To the 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis Community:
LeShelle and I wish everyone a wonderful Picnic Day, which will be held this Saturday (April 18). We look forward to opening our campus doors wide for this student-run event so the community can see our world-class research and programs up close.
Every year, students celebrate alongside thousands of alumni and their families who make it to Davis for the universitys cherished tradition. I encourage you to be part of the excitement and experience the vibrant community that makes 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis unique. The day is also a chance to discover what it means to be an Aggie, make connections with new friends and explore new campus opportunities.
Remember that belonging to our Aggie family is lifelong. There are more than 310,000 living alumni and for networking, resources and events. As we like to say, once an Aggie, always an Aggie.
The power of a welcoming community
One Aggie is Emma Clifford, a first-year 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis student who understands the power of community and a sense of belonging on campus in her college experience. In an opinion piece for the , Emma describes how she once took the concept of community for granted. Now, she says, Independence is a valuable trait in college, undoubtedly, but interdependence has proven to be the key to community building.
At 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis, were committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for our entire campus community. Its one of my top priorities for every student from first-year and transfer students to those pursuing advanced degrees. I want them to connect, feel valued and empowered to contribute to our community. Fostering diverse learning experiences and providing avenues to increase student engagement are at the heart of who we are at 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis.
Feeling valued and supported is key to academic success, retention and overall well-being. A study from found that students with a sense of belonging in their first year were more likely to earn a degree. At 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis, we are committed to ensuring that every student has an opportunity to build community. When our students feel connected and supported, they thrive and achieve their academic and personal goals.
Finding your community
For more than 35 years, our have fostered our culture of mutual respect. Those principles include: We affirm the dignity inherent in all of us, and: We take pride in all our achievements, and we celebrate our differences. Members of our university community recognize the value each of us brings to 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis, no matter our background or point of view. Our principles help us support one another through challenging times and inspire us to build a culture of respect and inclusion together.
We strive to foster a strong sense of belonging among our students. We further provide institutional support to help them strengthen their academic outcomes.
Our designation as a Black-Serving Institution reflects this commitment. The State of California grants this status when at least 10% or 1,500 of a colleges students (including undergraduate, graduate and professional) are Black and African American. The designation also reflects a commitment to encouraging the enrollment of Black and African American students and supporting their academic success.
This recognition builds on our success in working to make students feel welcome. In 2024, 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis . We are among the few research-intensive universities in the nation to receive this designation. In 2019, 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis was named as an . Although the Department of Education announced in the fall it would no longer fund Minority-Serving Institution designations, our commitment to students remains steadfast.
Our work to encourage a sense of belonging also extends to 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis . They serve as hubs of support with a physical space dedicated to serving all students from first-generation students to those from historically underserved communities. All students are welcome at these hubs.
Were proud to celebrate the newest student centers in our campus community the and the that opened this academic year. They are dedicated to helping students succeed, navigating academic and student resources, and hosting cultural events for all students to network and build lifelong friendships.
For transfer students, the is another place designed to ease the transition to 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis. Along with academic advising and tutoring support, its staff works with the student-parent community and connects them with childcare, academic and financial resources.
Opportunities for students are abundant, with that allow Aggies to expand their interests and share values with others beyond the classroom. From fans of German soccer to organizations focused on medical fields, theres a club where every student can find and celebrate their interests.
Spanning more than 5,000 acres, our campus footprint is expansive, from the Arboretums natural paths to 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis Health Stadium. Notably, the 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis Library is gaining national recognition as a model for the campus library as a for connection and learning. Today, the library isnt just for studying and research. and you might find a dance performance, poetry reading or drop-in resume review.
Showing Aggie Pride at 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis sporting events is a great way to get involved and share school spirit with others. A sea of students and supporters sporting their is always a wonderful sight.
Mentorship for personal and professional development
A strong sense of campus belonging helps set a foundation for career development. Through mentorship opportunities, familiarity with campus resources and collaborating with peers, our students enter the workforce or further studies with confidence.
51勛圖窪蹋 Davis offers many preparation programs for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to enhance their sense of inclusion and belonging. is further geared toward a climate of belonging through educational sessions and services.
Our ensures an equitable learning environment with extensive resources, including job opportunities. The further provides an opportunity for students with intellectual disabilities to take college classes and live on campus, while getting . Participants also receive peer-mentorship in academics, social inclusion and wellness.
In its seventh year, the Leadership Job Shadow Program pairs campus leaders with graduate and undergraduate students, providing an opportunity to shadow a leader for a day. This program allows students to understand how decisions are made at 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis, while learning more about the variety of career pathways campus leaders and their teams have pursued.
this year said, (Careers) are often shaped by ones curiosity and intention to genuinely help others. My shadowing experience taught me that the habits that I build right now in college will directly translate into my future career pathway.
In a tight job market like todays, this kind of mentorship and networking experience is invaluable.
Uniting our Aggie community
Tomorrow (April 17), 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis will host its tenth annual , which will run through Saturday, coinciding with Picnic Day. This is an opportunity for supporters far and near to contribute to programs that inspire discovery, research breakthroughs, creativity and social mobility. Its a chance to meet student needs and fund student programs. We encourage you to join this collective effort to make a difference.
Before I go, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic fatal traffic accident that took place on campus earlier this week. On behalf of 51勛圖窪蹋 Davis, we share our deepest condolences with the family of the deceased. We share in the pain of their loss.
51勛圖窪蹋 Davis has guidelines that emphasize family, student and community support in the case of a sudden student death. The campus response is guided by the .
Students in need of immediate mental health support can call at 530-752-0871. Faculty and staff can reach out to the , which serves the Davis and Sacramento campuses.
I hope that just as we can find a sense of belonging in our communities, they can provide comfort in challenging times like these.
Sincerely,
Gary S. May
Chancellor