Chemistry Graduate Student Society

By The Chemistry Graduate Student Society

The Chemistry Graduate Student Society (CGSS) is a student group representing all Chemistry graduate students, led by a team of volunteer graduate student executives. The goal of CGSS is to advocate for the well-being of chemistry graduate students and to provide opportunities for community building within the Department and Faculty. We organize a number of EDI, recruitment and networking events across the Department of Chemistry, including collaborating with the Undergraduate Chemistry Club and the Graduate Student Societies of other Science departments (such as Biology and Earth Science).  

In the fall term, a charity bake sale is organized by the joint efforts of CGSS, Chem Club and the Biochemistry Student Association. All the baked goods are donated by faculty, staff and students of the chemistry and biology departments and funds are donated to various causes.  

In February, we organize the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast, which aims to educate and connect scientists to overcome the barriers to gender equality in science. This year, we assembled a panel of female-identifying scientists to share their experiences and offer guidance on navigating gender inequalities in STEM for young female-identifying scientists and their allies.  

During the winter term, we organize a Graduate Student Appreciation lunch to recognize the achievements of graduate students in the Department of Chemistry, celebrate their contributions to their research fields, and foster networking between research labs. 

In Spring 2025 we collaborated with the Faculty of Science to host Dr. André Isaacs, Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry at the College of the Holy Cross and a leader in advocating for inclusive excellence, to discuss his research and strategies for improving belonging in STEM.   

Throughout the year, we organize various networking events, including monthly Coffee and Donuts on the last Friday of every month and an annual department-wide BBQ in the first week of August to bring together students, staff, and faculty away from the lab.