Graduate Student Appreciation Week

This week recognizes the important contributions of graduate students at UNC.

Logo for Graduate Student Awareness Week, April 6-10.
Graduate Student Association

Graduate Student Appreciation Week 2026

Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW) will be observed April 6-10. We invite all offices and departments to do something memorable for graduate students during this week.

Schedule of Events

Graduation Student Appreciation Week Online Challenge
The Graduate School and Graduate Student Association are doing an online challenge! Each day, there will be prompts on the Graduate School Instagram account.

Post your picture with the hashtag #uncogradweek26 and tag the Graduate School at @unco_gradschool to be entered in the daily prize drawing! Winners will be randomly selected each day to receive a $25 virtual gift card.

Monday, April 6

Morning Fuel with the Graduate Student Association
Grab breakfast and a fuel kit to get you through the rest of the semester!
When: 10 a.m.
Where: University Center
Can’t make it in the morning? Grab your fuel kit at the GSA office anytime during the week of April 6!

Online Challenge: Group Photo + Kickoff
Take a photo with your friends, teachers, lab partners or clinic instructors. Make sure to tag @unco_gradschool and include the hashtag #uncogradweek26 to be entered for today’s prize drawing!

If you are interested in being featured on the Graduate School Instagram account, send us a DM. We love showing off our amazing students! Today’s winner will be announced at 7 p.m. MDT. Gift cards may be picked up in person at Carter Hall, room 2007 or sent to participants via email.

Tuesday, April 7

Online Challenge: Recharge
Show us your favorite way to relax and recharge outside of school. Work-life balance can be a challenge! Make sure to tag @unco_gradschool and include the hashtag #uncogradweek26 to be entered for today’s prize drawing!

Here’s your reminder to DM us if you’re interested in being on the Graduate School Instagram account. Today’s winner will be announced at 7 p.m. MDT. Gift cards may be picked up in person at Carter Hall, room 2007 or sent to participants via email.

Wednesday, April 8

Online Challenge: Workspace
Take a photo of your desk, lab bench, studio or your favorite study spot. Let us know in the caption what you’re working on! Make sure to tag @unco_gradschool and include the hashtag #uncogradweek26 to be entered for today’s prize drawing!

Reminder to DM us if you’re interested in being on the Graduate School Instagram account. Today’s winner will be announced at 7 p.m. MDT. Gift cards may be picked up in person at Carter Hall, room 2007 or sent to participants via email.

Thursday, April 9

Online Challenge: Support System
Take a photo with the people who are supporting you on your graduate school journey! Whether that’s mentors, professors, significant others, family members or pets, caption your post with how they support you. Make sure to tag @unco_gradschool and include the hashtag #uncogradweek26 to be entered for today’s prize drawing!

As always, DM us if you’re interested in being on the Graduate School Instagram. Today’s winner will be announced at 7 p.m. MDT. Gift cards may be picked up in person at Carter Hall, room 2007 or sent to participants via email.

Friday, April 10

Online Challenge: Favorite Spot + Finale!
Take a photo of your favorite spot on campus. Caption it with why it’s your favorite! Make sure to tag @unco_gradschool and include the hashtag #uncogradweek26 to be entered for today’s prize drawing!

Today is your last chance to DM us if you’re interested in being on the Graduate School Instagram account. Today’s winner will be announced at 7 p.m. MDT. Gift cards may be picked up in person at Carter Hall, room 2007 or sent to participants via email.

Graduate Student Appreciation Week 2026 email signature logo

Add the Graduate Student Appreciation Week Logo to Your Outlook Signature

GSAW Email Signature logo

On Mac:

  • Start a new email.
  • Go to the “Draft” tab at top and select “Signatures” in the drop-down menu and then select “Manage Signatures.”
  • You should see a Signatures menu. Under “Signature name,” you may have a “Standard” signature. It may be preferable to create a new signature, based on your current signature and then add the attached logo.
  • For “Choose default signature,” select your new signature with the GSAW logo as the “New Messages” choice but it may be preferable to have your standard signature for the “replies/forwards.”
  • Don’t forget to return to your standard signature after April 10.

On PC:

  • Start a new email.
  • Go to the “Message” tab and go to the “Signature” drop-down menu in the “Include” section. Click “Signatures.”
  • A “Signatures and Stationary” window should appear. Select a signature to edit or create a new signature.
  • Above the signature text entry box, there is a image icon to the right of the “Business Card” icon. Click the image icon to enter the GSAW logo.
  • For “Choose default signature,” select your new signature with the GSAW logo as the “New Messages” choice but it may be preferable to have your standard signature for the “replies/forwards.”
  • Don’t forget to return to your standard signature after April 10.

See what other institutions have done for their graduate students