The Graduate School invites the campus community to participate in the 2026 Marquette Graduate Student Photo Contest by voting for this year’s finalist entries. Inspired by the theme “Life of a Graduate Student,” the selected photographs highlight meaningful moments of graduate life.
The campus community is encouraged to view the finalist images and cast their votes for their favorite doctoral student photo and master’s student photo, helping to celebrate the creativity and lived experiences of Marquette’s graduate students.
One doctoral student and one master’s student will each receive a $250 prize.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE MASTER’S STUDENT ENTRY HERE.
Voting is open until Sunday, Feb. 15, at noon.
Following are the doctoral student entries. Be sure to also view and vote for the doctoral student entries here.
Master’s student entries
1B. Victoria Adjetey
Department: Communication
Title: Research in action
Description: This picture showcases my poster presentation at my college’s scholarship week session. It highly resonates with graduate school life because it shows you that graduate school can mold and continually transform an individual to be a better speaker and researcher. This picture is important to me because it signifies growth in my grad school journey on how research has become integral to my work.
2B. Noor Ali-Mohamad
Department: Biomedical Engineering
Title: Research in Progress
Description: Graduate school often looks like this: laptops (plural) open, papers spread out, coffee within reach and food eaten whenever there’s time. Studying and research don’t stop when I get home, work carries on at the kitchen table, late at night and in between everything else. The mess reflects what research is actually like: ideas in progress and problems that take time to figure out. This photo matters to me because it shows the everyday reality of graduate life and the quiet persistence behind the work.
3B. Frank Cabrera
Department: Educational Policy and Leadership
Title: Everyday Sits
Description: This photograph depicts my desk at the office of Inclusion and Belonging. From left to right, my fan is depicted, indicating how I am naturally warm and that sometimes I need a fan to stop from sweating. On my laptop screen, you can see my graphic for a program that I oversee, depicting my passion for graphic design and the need to incorporate our office spaces for our social media to have students interact with both. Keep moving right, you can see my weekly schedule in the offices I oversee, the places where I interact with students. In between my screen and board is my cup of coffee; this is the daily cup of joe that keeps me going, staying focused to help complete my tasks and propel me through the work day. Above my hat is a picture of my fellow graduate students in the office, my work family that has supported me throughout the year. And then you see all the wonderful and creative drawings from students that remind me of why I believe student affairs in higher education is the correct path for me. From my cleaning supplies on the higher shelf to the fake plant, this photo perfectly encapsulates my day-to-day in OIB, and how I motivate myself to do the best work for myself and Marquette students!
4B. Augusta Cheek
Department: Nursing
Title: Commitment Behind the Scrubs!
Description: This photo captures a powerful moment during one of my intense study sessions on Nov. 18, where I am fully immersed in my coursework. Having just come from the simulation lab earlier that day, I had no time to change before diving into reviewing class materials and preparing for upcoming program tasks. Surrounding me are the tools of my dedication, including a mug, notebooks, pencils, flashcards and my laptop. This image embodies the dedication and unwavering commitment essential for graduate school, particularly within Marquette’s DEMSN program. It reflects determination, resilience, tenacity and the relentless grind necessary to persevere. In that moment, my mindset was clear. I must do whatever it takes to master the material because the future health of my patients depends on it. When challenges arise, I draw strength from my lived experiences, the deep desire to improve the health and wellness of my community and my profound fascination with human biology. This photo holds great significance for me because it reveals not only the hard work that has fueled my growth so far but also the stoicism I have cultivated on this journey. While I still have a long path ahead to fulfill my purpose, this image stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication that define my pursuit of becoming a Marquette-prepared nurse.
5B. Kristen Day
Department: Educational Policy and Leadership
Title: The Cohort Model
Description: “The Cohort Model” is a set of Polaroid photos taken at the Division of Belonging and Student Affairs holiday party in December. Each photo shows one of the hilarious and hardworking Student Affairs in Higher Ed graduate assistants who make up the division.
6B. Jeff Farina-Moreos
Department: Communication
Title: A Colorful Studying Session
Description: Balancing a full-time job and graduate school is not easy, but it is rewarding at times. I am fortunate enough to travel for my job as well as have the flexibility to travel to see my significant other while being able to complete my studies and work. This special night, I was in Pullman, Washington, sitting on a balcony answering discussion posts on D2L when I noticed the northern lights. It was a rewarding and motivating site, allowing me to find the extra push I needed to finish the semester strong, despite feeling overwhelmed and stressed. The world seemed simple, and a feeling of gratitude for the position I was taking over. I continued to work on my assignment while taking in the rare occasion.
7B. Freddie Gonzales
Department: Educational Policy and Leadership
Title: Con Orgullo: Against the Odds Until the End
Description: This photo was taken at 9 p.m. once I got home after my first day of my last in-person semester, including a 13-hour day on campus being a full-time employee and going to a 5:30 p.m class after. After syllabus day, I reflect and plan my semester on my big desk calendar with color coordination. (My Christmas tree is still up as homage to my grandma whose heavenly anniversary is Jan. 24, as she was my biggest inspiration in continuing with my education as a first-generation Mexican American. She was able to see me in my first semester of graduate school, but passed during my second semester. I know she is proud that I’m now reaching the finish line).
8B. Tyler Grigg
Department: Business Administration
Title: Rucking Through the Work
Description: As a part-time online MBA student, graduate school often happens between work meetings, deadlines and family time. This photo captures one of those in-between moments — rucking with my dog as a way to reset, think through coursework and keep some balance between career, school and life. It’s a reminder that not all progress happens at a desk, and sometimes the best thinking happens while moving.
9B. Md Mazhar Hossain
Department: Computer Science
Title: Infinite Passage
Description: A corridor with repeating architectural elements. The lighting aligns to create a sense of depth, giving the illusion of mirrored layers and endless reflection within a limited space.
10B. Anika Jabin
Department: Biological Sciences
Title: Catching up with Iggy the Eagle
Description: Since my journey began at Marquette, I have always been enthusiastic about vibrant campus life. Iggy the Eagle is the mascot of Marquette, and I did not get a chance to get a picture before. When I did, I was at the lowest academic point of my life, and this very moment just made my day. From a moment of feeling I don’t belong in Marquette to I am a Marquette student was all thanks to this picture with Iggy. I am and will cherish this moment forever.
11B. Jace Ocker
Department: Communication
Title: In Between the Classroom and the Library
Description: A candid photo of my kitchen table amidst the organized chaos of the constant go-go-go of academics, work and life. I feel this is often a moment that is in a blur, and this visual is a reflective reminder of all the things brewing.
This event is part of Graduate Student Appreciation Month. Be sure to check out all of the offerings.
