About Us

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Programs in the Office of the Vice President for Research is dedicated to creating a University-wide focus on graduate education and postdoctoral training by establishing good communication and working relationships with graduate schools, departments, and graduate students. We collaborate on efforts to develop intellectually-stimulating environments for research, teaching, and service and to recruit, mentor, retain, and graduate a talented and diverse community of graduate students. We believe a successful graduate experience relies on high-quality faculty, competitive financial support, and opportunities for professional and career development.

Diversity Programs works to identify, recruit, retain, mentor, and graduate a diverse graduate student body. In collaboration with other departments, schools, and organizations at the University, Graduate Student Diversity Programs provides services, resources, and guidance to establish a welcoming and supportive environment for an increasingly diverse graduate student population.

Graduate Career Services provides direct career services tailored to the needs of Master's and PhD students at the University of Virginia. These services supplement the career planning and professional development programs offered by academic departments and other support services on Grounds. Our function includes streamlining resources, keeping abreast of current trends, and collaborating with faculty, employers, and professionals in higher education and in other sectors of the economy.

Postdoctoral Programs works to enhance the experience of Research Associates at the University of Virginia. The office is designed to review policies concerning those with postdoctoral appointments and to recommend changes to improve and enhance the postdoctoral experience. The program provides one office to act as a clearinghouse for information and assistance. It facilitates and acts as a liaison for Research Associates with the appropriate University offices. The office provides assistance in dealing with post-doctoral administrative issues such as compensation, health insurance and benefits, visa and residency requirements, employment duration, professional development, research funding sources, and grievance resolution.

Phillip Trella is Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies. With a Ph.D. in anthropological archaeology, his research interests include ancient food production systems, the disintegration of complex societies, and long-term environmental change.  Before joining the VPR staff he held a postdoc position with the Sciences Humanities and Arts Network for Technological Initiatives (SHANTI) where he worked to advance digital scholarship among faculty and graduate students at UVa.   

Cheryl Burgan Apprey is Director of Graduate Student Diversity Programs. She oversees activities including recruitment, retention, and mentoring designed to increase the enrollment of graduate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, especially in the University's doctoral programs. Additionally, she is responsible for developing ties between the University, historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions. She holds degrees from Howard University, Miami University, and the Ohio State University.

Melissa Hurst is Director of Career Development. She provides career and student development services designed to assist Master’s and PhD students at the University of Virginia with the transition into the workplace. At USC, she served as the Assistant Director for employer relations at the university career center. At UVa she held a postdoc position in the Curry School of Education where she explored graduate student development among students in the STEM fields. These roles served to provide her an important understanding of the needs and experiences of graduate students essential for her role as Director. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of South Carolina.

To schedule an appointment, please click on the link below and choose a free appointment slot. Be sure to include your name, degree program, and what you would like to address during the appointment.

http://gradcareer.youcanbook.me/