Graduate Diversity Resources

Graduate Diversity Team

The Graduate Diversity Team is composed of key individuals such as the Graduate Diversity Officer (GDO) and the Director of Graduate Preparatory Programs. They are designated as a primary professional resource to address graduate student diversity experiences at UC Davis. As part of their work off-campus, our Diversity Team is charged with increasing the pool of talented, competitive diversity graduate students by recruiting at colleges and universities. Likewise, on the UC Davis campus, they offer professionalizing workshops, provide academic support, and overall contribute to a welcoming and supportive campus culture for a diverse graduate student population.

Diversity Resources for Future Graduate Students

Graduate Preparation Programs at UC Davis

Graduate Studies is home to a number of programs designed to prepare educationally or economically disadvantaged undergraduate students for success in graduate education. These programs include the McNair Scholars Program, the Guardian Professions Program, UC LEADS, and Envision. Learn more about these programs by visiting our Graduate Preparations Programs page or view a comprehensive list of sponsored research programs on the Undergraduate Research Center website.

Envision UC Davis

Envision UC Davis is a program aimed at creating a more diverse and talented workforce at UC Davis, in the State of California, and the nation. Participants learn about the graduate programs at UC Davis, engage with current graduate students and faculty, Receive helpful tips about the graduate school application process. Accommodations, meals, and transportation subsidies will be provided for all accepted participants. Learn more by visiting the Envision UC Davis website.

Diversity Resources for Incoming and New Graduate Students

Holistic U

New graduate students at UC Davis are encouraged to attend H olistic U. Holistic U is an orientation experience that focuses on the unique issues facing newly admitted graduate students from historically marginalized communities. It is designed to prepare participating students for issues they may experience in their first year of graduate school through interactive workshops, panels, and networking activities with their peers, faculty, and staff. It is open to all students who are committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive academic environment.

Competitive Edge (suspended for 2024)

The UC Davis Competitive Edge Summer Bridge Program is an eight-week “early start” research and professional development program for selected incoming graduate students. Competitive Edge is motivated by the belief that a diverse graduate student body enhances the quality of the educational experience for all students. Tied directly to UC Davis' strategic plan To Boldly Go, Competitive Edge works towards fulfilling our mission to be fully inclusive and supportive of all students.

Student and Community Groups

Graduate Student groups are a great way meet other diversity graduate students and to pursue targeted networking through social and cultural affiliations. If you don’t see a graduate student group listed here to meet your needs or interests please see the Center for Student Involvement website to search through a complete list of current students groups or follow the link on how to register your own graduate student group.

UC Davis Resource Centers

Diversity Resources for Continuing Graduate Students

Professional Development and Mentorship Support

Making the most out of your educational experience at UC Davis includes taking advantage of many opportunities for professional development offered on campus. These opportunities informational workshops, lectures and seminars by professionals across a variety of fields, and certifications programs to add valuable skills to your professional CV. These opportunities are offered through a range of University departments intended to foster graduate student success. We recommend by starting with GradPathways, our premier professional development program for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Diversity Resources for Postdoctoral Scholars

Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The UC Davis Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, faculty mentoring, and eligibility for the UC-system hiring incentive to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at the University of California.

President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was established in 1984 to encourage outstanding women and minority Ph.D. recipients to pursue academic careers at the University of California.

Other Services, Programs, and Resources

Diversity Resources for UC Davis Faculty and Staff

Mentoring Programs and Initiatives

At UC Davis, we believe that mentorship is a priceless investment in student and institutional success. UC Davis Graduate Studies supports and advances graduate faculty-student mentoring through a variety of efforts. A comprehensive list of resources for both faculty mentors and student mentees can be found on the Graduate Studies mentoring pages.