The PHAS Symposium is a day-long event organized by PHAS DGA for students to present their research and engage in scientific conversations with their peers. This is an invaluable opportunity for graduate students to improve their communication skills and be involved in an initiative to enhance the academic experience of their colleagues. This event greatly enhances a sense of community within our department. From its launch in late 2015, the PHAS Symposium has been growing with respect to its impact and attendance. We have been incorporating new ideas to help encourage students to participate in the symposium as well as improve their experience, such as organizing keynote speeches by experts from different career avenues.