The Fisheries and Wildlife Graduate Student Association is a resource for fisheries and wildlife graduate students to enhance their education and enhance the community.
Purpose:
- To improve communication among graduate students and faculty of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University.
- To enhance the exchange of ideas and collaboration among graduate students and to promote and endorse their work.
- To expand and diversify the range of educational experiences available to graduate students.
- To increase opportunities for professional development of graduate students.
- To articulate the needs of graduate students and advocate their views in the department, college and university.
2025-2026 FWGSA Officers
Co-presidents: Lara Mengak & Kyra Bankhead
Treasurer: Andres Pinos
Secretary: Kayla Fratt
Fundraising chair: Natia Javakhishvili
Faculty reps: Mimi Obley & John Pierce
Communications/outreach officers: Kristine Alford & Zach Muniz
Social Coordinators: Sydney Turner & Noelle Foster
New student liaisons: Lindsey Roberts & Samara Rosen
Coalition of Graduate Student Employees (CGE) Steward: Anna Kohlberg
Upcoming Events
FWCS Graduate Student Snow Trip! - RSVP closed
- When: January, 23rd - 26th 2025
- Where: Bennington Estates Sunriver, OR
- What: A fun weekend to hang out with other grads and enjoy snow activities!
Additional University Events: OSU Events Calendar
Recent Events
Squirrels Fundraiser:
- When: Thursday, December, 4th 2025 5pm - 9pm
- Where: Squirrel's 100 SW 2nd St. Corvallis, OR
- What: Proceed from beer and merch purchases go toward FWGSA funds!
Fall Camp-out:
- When: October 17-19
- Where: Metolius River near Camp Sherman, Oregon. More details about the camp site will be shared soon.
- Who: Everyone! Both new and returning grads are encouraged to join as well as partners!
- What: We will be tent camping by the beautiful Metolius River (known for excellent fishing). There will be a group hike up Black Butte with panoramic views of the Central Cascade Mountains on Saturday followed by dinner provided by FWGSA. There are also many other hikes, lakes (e.g., Suttle Lake), and mountains to explore in this area. We will be near the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery where you can walk, feed the fish, and get ice cream at the Camp Sherman Store & Fly Shop. The cute town of Sisters is also close for those who may want to check out local shops. Please contact social coordinators for more information.
Fall Meet and Greet Welcome Party:
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When: Wednesday, October 1st 5:00 PM, shortly after the FW599 orientation class
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Where: Common Fields (545 SW 3rd St, Corvallis, OR 97333)
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What: This family-friendly social will be a relaxed chance to meet other new and current students, ask lingering questions about grad school, and enjoy time together. There will also be fun prizes offered for ice breaker bingo! Common Fields offers a variety of food options, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Please contact New Student Liaisons for more information.
The Research Advances in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Ecology Symposium (RAFWE)
The Research Advances in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Ecology (RAFWE) is a student-run symposium which showcases research, extension, and outreach activities conducted by faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and researchers from OSU's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, related departments at OSU and other colleges and universities, and state and federal agencies. Learn more...
Fisheries and Wildlife Undergraduate Mentorship Program (FWUMP)
Need research support? Interested in mentoring budding scientists? Consider joining the Fisheries and Wildlife Mentorship Program, which was established to facilitate scientific and professional training for students at OSU with interests in the fields of fisheries, wildlife, and ecology. This is primarily achieved through a mentor-mentee pairing process, which connects undergraduate students seeking research experiences and professional training with graduate students and Postdocs capable of providing such professional development opportunities. Learn more...
General Student Resources
OSU Student Resources
Check out a list of resources available to OSU students.
Have a general question or not sure who to call? We are here for you. Please call 541-737-3103.
FWCS Student Resources
F&W Social Events Listserv
This e-mail list is separate from the department listserv and is designed for grad students to invite each other to fun, informal, and non-departmental events. Sign up now!
American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Oregon Student Chapters
Our undergraduate peers have developed an outstanding organization that offers multiple opportunities for personal development and activities.
