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.
I’m thrilled that Aggie Square has opened, marking the start of a new era of innovation, collaboration, and opportunity where UC Davis researchers, students, and industry partners work side-by-side to solve real problems. This hub in Sacramento will expand hands-on learning, deepen research impact, and strengthen regional and global connections that help turn ideas into practical solutions that benefit communities near and far.
