To the UC Davis community:
 
College readiness is key for students to succeed. From application to graduation, UC Davis invests in and supports students’ success, preparing new Aggies with a wide range of programs that build foundations for continued education and careers.
 
I know firsthand the importance of such programs. In high school, I was part of the Develop Engineering Students program in St. Louis, which was instrumental in helping me build math and practical skills like soldering, which served me well as an engineer. It also helped me gain an appreciation for programmatic interventions that broadened participation in STEM fields, which eventually led me to develop similar programs during my faculty career.
 
This experience inspired me to start Envision UC Davis, a program that helps junior and senior undergraduates develop a better understanding and appreciation of graduate education while orienting them to campus, early in my tenure. I look forward to the program returning. There will be an online session offered in November, followed by the in-person program restarting in 2026.
 
There’s a clear need for student readiness programs. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, nearly four out of five students are not academically prepared for college success. Further, about 14% of low-income students are college-ready, compared to 30% of students who are not low-income.
 
We are committed to improving these numbers at UC Davis. Summer months like these are prime time for college readiness programs on campus that are open to all high school and transfer students. Our campus is also energized by current students in our Summer Sessions.
 
Our programs also reach college-ready students who may not realize they could attend a university. First-generation students, for example, often experience imposter syndrome and worry they are not ready for the rigors of university life. UC Davis summer programs show them they belong and can thrive on our campus.

College degrees change lives

Helping students realize their potential early could not be more important. After all, earning a college degree is crucial for economic success. According to the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, a college degree will net the average student over $1 million in additional income and limitless opportunities over the course of a career.
 
College not only teaches technical skills but builds a foundation for lifelong employability. With almost half of jobs expected to face disruptionbecause of technological advances and economic changes in the next few years, succeeding in college and being equipped with the skills for many jobs will become even more critical.

Prepping the next generations of students

Some of our summer programs are geared toward specific fields, such as supporting the next generations of veterinarians and entrepreneurs. Others help with the transition process for new students, with programs that prepare them for college life, including academics, relationship-building and early career planning.
 
For Rubi Lopez, who participated in our Veterinary Medicine Summer Academy, the program not only reaffirmed her goal to become a veterinarian, it also inspired her to enroll at UC Davis. The program was launched in 2024 and is geared toward Sacramento-area students in sixth through 12th grades. The weeklong program exposes students to veterinary medicine with hands-on learning experiences.
 
Rubi says the program was a formative and pivotal experience that deepened her understanding of veterinary medicine. She entered the program as a high school student. Now, she’s looking forward to studying at UC Davis in the fall and working toward a degree in animal science.
 
During the summer months, you’re also likely to see high school students from the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science, or COSMOS, around campus and the city. This monthlong program draws more than 200 California students who show talent and promise in STEM fields. During their stay, COSMOS students receive valuable exposure to university life, all while learning from faculty and researchers in labs and through hands-on experiences.
 
Tayla Harding attended COSMOS as a high school student in 2022, and is now a UC Davis undergraduate on track to graduate in 2027. Through her participation, she found UC Davis to be her dream school, and the program prepared her well for the academic and social aspects of college life. She appreciated the opportunity to connect early with professors and ease her fears of being away from home for the first time. She’s now entering her third year at UC Davis as a psychology major with an emphasis in biology and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology.
 
Other programs are geared toward student success as a whole. That includes the Special Transitional Enrichment Program, or STEP, a two-year program for Educational Opportunity Program, or EOP, low-income and first-generation students who have been admitted to UC Davis. STEP kicks off with a six-week summer experience that orients students to campus and includes academic advising, career preparation and extracurricular activities.
 
More than 90% of participants continue to their second year at UC Davis. One participant, River Tuason, told the California Aggie that STEP “(was) life-changing for me … Having 20 peer advising counselors having our backs was really supportive.”
 
More than 100 high school students experienced UC Davis last month through the Early Academic Opportunity Program Youth Leadership Program, which introduced them to intentional, early leadership development.
 
Our School of Education also hosts federally funded UC Davis Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs. These pre-college outreach programs serve low-income middle school and high school students who would be the first in their families to graduate from college. The summer programs bring together students from across Northern California and focus on building their growth mindset and academic skills to encourage them to see that attending college is within reach.
 
We are also committed to supporting transfer students as they transition to UC Davis. Aggie Transfer Scholars Weekend is an intensive, four-day program that provides assistance with UC applications, peer mentoring and academic preparation. The program is free to UC Davis Transfer Opportunity Program, or TOP, participants, such as students from American River College and Woodland Community College, and focuses on those from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Recent high school students who are part of TOP can also participate in Aggie to Be, a three-day program that guides participants through the admissions process and shares resources to enable their success as UC Davis students.
 
Community college transfer students pursuing engineering and computer science degrees have a unique opportunity in the AvenueE Transfer Bridge program. It will run from late August through mid-September and includes a wide range of activities, including lab tours, professional development workshops and social events for students to build friendships.

New academic year on the horizon

Our commitment to college readiness for all students will always be part of who we are at UC Davis. We’ll see this preparation in action in just a few weeks once the fall quarter begins.
 
We know that our commitment to get students across the stage with diplomas in hand begins much earlier — and our summer programs are an important part of making sure those journeys start strong. For those who’ve participated in such programs, they’re especially prepared for success in academics and making a confident transition to university life.
 
I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus next month. In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying these remaining days of summer and the chance to relax and recharge.
 
Sincerely,
 
Gary S. May
Chancellor