The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School

The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State has a rich tradition of providing access to high-quality graduate education to students all over the world. First established in 1922, and named in 2024 through a generous commitment from Penn State friends Jeff and Ann Marie Fox, the Fox Graduate School today has become one of the largest providers of graduate education in the U.S., with more than 13,000 students enrolled in one of more than 200 degree programs. With a focus on increasing diversity, the Fox Graduate School’s enrolled student population includes 3,500 international students and 1,500 students from underrepresented backgrounds. Each academic year, the Fox Graduate School confers approximately 4,500 degrees, 700 of which are doctoral degrees.

Our approach to providing high-quality graduate education includes partnering with graduate programs across Penn State’s colleges and campuses, and supporting students directly with a variety of topics such as wellness, professional development, educational equity, and more.

Fox Graduate School Leadership
Bill Clark, Associate Dean
Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean Bill Clark, Associate Dean
Stephanie Preston, Associate Dean for Educational Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer for Graduate Education Michelle Corby, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services

 

Primary Strategic Goals

The Fox Graduate School's goals, as per our Strategic Plan, are as follows:

  1. Enhance the quality of graduate education.
  2. Foster and embrace diversity in graduate education.
  3. Advance graduate student professional and career development.
  4. Promote interdisciplinary opportunities in graduate education.

New faculty may want to contact the Fox Graduate School to:

  • Become a Graduate Faculty Member. For questions about Graduate Faculty types, visit our Graduate Faculty Decision Tree. Links to an external site.
  • Learn how to help students succeed in graduate education at Penn State
  • Learn about graduate student funding options, including fellowships.
  • Learn about support options for graduate students related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; student life and wellness; and career and professional development.
  • Learn about McNair Scholars, a federally funded program that supports undergraduate students who intend to pursue a Ph.D.
  • Learn about Graduate Education policies, processes, and procedures at the University.
  • Discuss records-related questions at any part the student cycle, including admissions, degree milestones, theses/dissertations, and graduation requirements.
  • Discuss significant student concerns that are not being resolved at the college level
  • Serve as judge at the annual Graduate Exhibition (typically hosted in late March)

 

The Top 5 Items Faculty Should Know about the Fox Graduate School

Top Items Faculty Should Know About the Fox Graduate School
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The Fox Graduate School’s primary goal is ensuring student success in their education and their career. We partner with graduate programs across the University to make high-quality graduate education available to Penn State students at multiple campuses, and we provide support at every stage of a student's journey: from before they apply until after they earn a degree. This includes funding support, and in spring 2025, the Fox Graduate School opened applications for its first round of Fox Endowment Links to an external site. graduate student scholarships, which will be offered again each semester by application. The Fox Graduate School is available to support you with questions about graduate education that cannot be addressed by your graduate program head or your college’s associate dean for graduate education.
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The Fox Graduate School is responsible for implementing all Graduate Council academic policies Links to an external site.. Graduate Council is a faculty-led governance group that establishes graduate education academic policy at the University.
Icon for the number 3 The Fox Graduate School supports the Graduate Council’s curricular review process, and can answer any questions a faculty member might have about preparing a successful course or program proposal.
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The Fox Graduate School organizes programming and hosts many events throughout the fall and spring semesters to build community, support students from all backgrounds, help students with developing skills related to career and professional development and support high-quality mentoring by members of the Graduate Faculty.
Icon for the number 5 The Office of Graduate Educational Engagement Programs is available to consult on graduate student concerns that are not easily resolved at the college level.

 

Relevant New Faculty Programming

 

Fox Graduate School Fun Facts

With over 13,000 enrolled students, the Fox Graduate School is the largest school or college at Penn State.

Penn State has more than 3,100 officially appointed Graduate Faculty members.

Penn State graduate programs are offered by seventeen colleges and schools at six campuses.

 

Fox Graduate School Contact Information

Graduate Enrollment Services (for admissions, records, thesis/dissertation information, graduation requirements etc.):

For Policy-Related Information:

For Educational Equity Information:

For Graduate Student Funding Information: