Graduate Students' Den

A graduate student struggling with mental health and academic probation approaches a professor for help improving their exam performance. Instead of receiving specific guidance, the student is told, “Grad school isn’t for everyone.” Was this an honest assessment, an inappropriate response, or a poorly delivered concern? In this episode, the Graduate Students’ Den panel examines the difference betw...

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of graduate education, but where should students draw the line between using AI as a helpful tool and allowing it to replace their own thinking? In this episode of The Graduate Students’ Den , we speak with Chris Ybarra, Founder and CEO of Aivana, former JPMorgan Chase executive, and two-time BGSU graduate. We discuss responsible AI use in research and writ...

John, Halima Ali, Kelsey Zook, and Kelsey Stanfield look back on their first year of graduate school and the questions that followed them through it: • Am I falling behind? • Does everyone understand this better than I do? • What really happens during “intellectual discussions”? • Why does academic publishing involve so much revising and formatting? • Am I actually good enough to be here? The pane...

Welcome to The Graduate Students’ Den. Today, we are discussing something many Graduate Teaching Associates experience but may not always feel comfortable talking about: incivility in the classroom. We will consider what incivility actually looks like, whether teaching this generation requires a different approach, and how GTAs manage authority while still occupying relatively junior positions wit...

Applying to graduate school can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can make it much more manageable. In this episode of The Graduate Students’ Den, we speak with Eliza Dickey, Senior Graduate Admissions Counselor at Bowling Green State University. Eliza takes us inside BGSU's graduate admissions process and discusses what prospective students should know before submitting an appl...

What does the journey from community college to earning a PhD and becoming a university professor really look like? In this episode of The Graduate Students Den, we sit down with Dr. Larry Willis of Bowling Green State University’s School of Media and Communication. Dr. Willis reflects on his educational journey—from community college through his master’s and doctoral studies—and the experiences t...

The Graduate Students’ Den returns for Season 4 with “New Chapters, Same Den.” Host John Acquaful is joined by Kelsey Zook, Kelsey Stanfield, and Caroline King for an honest conversation about change, continuity, and belonging in graduate school. Kelsey Stanfield joins from Wayne State University, Kelsey Zook returns after two seasons away, and Caroline King enters the Den as its newest member. To...

The semester is over… or at least almost. In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we take a step back to reflect on the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. From unexpected stress to personal wins, we share what this semester actually looked like behind the scenes. We talk about what worked, what didn’t, what we’re leaving behind, and what we’re carrying into the next semester. T...

In this episode, we sit down to talk about the age gaps that exist inside graduate programs — the 22-year-olds who feel like impostors among experienced cohort-mates, the 35-year-olds who've been told they're starting too late, and the institutional structures that quietly assume every student arrived straight from undergrad with no mortgage, no kids, and infinite time. We read two Reddit...

In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we’re joined by Dr. Debipreeta Rahut, whose journey spans journalism, academia, and continents. From Kolkata, India, to earning her PhD in Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University, and now teaching at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Rahut shares what it really takes to navigate graduate school as an international student while buildi...

We’re halfway through the semester, so it’s time for a real check-in. In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we take a step back to share what we’re currently navigating in our graduate journeys. Halima walks us through what happens after defending a dissertation proposal and what that transition really feels like. Kelsey talks about preparing for her upcoming TEDxBGSU talk while also naviga...

Public speaking is one of the most common fears people have — but is it something you’re born good at, or something anyone can learn? In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we’re joined by Dr. Jaclyn Marsh, Assistant Teaching Professor and Basic Course Director in the School of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Marsh oversees the university’s public speaking prog...

In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we welcome Sashette McPherson — Financial Analyst at Bowling Green State University, CEO of Power Moves Global, and host of the  Power Moves  podcast. A proud BGSU alum with a master’s in Financial Economics, Sashette joins us to reflect on her graduate school journey, the lessons she learned along the way, and how she transitioned from student to finan...

Welcome back to  Graduate Students’ Den  with John, Kelsey, and Halima. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shannon Orr, faculty member at Bowling Green State University and Director of the Falcon Food Pantry. Dr. Orr leads one of the university’s most important community initiatives, supporting students, faculty, and staff through accessible food and essential resources — including many graduat...

Grad school teaches theory, research, and critical thinking. It does not teach you how to file taxes on a stipend, understand health insurance, negotiate a lease, or survive university bureaucracy. In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we unpack the life skills no one prepares you for but every graduate student has to figure out. From confusing paperwork and unexpected expenses to budgeting...

This episode of  Graduate Students’ Den  dives into the often-unspoken realities of maintaining relationships during graduate school. From friendships that slowly fade, to romantic partnerships under pressure, to navigating family expectations and guilt, we unpack how grad school reshapes personal life. Through personal stories, honest reflection, and practical strategies, we explore how graduate...

Season 3 of  Graduate Students’ Den  kicks off with a relaxed and honest conversation featuring John and Kelsey. In this opening episode, the panel reflects on winter break, the realities of grad life, and what it really takes to apply to and survive graduate school. We also talk about resetting for a new semester, managing expectations, and finding your rhythm as the academic year unfolds. Whethe...

Leadership, identity, vision. In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we talk with the director of BGSU’s School of Media & Communications - Dr. Cheryl Bracken - about her journey, the challenges and rewards of leading in academia, and what it takes to build an inclusive, forward-looking media school. Whether you’re a current student, aspiring leader, or future faculty — this conversation...

What does effective graduate research look like, and how do you find a mentor who guides you to success? In this episode of  Graduate Students Den , Halima, Kelsey, and John welcome Professor Louisa Ha from BGSU’s School of Media and Communication. She shares her journey as a scholar focusing on social media influencers, online audiences, and global media communication. She reveals how she mentors...

Prelims and proposal defenses are two of the most nerve-wracking milestones in any graduate student’s journey. In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , hosts John, Kelsey, and Halima are joined by GCA President Madison Clatt to unpack their real experiences navigating these major academic hurdles. Whether you’re just starting to think about your prelims or gearing up for your proposal defense,...

Starting a PhD can be both exciting and a little intimidating. In this episode of  Graduate Students Den , hosts  John ,  Kelsey , and  Halima  sit down with  Aisha Tahir , a first-year PhD student in the School of Media and Communication at BGSU, to talk about what the first semester of doctoral life really feels like. Aisha opens up about finding balance between research and life, adjusting to n...

What does life after graduate school really look like in academia? This week on  The Graduate Students Den , hosts John, Kelsey, and Halima sit down with Dr. Lisa Hanasono, professor in the School of Media and Communication at BGSU and Academic Director of Training at the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). She shares practical advice on building a sustainable academic...

What really happens after you hit  submit  on your graduate school application? In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , John, Halima, and Kelsey sit down with Dr. Radhika Gajjala and Dr. Yanqin Lu from BGSU’s Graduate Programs Committee to uncover the truth about how applications are reviewed. We discuss the entire process, from start to finish, what makes a strong application stand out, and...

What is it really like to stand at the front of a classroom while still sitting in one yourself? In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , John, Kelsey, and Halima get honest about the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of being both graduate students and instructors. From juggling lesson plans with classroom deadlines to those small “teaching wins” that make it all worthwhile, this conversatio...

Applying to graduate school can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode of  Graduate Students’ Den , we sit down with Eliza Dickey from BGSU’s Graduate College to talk about everything prospective students need to know — from writing a strong personal statement and building a standout CV, to understanding standardized tests, funding opportunities, fee waivers, and eve...