This workshop explores how faculty members can serve as agents of change to improve graduate student well-being by reforming Ph.D. program milestones. The session emphasizes that meaningful change in higher education comes from faculty-driven initiatives rather than top-down mandates, and addresses common barriers such as cultural traditions, governance structures, and resource constraints. Through structured reflection and discussion activities, participants identify specific milestones in their programs that could be reformed to enhance student well-being across multiple dimensions—physical, mental, social, occupational, and financial—and develop actionable strategies for overcoming implementation barriers. The workshop guides faculty through the process of crafting effective proposals for change, building support among colleagues, and navigating departmental dynamics to create lasting improvements in the graduate student experience.
