I reflect on our Fall Welcome events and how they set the tone for a year of opportunity, connection, and growth at UC Davis. I emphasize the joy of bringing students, faculty, and families together, celebrating diversity, and building a supportive community that helps every student feel seen, supported, and ready to make an impact.
I highlight how UC Davis summer programs help set students up for success by building college readiness, offering hands-on experiences, and supporting transitions from high school and community college to university life. Drawing on my own experiences and new initiatives, I emphasize that these programs help students feel they belong, gain confidence, and enter UC Davis prepared to thrive academically and personally.
I highlight how mentorship in research empowers our undergraduates to grow academically and professionally by connecting them with faculty, graduate students, and peers who guide them through meaningful projects. These relationships help students build confidence, refine skills, and prepare for careers or graduate school while fostering a community where learners become leaders and then mentors themselves.
I share an update on UC Davis’s budget outlook, noting that even with a slightly improved state funding picture, we still face a significant deficit and uncertainty around federal research support. We’re taking steps like hiring freezes, cost reductions, and advocacy efforts while tapping our creativity and collaboration to protect our core mission and sustain opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
