[Orgvpdue] November_December 2025 DUE Spotlight

[Mona Nelson on behalf of Louie Rodriguez]

*Undergraduate Education Monthly Spotlights*
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The* DUE Monthly Spotlight Series* aims to highlight important advances
across the Division of Undergraduate Education. The goal is to ensure that
our fellow DUE members stay in the know as we collectively work toward
DUE’s strategic goals, including boosting graduation rates and reducing
equity gaps, among others.
CRFs meet with the Board of Trustees

The Chancellor’s Research Fellows and Director Gladis Herrera-Berkowitz,
were invited to present at the Fall Board of Trustees Meeting to discuss
the impact of the fellowship. This was an exciting opportunity for *Senior
CRFs Nicole D’Souza* (Neuroscience, Minor in Data Science), *Janna Soliman*
(Bioengineering), and *Sreenidhi Surineni* (Neuroscience, Minor in
Philosophy) *to highlight their research accomplishments and share the
professional development they have gained through their roles supporting
the development and implementation of fellowship programming. *They were
also joined by *alumna Anzie Pyo* (PhD Candidate; Cell, Molecular, and
Developmental Biology), the inaugural recipient of the Chancellor’s
Graduate Research Fellowship administered by the Graduate Division. CUREL
is proud of the positive impression the fellows made on the Board and
campus leadership.
UCR students compete in Albany School of Law moot court

Two members of UCR's Moot Court Team competed in the moot court competition
held at Albany School of Law, in New York. Many Ivy League and military
colleges participated in the event, with some schools having up to five
teams competing. Most of the teams had significant experience and this was
UCR's first competition. *UCR's team of Kylie Jordan and Marianna
Saldivar *were
accompanied by UCR's Pre-Law Advisor LA Edwards, who said of Kylie and
Marianna, "they did good; they held their own."



PPAC meets with families during Highlander Family Weekend
PPAC student staff and ambassadors tabled at Highlander Family Weekend,
which ran from November 7-9. *Students and their families had a chance to
learn more about the Pre- Professional Advising Center's services *and ways
the center can guide students to success within the health and law
professions.

DUE hosts the Latino Network 2025 Student Leadership Conference; Alfred
Miro III speaks
UC Riverside hosted more than *200 students on Saturday, November 15 for
the Latino Network 2025 Student Leadership Conference*. The Latino Network
provides a forum to address community issues affecting and impacting the
Latino community. They are a passionate, strong, viable, caring
organization, concerned about the virtues of education and committed to
serving the youth in the community. *Alfredo Miro III, chief operating
officer of Baker’s Drive-Thru*, shared his entrepreneurial knowledge and
financial expertise during the Financial Empowerment Panel. Other panel
topics included: Using Community Cultural Wealth to Build Cultural and
Leadership Identity; Civic Engagement/Know Your Rights; and Echale Mente -
Mental Health Power. Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Dr.
Louie F. Rodriguez served as the campus host and emcee.

Scholars from Black Student Success visit USC's Gould School of Law

On Friday, November 21, 2025, Black Student Success was able to send *16
scholars from UCR's National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) to USC's
Gould School of Law for their "Gateway to Gould Workshop."*

During the event, scholars got the opportunity to tour the law school and
hear from current law school students and alumni from their law school.

Peer Power: Announcing the 2025-2026 UCDC Ambassadors

CUREL is pleased to announce the appointment of their new UCDC program
ambassadors for the 2025-2026 academic year, a significant step in
strengthening student outreach initiatives.* Allison Vu and Itzel Mar have
joined the Capital Internships team, continuing the legacy of ambassadors
who have expanded opportunities for student participation in the UCDC and
UCCS programs.*

The UCDC ambassador program aims to strengthen outreach, recruitment, and
application support for prospective students. The program allocates $2,500
annually for ambassador stipends. Throughout the academic year, ambassadors
offer one-on-one advising, participate in tabling events, deliver
presentations, and expand the program’s social media presence. CUREL also
encourages collaboration with ambassadors through co-hosted events,
information sharing, and joint outreach initiatives to further increase the
program’s impact.

