Welcome to a New Academic Year

Dear graduate students,

On behalf of UC Davis Graduate Studies, I want to welcome you to a new academic year. 

Some of you are starting a new academic journey this year. Others of you are returning to continue your education and scholarship. Together, all of you contribute to the essential missions of our university through teaching and mentoring; advancing our research, scholarship and creativity; and engaging with our communities to benefit people across California and the world.

The mentorship of our faculty, support of our staff and connection to your peers are critical to your success. And I encourage you to build these networks throughout your education. 

Graduate school is a transformative time during which the people you meet, experiences you have, and opportunities you embrace can position you for a lifetime of personal and professional enrichment. It can also be a very challenging time. The demands of your classes and scholarship can compete with family obligations, external pressures from actions at the federal or global level, and other uncertainties.

You know more than anyone the resilience it takes to succeed at the graduate level. I see that resilience every day when you show up in our classrooms, our labs, our studios, and every other place on campus that you make an impact. It makes me incredibly proud to be part of this community, and honored to lead the unit that is committed to supporting your efforts and success.

Graduate Studies offers many resources to foster your academic growth and help you achieve your professional and personal goals. Our GradPathways Institute provides new and continuing graduate students access to programs that facilitate professional development and mentoring, as well as initiatives supporting inclusive excellence and well-being. UC Grad Slam is an annual contest to make research accessible by providing emerging scientists and scholars with the skills to engage the public in their work. As well, we are always here to answer your questions and provide expertise, advising, financial support, and more. 

On behalf of the staff and faculty at Graduate Studies, we look forward to working with you and supporting you this academic year.

I wish each of you the best as you begin this quarter, and I can’t wait to see how you push this institution forward with your passions and talents. 

Sincerely

-jp

Jean-Pierre Delplanque
Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies
Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering