January 2025

"Building Your Dream Team: Tips for Choosing Your Thesis Committee"

by Jeff Koslofsky - Senior Marketing Communications Manager - Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs

How to align expertise and mentorship with your career goals

Choosing a thesis committee is a pivotal step in a graduate student’s academic journey. The right committee can influence the quality of your research and the trajectory of your career. A well-assembled committee provides not only subject-matter expertise but also mentorship, constructive feedback, and professional connections that will be invaluable throughout your studies and beyond.

In a recent episode of The Next Step podcast, Cindi Lewis ’14M (PhD), who now serves as executive management to the Director General at the World Health Organization, and Vivek Nanda ’13M (PhD), Assistant Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham shared their thoughts on factors to consider when selecting your thesis committee. From finding diverse expertise to fostering relationships between members, these tips will help you make informed decisions to set yourself up for success.