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Our Mission

Student and staff at resource fair

Many new students learn about VPGE at the annual New Graduate Student Orientation, sponsored by the Graduate Life Office.

VPGE 2013

Expanding what's possible in graduate education

The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) opened in January 2007 to further Stanford University’s commitment to excellence in graduate education. The VPGE office serves the entire graduate student community, comprised of over 9,000 master's, doctoral, and professional degree students from all of Stanford's 90 departments and programs and each of its seven schools.

Our Mission

The VPGE office works collaboratively across the university to ensure that every graduate student receives the best possible educational experience.  VPGE's initiatives and resources enrich students' academic experiences at Stanford by advancing diversity, preparing leaders, and positioning Stanford at the forefront of innovation in graduate education.

VPGE's current priorities are to:

  • Administer university-wide graduate fellowship programs
  • Advance graduate student diversity
  • Foster interdisciplinary learning and inter-school networking opportunities
  • Provide professional development resources and guidance to graduate students
  • Promote academic innovation, within and across graduate degree programs
  • Recommend, promulgate, and interpret university-wide graduate academic policy
  • Facilitate collaborative problem-solving on university-wide issues

How We Do This

The VPGE office actively collaborates with Stanford’s schools, departments, and central offices and with graduate student leaders and organizations to advance University priorities. Specifically, the VPGE office:

  • Provides resources and expertise
  • Convenes people and departments to discuss challenges in graduate education
  • Designs and delivers innovative projects in selected areas
  • Serves as a clearinghouse for information and resources
  • Analyzes data on graduate education.