Letter from the Dean

Academic Year 2025-2026 was a year of growth and transition. As KSU entered year two of our Strategic Plan – Taking Flight, we saw continued growth in graduate enrollment. I am proud to share that 86% of our students are Georgia residents, and we also welcomed students from 42 states and 83 countries. 

As our graduate student population continues to grow, we are focusing on serving our students in ways that will ensure their success—measured not just by graduation rates and time to degree, but also by career preparation and health and well-being, as part and parcel of what KSU offers. Our success efforts are paying off! This past year saw the largest number of returning students as well as the largest number of doctoral degrees conferred (93) and more than 2,700 graduate degrees overall.

juliet langman

Growth and transition are also part of our team’s message. I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Herman ‘Gene’ Ray joined the Graduate College team as associate dean for graduate student success. Dr. Ray joined us in January 2025 and hit the ground running, supporting existing initiatives to take flight, as well as planning for the expansion of offerings that support graduate student engagement and belonging at KSU, successful transition to the workforce, and more attention to mentoring and building leadership skills among both our graduate students and our faculty. 

And there is more to come. During the last academic year, we reached our Capital Campaign goal of $3,000,000! That hasn’t slowed us down, however, as the need for support continues to grow. Quality education takes time and funding in the form of scholarships and fellowships, travel funding, and completion stipends, which give our students time to focus on their studies. 

I hope you will be inspired by some of the stories of graduate student research that we have shared here, as well as some of our prize winners, who are striving to share their research with the public in engaging and innovative ways. This year’s 3MT® competition brought the largest number of contestants ever. Our students are also being recognized outside of KSU, with two recipients of prestigious engineering fellowships coupled with opportunities to conduct research at national laboratories, and a recipient of the 2026 Association of Old Crows (AOC) Academic and Educational Excellence Award.

With gratitude,

Juliet Langman, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor, Graduate College

“As our graduate student population continues to grow, we are focusing on serving our students in ways that will ensure their success—measured not just by graduation rates and time to degree, but also by career preparation and health and well-being, as part and parcel of what KSU offers.”

Dean Juliet Langman

Dean and Professor, Graduate College

Top 3 Majors by Enrollment, Fall 2025

  • 403

    Evening Master of Business Administration 

  • 321

    Master of Arts in Teaching 

  • 268

    Master of Science in Cybersecurity 

Our Impact

Kennesaw State University offers a variety of graduate programs available on campus, online, and in hybrid formats. As an R2 research institution, KSU is dedicated to research excellence, offering graduate students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research alongside faculty members.

Additionally, KSU is deeply committed to community engagement and professional development and offers a variety of professional graduate degrees designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in fields such as engineering, health and human services, business, and more. These programs are tailored to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and empower students to make a lasting impact in their communities and industries.

 

 

graduate in cap and gound after receiving her diploma

Graduate Student Appreciation Week

The Graduate College at Kennesaw State University marked Graduate Student Appreciation Week from March 30 - April 3, 2026, celebrating the invaluable contributions, impact, and significance of its graduate students. This year’s lineup featured a mix of engaging in-person events designed to foster community and professional growth.

  • The week-long festivities commenced on Monday, March 30, with kickoff events held on both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. Students were greeted with tables offering free t-shirts, swag items, and a chance to address general questions about their graduate experience.
  • On Tuesday, March 31, students learned how to create a delicious stir fry dinner at the “Wok and Roll” cooking demo.
  • The following evening, Wednesday, April 1, the fourth annual Wine & Cheese reception drew a record number of students. This event offered graduate students a relaxed setting to connect with peers, faculty, and Graduate College staff over glasses of wine and a variety of cheese pairings.
  • The week’s centerpiece, the Three Minute Thesis® (3MT) competition, took place on Thursday, April 2. This highly anticipated event showcased the diverse and innovative research projects undertaken by KSU graduate students. Competitors distilled complex ideas into concise, compelling three minute presentations. A reception followed, where participants mingled with attendees and celebrated the winners, who were recognized with awards for their outstanding performances.
  • On Friday, April 3, Game Night wrapped up the week and brought students together on Marietta campus for an evening of fun and a light dinner. The event featured a variety of games, encouraging friendly competition and bonding.
people at the graduate appreciation sign in table

Research Highlights

 

Download Complete Annual Report 2025-2026 Print Version