Auburn University hosts successful postdoctoral retreat

The second annual Postdoctoral Retreat was held on Aug. 9 in the Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex. This half-day event provided information on employee benefits and campus resources, as well as an opportunity for Postdoctoral fellows from across campus to network and collaborate.

George Flowers, professor of Mechanical Engineering and dean of the Graduate School, welcomed attendees with opening remarks. Vini Nathan, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs also provided a brief welcome. Postdoctoral fellows, both new and experienced, learned about employee benefits, immigration support, and professional development through a variety of sessions. Officers from the Auburn Postdoctoral Association board moderated a feedback session to improve future planning.

Director of Professional Development at the Graduate School Dr. Sheena Stewart and organizer of the retreat, reflected on the retreat.

“Quality time spent welcoming new postdoctoral fellows and connecting them with an existing fellows-community is what fuels my soul. We appreciate all postdocs who have chosen to make Auburn University their home and continue the great research they are doing in their fields. This is the Auburn Family.”

The Postdoctoral Retreat was first organized in 2022 by the Auburn University Postdoctoral Association as an opportunity to inform new postdocs about key resources and to promote connections with other postdoctoral fellows across campus in a variety of fields. There are currently over 180 postdoctoral fellows at Auburn University.

This Postdoctoral Retreat was sponsored by the Auburn University Graduate School and the Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics’ Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity.

For more information about the Auburn University Postdoctoral Association, please visit the Graduate School’s website.