Sac State & CSU Grad Slam Competition

Get Ready for the 6th annual Sac State Grad Slam April 7, 2026!

What is Grad Slam?

Sacramento State is hosting a Grad Slam competition in Spring 2026. Grad Slam is an academic research communication competition that challenges graduate students to present a compelling speech about their research and its significance to non-academic persons in just three minutes using only one presentation image. The goal is to not only support our students but also to raise the profile of graduate education in the CSU system. The winner of the Sac State Grad Slam competition will go on to represent the campus at the CSU Grad Slam competition. Here's a video from 2024’s competition: https://csus.zoom.us/rec/play/7v59LPMSF8yrTGIZNvUnvqv33QS5MbhsQvJyVmdqs2sfENreUtispfdrAa8GYLQ-tZIykpv8-QhsDkCu.FCYvrJK4W7-0Bd9s?autoplay=true&startTime=1711495931000

This is for students who will still be enrolled in Spring 2026. Consider applying to this professional experience!

Eligibility: All active master's and doctoral students who are conducting independent research or projects, including independent research projects done for a graduate-level class, are eligible to participate in Grad Slam competitions at all levels. Entrants must be current graduate students at the time of the competition (i.e. enrolled in the Spring 2026 semester).

• This opportunity is open and available to all who are interested in applying and/or participating, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
• Group projects or group research is not eligible for submission and/or presentation in Grad Slam competitions. All projects and/or research must be conducted independently by the student applicant.
• At this time, Fall 2025 graduates are not eligible to participate in Grad Slam 2026. However, we are awaiting clarification from the CSU regarding if Fall 2025 graduates will be permitted to participate in Grad Slam 2026. If Fall 2025 graduates are granted permission to participate in Grad Slam, we will announce that information as soon as possible.

• Additional Resources: need a place to hone your presentation? Check out these University Library practice spaces!
  • Library Presentation Practice Room
  • Family Study Room

Want more information? Register for a Virtual Information Session!

• Session 1: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (12:00pm - 1:00pm)
• Session 2: Thursday, February 5, 2026 (5:00pm - 6:00pm)

All Information Sessions will be hosted virtually on Zoom. To register for a session, use this link: https://surveys.csus.edu/jfe/form/SV_1YrwXCRZGKHjn7M

Ready to Compete? Applications are open!

Apply here: https://surveys.csus.edu/jfe/form/SV_1QQ158q1EeCSmZ8

Mark Your Calendars! Important Grad Slam Dates:

Application Open:

November 17, 2025 open until February 13, 2026

Info sessions:

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (12:00pm - 1:00pm)

Thursday, February 5, 2026 (5:00pm - 6:00pm)

Judging for 3 min videos:

February 16 - February 23, 2026

Finalists Announced:

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

1:1 Sessions with Mentors to Prep Finalist for Grad Slam:

February 26 - April 6, 2026

Grad Slam:

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (5:00pm – 7:00pm)

Register to attend the event: TBA

CSU Grad Slam:

Friday, May 1, 2025

Sac State Grad Slam 2026 Competition Planning Committee

5th Annual CSU Grad Slam Competition hosted by CSU San Bernardino

4th Annual CSU Grad Slam Competition hosted by CSU Long Beach

https://www.csulb.edu/graduate-studies/csu-grad-slam

3rd Annual CSU Grad Slam hosted by San Diego State University

https://grad.sdsu.edu/csu-grad-slam

Sac State Grad Slam 2025 Competition

Congratulations to our top three 2025 presenters!

• First Place: Jenn Raley Miller (Master of Public Health)
• Second Place: Spencer Smith (MA in Education with emphasis in Special Education)
• Third Place: Asianya Jones (Ed.D. in Educational Leadership)