your existing resume, this workshop is designed to elevate your professional profile and tell your unique engineering story. Have concerns about OPT/CPT? Want to prepare for Fall Career Events? This session is for YOU! Sponsored by our ELPE Team, you will learn the tips and tricks to tweaking your resume as well as meet Valerie Kerr who is your Grad Career & Professional Development Consultant.