Grad-to-Grad Student Resources
Graduate Students' Favorites List
Don't get out much? Take a look at our favorites list for local restaurants, hiking hot spots, and other forms of entertainment.
Graduate Course Guide and Recommendations
Struggling to put together your plan of study? Check out our ever-growing list of recommended courses and seminars by other F&W graduate students.
Mental Health and Other Resources
Check out these on-campus, media, and self-care resources for mental health, as well as potential funding sources, parental leave information, and a preliminary grad student guide.
Work-Life Balance Resources
Adventure Leadership Institute (ALI)
The Adventure Leadership Institute provides impactful outdoor experiences through experiential learning, outdoor trips, and gear rentals.
My Student Support Program (MySSP) is an app that gives all OSU students, including Ecampus students, immediate access by text or phone with a licensed mental health counselor, 24/7. The app makes it easy to schedule short-term counseling appointments with the same ongoing counselor. Students can communicate with a counselor in five different languages (Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Spanish or English); additional language options are available upon request.
The Basic Needs Center (BNC)
At the Basic Needs Center, the student team works together to build community, share resources, develop strategies and have fun along the way. BNC Student Leaders use their experience and training to help other students find resources and create a plan to make it to graduation
The Center for Advocacy, Prevention, & Education (CAPE)
CAPE operates through a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to provide a continuum of programs and services designed to prevent interpersonal and gender-based violence (IP-GBV), and to support survivors of IP-GBV.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS offers short, medium, and long term services for diverse mental health and well being needs.
The Craft Center is a collection of well-equipped studios with an extensive series of workshops and classes in the handcrafted/visual arts.
Diversity & Cultural Engagement
Utilize the Centers and Initiatives that OSU has in place to empower students to develop multiple perspectives and foster self-awareness.
Faculty & Staff Fitness (FSF)
In a fun, convenient and welcoming environment, Faculty Staff Fitness caters to your busy schedule to ensure fitting in a daily workout is a breeze. Housed in the College of Health, Faculty Staff Fitness (FSF) offers a variety of health and wellness topic programming to faculty, staff, retirees, graduate students and their partners and spouses.
The National Grad Crisis Hotline offers free counseling services to grad students. The hotline staff and volunteers receive training to help students with the unique challenges of graduate school. You can reach support by calling 1.877.GRAD.HLP (1.877.472.3457).
Read about your health plan coverage and find enrollment and waiver forms here.
Office of Institutional Diversity (OID)
The Office of Institutional Diversity oversees institutional change actions, initiatives and communications to advance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout all facets of Oregon State University.
OSU Assist is a multi-disciplinary support team that provides compassionate mobile crisis response and wraparound services for students facing mental health challenges or experiencing other forms of distress.
Through staff passion, innovation, and steadfast commitment to creating dynamic learning experiences, the Department of Recreational Sports has established itself as an essential campus partner in student wellness, a healthy campus, and the success of students and campus alike. Students can also compete in more than 30 intramural sports and numerous sports clubs.
Spiritual Life is an association of religious, spiritual, and philosophical advisors from various faith traditions and expressions.
Student Health Services (SHS)
SHS clinicians, health educators and other highly skilled health professionals provide campuswide comprehensive primary health care, disease prevention and treatment services, and extensive health promotion for all OSU students.
The University Ombuds Office promotes a civil and inclusive campus community by providing informal, impartial, and confidential conflict management services to all members of the university community.
Wellness Coaching at Oregon State University is a free, supportive service that allows you to meet one-on-one with a Peer Wellness Coach for guided conversations about your well-being. Whether you're managing stress, building healthy routines, navigating life transitions, or working toward academic, personal, or professional goals, coaching helps you reflect, set intentions and take meaningful steps forward.
The Work Life program at OSU aims to support and promote the ongoing development of a workplace culture supportive of personal and family life. We offer a variety of resources and services available to faculty and staff which often extend to spouses/partners and dependents to help balance the many aspects of your life.