Fall 2021 New Student Orientation

Due to the large incoming class, and the COVID situation in Austin, we have made the hard decision to move this large event to a virtual modality. The orientation experience still promises to be extremely impactful and will prepare you for a strong start to your LBJ experience.

Download the most up-to-date schedule.

Monday, Aug. 16   |   Tuesday, Aug. 17   |   Wednesday, Aug. 18

Thursday, Aug. 19   |   Friday, Aug. 20

Monday, Aug. 16: ALL STUDENTS

• 8:30 a.m. — 9 a.m. CT: WELCOME FROM THE DEAN
  
  Join Incoming Dean JR DeShazo for an official welcome
• 9 a.m. — 9:30 a.m. CT: SCHOOL LEADERSHIP INTRODUCTIONS
  
  Meet the LBJ School leadership team as well as the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions staff, and ask your questions about the orientation week.
• 9:40 a.m. — 10 a.m. CT: DEI AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW
  
  Join Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement Victoria DeFrancesco Soto and Joseph Flores, GPAC DEI Committee Chair, for an overview of DEI and civic engagement at the LBJ School.
• 10 a.m. — Noon CT: RACE AND RACISM IN THE U.S.: OUR LEGACY — DR. TED GORDON
  
  This session will cover the origins and continued functioning of our unique racial identities in the structural inequities of our nation's past and present.
• 1:30 p.m. — 3 p.m. CT: CURRICULUM OVERVIEW WITH GRAD ADVISORS
  
  Join Graduate Advisors Sherri Greenberg, Lorinc Redei and Pat Wong to get all of your questions answered about registration and your Fall 2021 courses.
• 3:15 p.m. — 4 p.m. CT: REGISTRATION OVERVIEW/STRONG START CHECKLIST
  
  Learn all about the registration process and what to do before you register and start classes from our team of graduate coordinators.
• 4 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. CT: ENROLLED STUDENT FELLOWSHIPS OVERVIEW
  
  Join the LBJ School's fellowship specialist for an overview of opportunities available to current students. 

Tuesday, Aug. 17

MPAFF

• 11 a.m. — Noon CT: UT COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: CARE OVERVIEW
• 1:30 p.m. — 2 p.m. CT: CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
• 2 p.m. — 3 p.m. CT: MPAFF PEER POLICY GROUP NETWORKING
• 4 p.m. — 5:30 p.m. CT: MEET THE MPAFF FACULTY
• 5:30 p.m. — 6:30 p.m. CT: ALL STUDENTS — TRIVIA NIGHT!

MGPS GROUP 1

• 9 a.m. — 11 a.m. CT: CITIZEN DISCOURSE
• 11 a.m. — Noon CT: UT COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: CARE OVERVIEW
• Noon — 1 p.m. CT: ALL MGPS: GET TO KNOW YOUR COHORT AND THE OSAA TEAM

MGPS GROUP 2

• 11 a.m. — Noon CT: UT COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: CARE OVERVIEW
• Noon — 1 p.m. CT: ALL MGPS: GET TO KNOW YOUR COHORT AND THE OSAA TEAM
• 1 p.m. — 3 p.m. CT: MGPS GROUP 2: CITIZEN DISCOURSE
• 5:30 p.m. — 6:30 p.m. CT: ALL STUDENTS — TRIVIA NIGHT! 

Wednesday, Aug. 18

MPAFF GROUP 1

• 9 a.m. — 11 a.m. CT: MPAFF GROUP 1: CITIZEN DISCOURSE
• Noon — 1 p.m. CT: ALL MPAFF: GET TO KNOW YOUR COHORT AND THE OSAA TEAM

MPAFF GROUPS 2 & 3

• Noon — 1 p.m. CST: ALL MPAFF: GET TO KNOW YOUR COHORT AND THE OSAA TEAM
• 1 p.m. — 3 p.m. CT: MPAFF GROUP 2: CITIZEN DISCOURSE
• 3 p.m. — 5 p.m. CT: MPAFF GROUP 3: CITIZEN DISCOURSE

MGPS — ALL

• 10 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. CT: MEET THE MGPS FACULTY
• 1 p.m. — 1:30 p.m. CT: CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
• 1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. CT: PEER POLICY NETWORKING 

Thursday, Aug. 19

ALL STUDENTS

• 8 a.m. — 10 a.m. CT: MGPS/PH.D. GROUP 1 & MPAFF GROUP 1: DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
• 10 a.m. — Noon CT: MGPS GROUP 2 & MPAFF GROUPS 2 & 3: DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
• Noon — 1 p.m. CT: STUDENT LEADER PANEL
• 1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. CT: FROM LBJ TO PROJECT MALES: 25 YEARS OF EQUITY-FOCUSED POLICY RESEARCH
• 2:30 p.m — 3:30 p.m. CT: FINAL WRAP UP AND Q&A SESSION
• 4 p.m. — 6 p.m. CT: MENTORSHIP PROGRAM KICKOFF AND ALUMNI MIXERS

DC CONCENTRATION STUDENTS

• 10:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. CT: DC PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND CHECK-IN WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
  
  Join the DC Concentration's Executive Director, Bill Shute, and Associate Director, Robin Boone, as they discuss the DC program in detail.

PH.D. STUDENTS

• 10:30 a.m. — 5 p.m. CT: PH.D. PROGRAM ORIENTATION (IN PERSON)
  
  All Ph.D. students are welcome to attend all parts of the orientation week but please make sure to be present for this specialized session specifically for Ph.D. Students. This session will take place in the Dean's Conference Room on the third floor of the LBJ School Building. 

Friday, Aug. 20: REGISTRATION & OTHER NEW STUDENT EVENTS

• 8 a.m. CT: REGISTRATION
  
  Registration can be done virtually from your home. Be sure to have your computer and a good internet connection. A virtual help desk will be made available for any student who needs help. Registration process details and how to get in touch with the OSAA team or your Grad Advisor for help will be shared during orientation. Questions? Email lbjstudentaffairs@austin.utexas.edu.
• 9 a.m. CT: UT AUSTIN GRADUATE SCHOOL ORIENTATION
• 11 a.m. — 3 p.m. CT: NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT POLICY WORKSHOP
  
  Join Pat Wong for a session designed for our incoming international students. Will take place in SRH 3.124 (1st floor of the LBJ School Building). Zoom link coming soon.