Compassionate Accountability Retreat
A Two-Day Virtual Retreat to Work on a Long-Term Project with Structure, Community, and Care
March 20-21 from 1:00–5:00 PM PT
About the Compassionate Accountability Retreat
The Compassionate Accountability Retreat is a virtual space for first-gen graduate students and professionals who want to make meaningful progress on a high-priority project without added pressure, guilt, or isolation.
Across two days, you’ll move through a gentle and structured process designed to help you slow down, get grounded, clarify your next steps, and actually work. You’ll have dedicated time to focus on your dissertation, thesis, article, portfolio, creative project, or any other long-term goal that needs sustained attention.
You’ll experience a rhythm of reflection, timed focus sprints, check-ins, and community support. The approach is steady and compassionate and you’ll leave with concrete progress and a clearer plan for continuing after the retreat ends.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for first-gen graduate students and professionals who can benefit from structure, spaciousness, and accountability in how they approach their work.
Maybe you've been trying to make progress on a long-term project but keep getting stuck between intention and exhaustion. You know what you need to do but it's hard to create momentum on your own.
This retreat offers a space to move forward at your pace, surrounded by others who understand the push and pull between your ambitions and your capacity. It's especially supportive if you:
Are working on a project that requires sustained attention
Want accountability that feels kind and community-centered
Find yourself navigating perfectionism, procrastination, or executive functioning challenges
Value compassion and sustainability in how you meet your goals
Participants are encouraged to show up in ways that honor their energy, needs, and capacity.
What You'll Experience
Over the course of two days, you'll experience a rhythm that interweaves structure, reflection, and focus. Each session is designed to help you reconnect with your work and leave with a clear sense of direction.
Day 1: Refocus & Recommit (4 hours)
- Welcome, Intros, and Intentions
- Mini-Workshop: Breaking Large Projects into Sustainable Milestones
- Focus Sprint #1: Gentle Start
- Break
- Focus Sprint #2: Building Momentum
- Break
- Focus Sprint #3: Deep Focused Session
- Group Check-In and Reflection
You’ll leave Day 1 with a clearer project map, renewed direction, and several tasks completed.
Day 2: Revise & Sustain (4 hours)
- Welcome, Energy Check-In, and Intentions
- Mini-Workshop: Separating Emotions from Feedback
- Focus Sprint #1: Gentle Start
- Break
- Focus Sprint #2: Deep Focused Session
- Break
- Focus Sprint #3: Deep Focused Session
- Reflection and Planning for Project Completion
- Closing Circle and Celebration
You’ll leave Day 2 with emotional clarity, a concrete plan for completion, and momentum to carry into the coming week.
Schedule and Access Details
Day 1: Friday, March 21 from 1:00–5:00 PM PT
Day 2: Saturday, March 21 from 1:00–5:00 PM PT
Hosted virtually and live via Zoom. Will not be recorded to preserve participant privacy and presence.
What's Included
Alongside the live retreat, you’ll receive a digital workbook designed to help you track your progress in the retreat and maintain momentum long after the event ends.
Compassionate Accountability Retreat Workbook
A guided workbook that supports you through every step of the retreat, including:
• Daily intention setting
• Project phase mapping and milestone planning
• Task worksheets for each focus sprint
• Prompts to manage emotional responses and sort feedback into clear, actionable categories
• Revision planning pages and actionable next-step worksheets
• End-of-day reflections and a project completion planning section
Results
By the end of the retreat, you'll have:
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
Meaningful progress on your long-term project
2
Clear milestones and micro-tasks for the next phase of your work
3
A revision plan based on separating emotions from actionable feedback
4
A project completion plan you can follow after the retreat
5
A sense of clarity and confidence in your ability to sustain momentum
6
Connection to a supportive community of peers for future retreats and work sessions
What Participants Are Saying
"Such a helpful space to not only come together in community with others working on various research and writing projects but also actually get something DONE! I started the retreat feeling crummy and came away with concrete wins, tools, and increased motivation to keep going."
— Danielle Santos
"The session offers a supportive space. You build practical tools. You strengthen focus and consistency. You improve time management. You streamline your writing process. You leave with clear strategies you use right away."
— Jeanette Villanueva Padilla, Ed.D., USC Marshall School of Business
"This was a supportive structured space to co-work in community with other Latine scholars. It has given me wings to continue working on a project I have been avoiding for months."
— Attendee
"Comforting. I feel seen/heard while also learning more resources and strategies for tackling my projects."
— Attendee
Hosting a Retreat for Your Institution
Institutions, departments, and organizations may invite me to facilitate custom accountability retreats, graduate school application retreats, or writing retreats for their students, faculty, or staff.
These retreats are especially well-suited for programs that want to provide a structured and supportive space for participants to make meaningful progress on their academic or professional projects.
