Grad

GradNEXT Pitch Competition

Dream big and shape the future of graduate education at GradNEXT!

GradNEXT is a Shark Tank-inspired event where you can pitch your innovative ideas to transform graduate education locally or at the university level. This competition is open to students, staff, and faculty who are passionate about reimagining how graduate students learn and are supported.

Form a team and present your groundbreaking concepts to the Dean of the Graduate College and the Provost. The winning team will receive funding to bring their vision to life.

Don’t miss this opportunity to dream big and shape the future of graduate education!

Information Sessions

Thursday, November 21 at 10 a.m. | Register for Info Session

Tuesday, November 26 at 10 a.m. | Register for Info Session

Pitch Competition

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Last Year's Competitors

TEAM 1, Graduate Level Competency Based Education – CECH  

  • Matt Huml (Associate Professor, Sport Administration, CECH) 
  • David Kelly (Educator Professor, Sport Administration, CECH) 
  • Beau Wyrick (Senior Online Marketing Manager, UC Online) 

TEAM 2, UC Everywhere: Mobile University – DAAP  

  • Claudia Rebola (Associate Dean, DAAP)
  • Lora Alberto (Program Director for Graduate Studies and Research, DAAP) 
  • Henry Levesque (PhD Student, Planning, DAAP) 
  • Pam Rezai (Asst Dir Marketing & Publications, DAAP) 
  • Szymon Nogalski (PhD Student, Planning, DAAP) 
  • Nazanin Najdmofarrah (MFA Student, Fine Arts, DAAP) 

TEAM 3, Global Voices, Local Impact – CECH, International Office, Graduate College & Graduate Student Government 

  • Stacy Jenkins (Graduate Student Success Program Manager, CECH) 
  • Tiffany Berman (PhD Student, Educational Studies, CECH GSA President) 
  • Kelly Plazibat (Program Coordinator, UC International Services)
  • Gibin Raju (PhD Student, Engineering Education, GSG President, IGSA Communications Chair) 
  • Brandilyn Worrell Pham (Program Manager, Community and Belonging, Graduate College) 

TEAM 4, BME PhD Accelerator Program – CEAS  

  • Jason Heikenfeld (Faculty, Biomedical Engineering, CEAS) 

TEAM 5, CodeinCStructor.ai – CEAS  

  • Saumick Pradhan (Master’s Student, Computer Science, CEAS)