Learning Opportunities

Stanford University expects that its graduate students will have major impact on the organizational, intellectual, and social communities to which they will belong. We expect they will not only contribute to those communities, but will help transform them.

To do this, our graduates will require competencies including:

• communication, persuasion and influence
• organizational effectiveness, and
• an understanding of the broader contexts - cultural, legal and ethical - in which they will work.

In addition, the challenges of the 21st century will be multi-dimensional, requiring cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and approaches.

The VPGE develops and supports a comprehensive approach to the development of leaders who can use the knowledge gained through their graduate studies at Stanford to impact their fields, their organizations, and ultimately the world.

Our programs in this area can be divided into the following areas:

• Interdisciplinary and Cross-School Opportunities
  Describes opportunities for graduate students to explore topics that cross disciplinary boundaries, and to interact with faculty and students with common intellectual interests from other parts of the university. In addition, we highlight graduate courses intended for students from other Stanford schools.
• Graduate Professional Development
  Describes programs for graduate students and postdocs to develop skills that will help in the future, as well as in completing their degree. Includes opportunities administered by VPGE and other Stanford departments.
• Career Mentoring and Preparation
  Describes professional skills development and training to help prepare students for success in their chosen career fields - both in and outside of academia. Includes links to relevant courses and to Career Development resources on campus.
• Innovation in Departments and Programs
  Because academic departments and programs are the foundation of graduate education, VPGE supports innovation in degree-granting programs. We award funds to faculty members for program innovation (SCORE) and to students to enhance their intellectual community (SPICE).