Graduate Student Events

6:30–7:30 pm

Join us to discuss the RISD graduate experience with current students. Bring your questions about starting at RISD, living in Rhode Island and anything else you want to know before you arrive. 

5–6 am

From events and open studios to grants and teaching opportunities, learn more about how Graduate Studies can support you throughout your time at RISD.

6–7 pm

From events and open studios to grants and teaching opportunities, learn more about how Graduate Studies can support you throughout your time at RISD.

6 pm

Join your Grad Guides for an open, supportive virtual conversation about some of the challenges new graduate students might face at RISD. Together, we’ll explore real-life “what would you do if…” scenarios—covering everything from academic hurdles and roommate conflicts to emotional wellbeing and language fatigue.

Incoming students will have the chance to share thoughts in small groups and hear advice and personal experiences from current grad students. This is a great opportunity to connect with your peers, talk through common fears, and build confidence heading into the semester.

7:30–8 pm

Moving to a new city or country can be overwhelming especially when you're trying to balance apartment hunting, getting familiar with a campus spread out over many blocks and getting settled in a new academic environment. This session is going to help incoming grad students get familiar with the RISD campus and the facilities available across departments. We’ll walk you through the buildings you’ll likely be spending the most time in, highlighting key shared resources, and talking about how all of this might help with your housing selection or daily routine.  Whether you are figuring out your commute or planning your studio setup, or just trying to get familiar with what is to come, this session will help you feel more grounded before arriving in Providence and starting the academic year.

10–11:30 am

Join incoming and returning graduate students in exploring and learning more about the RISD campus with the Grad Studies Grad Guides.

The tour will last approximately an hour and a half and will meet in front of Bolt's Cafe Pearl (224 Benefit Street, Providence RI, 02903). This will be a great opportunity to explore what the RISD campus has to offer as well as ask any questions you may have. We'll be visiting various grad studio locations, pointing out where to find resources!

Tours run rain or shine, unless there is heavy rain or thunderstorms.

Please select all that you wish to attend. There will be more tours throughout the summer. 

11 am

This event aims to support incoming international students at RISD by addressing common challenges they may face, such as homesickness, academic pressures, language barriers, and cultural differences. Students will have the opportunity to share experiences, listen to others, and receive practical tips on coping with change.

10–11:30 am

Join incoming and returning graduate students in exploring and learning more about the RISD campus with the Grad Studies Grad Guides!

The tour will last approximately an hour and a half and will meet in front of Bolt's Cafe Pearl (224 Benefit Street, Providence RI, 02903). This will be a great opportunity to explore what the RISD campus has to offer as well as ask any questions you may have. We'll be visiting various grad studio locations, pointing out where to find resources!

Tours run rain or shine, unless there is heavy rain or thunderstorms.

Please select all that you wish to attend. There will be more tours throughout the summer. 

6:30–8:30 pm

Welcome (or welcome back!) to RISD!

Many graduate programs, including Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Teaching + Learning in Art & Design, kick off in the summer, and we’re excited to celebrate all incoming and returning graduate students with an in-person gathering.

Join us on Sunday, July 6 at 6:30 PM in the Fleet Library for an evening of food, drinks, and community. Whether you're just arriving or already deep into your RISD journey, this is a great opportunity to meet fellow grads and connect across programs.

Planning to attend? Let us know so we can make sure there’s plenty of food for everyone! If you are around Providence and want to come we would love to see you!

Kick off your first day with a treat from Graduate Studies!

On Monday, July 7, stop by Bolt Coffee (Washington Street location) and let us buy you a coffee (or your favorite drink) to celebrate the start of the summer session. Our Grad Guides will be there to welcome you—just check in with them and your drink is on us!

Feel free to hang out with the guides and meet other RISD grads, or grab your drink to go. Either way, we’re excited to start the day with you!

6 pm

Join us to discuss the RISD graduate experience with current students. Bring your questions about starting at RISD, living in Rhode Island and anything else you want to know before you arrive. 

6:30 pm

Meet with Phoebe Snyder the Graduate Community and Experience Specialist to learn more about what the Office of Graduate Studies does and how to utilize it as a resource while you are at RISD.

6 pm

In this required orientation, our Equity & Compliance team will review Title IX and the relevant resources available to you at RISD. 

This orientation will be particularly helpful if you are looking to work for RISD during your time as a Graduate student. You will be hearing from Emily Gleason the associate director of Title IX and Equity and Compliance as well as Jasmine Mahoney Associate Director, Civil Rights, Equity & Compliance        

9 am

Coming to RISD means more than just starting graduate school, it means arriving in a new environment, city, or maybe even a new culture. This session is designed to ease the anxiety that often comes with that transition.

Topics include: 
-  Talking about what the first week in Providence is really like
-  How to find events and social opportunities
-  Tips for getting around
-  Fun weekend ideas
-  Things current grads had wish they would had known before arriving
-  Phone Plans
-  Opening a bank account
-  Basic Visa relagred logistics

We’ll also highlight key spots on a local map and discuss common concerns international students may face when settling into a new environment. We hope to help build early awareness and peace of mind.

This is not a lecture, it’s an open, supportive space to share fears, ask questions, and get grounded in reality. Bring your questions and your curiosity

10 pm

Starting grad school can be exciting and overwhelming, especially in a new place. Let’s break the ice early! This virtual hangout is a chance for incoming RISD grad students to meet each other in a casual, welcoming space. Come as you are, whether you just want to say hi, share your story, ask questions, or exchange social media handles. Let’s connect, build community, and make the first day a little less scary!

6:30 pm

Join us for a collective celebration at Providence’s iconic WaterFire event! WaterFire centers around a series of nearly 100 bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence.

2 pm

Welcome, grads!

Join us for a casual meet and greet at Bolt Coffee on Washington Street. Whether you're new to town or just looking to make new friends, this is a great chance to connect with fellow grads in a relaxed setting.

Come say hi, share stories, and enjoy a free coffee on us. We can’t wait to meet you!

11:45 am

Join your fellow grad students for a picnic lunch and some beach time before classes begin!

You are welcome to bring a swimsuit and beach gear or simply hangout on the lawn or beach! Its your day to relax and meet the graduate community

Shuttle service will be provided by Graduate Studies, leaving 20 Washington Street (the ""Prov-Wash"" building in the center of campus) at 11:45, with the return shuttle departing Tillinghast at 2:50 pm. The ride there and back is approximately 30 minutes each way.  If you prefer, you can drive your own car, take a ride share, or ride your bike from Providence via the East Bay Bike Path and meet us there for a boxed picnic lunch.

The bus has limited seating and we want to make sure everyone has a lunch so please fill out the form below to rsvp.

RSVP for Tillinghast Picnic