Daffodils on the UC Davis campus

Graduate Studies Advisory Committee

Are you a new Graduate Program Coordinator?

For onboarding training and resources, please contact Director of Advising Sarah Driver (sbdriver@ucdavis.edu).

Graduate Studies Advisory Committee 

The Graduate Studies Advisory Committee (GSAC) is an advisory committee that discusses issues that affect graduate program staff across campus. It serves as a resource and support network and makes recommendations to the Graduate Studies Dean’s Office. The committee is composed of graduate program staff and Graduate Studies staff.

  • Brown Bags (suggestions are welcome)
  • Workshops (suggestions are welcome)
  • GSAC General Meetings (announced monthly through the listserv gradcoordinators@ucdavis.edu)

2022-2023 GSAC Co-Chairs

  • Samantha Arcement, College of Biological Sciences
  • Alisha Bartolomucci, Nutritional Biology
  • Lauren Worrell, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Contact the Co-Chairs


Helpful Resources

Upcoming Workshops and Training Opportunities

Culturally Inclusive Language, January 11 - 8:30 am-12pm. Language plays an important role in determining how well members of our community feel respected and included. It is important to choose what we say, whether that be verbally, non-verbally, or over e-mail, to ensure that we are communicating mutual respect and understanding for the diverse perspectives and backgrounds in our community. This session includes an exploration of how the pandemic has impacted this area of DEI. Register here. 

Understanding Diversity and Social Justice, January 23 - 8:30 am-12pm. Through personal sharing, group exercises, and dialogue, the ever persistent and ever changing dynamics of personal and societal structures which support inequality will be examined. Participants will also engage in learning skills to become allies for social equity. Register here. 

LGBTQIA Inclusion in the Workplace, January 25 - 8:30 am-12pm. Our campus strives for inclusion excellence in our policies and practices that consider the experiences of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) community members. Among the course objectives include broadening our understanding of the experiences of LGBTQIA people on our campus by exploring the culture, language and terminology related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Using case studies, participants will gain awareness and knowledge of some of the issues that impact members of the LGBTQIA community in the workplace, and will engage in developing strategies that work towards creating a welcoming work environment. Register here. 

Developing Deeper Advising Relationships, February 8 – March 22 - recurring sessions 1pm-4:30pm. DDAR is a four-part training highly recommended for all graduate program coordinators. Session 1 focuses on social justice in advising. Session 2 focuses on self-awareness. Session 3 focuses on cultural humility. Finally, session 4 helps advisor develop effective communication skills. Register here.