Celebrating Our New Name: Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) is pleased to announce they will now officially be known as the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS).
The management of postdoctoral fellows was transferred from the Office of the Vice-President Research and International to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in December 2022 and the faculty name change was approved by Senate in June 2025.
The change highlights the faculty’s commitment to recognizing the important role postdoctoral fellows play in UM’s research community. By including postdoctoral studies in its name, the faculty underscores its dedication to supporting scholars at every stage of advanced research and training.
“This new name better reflects the scope of the faculty’s work,” said Dr. Stephen Kirkland, Associate Dean and Postdoctoral Lead of FGPS, “Postdoctoral fellows are essential contributors to innovation and discovery, and this change ensures they are visible and valued as part of our academic community.”
The faculty oversees graduate education, supports research excellence, and now emphasizes its role in advancing opportunities for postdoctoral researchers.
Dr. Kelley Main, Dean of FGPS, stated “The change strengthens our commitment to fostering success at every stage of advanced study and research training. The new title ensures both graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are recognized as integral to the faculty’s mission.”