Ambassadors play a crucial role by drawing on their recent experiences in
Washington, D.C. to inspire student interest and assist prospective
participants in preparing for life in the Capital. Their expertise will be
essential in broadening the program’s reach across campus.

*Allison Vu*

Allison Vu is a fourth-year English major and pre-law student who
exemplifies the academic rigor and leadership sought in the UCDC cohort.
She is a recipient of the CHASS Student Assistance and Opportunity Fund and
currently holds leadership roles as Treasurer of the Legal Minds Society
and Vice President of Hooks 4 Hope. She is currently applying to law
schools following her LSAT this fall.

As a UCDC alum, Allison served as an Undergraduate Policy Intern for
Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE), a nonprofit education law firm.
Her responsibilities included conducting client intakes, managing legal
databases, and shadowing attorneys. This experience provided her with the
confidence and professional clarity necessary for her legal career
aspirations. *As an ambassador, Allison will focus on supporting students
interested in Capital internships and recruiting future UCDC interns for
AJE, illustrating the program’s tangible benefits.*

*Itzel Mar*

Itzel Mar, a fourth-year History major, has a strong background in
specialized research and cultural preservation. She received the Thomas and
Evelyn Gahn Award for Historical Research, an accomplishment highlighted in
a KUCR Radio interview. Her work as a Digital Archivist, with a focus on
Mexican culture and Cultura Sonidera, demonstrates the intersection of
history, identity, and community through preservation.

Itzel completed her UCDC internship at the U.S. Capitol, gaining direct
experience in the nation’s political center. As a transfer student, she
provides valuable perspectives on adapting to new academic and professional
environments in Washington, D.C. *She will serve as a key resource for
students seeking guidance on the application process, transitioning to D.C.
life, and maximizing their experience in the capital.*

CUREL invites department leaders and staff to refer potential UCDC and UCCS
candidates to schedule appointments with Allison and Itzel. Appointments
may be arranged using the following link: [
https://engage.ucr.edu/internship/overview
<https://click.mailchimp.com/track/click/30010842/engage.ucr.edu?p=eyJzIjoiQW5QUFpiU3lyX3BfU0NldmdibFRIc2JUUW9BIiwidiI6MiwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMDg0MixcInZcIjoyLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2VuZ2FnZS51Y3IuZWR1XFxcL2ludGVybnNoaXBcXFwvb3ZlcnZpZXdcIixcImlkXCI6XCIwMjE3MmM5YjlhMTM0ZjQwOTE4N2ZmYmQxZDU4YzJlYlwiLFwidXJsX2lkc1wiOltcIjg3ZTRlZjliMDcxNTFhZjRkOGI0NTU4ODk1NDk4ZTczZDA3YzFmZTRcIl0sXCJtc2dfdHNcIjoxNzY2MTYyMTc4fSJ9>
].

For presentation requests, please contact Danielle White at dwhite at ucr.edu.


UCDC Winter Cohort: Preparation for the Capital

The upcoming UCDC winter cohort is engaged in a competitive selection
process for placements in prominent organizations, including those on
Capitol Hill, within government agencies, and among influential non-profits.

*This selective group of student interns demonstrates significant
commitment by balancing rigorous academic responsibilities with the demands
of two preparatory programs: UCDC Prep and UCR Cohort Meetings. *This
challenging environment fosters resilience and professional development.

These preparation sessions are high-impact, interactive workshops designed
to transform eager applicants into confident, D.C.-ready professionals. The
curriculum provides essential knowledge that ranges from life skills, such
as practical competencies for navigating Washington, D.C., to professional
development in advanced training on resume writing, interview techniques,
strategic networking, and workplace conduct.

Additionally, students develop a cohesive cohort dynamic that establishes a
strong support network. This collective assists members in navigating the
challenges and successes of their residency in the nation's Capital.

Alumni engagement is integral to the UCDC experience. The community
benefits from an active network of graduates who have interned at leading
Congressional offices and non-profit organizations. These alumni share
their professional experiences and leverage their networks to provide
direct support and mentorship to current students. This ongoing mentorship
reinforces the UCDC legacy and offers participants practical career
insights, enabling the cohort to begin their internships as contributing
professionals.
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