GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN
A publication of the Graduate School for Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators
Postings are distributed to the Graduate Program Directors and Coordinators listservs on the 1st and 16th of each month and are also available on our public blog.
November 3, 2025
IN THIS BULLETIN:
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
1. Sponsored Webinar: The Changing Landscape of Graduate Recruitment and Marketing
2. GPD/GC Meeting
3. Little Hokie Hand-Me-Down: Donations Needed
Deadlines & Dates to Remember
4. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Applications Now Open
Policy Updates
None at this time.
Administrative Announcements
5. Graduate Student Climate Survey Data Available
6. Upcoming TOEFL Scoring Scale Change
Announcements for Distribution to Students
None at this time.
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
1. Sponsored Webinar: The Changing Landscape of Graduate Recruitment and Marketing
November 4, 2:00–2:45p.m., Zoom
Competition for qualified graduate students is intensifying, and institutions face a complex mix of challenges: fragmented digital marketing channels, the growing influence of AI in student search, shifting international student demand, and questions about the value proposition and ROI of graduate education. Universities are responding by rethinking how they attract and enroll students, adopting new approaches to audience segmentation, marketing channel strategy, and deploying technology. In this moderated session, academic and enrollment leaders will share how they are adapting to these changes and the strategies and tactics that are working best. Register here
2. GPD/GC Meeting
November 5, 2:00–3:00 p.m., Zoom
This is a reminder of the upcoming monthly Graduate Program Director and Graduate Coordinator meeting. If you are not currently included in the calendar invitation, please contact jhazelwood4@vt.edu.
3. Little Hokie Hand-Me-Down: Donations Needed
The Little Hokie Hand-Me-Down program is an event designed for the benefit of Virginia Tech graduate students and staff families. Donations of unused or gently used children’s items for ages 0 to 10 are greatly needed for this event. Donations can be dropped off at the Women’s Center or the Graduate Life Center through November 10 at noon. Learn more about what items can be donated and when graduate students and staff can pick up free items: click here.
Meetings, Workshops, & Events
4. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Applications Now Open
The Bouchet Society seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for students in the academy. In the spirit of Bouchet’s commitment to these pursuits both within and outside the academic realm, inductees into the honor society bearing his name should exhibit these qualities. The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on January 16, 2025. Click to learn more
Administrative Announcements
5. Graduate Student Climate Survey Data Available
Data are now available from the Spring 2025 Graduate Student Climate Survey. The following visualization can be used to compare climate survey results to prior years and is filterable down to the academic program level: click here
Summary results and reports will be available at a later date. If you have questions or desire additional analysis, contact Kacy Lawrence at klawr5@vt.edu
6. Upcoming TOEFL Scoring Scale Change
ETS is launching a TOEFL iBT scoring scale change effective January 21, 2026. Overall scores and section scores will be reported on a 1-6 banded scale. Based on the ETS TOEFL concordance table, the Virginia Tech Graduate School will require an overall score and section scores of 4.5 or higher for admission. Students who anticipate appointments as Graduate Teaching Assistants are expected to have scored a 5 or higher on the TOEFL Speaking section. GTA appointment of a student scoring 4.5 on the Speaking section should be justified explicitly within the academic unit; appointment of a student scoring below 4.5 on the Speaking section requires justification with the Graduate School.