Drawing from the same framework used in my public retreats, which combine reflection, executive functioning strategies, guided focus sessions, and community-centered accountability, each institutional retreat is tailored to your audience, goals, and timeline.
Retreats can be customized for:
Undergraduate students preparing graduate school applications, fellowships, or capstone projects
Graduate students working on theses, dissertations, manuscripts, or qualifying exams
Faculty and staff navigating writing-intensive projects, research planning, or role transitions
First-generation, BIPOC, neurodivergent, or nontraditional participants who benefit from flexible and capacity-aware structures
Format and Delivery:
Institutional retreats can be offered:
- Virtually as a half-day, full-day, or multi-day experience
- As a standalone retreat or paired with a workshop, coaching series, or follow-up session
All retreats include:
- A facilitated agenda with a mini-workshop, clear structure, and pacing
- Guided focus sessions and intentional breaks
- Practical tools for planning, prioritization, and sustaining momentum
- A digital workbook participants can continue using after the retreat
Funding and Logistics:
Departments and institutions typically sponsor retreats using professional development, student success, research, or retention funds. I provide invoices and supporting documentation as needed and am happy to collaborate with your team to align the retreat with institutional priorities. Interested in hosting a retreat for your program or department? I invite you to reach out to discuss your goals, audience, and timeline so we can determine the best format and scope.
FAQ
Is this retreat only for those working on research and writing projects?
You're welcome to work on any long-term project that requires your sustained attention. This can include a dissertation, thesis, article or manuscript, job or grad school application materials, a creative project, a portfolio, or any major project.
What if I don't identify as first-generation, can I still join?
Yes. While the retreat is designed with first-generation students and professionals in mind, anyone who identifies as an ally or comrade is welcome.
Do I need to attend both days?
You're encouraged to attend both days to get the full experience but it's not required. Please note that registration covers the full retreat and the fee cannot be prorated for single-day attendance.
What if I need to arrive late, step away, or leave early?
You're welcome to join in the ways that work best for you. If possible, let me know ahead of time so I can hold space accordingly and keep track of who will be present.
How much actual focused work time will I get during the retreat?
Each day includes about 2 hours of structured focus time for a total of 4 hours across the retreat. The remaining time supports your process through intention-setting, mini-workshops, breaks, planning, and community reflection.
What materials or preparation do I need before attending?
Bring whatever you need to work on your project, including documents, notes, readings, or tools. Arriving with a clear intention or priority for the retreat will help you make the most of your time.
How large will the group be, and will I have opportunities for support?
The retreat will be capped at ten participants to maintain an intimate, supportive environment. You'll have opportunities for check-ins, guided reflection, and community connection throughout.
Do I get instant access to the retreat materials after registering?
Yes. You'll receive immediate access to the workbook via an editable Google Doc. You'll also get copies of notes and retreat slides within 24 hours after the event ends.
What is your refund policy?
Because participants receive instant access to the workbook and the retreat is a live experience, all sales are final and no refunds can be provided.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. At checkout, you'll have the option to use Afterpay or Klarna if you prefer to pay in installments.
Is there any post-retreat community or follow-up support?
Yes. Participants are encouraged to exchange contact information. In addition, more quarterly retreats will be offered throughout 2026 and those who attend previous retreats will receive early registration access and special rates.
About Your Facilitator
Dra. Yvette Martínez-Vu (she/her) is a first-generation, disabled, and autistic Chicana grad school and productivity certified coach, consultant, speaker, and LinkedIn Learning instructor. She is also the co-author of Is Grad School For Me? (UC Press) and co-editor of the Chicana M(other)work Anthology (UA Press). As the founder of Grad School Femtoring, LLC and host of the award-winning Grad School Femtoring Podcast, she helps first-gen BIPOC students and professionals navigate academia and careers with sustainable productivity strategies. Her work focuses on grad admissions, executive functioning, flexible work systems, burnout prevention, and values-aligned success. Dra. Yvette offers coaching, consulting, and speaking engagements on grad school admissions, career development, productivity, and wellbeing.
Funding and Employer Support
Many graduate programs and employers offer professional development or research funding that can be used to cover registration for retreats like this one.
If you're a graduate student, check with your department, graduate division, or advisor about available professional development or research funds. You may also consider identifying a department, center, grant, or individual sponsor who can cover the registration fee on your behalf.
If you're a professional, consider asking whether your employer's professional development budget can cover the registration fee. This retreat may qualify as a continuing education and productivity training experience.
To make the process simple, all participants receive an invoice upon registration that can be submitted for reimbursement.
If your department or employer requires additional documentation such as a retreat description, please email me after registration, and I'll provide what you need.
Pricing and Enrollment
Space is limited to maintain an intimate, supportive group dynamic.
Ready to Get Started?
Join the Compassionate Accountability Retreat and make meaningful progress on your long-term project. Reserve your spot now and end the quarter with clarity and renewed momentum.