A Night in the City: Georgetown’s Graduate Gala Recap
By Priyasha Chakravarti
A month ago, the Georgetown Graduate Gala was held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. The March 13th event brought together students from across Georgetown’s graduate programs for a night of celebration, connection, and unforgettable experiences.
This year’s Graduate Gala featured more than 900 attendees, including graduate students from across different schools and programs, along with alumni, faculty, and university partners.
“For me, it was not just about planning an event, it was about creating something meaningful. I wanted the gala to feel elevated, intentional, and reflective of the graduate student experience at Georgetown,” said Tsephania Jerome, Master’s in Higher Education Administration, and the lead for the Graduate Gala.
The event opened with a live jazz trio and then transitioned to a DJ and LED dance floor. There were multiple photo booths including a 360 booth, and a full catering experience. All of these elements were intentionally curated by the planning team to create an environment that felt elevated, cohesive, and memorable.
The Graduate Gala was an event run by and for graduate students, with months of planning and behind the scenes work.
“There were so many moving parts happening at the same time, from budgets and contracts to vendor coordination and university policies. But this event was not just about production or aesthetics, it was about creating a space for graduate students to feel seen, celebrated, and valued,” Jerome said.
“There’s a huge effort that goes behind when preparing a big event like this. There’s a lot of people trying to make it work, and I’m proud that we could achieve it,” said Adriana Cortes Buelvas, a GradGov senator, and from the SCS Masters in IT Management.
Nikhil Gopalkrishnan, SCS Masters in Cybersecurity Risk Management, said that “It was fun working with a great team that is dedicated to serving the graduate community.”
When it all came together, the Graduate Gala featured a unique opportunity for Grad Hoyas across Georgetown University programs to interact with one another.
“I have never previously experienced a gala before, and having an opportunity to dress up and enjoy an evening of dance with my friends seemed perfect. I also wanted to interact with other graduate students,” said Arishka Nayak from the Master of International Development program.
When asked about her favorite part, Nayak commented that “the photo booths were such a fun and cute element of the night.”
Keaton Ballard, SCS Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications, and current GradGov Executive Vice President shared similar sentiments. “My favorite part of the evening was walking around and seeing everyone genuinely enjoying themselves.”
Beyond personal connections with friends and loved ones, Nemata Kabba, SCS Masters in Integrated to Marketing and Communication and GradGov senator, also liked how the Gala offered a chance to network with students and faculty across Georgetown University.
As everyone danced on the vibrant LED dance floor, there was a special sense of unity and joy that filled the auditorium by the end of the night.
“I do wish this becomes an event that every single graduate student can enjoy during their experience at Georgetown, not only those who can afford the ticket,” Buelvas said.
Kavin Sakthivel, MPS Real Estate & Competitive Business Intelligence ‘26 and current GradGov President echoed these sentiments. He noted that while they did manage to bring down the prices this year, “But organizers should always be asking, how do we make this more affordable? Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought.”
Grad Gala was ultimately about creating a space for graduate students from different Georgetown programs and paths to come together, feel connected, feel seen, and enjoy themselves. Stay tuned for next year’s Graduate Gala!
“My goal next year is to continue the gala and ensure it not only celebrates the year but also truly reflects the energy, diversity, and accomplishments of our graduate community,” Ballard said.