New UC LEADS Program Coordinator Gears Up for 2012 Scholars
Lynne Arcangel, the program coordinator of the UC LEADS Program, brings the warm and fuzzy side to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students at the University of California, Davis. With a background in psychology and career counseling, being a part of the UC LEADS program has been an eye opening experience for Arcangel (she steered away from the science courses during her undergraduate years). Arcangel's graduate education in career counseling from Chapman University is beneficial to students in the program who will be thinking about how they can make an impact on their local and global communities.
An alumna of San Francisco State University, Arcangel says that leaving Davis for four years made her appreciate all that the little city has to offer. Currently, she helps coordinate and coach a Davis running group and enjoys attending community events. "I am proud to say I am a born and raised Davisite," Arcangel says. Before becoming the program coordinator for UC LEADS, she worked as the director of Career Center at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento.
UC LEADS is a research program that was started in 2000 and funded by the University of California, Office of the President and the California State Legislature. Each UC campus has a UC LEADS program. The Office of Graduate Studies at UC Davis oversees the statewide UC program, which provides students with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in industry, government, public service and academia. It also gives students access to research experience, research stipends, GRE preparation, seminars/workshops, advising, networking and travel to professional meetings. "The program comes with a lot of perks," says Arcangel. "It just takes time and energy."
Students must have a minimum 2.8 GPA upon applying to the program, and must maintain it over the course of the two-year commitment of UC LEADS. This scholars program aims to push and encourage students to meet, and sometimes exceed, their goals.
Because Arcangel is new to the campus, she is excited to be building a foundation with the UC LEADS program and helping students from underrepresented communities reach their educational goals. "I want to make sure the program is for students and addressing their needs," says Arcangel. She hopes to bring more innovative ideas to continue to meet the mission and improve the Davis UC LEADS program.
In the beginning of March, UC LEADS will begin accepting new scholars who are seasoned sophomores/rising juniors and transfer students.
To learn more and stay updated with all things UC LEADS, visit Surge IV, Room 409 or the UC LEADS website.