Welcome from Vice Provost Ken Goodson
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work together with Stanford’s graduate students and postdoctoral scholars as the vice provost for graduate education and postdoctoral affairs. Our office works collaboratively across Stanford to support and enhance the educational experiences of our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars while fostering their professional and personal development. We help provide the tools for a fulfilling experience at Stanford, preparing our students to contribute to a changing world while enjoying fulfilling and impactful careers.
During my 30 years with the Stanford faculty, interacting with PhD students and postdocs has been the highlight and most rewarding aspect of my career. My students helped me grow as a mentor and learn to cherish the creativity and independence that our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars bring to their work all across the campus. I hope your time at Stanford allows you to experience this aspect of Stanford scholarship while allowing you to thrive, collaborate, and build connections that will endure.
Our graduate students and postdocs are very good at connecting across departmental and school boundaries at Stanford and at leveraging the many opportunities available on campus. Many complement their disciplinary education with offerings in professional development, interdisciplinary studies, and networking events. Others become passionately involved in public service or explore exciting entrepreneurial ventures. My advice to our students: Follow your curiosity and develop your interests and goals while you are pursuing knowledge and scholarship.
Please take full advantage of the incredible academics and many other opportunities that this special place has to offer. Above all, enjoy your time at Stanford!
Sincerely,
Ken
Ken Goodson
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs
Davies Family Provostial Professor
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and, by courtesy, Materials Science and Engineering